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.
Driving the Exhilarating SP 227 di Portofino on the Italian Riviera Coastline
Located in the province of Genoa, in Italy, Strada Provinciale 227 di Portofino (SP 227) is one of the world's best coastal drives.
Dosso dei Galli: a road on top of the mountains
Dosso dei Galli is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.188m (7,178ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
Driving the Unpaved Road to Margherina Pass
Colle Margherina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,420m (7,939ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.
Valparola Pass is an iconic Giro d'Italia climb
Passo di Valparola is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,168m (7,113ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in Italy.
Madriccio Refuge is one of the highest roads of Europe
Rifugio Madriccio-Madrisch Hütte is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,828 m (9,278 ft) above sea level, located in South Tyrol, Italy. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.
Saint-Barthelemy is a classic road trip in the Italian Alps
Saint-Barthélemy is a high mountain town at an elevation of 1,647m (5,403ft) above sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of Italy.
A narrow paved road to the top of Monte Cesen
Monte Cesen da Valdobbiadene is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.504m (4,934ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Treviso of Italy.
Brenner Grenzkammstrasse is an old military road closed to vehicles
Brennergrenzkammstraße is an old high mountain military road located along the border of Italy and Austria.
Galleria di Rosazza is a Narrow, Damp, and Dark Tunnel in Piedmont
Galleria di Rosazza is a frightening, unlit tunnel at an elevation of 1,497m (4,911ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Biella, in the northern Italian region of Piedmont.
The Unpaved Road to Monte Corrasi in Sardinia Runs Through a Lunar Landscape
Monte Corrasi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,463m (4,799ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous island region of Sardinia, Italy. It’s said to be one of the wildest and most remote drives in the Mediterranean.
Driving the defiant Via San Valentino to Pura Pass
Passo del Pura is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.445m (4,740ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Udine, in Italy.
A wild road to Colle di Sampeyre
Colle di Sampeyre is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,284 m (7,493 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.
A Truly Epic Paved Road to Alpisella Pass in the Livigno Range
Passo d’Alpisella is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,285m (7,497ft) above sea level, located in the province of Sondrio, in Italy.
An awe-inspiring road to Punta Sa Berritta in Sardinia
Punta Sa Berritta is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,362m (4,469ft) above sea level, located in the Gallura region of Sardinia, in Italy.
A Most Tricky Scenic Road to Dasdana Pass
Passo del Dasdana is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,086m (6,843ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B Road.
Vizze Pass: An Awe-Inspiring Route in the Zillertal Alps
Passo di Vizze-Pfitscherjoch is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,276 m (7,467 ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and Austria.
The Inhumane Climb to Fodara Vedla Refuge with 27% Ramps
Rifugio Fodara Vedla is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1,980 m (6,496 ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in Italy. It is said to be the steepest climb in the Alps.
Sella dell’Auccia is worth the white-knuckle drive
Sella dell’Auccia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.108m (6,916ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
A Grueling Unpaved Road to the Summit of Colla d’Onzo
Colla d’Onzo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 843m (2,765ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Savona in the Italian region of Liguria. The climb is simply brutal, with a 10.24% average gradient.
A Delightful Yet Challenging Road to Passo Furcia in the Alps
Passo Furcia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,789m (5,869 ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy.
Sebina Occidentale-SP469: One of Italy's Most Scenic Roads
Sebina Occidentale is one of Italy's most scenic and challenging roads. Located in the province of Bergamo, the road runs along the western shore of Lake Iseo, the fourth-largest lake in the region. It's a beautiful route from Sarnico to Lovere, passing through the narrow streets of picturesque coastal towns.
How to Get to Sant'Anna di Vinadio in Cuneo, the Highest Sanctuary in Europe by Car?
Sant'Anna di Vinadio is a high mountain sanctuary dedicated to Sant’Anna and Gioacchino, the parents of Mary, located at an elevation of 2,000m (6,600ft) above sea level in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.
A paved curvy road to the summit of Cimabanche Pass in the Dolomites
Passo di Cimabanche is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,530 m (5,029 ft) above sea level, located in Italy.
Tunnel du Mont-Blanc is an Engineering Marvel Connecting France and Italy in the Alps
The Tunnel du Mont-Blanc, located on the French-Italian border within the Alps, is one of the most significant engineering feats of the 20th century. The tunnel runs beneath Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.
Lavena Pass is a winding road only for experienced drivers
Passo di Lavena is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.992m (6,535ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
Adventure along the wild road to Valico Poffa di Rondenino
Valico Poffa di Rondenino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.012m (6,601ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
An Old Military Unpaved Road to Gardetta Pass in the Cottian Alps
Passo della Gardetta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,442m (8,011ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.
A daunting unpaved road to Bivacco Carmagnola
Bivacco Carmagnola is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.840m (9,317ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in Italy. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.
Duran Pass is an Iconic Giro d'Italia Climb
Passo Duran is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,601m (5,253ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, in Italy.
Driving the unpaved road to the summit of Vaia Pass
Passo di Vaia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.114m (6,935ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
SS1 Via Aurelia is One of the Main Roads of the Roman Empire
Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia (SS 1) is a historic trade route running along the Italian coastline from central Italy to southern France.
A paved road to Predil Pass in the Julian Alps
Predel-Passo di Predil is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.156m (3,793ft) above sea level, located on the border between Italy and Slovenia.
Monte Padrio is One of the Greatest Cycling Climbs in Italy
Monte Padrio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,882 m (6,174 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy.
Autostrada dei Fiori: A Stunning Coastal Road from Genoa to Nice
Autostrada A10 is one of the most challenging yet scenic highways in northern Italy. You’ll find yourself constantly distracted by the beautiful coastal views.
Rondenino Pass is pure adventure
Passo di Rondenino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.040m (6,692ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy. The pass is traversed by the challenging SP345B.
Plocken Pass-Monte Croce Carnico Pass is an absolute must for road lovers
Plöckenpass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.370m (4,494ft) above sea level, located on the border of Austria and Italy.