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.

Cima Palon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.067m (6,781ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol in Italy.

Colle Plane is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.222m (7,290ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Italy and France.

Monte Bellino is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.172m (7,125ft) above the sea level, located in Cuneo province, in the southwest of the Piedmont region of Italy.

Strada dei Crozi is a dangerous and narrow mountain road located in the Trentino–Alto Adige region of northern Italy. In 1972, the road was closed to vehicles but reopened again for a brief period (2020-2022).

Monte Lussari is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.745m (5,725ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Udine, in the autonomous region Friuli-Venezia Giulia of Italy.

Monte Giogo is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,510m (4,954ft) above sea level, located in the province of Massa-Carrara in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Lac de Roterel is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1,941m (6,368ft) above sea level located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.

The Strada Provinciale 349 (SP349) is a challenging mountain road located in the Vicenza Pre-Alps, in the province of Vicenza, in the Veneto region of Italy.

Monte Chersogno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.411m (7,910ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Cuneo, in Piedmont, Italy.

Monte Specie is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,308m (7,572ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol, Italy. Along the way, you can see ruins reminiscent of the First World War.

Located in Domusnovas, Sardinia, Grotta San Giovanni is a cave with a road running through it. It was the only cave in Italy that allowed vehicle passage before being closed to traffic. Now, visitors can walk along the road inside the cave. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.

The Mulattiera di Arroccamento al Monte Cengio is a spectacular Italian military track from the Great War, dominating the Val d'Astico and offering breathtaking views. Constructed on a vertical wall and shielded from enemy fire, it was built to supply men and materials to the bastion of Monte Cengio, the last defense of the Po Valley.

Pas du Paradis is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,731m (5,679ft) above sea level, located at the Italian-French border.

Strada Provinciale 96 (SP96) is an exceptionally challenging drive situated in the province of Potenza, within the Southern Italian region of Basilicata.

Sagittarius Gorges is a scenic gorge located in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The road through the gorges is extremely challenging yet scenic, with great views of the Apennines.

Laghetto di Campaccio is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.314m (7,591ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Col dei Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,818m (5,964ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, in Italy.

Blockhaus is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,072m (6,797ft) above sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Flecknerhütte is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 2.056m (6,745ft) above sea level, located in the South Tyrol province of Italy.

Imagine a fully paved mountain road, with twisting turns, open straights, and almost no traffic. Sounds like a dream? In Italy, the Strada Provinciale 97 di Racollo is a hidden gem, a true paradise for both two- and four-wheel drivers.

Col de la Lariée is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.964m (6,443ft) above the sea level, located on the French-Italian border between Liguria, Piemonte and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Monte Grané is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,306 m (7,565 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, in Italy.

The Giro d'Italia is a demanding 21-day race that traverses the beautiful and often challenging Italian geography. Since its birth at the beginning of the 20th century, it has transformed ordinary mountain roads into legendary driving routes. Join us to discover the most fascinating stories and the roads that have marked the legend of this competition.

Col de Varda is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,115m (6,938ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, Italy.

Cima Mammarosa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,658m (5,439ft) above sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

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Italy is one place which is not just seen - it is supposed to be felt. As a traveller, the first thing that you may have heard about Italy is how the food smells, how the views capture your attention or how the artworks make you spell-bound. So, what is it that sets Italy apart from many other countries?

Rifugio Cesare Branca al Lago delle Rosole is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2,483m (8,146ft) above sea level, located in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Mount Vesuvius is located in the Campania region of Southern Italy, overlooking the Bay of Naples. It lies within the Province of Naples (now the Metropolitan City of Naples) and is the central feature of the Vesuvius National Park.

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