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.

Rifugio Angelo Bosi al Monte Piana is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,212m (7,257ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, in Italy.

Monte Grai is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,920m (6,299ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border.

Passo delle Palade is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,518m (4,980ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, Italy.

Muro di Campeggio is an exceptionally steep paved road located in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, within the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Positioned north of Pergoloso, this short stretch of asphalt is legendary in the cycling world, but for drivers, it represents one of the most mechanically demanding climbs in the country. It is a vertical wall of tarmac where the extreme incline pushes engine torque and tire traction to their absolute limits on every meter of the ascent.

Forcella di Monte Rest is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,087m (3,566ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Pordenone, in Italy.

Monte Paularo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,970m (6,463ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Udine, Italy.

Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano located on the east coast of Sicily, in Italy. A black sandy road climbs up to 3,120m (10,236ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Bacino di Campo Moro is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2,013m (6,604ft) above sea level, located in the province of Sondrio, Italy.

Cima Ciantiplagna is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,849m (9,347ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin.

Passo delle Platigliole is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,908m (9,540ft) above sea level, located in the province of Sondrio, in Italy. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Cima Bianca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,977 m (9,767 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, in Italy. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

Colle Melosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,540m (5,052ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Imperia, Italy.

Forca d'Acero is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,538m (5,045ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Lazio and Abruzzo regions, in Italy.

Passo di Misurina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,756m (5,761ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, Italy.

Rifugio Selleries is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,023m (6,637ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. The road to reach the summit starts paved, but the last 5 km are on a dirt track.

Passo della Teglia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,387 meters (4,550 feet) above sea level, located in the Province of Imperia, Italy.

Lago di Malciaussia is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1,823 m (5,980 ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy.

Passo di Dordona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,074m (6,804ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Bergamo, in Italy.

Bocca di Forca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,402 m (4,597 ft) above sea level, located in the province of Treviso, in Italy. It has been rated as one of the hardest climbs in Italy, with an average gradient of 11.44%.

Passo Valbona is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,781m (5,843ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Vicenza, in Italy.

Colle Bandia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,429m (7,969ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, Italy.

Kronplatz-Plan de Corones is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,275m (7,464ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol, in Italy.

Monte Martello is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,051m (6,729ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy. The gradient exceeds 10% for most of the final 1.3km, including the last 14% section with 1km remaining.

Colletto Pramand is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,145m (7,037ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy.

Colletto Campanino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,142m (7,027ft) above sea level, located in the Cuneo province of Italy.

Passo di Guspessa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,824m (5,984ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Italy.

Colle Lauson is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.497m (8,192ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Torino, Italy. It’s traversed by the iconic Assietta Road.

Lago di Cancano is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1,920m (6,299ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, in Italy. The place is a postcard due to its stunning views.

Passo di Oclini is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,995m (6,545ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy.

Marchkinkele - Cometto di Confine is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,545m (8,349ft) above sea level, located on the border between Austria and Italy. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Monte Belvedere di Fiumedinisi is a mountain peak at an elevation of 750m (2,460ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Messina, in Italy.

Colle del Ghisallo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 754m (2,473ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Como, in Italy. Near the summit, there’s a sanctuary called Santuario Del Ghisallo. This tiny church is home to the Patron Saint of Cyclists and includes a small cycling museum.

Strada Provinziale 11 (SP11) is a short mountain road located in Trentino, in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Rifugio Oriondé-Duca degli Abruzzi is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2809m (9215ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Aosta in Italy.

Strada Militare del Colle della Vecchia is an old military road located in the metropolitan city of Turin, built in the 1880s and closed to motor vehicles, winding its way up to 2,000m above sea level.

Orrido della Val Taleggio is a stunning canyon located in the province of Bergamo, in Italy. The road through the gorge is a delight to drive, with every kind of twist and turn.

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