What are the most spectacular roads in Italy?

Located in the southern part of Europe, Italy is a dream for drivers as it hosts the mountain passes (the Alps), coastal drives (Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Ligurian), and some of the most famous scenic routes in the world.

Choosing only a few roads to drive in the country is nearly impossible, as there are about 600 spectacular routes. Stelvio Pass is Europe's most famous road. At an elevation of 2,757m (9,045ft) above sea level, the pass is located in the northern part of the country. It's one of the highest roads in Europe. Featuring 48 hairpin turns, the road through the summit is a marvel of engineering.

If you prefer coastal drives, you must experience the breathtaking Amalfi Coast Road. The road follows the shoreline from Sorrento south to Salerno. The road has been featured in films since cameras started rolling at 24 frames per second. If you want to feel like James Bond, don’t skip Strada della Forra. A small car with a functioning horn is recommended. For skilled drivers only. The drive is known by motorcyclists from all over Europe, as it is impressive and not without danger in a few narrow and steep spots. If you prefer roads with a story, don’t miss the Strada delle 52 Gallerie, a WWI military mule road. Built on the massif of Pasubio, it was constructed in this position to stay away from Austro-Hungarian artillery fire.

Stelvio Pass is Europe's most magnificent and challenging road

Passo dello Stelvio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.757m (9,045ft) above sea level, located in northern Italy. The road to the summit is a marvel of engineering, with 60 hairpin turns. All in all, this could be the most magnificent road pass in Europe.

James Bond's Favorite Road: A Thrilling Drive on Strada della Forra Along the Cliffs of Lake Garda

Strada della Forra is one of the most scenic drives in the world. This Italian road burrows its way through the mountain in the ravine formed by the Brasa River. A small car with a functioning horn is recommended. For skilled drivers only. The drive is well-known among motorcyclists from all over Europe, as it is impressive and not without danger in a few narrow and steep spots.

Experience the Breathtaking Amalfi Coast Road: Italy's Most Scenic Drive

The popular Amalfi Coast route follows the shoreline from Sorrento south to Salerno, in Italy. Locals recommend planning a drive of the Amalfi Coast during the shoulder tourist seasons, mid-September to October and May, when the road is less crowded and lumbering tour buses are fewer. It's one of the best coastal drives in the world. Picturesque Amalfi has been featured in films for as long as cameras have rolled at 24 frames per second.

Strada delle 52 Gallerie is a WWI military mule road

Strada delle 52 Gallerie (Road of 52 Galleries) is a military trail built during World War I on the massif of Pasubio in Italy. The track was constructed in this position to stay away from Austro-Hungarian artillery fire, with its pinnacles, deep canyons, and sheer rock faces.

San Boldo Pass is a military road with 18 hairpin turns and 5 tunnels

Passo di San Boldo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 712m (2,335ft) above sea level, located in the province of Treviso, in Italy. The road to the summit is an engineering masterpiece with 18 hairpin turns and 6 tunnels. It’s one of the famous hairpinned roads in the world.

Driving the exciting Splügen Pass in the Alps

Splügen Pass is an international high mountain pass, at an elevation of 2,121m (6,958ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Hairpins and great views make this one to see and drive. It's one of the highest paved roads in the Alps.

Gavia Pass is an epic climb in the Italian Alps

Passo di Gavia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,627m (8,618ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the provinces of Sondrio and Brescia in the region of Lombardy, in Italy. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Assietta Road: Driving the legendary military ridge track of the Western Alps

Strada dell'Assietta (SP173) is a spectacular military carriageway running along the mountain ridge in the Metropolitan City of Turin, northern Piedmont. This historic route connects Pian dell’Alpe to Sestriere, staying almost entirely above 2,000 meters and offering one of the most iconic high-altitude driving experiences in the Italian Alps.

14 sharp hairpin turns to Forcella Lavardet

Forcella Lavardet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,547m (5,075ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in the Italian region of Veneto. The climb features 14 sharp hairpin turns that seem to lie on one another, gradually climbing up to the top of the pass. It’s one of the most famous hairpinned roads in the world.

The military road to Monte Jafferau was built in 1886

Monte Jafferau is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,805m (9,202ft) above sea level, located in the Piedmont region of Italy. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Nivolet Pass is The Italian Job road

Colle del Nivolet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.621m (8,599ft) above sea level, located in the northern part of Italy. It’s featured in The Italian Job film; the final bus crash scene probably being the most famous. It's one of the highest roads in Italy.

Driving the Via del Sale: A High-Altitude 4x4 Road in the Ligurian Alps

The Via del Sale (also known as the Alta Via del Sale or Ligurische Grenzkammstrasse) is a legendary military track winding through the crests of the Ligurian Alps, right on the border between Italy and France. Connecting Limone Piemonte to Monesi di Triora, this route is widely considered one of Europe’s most spectacular 4x4 challenges, blending high-altitude military history with demanding off-road driving.

Malga Palazzo: Tackling Europe's Steepest Road in Italy's Dolomites

Scanuppia-Malga Palazzo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.571m (5,154ft) above sea level, located in Trentino, Italy. The road is brutally steep.

What are the highest roads in Italy?

Located in southern Europe, Italy is defined by its iconic, boot-shaped peninsula, extending into the heart of the Central Mediterranean. This geography is dominated by two formidable mountain systems: the Alps, which form a colossal, soaring barrier in the north and include the dramatic Dolomites; and the Apennine range, which runs like a rugged spine down the entire length of the peninsula.

An epic road to Colle delle Finestre in the Italian Alps

Colle delle Finestre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,203m (7,227ft) above sea level, located in the Italian region of Piemonte.

A journey on the legendary Col de Tende-Colle di Tenda

Col de Tende (Colle di Tenda) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,876m (6,154ft) above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy. If you like hairpin bends, this climb is a must. It's one of the most hairpinned roads in the world.

Driving the fantastically twisty road to Torri di Fraele

Torri di Fraele is a fortress perched at an elevation of 1,992m (6,535ft) above sea level, situated in the province of Sondrio, Italy. The fortress, with its 18 hairpin turns leading to the Fraele towers, served as a strategic communication point in the past.

An old military road to Tremalzo Pass

Passo del Tremalzo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,845m (6,053ft) above sea level, located in Italy. The road to the summit was built for strategic reasons during World War I.

Colle Fauniera is a tribute to Marco Pantani

Colle Fauniera (or Colle Pantani) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,485m (8,152ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region of Piedmont. It’s said to be the most alluring and unspoiled pass around 2,500 meters in the Alps.

The historical Ponale Road with stunning views of Lake Garda

Located in the Lombardy region of Italy, Strada del Ponale is one of the most beautiful historical panoramic roads in Europe. The road has been completely closed to motor vehicles since 1990.

Here's What You Need to Know about Driving the Strada delle Vette

Located in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the infamous Strada Panoramica delle Vette is one of the most spectacular roads in the world.

How to drive the infamous Monte Crostis?

Monte Crostis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.991m (6,532ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Spina Pass is an adventure track you will never forget

Passo della Spina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.521m (4,990ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of Italy. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Anfo ridge road.

Bocco Pass is an epic climb in the Apennines

Passo del Bocco is a mountain pass at an elevation of 962m (3,156ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Emilia-Romagna and Liguria regions of Italy.

The abandoned old road to Gavia Pass

Old Gavia Road is a short section of the famous climb to the Passo di Gavia. It's an old road near the abyss. It’s now quite washed out with large stones and in places where the railing was missing, it had been replaced with strings. Despite the fact that there is a driving ban, the barriers on both sides have disappeared.

Fedaia Pass is the Italian Job road

Passo Fedaia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,061m (6,761ft) above sea level, located in Italy. It is one of the hardest climbs in the world of cycling.

The drive to Giau Pass offers the best views in the Dolomites

Passo di Giau is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.238m (7,342ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Italy. You get some of the best views at the top. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful passes in the Dolomites.