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.

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.

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.

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.

Little St Bernard Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.188m (7,178ft) above sea level, located on the Italian-French border. Keep reading to find out more about when and how you can take the drive, as well as some of the notable sights you’ll see. 

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.

Passo Campo Carlo Magno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.682m (5,518ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Trento, in Italy.

Col Tze Core is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,607m (5,272ft) above sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of Italy.

The scenic Fornelli-Cala d'Oliva Road is the only paved road on the Italian island of Asinara, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the best coastal drives in the world.

Passo Cereda is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,361 m (4,465 ft) above sea level, located in Italy.

Passo Rodella is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,866m (6,122ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy.

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.

Passo Castrin (also known as Hofmahdjoch) is a high-mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,781m (5,843ft) above sea level in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. Located in the Ortler Alps, this pass is unique because its highest point is actually situated at the south entrance of a tunnel built in 1998.

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

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.

Lago Ponton is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2645m (8677ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Aosta in Italy. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Laghi di Cedèc bridge lies at an elevation of 2.743m (8,999ft) above the sea level, in the northern Italian province of Sondrio. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Colle di Costa Piana is a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 2313m (7588ft) above sea level, found within the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy.

Cima Becco Rosso is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,261 m (7,417 ft) above sea level, located on the border of France and Italy.

Rifugio Barbara Lowrie is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1,753m (5,751ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy.

Lago Miserin is a remote alpine lake at an elevation of 2,580m (8,464ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Region of Aosta Valley, in Italy. It's one of the highest roads in Italy.

Strada Cancelli-Fossato di Vico is a short mountain road straddling the Umbria and Marche regions, in the central part of Italy.

Passo dei Salati is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,988m (9,803ft) above sea level, located in Italy. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe.

Passo della Costazza is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,181 m (7,155 ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Trento in Italy.

Located in the province of Belluno, in the Italian region of Veneto, the road from Sospirolo to Gosaldo offers a stunning drive with amazing views.

Portella Femmina Morta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,535m (5,036ft) above sea level, located in the Italian region of Sicily.

Lago di Malga Bissina is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1,815m (5,954ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Trento, in Italy.

Cima di Morissolo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,311m (4,301ft) above sea level, located in the Italian region of Piedmont. The summit hosts an old fortification built during the First World War.

Monte Telegrafo-Plose is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,483m (8,146ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-South Tyrol region of Italy. The summit offers a view of more than 100 mountain peaks.

Rifugio Pizzini is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,706m (8,877ft) above sea level, located in the Lombardy region of Italy. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Rifugio Genova-Figari is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.015m (6,610ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.

Colle Malaberghe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.225m (7,299ft) above sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France.

Monte Sobretta is a high mountain peak located in the Province of Sondrio, in Italy. East of the summit, a minor unpaved road climbs up to 2,901m (9,517ft) above sea level. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.

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