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.

Sella Carnizza is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,123 m (3,684 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.

Theodulpass is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.336m (10,944ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

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.

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.

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.

Rifugio Auronzo is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.340m (7,677ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto regions in Italy.

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.

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.

Forcella Luson is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.383m (7,818ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-South Tyrol region of 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.

Via Provinciale Anacapri is a challenging coastal road situated on the island of Capri in the southern part of Italy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Passo di Verva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.301m (7,549ft) above sea level located in the Province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region of Italy.

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.

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.

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.

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

Passo Pianella is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,365m (4,478ft) above sea level located in the province of Vicenza in Italy.

Passo Stalle (Staller Saddle) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.061m (6,761ft) above sea level, located on the Austria–Italy border. Drive at moderate speed. You’re not on a race.

Colle del Lago dei Signori-Col de Seigneurs is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,130m (6,988ft) above sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.

Passo della Berga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.527m (5,009ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of Italy. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Anfo ridge road. 

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.

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