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 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.

Muro di Campeggio is a short but devastatingly steep climb located in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Italy. It is said to be one of the most severe climbs of any road cycling race worldwide.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nassfeld Pass-Passo di Pramollo is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.534m (5,032ft) above sea level, located on the Italian-Austrian border.

Reschenpass-Passo di Resia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.522m (4,993ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy, not far from the Austrian border.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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%.

Spanning the Campania and Basilicata regions of Italy, the iconic Strada Statale 18 from Sapri to Acquafredda is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The road has been featured in movies, high-end auto commercials, and advertisements.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe. Located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, a sandy road climbs up to 3.120m (10,236ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

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