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 Grosté is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.446m (8,024ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian Alps.

Plan Maison is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.552m (8,372ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy.

Located in the heart of the Province of Trentino, in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, the road to Malga Clef is a legendary ascent for those who seek the rawest side of the Alps. Reaching an elevation of 1,720m (5,643ft) above sea level, this mountain track is a masterclass in steep, forest-lined driving.

Monte Cuccio is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.041m (3,415ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian island of Sicily. The climb is brutal: narrow and steep.

 Rifugio Lazaunhutte is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.425m (7,956ft) above the sea level, located in the Ortler Range, in South Tyrol, in northern Italy.

Alpe Buri is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.525m (5,000ft) above the sea level, located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy.

Located in the Province of Udine, within the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, Monte Zoufplan is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,968m (6,456ft) above sea level. Situated in the Central Carnic Alps, the road to the summit is a technical route used to access weather and seismic monitoring infrastructure.

Col Sud de Menouve is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.429m (7,969ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy.

Rifugio Nino Corsi is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,245m (7,365ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in Italy.

Strada Regionale 251 is a scenic road located on the border between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, in northern Italy.

Sella della Valletta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.054m (6,738ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Passo Padon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.427m (7,962ft) above the sea level, located in Veneto region, in Northern Italy. The average gradient is 17.05%, with some sections up to 25%.

Malga Trela is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.181m (7,155ft) above the sea level, located  in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.

Lago Agnel is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.332m (7,650ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont.

Strada Ascea-Marina di Campagna is an amazing and exciting journey in the Campania region, in southwestern Italy. The road offers stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Strada delle Farfalle is a mountain road located in the Province of Sassari in the Italian region Sardinia. Located in the Limbara mountain range, the road is pretty rough in parts.

Malga Coltrondo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.892m (6,207ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the southern Alps in the Veneto region of Northern Italy.

Coletto di Laus is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.948m (6,391ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.

Monte La Mula is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.934m (6,345ft) above the sea level, located in the Calabria region of southern Italy.

Colle Ciarbonet is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,290m (7,513ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in the Italian region of Piedmont. This ancient military track offers a technical and scenic driving experience through the rugged Unerzio Valley.

Originally built as a railway tunnel, the historic Vara Bridge was constructed in 1876 for marble transportation to the quarries of Carrara, Italy. Today, the bridge is used by trucks and vehicles. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Strada Provinciale 22 is a very scenic high mountan road located in the heart of the province of Catanzaro of the Calabria region of Italy.

Passo dei Contrabbandieri (Smugglers pass) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.581m (8,467ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino-South Tyrol in northern Italy. The road goes through the ruins of several WWI fortifications. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Located in the Metropolitan City of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, Ceresole Tunnel is said to be the steepest tunnel in the Alps, with gradients of around 14-16%.

Diga della Maina is the name of a narrow high dam located in the province of Udine, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in Italy. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Vallone di Chavannes is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.184m (7,165ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy.

Punta di Santa Maria is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.138m (7,014ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria.

Testa Bassa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.454m (8,051ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley, in the Italian Alps.

Rifugio Genova-Schlüterhütte is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 2.304m (7,559ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol in northern Italy.

Italy’s road network includes some of the most technically demanding routes in southern Europe. Navigating these sectors requires specific planning regarding vehicle dimensions, braking endurance, and traffic management. From the high-altitude alpine passes of the north to the narrow coastal shelves of the south, these Italian roads represent significant logistical challenges for any driver.

Croce di Poverzone is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.908m (6,256ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Valtellina, in Italy.

Malga di Pinalto (Penaud Alm) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.328m (7,637ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol, northern Italy.

Val Mara Road is the name of a challenging drive running across the border of Switzerland and Italy, to the south of Lago di Lugano.

Mutegg is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.624m (8,608ft) above the sea level, located in Italy’s South Tyrol region. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Rifugio Fronza alle Coronelle - Kölner Hütte is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.341m (7,680ft) above the sea level, located in the province of South Tyrol in northeastern Italy.

Champillon is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.092m (6,863ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy.