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.

Passo Brocon

The historic paved road to Brocon Pass

Passo Brocon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,616m (5,302ft) above sea level, located in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Colle San Carlo

Colle San Carlo is an Absolute Must for Road Lovers

Colle San Carlo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,954m (6,410ft) above sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region of Italy.

Passo Campolongo

A paved curvy road to the summit of Campolongo Pass in the Dolomites

Passo Campolongo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.875m (6,152ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Veneto and South Tyrol regions of Italy.

Rifugio Francesco Petrarca

A mule path to Francesco Petrarca Refuge

Rifugio Francesco Petrarca (Stettiner Hütte) is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.875m (9,432 ft) above sea level, located in South Tyrol, in Italy.

Passo di Vaia/Alpe di Vaia

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.

SP345B

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Road SP345B

Strada Provinziale 345B (SP345B) is a high mountain road located in the province of Brescia in Italy. It runs almost entirely over 1.900 meters above sea level.

Rifugio Cornisello

The Road to Rifugio Cornisello in the Alps is Not for Timid Drivers

Rifugio Cornisello is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,160m (7,086ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy. It’s known as one of the most challenging drives in the country.

Colle Basset

An epic enthralling road to Colle Basset

Colle Basset is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.424m (7,952ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy.

Passo Nota

The Road to Nota Pass in Lombardy Is Not for Beginners

Passo Nota is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,208m (3,963ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, Italy. The road to the summit starts at the infamous Passo del Tremalzo.

Passo del Colombardo

Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Colombardo Pass in Piedmont

Passo del Colombardo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,898m (6,227ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin in Italy.

Passo della Mezzaluna

A Dangerous Unpaved Road to Mezzaluna Pass

Passo della Mezzaluna is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,449m (4,753ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in Italy.

Passo Monte Croce di Comelico

A 5-Star Road to Monte Croce di Comelico Pass

Passo Monte Croce di Comelico is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,636m (5,367ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between South Tyrol and Belluno provinces, in Italy.

Colle d'Esischie

The Road to Colle d'Esischie is Not for Timid Drivers

Colle d'Esischie is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,370m (7,775ft) above sea level, located in the Piedmont region of Italy.

Passo di Rondenino

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.

Passo delle Radici

The road to Radici Pass: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles

Passo delle Radici is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,529m (5,016ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany regions in Italy.

Regia Trazzera Prestanfuso

Regia Trazzera Prestanfuso in Sicily is one of the steepest roads in the world

Located on the island of Sicily, in Italy, the Regia Trazzera Prestanfuso road is said to be one of the steepest drives in the world. You won’t believe how steep it is until you’re in the middle of the road and your car has no power to finish the climb.

Passo della Mauria

If you love to drive, you will love the road to Mauria Pass

Passo della Mauria is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,298m (4,259ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the regions of Veneto and Friuli in Italy.

Passo Valles

An Iconic Road to Valles Pass in the Dolomites

Passo Valles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,032m (6,667ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions in Italy.

Col de Cannelle

The Road to Col de Cannelle is Not for the Faint of Heart

Col de Cannelle is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,882 meters (6,174 feet) above sea level, located on the border between France and Italy.

Passo di Tanarello

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Tanarello Pass in the Ligurian Alps

Tanarello Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,042m (6,699ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border.

Passo San Pellegrino

A curvy paved road to San Pellegrino Pass in the Alps

Passo San Pellegrino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,918 m (6,293 ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Trentino and Belluno provinces of Italy.

Col du Plateau Rosa

Travel Guide to Col du Plateau Rosa in the Alps

Col du Plateau Rosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,088m (10,131ft) above sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of Italy. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Passo d'Eira

A beautiful paved road to Eira Pass in the Alps

Passo d'Eira is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,209m (7,247ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, in Italy.

Passo Nigra

A Steep (24%) Paved Road to Nigra Pass in the Dolomites

Passo Nigra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,688m (5,538ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy.

Rifugio Cinque Torri

How to Get by Car to Cinque Torri Refuge in the Dolomites?

Rifugio Cinque Torri is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,137m (7,011ft) above sea level, located in the Veneto region of Italy.

Colle di Valcavera

Adventure along the narrow road to Colle di Valcavera

Colle di Valcavera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,416m (7,926ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in Italy.

Colle del Preit

The Wild Road to Colle del Preit

Colle del Preit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.065m (6,774ft) above sea level, located in Cuneo province, in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy.

Forcella Staulanza

An iconic road to Staulanza Pass in the Dolomites

Passo Staulanza is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,773m (5,817ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno, Italy.

Passo Sella Nevea

A scenic paved road to Sella Nevea Pass in the Julian Alps

Passo Sella Nevea is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,187m (3,894ft) above sea level, located in the province of Udine, Italy.

Passo di Costalunga

An Awe-Inspiring Paved Road to Costalunga Pass

Passo di Costalunga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,745m (5,725ft) above sea level, located in the South Tyrol province of Italy.

Passo San Lucio

A wild road to San Lucio Pass

Passo San Lucio is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,541 m (5,056 ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy.

Rifugio Bosi (Monte Piana)

Rifugio Angelo Bosi: Driving the brutal 29% ramps of Monte Piana

The road to Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana is one of the most extreme vertical challenges in the Italian Dolomites. Reaching an elevation of 2,212m (7,257ft) above sea level in the Province of Belluno, this route is a former military track that defies standard road geometry. While it serves as a gateway to the historic First World War battlefields, for a driver, it represents a relentless struggle against gravity where the asphalt struggles to maintain grip on ramps that hit a staggering 29% gradient.

Colle Sestriere

Colle Sestriere is a drive worth taking in the Cottian Alps

Colle Sestriere is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,035m (6,677ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy.

Monte Altissimo

A narrow road to the summit of Monte Altissimo in Trentino

Monte Altissimo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,069m (6,788ft) above sea level, located in Trentino, Italy. If you’re not comfortable driving on narrow mountain roads, it’s best to avoid it.

Monte Bondone

A delightful yet challenging paved road to Monte Bondone in the Alps

Monte Bondone is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.654m (5,426ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Trento, in Italy. The climb is pretty steep, with sections reaching up to 13%.

Colle del Vallonetto

A very narrow road to Colle del Vallonetto

Colle del Vallonetto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.439m (8,001ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.