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.

Monte Nerone is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,512 m (4,960 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino in Italy. Sixteen switchbacks lead to the summit, which is marked by television transmission towers.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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