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.

The defiant road to Alpe di Poti

Alpe di Poti is a mountain pass at an elevation of 827m (2,713ft) above the sea level, located in the Arezzo comune in Italy, in Tuscany.

How to drive the high-altitude track of Colle di Perla?

Colle di Perla is an international mountain pass reaching an elevation of 2,215m (7,267ft) above sea level, situated on the border between France and Italy. Located in the Cottian Alps, the pass is a key sector of the historical military infrastructure. The track crossing the summit is part of the legendary Via del Sale, a high-altitude route characterized by its unpaved surface and extreme logistical demands on both the driver and the vehicle's suspension system.

Travel Guide to Rifugio Prarayer

Prarayer Hut is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above the sea level, located in Aosta Valley, in northern Italy.

Can I drive the road to Rifugio La Baita in Val di Rezzalo?

Rifugio La Baita is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1,860m (6,102ft) above sea level, located in the Italian province of Sondrio.

The road to Monte Festa is not for the faint of heart

Monte Festa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.065m (3,494ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Im Hinteren Eis

Im Hinteren Eis is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.030m (9,940ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol in northern Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Venini Refuge

Located in the Province of Como in the Italian region Lombardy, Rifugio Venini is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.576m (5,170ft) above the sea level.

The rough and bumpy road to Colle Bourget

Colle Bourget is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.299m (7,542ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin, Italy. The peak offers a magnificent view of both sides of the ridge.

An epic enthralling road to Col di Caneva Pass

Passo di Col di Caneva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.835m (6,020ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto.

How to drive the challenging road to Forcella Chiandolada in Belluno?

Forcella Chiandolada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.582m (5,190ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto.

The road to Monte Faudo in Imperia is not for the sissies

Monte Faudo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.149m (3,769ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Driving the lake-level road of Monte Isola: Carzano to Peschiera Maraglio

Located on Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Italy, the road linking the villages of Carzano and Peschiera Maraglio is a high-precision drive on the shores of Lake Iseo. Reaching just a few centimeters above the water level, this 2.3 km (1.4 miles) asphalt track in the province of Brescia is a logistical anomaly. It is a journey where the lack of safety infrastructure and the immediate proximity to the deep waters of the lake leave zero margin for driver error.

A military road to Colle della Vecchia

Colle della Vecchia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.605m (8,546ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont. It's one of the highest Italian roads.

The road to Prato Piazza Pass isn’t an easy one

Passo Prato Piazza (also called Plätzwiesensattel) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.993m (6,538ft) above the sea level, located in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.

The Wild Road to Cadino Pass

Passo di Cadino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.937m (6,354ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy.

A memorable road trip to Lago di Place Moulin

Lago di Place Moulin is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.968m (6,456ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of northwest Italy.

Driving the road to Picco Pass is not a piece of cake

Passo di Picco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.870m (6,135ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, northern Italy.

A memorable road trip to Pampeago Pass

Passo di Pampeago (Reiterjoch) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.003m (6,571ft) above the sea level, located on the border between the provinces of Trento and Bolzano, in northeastern Italy.

Baita del Pastore

Baita del Pastore is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.173m (7,129ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.

Strada Foresta Girgini

The Strada Foresta Girgini is a very challenging drive in the Province of Nuoro in Italian island of Sardinia. The route demands 100% concentration. This road has humbled many egos. Open to all motorized vehicles, however, strongly recommended for high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles. The road is very rough--only try driving it in a 2wd car, if you're planning to buy a new car.

Sella di Russis: A Narrow Alpine Journey through the Dolomites

Sella di Russis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,729m (5,672ft) above sea level, located in South Tyrol, Italy. Known for its technical driving and stunning Alpine vistas, it is a hidden gem in the heart of the Dolomites.

Passo di Collardente: Driving the Forest Track on the Alta Via del Sale

Passo di Collardente (known in France as Pas de Colle Ardente) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,617 meters (5,305 ft) above sea level, located on the border between France and Italy. Situated within the Ligurian Alps, the rugged dirt track crossing the pass is a key node of the historic Alta Via del Sale, linking the Liguria and Piedmont regions in Italy with the Alpes-Maritimes department in France.

Monte Ologno: Driving the steep 13% Giro d’Italia climb in Piedmont

Located in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the Italian region of Piedmont, Monte Ologno is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,168m (3,832ft) above sea level. This climb has gained legendary status in recent years, especially after being featured in the Giro d’Italia, becoming a bucket-list destination for those seeking extreme gradients and technical paved roads.

Driving the SP256 to Passo di Montescuro: The heart of the Sila mountains

Located in the heart of the Sila National Park in Calabria, the drive through the Passo di Montescuro is a high-altitude mission through one of Southern Italy's most rugged forest plateaus. Reaching an elevation of 1,618m (5,308ft) above sea level, the road known as Strada Provinciale 256 (SP256) is a winding artery that connects Fago del Soldato with Spezzano della Sila. It is a journey where the lush scenery of the "Gran Bosco d'Italia" hides a technical road surface that demands constant vigilance from every driver.

Road trip guide: Conquering Monte Campomolon

Monte Campomolon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.848m (6,062ft) above the sea level, located in Veneto, a northeastern Italian region.

A paved road to Coe Pass in the Venetian Prealps

Passo Coe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.610 m (5,282 ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Trento, in Italy.

Monte Gran Costa: A historic military peak along the Assietta Road

Monte Gran Costa is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of 2,615m (8,579ft) above sea level, located in the Cottian Alps of northern Italy. It is one of the most significant historical points along the famous Assietta ridge, offering panoramic views and a deep dive into the military past of the region. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

A memorable road trip to Dondena Refuge

Rifugio Dondena is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.192m (7,191ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Aosta Valley, Italy.

Col di Val Bighera: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide

Col di Val Bighera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.120m (6,955ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Italy.

A curvy paved road to Lago di Morasco

Lago di Morasco is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.794m (5,885ft) above the sea level, located in Alta Val Formazza, in Piedmont, Italy.

A funny drive to Colletto di Canosio

Colletto di Canosio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft) above the sea level, located in the Val Maira, a valley in south-west of Piedmont in the Province of Cuneo, Italy.

Colle della Cavallina: a narrow paved road to the summit

Colle della Cavallina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.934m (6,345ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Is the road to Monte Amiata in Tuscany difficult to drive?

Reaching the summit of Monte Amiata is a climb through the dense forests of an ancient, extinct volcano. At 1,720m (5,643ft) above sea level, this peak in the Province of Siena is the highest point in southern Tuscany. The Strada Provinciale Vetta dell'Amiata, which leads to the top, is a demanding route where the steepness of the terrain and the condition of the asphalt require constant attention from the driver.