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 Festa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.065m (3,494ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Monte Ornito is a mountain peak at an elevation of 764m (2,506ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Latina, in the Lazio region of central Italy.

Bruncu Spina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.828m (5,997ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region Sardinia.

Prarayer Hut is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above the sea level, located in Aosta Valley, in northern Italy.

Alpe di Poti is a mountain pass at an elevation of 827m (2,713ft) above the sea level, located in the Arezzo comune in Italy, in Tuscany.

Colle di Perla is an international mountain pass reaching an elevation of 2,215m (7,267ft) above sea level, situated on the border between France and Italy. Located in the Cottian Alps, the pass is a key sector of the historical military infrastructure. The track crossing the summit is part of the legendary Via del Sale, a high-altitude route characterized by its unpaved surface and extreme logistical demands on both the driver and the vehicle's suspension system.

Rifugio La Baita is a high mountain refuge reaching an elevation of 1,860m (6,102ft) above sea level, located in the northern Italian province of Sondrio. Situated within the Stelvio National Park, the climb through the Val di Rezzalo is a technical and strictly regulated transit that transitions from asphalt to a rugged, stone-paved forest track.

Colle Bourget is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.299m (7,542ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin, Italy. The peak offers a magnificent view of both sides of the ridge.

Im Hinteren Eis is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.030m (9,940ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol in northern Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Passo di Col di Caneva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.835m (6,020ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto.

Forcella Chiandolada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.582m (5,190ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto.

Passo di Cadino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.937m (6,354ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy.

Lago di Place Moulin is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.968m (6,456ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of northwest Italy.

Colle della Vecchia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.605m (8,546ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont. It's one of the highest Italian roads.

The road linking Carzano and Peschiera Maraglio is a very scary drive located in the province of Brescia, on an island in Lake Iseo. The road is only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places bordered by the water and unprotected by guardrails. If you are afraid of falling into the water, this is a road you should avoid!

Passo di Pampeago (Reiterjoch) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.003m (6,571ft) above the sea level, located on the border between the provinces of Trento and Bolzano, in northeastern Italy.

Passo di Picco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.870m (6,135ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, northern Italy.

Passo Prato Piazza (also called Plätzwiesensattel) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.993m (6,538ft) above the sea level, located in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.

Monte Faudo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.149m (3,769ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Located in the Province of Como in the Italian region Lombardy, Rifugio Venini is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.576m (5,170ft) above the sea level.

Baita del Pastore is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.173m (7,129ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.

Passo di Collardente-Pas de Colle Ardente, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,305ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps on the border between Italy and France. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Via del Sale.

Monte Campomolon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.848m (6,062ft) above the sea level, located in Veneto, a northeastern Italian region.

Located in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in the Italian region of Piedmont, Monte Ologno is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,168m (3,832ft) above sea level. This climb has gained legendary status in recent years, especially after being featured in the Giro d’Italia, becoming a bucket-list destination for those seeking extreme gradients and technical paved roads.

Sella di Russis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,729m (5,672ft) above sea level, located in South Tyrol, Italy. Known for its technical driving and stunning Alpine vistas, it is a hidden gem in the heart of the Dolomites.

The Strada Foresta Girgini is a very challenging drive in the Province of Nuoro in Italian island of Sardinia. The route demands 100% concentration. This road has humbled many egos. Open to all motorized vehicles, however, strongly recommended for high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles. The road is very rough--only try driving it in a 2wd car, if you're planning to buy a new car.

Passo Coe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.610 m (5,282 ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Trento, in Italy.

Col di Val Bighera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.120m (6,955ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Italy.

Colletto di Canosio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.650m (5,413ft) above the sea level, located in the Val Maira, a valley in south-west of Piedmont in the Province of Cuneo, Italy.

Colle della Cavallina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.934m (6,345ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Lago di Morasco is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.794m (5,885ft) above the sea level, located in Alta Val Formazza, in Piedmont, Italy.

Passo di Montescuro Sila is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.618m (5,308ft) above the sea level, located in the Southern Italian region of Calabria.

Monte Gran Costa is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of 2,615m (8,579ft) above sea level, located in the Cottian Alps of northern Italy. It is one of the most significant historical points along the famous Assietta ridge, offering panoramic views and a deep dive into the military past of the region. It's one of the highest roads in the country.

Rifugio Dondena is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.192m (7,191ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Aosta Valley, Italy.

Passo della Guardia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.508m (4,947ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps on the border between Italy and France. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Via del Sale.

Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini Montanaro is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.195m (7,201ft) above the sea level, located in northern Italy, in the autonomous region of Aosta Valley.

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