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.
Exploring Passo Tre Croci: A Scenic Road Through the Dolomites
Passo Tre Croci is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.811m (5,941ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Italy.
Exploring the abandoned military Vecchia Strada della Fricca in Trentino-Alto Adige
Vecchia Strada della Fricca is an old, abandoned road located in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It's a true gem of military architecture. The road has a high risk of falling rocks.
Mortirolo Pass: A Five-Star Road Through the Italian Alps
Passo di Mortirolo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,878m (6,161ft) above sea level straddling Brescia and Sondrio provinces of Italy. This legendary ascent is one of the most grueling challenges in professional cycling, having been featured repeatedly in the Giro d'Italia stage race.
Is Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia (SS 1) worth the drive?
The Strada Statale 1 Via Aurelia (SS 1) is a historic trade route running along the Italian coastline from central Italy to southern France. Derived from the ancient Roman road built in 241 BC by Gaius Aurelius Cotta, it remains one of the most significant state highways in the country and a legendary route for drivers today.
A narrow road with 28 hairpin turns and 9 tunnels to Monte San Simeone
Monte San Simeone is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,208 m (3,963 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Udine, in Italy. There's space for a single car, with no guardrails, and hairpin turns in tunnels where you can't see the other end.
The Road to Foscagno Pass: The Ultimate Alpine Driving Adventure
Passo di Foscagno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,308m (7,572ft) above sea level, located in the province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region of Italy.
Traveling through the scenic Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda
Located on the eastern coast of the Italian region of Sardinia, Strada Statale 125 Orientale Sarda is one of the most beautiful roads in Europe.
Falzarego Pass is a road with 38 sharp hairpin bends
Passo di Falzarego is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,105m (6,906ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Italy.
A Paved Road to Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna
Rifugio Sapienza is a high mountain refuge situated at an elevation of 1,935 meters (6,348 feet) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Catania, in Italy.
Driving a military road to Colle di Chavannes in Valle d’Aosta
Colle di Chavannes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.608m (8,556ft) above sea level, located in Valle d’Aosta region of Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
The winding road to Maniva Pass in the Alps and its 38 iconic hairpin turns
Passo del Maniva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,664m (5,459ft) above sea level, located in the Brescia province of Lombardy, in Italy. This pass offers a picturesque drive through the Italian Alps.
Driving the unpaved military road to Colle d’Ancoccia in Piedmont
Colle d’Ancoccia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.533m (8,310ft) above sea level, located in the province of Cuneo, on the far south west of the region of Piedmont, in Italy.
Driving the curvy road to Serru Lake in the Alps
Lago Serrù is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.275m (7,464ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Turin within the Piedmont region of Italy.
The wild road to Testa Grigia in the Alps
Testa Grigia is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.471m (11,387ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Autostrada dei Fiori: A Stunning Coastal Road from Genoa to Nice
Autostrada A10 is one of the most challenging yet scenic highways in northern Italy. You’ll find yourself constantly distracted by the beautiful coastal views.
Monte Giovo Pass is a 5-star road in the Italian Alps
Passo di Monte Giovo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.094m (6,870ft) above sea level, located in the South Tyrol province of Italy.
A Road Up the Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano in Italy
Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.018m (9,901ft) above sea level, located in the Italian province of Sondrio. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
A challenging narrow road to Giogo della Bala in the Alps
Giogo della Bala is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.129m (6,984ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy.
Passo Stalle: Driving the narrow border road between Italy and Austria
Passo Stalle (also known as Staller Saddle) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,061m (6,761ft) above sea level, located on the border between Austria and Italy. This alpine crossing links the Defereggen Valley in East Tyrol (Austria) with the Valle di Anterselva in South Tyrol (Italy), offering a unique driving experience through the High Tauern range.
What you need to know about the 4x4 track to Forcella d’Entova
Forcella d’Entova is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.802m (9,192ft) above sea level located in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region Lombardy.
An epic enthralling road to Monte Saccarello
Monte Saccarello-Mont Saccarel is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.178m (7,145ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border.
Pennes Pass is a classic Italian road trip
Passo di Pennes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,211m (7,254ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region of Italy.
Road trip guide: Conquering the paved San Marco Pass
Passo San Marco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,985m (6,512ft) above sea level, located in the Italian region of Lombardy.
A 5-star road to Forcola di Livigno Pass in the Alps
Livigno Pass-Forcola di Livigno Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,315m (7,595ft) above sea level, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy.
Via Provinciale Anacapri is a narrow coastal road on Capri
Via Provinciale Anacapri is a challenging coastal road situated on the island of Capri in the southern part of Italy.
Monte Chaberton: Get behind the wheels for one of the planet’s most challenging trips
Monte Chaberton is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.131m (10,272ft) above sea level, located in the department of Hautes-Alpes, in France. The summit features a fortress with remnants of a WWI & WWII artillery battery. It's one of the highest roads in Europe.
A road with several dizzying hairpin bends to Cala Gonone
Cala Gonone is a small beach town located in the Province of Nuoro, on the eastern coast of central Sardinia, in Italy.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Laghi di Cedec
Laghi di Cedèc is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.833m (9,294ft) above sea level, located in the Italian province of Sondrio.
Cima Grappa is a classic road of Giro d'Italia
Cima Grappa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,775m (5,769ft) above sea level, straddling the provinces of Treviso, Vicenza, and Belluno in Italy. At the top is the Sacrario Militare del Monte Grappa, a monumental burial site for soldiers killed on both sides of World War I.
The breathtaking road through Serrai di Sottoguda in the Dolomites
Located in the middle of the Dolomites, in the Italian Belluno province, the road running along the Serrai di Sottoguda gorge is one of the narrowest roads in the world. The Sottoguda gorge is closed to traffic; only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed.
The mule track to the top of Passo della Mulattiera
Passo della Mulattiera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,412m (7,913ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Turin, in the Piedmont region of Italy.
A 5-star road to Manghen Pass in the Dolomites
Passo di Manghen is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,047m (6,716ft) above sea level, located in Trentino in the Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. This is a tough climb from both the north and south.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Italian Via dei Saraceni
Located in the northern part of Italy, Via dei Saraceni is one of the most spectacular roads in the country. This dirt track is about 20 km (12 miles) long, reaching heights of over 2,000 meters above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Europe. 4x4 vehicles only.
The Unpaved Road to Monte Corrasi in Sardinia Runs Through a Lunar Landscape
Monte Corrasi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,463m (4,799ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous island region of Sardinia, Italy. It’s said to be one of the wildest and most remote drives in the Mediterranean.
SS18 from Sapri to Acquafredda, an Italian road for James Bond
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.
The road to Lago di Teleccio: be ready to make room for oncoming vehicles
Lago di Teleccio is a high mountain artificial lake at an elevation of 1.918m (6,292ft) above sea level, located in the Metropolitan City of Turin, in Italy. The road is really steep, with sections up to 15.7% and 20 hairpin turns. It is narrow, so keep the speed down and be ready to move over and make room for oncoming vehicles.