Journey Through Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages

Italy is full of treasures beyond its famous cities. While travelers dream of Rome, Florence, and Venice, it’s in the borghi — the small towns and villages — that the heart of Italy truly beats. These are the places where medieval lanes wind past stone churches, where piazzas come alive with evening strolls, and where local traditions have been kept alive for centuries.

Since 2001, the cultural association I Borghi più belli d’Italia (“The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy”) has selected villages across the country that preserve this history and beauty. Today, there are 361 official villages on the list — from seaside hamlets to hilltop strongholds, from Alpine retreats to island jewels.

My dream is to visit every one of these villages — to walk their streets, take in their views, and share their stories here with you. This is my living guidebook: a master list of Italy’s most beautiful villages, organized by region, with short notes on what makes each one special. Over time, I’ll create a separate blog post for each village I visit, with photos and personal impressions, so this guide grows into something uniquely mine.

Tuscany

Rolling hills, vineyards, Renaissance towns, and medieval fortresses — Tuscany is the Italy many people dream of. Here are its officially recognized most beautiful villages:

Anghiari – A medieval hill town famous for its cobbled streets and the site of the Battle of Anghiari, celebrated in Renaissance art.
Barga – Nestled in the Serchio Valley, known for its Scottish connections and panoramic mountain views.
Buonconvento – A brick-walled village on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route, with an intact medieval core.
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana – Gateway to the Apuan Alps, a lively village with a medieval fortress and mountain charm.
Cetona – A peaceful hill town with prehistoric caves nearby and views over southern Tuscany.
Coreglia Antelminelli – Renowned for its tradition of plaster figurines (figuristi) and beautiful views over the Serchio Valley.
Giglio Castello – A fortified village on Giglio Island, with narrow stone lanes and views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Loro Ciuffenna – A charming village with Tuscany’s oldest working watermill and houses perched along a deep gorge.
Montefioralle – A tiny medieval hamlet near Greve in Chianti, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
Monteriggioni – A perfectly preserved walled fortress village that feels frozen in medieval time.
Montescudaio – Overlooking the Etruscan Coast, with terraced vineyards and excellent local wines.
Monticchiello – A classic Val d’Orcia village, known for its community-run teatro povero (poor theater).
Montalcino – Famous worldwide for Brunello wine, with a fortress and sweeping vineyard landscapes.
Pitigliano – Dramatically perched on volcanic tufa rock, nicknamed “Little Jerusalem” for its historic Jewish quarter.
Poppi – Dominated by the Guidi Castle, said to have inspired Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio.
Porto Ercole – A fishing village on the Argentario coast, beloved for its colorful harbor and Spanish fortresses.
Radda in Chianti – At the heart of Chianti Classico wine country, surrounded by rolling vineyards.
San Casciano dei Bagni – Known for its thermal baths, dating back to Etruscan and Roman times.
San Gimignano – The “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” with its famous medieval tower skyline.
Scarperia – Founded by Florence in 1306, it’s celebrated for its traditional handmade knives.
Sovana – A tiny Etruscan and medieval jewel in the tufa hills of southern Tuscany.
Suvereto – A medieval village wrapped in stone walls, with excellent wines and olive oil.
Vinci – Birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, with museums dedicated to his genius.

Sicily

Sicily is a crossroads of civilizations — Greek temples, Norman castles, Baroque towns, and seaside escapes. Its borghi are especially diverse, each telling a story of Sicily’s layered history.

Castelmola – A hilltop village above Taormina, famous for its almond wine and spectacular views of Mount Etna and the sea.
Castiglione di Sicilia is a medieval hilltop village on the slopes of Mount Etna, known for its stone streets, panoramic valley views, and timeless Sicilian charm.
Cefalù – A seaside gem with golden beaches and a Norman cathedral that’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Erice – A medieval town on a mountaintop, shrouded in mist, with cobblestone streets and sweeping coastal views.
Ferla – A small Baroque town in southeastern Sicily, near the UNESCO Val di Noto area.
Gangi – Once called Italy’s most beautiful village, set in the Madonie Mountains with narrow streets and historic palazzi.
Geraci Siculo – A quiet mountain borgo, rich with Norman history and surrounded by natural parks.
Montalbano Elicona – Known for its stunning Norman castle and prehistoric megaliths nearby.
Novara di Sicilia – A mountain village famous for its cheese (Maiorchino) and medieval atmosphere.
Palazzolo Acreide – A UNESCO site with Greek theater ruins and fine Sicilian Baroque churches.
Petralia Soprana – The highest village in the Madonie Mountains, with breathtaking views across Sicily.
Petralia Sottana – Sister village to Soprana, known for its stone houses and authentic mountain life.
Sambuca di Sicilia – A charming village west of Agrigento, famous for its wine and for the “1 euro houses” project.
Sperlinga – Unique for its houses and castle carved directly into rock.
Sutera – A hilltop village in central Sicily with panoramic views and winding medieval streets.
Savoca – Known as a filming location for The Godfather, with medieval churches and quiet charm.

Puglia

Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, is a region of whitewashed towns, olive groves, and Adriatic coastline. Its borghi are full of winding alleys, stone churches, and traditional life that feels untouched by time.

Alberobello – Famous worldwide for its cone-roofed trulli houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that looks like a fairytale village.
Bovino – A medieval village in the Daunia mountains, with a Norman castle and charming stone streets.
Cisternino – Perched above the Itria Valley, known for its whitewashed houses and excellent local cuisine (fornelli pronto meat grills).
Locorotondo – Named for its circular old town, it’s one of Puglia’s prettiest hilltop villages, overlooking vineyards and olive groves.
Maruggio – A little-known gem near the Ionian Sea, with quiet piazzas and a charming old quarter.
Ostuni – The “White City,” gleaming under the sun with its maze of whitewashed alleys and panoramic terraces.
Presicce-Acquarica – Known as the “city of hypogea,” with underground oil mills and aristocratic palaces.
Roseto Valfortore – Nestled in the Daunia mountains, this village is surrounded by woods and streams, with traditional stone houses.
Specchia – A beautifully preserved medieval village in the Salento area, with cobbled streets and old olive presses.
Vico del Gargano – On the Gargano promontory, called the “village of love” for its folklore and romantic legends.

Calabria

Wild, rugged, and authentic, Calabria is a land of mountains plunging to the sea, with villages that feel suspended between past and present. Its borghi are among Italy’s most untouched treasures.

Aieta – A hilltop village near the Tyrrhenian coast, known for its Renaissance palace and views of the Pollino mountains.
Altomonte – Famous for its Gothic church of Santa Maria della Consolazione and its lively summer cultural festivals.
Bova – A Greek-speaking village in the Aspromonte mountains, preserving Calabria’s ancient Grecanico heritage.
Caccuri – Crowned by a medieval Norman castle and narrow streets cascading down the hillside.
Civita – An Arbëreshë (Albanian-Italian) community in the Pollino National Park, with stone houses and dramatic views over the Raganello Gorges.
Fiumefreddo Bruzio – A seaside borgo with castle ruins, historic churches, and terraces overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Gerace – Nicknamed the “Florence of the South,” with over 100 churches and a stunning Norman cathedral.
Morano Calabro – A pyramid-shaped village of stacked stone houses, dramatically set at the foot of the Pollino mountains.
Oriolo – A medieval village with a well-preserved castle, once a stronghold against invasions.
Santa Severina – Perched on a rocky hill, with a Byzantine baptistery and an impressive Norman-Swabian castle.
Scilla – A fishing village tied to the legend of Scylla and Charybdis, with colorful houses right on the seafront.
Stilo – Known for its Cattolica, a small Byzantine church dating to the 9th century, one of Calabria’s most important monuments.

Campania

Campania is a region of contrasts: volcanic landscapes, glittering coastlines, and villages steeped in Greek, Roman, and medieval history. Its borghi showcase seaside charm, mountain traditions, and timeless beauty.

Albori – A tiny hamlet above Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast, filled with colorful houses and lemon-scented terraces.
Atrani – One of the smallest towns in Italy, nestled on the Amalfi Coast with pastel houses clustered around a cozy piazza by the sea.
Castellabate – A hilltop village overlooking the Cilento coast, with winding alleys and a castle that inspired the film Benvenuti al Sud.
Conca dei Marini – Perched on cliffs above the Amalfi Coast, famous for the Emerald Grotto and its tradition of handmade sfogliatelle.
Furore – Known for its dramatic fjord and colorful murals, often called the “painted village” of the Amalfi Coast.
Lauro – Nestled in the Lattari Mountains, with the impressive Lancellotti Castle dominating the village.
Monteverde – An inland borgo with a medieval castle and sweeping views of the Ofanto Valley.
Nusco – Called the “balcony of Irpinia” for its panoramic mountain views, with a peaceful old town of stone alleys.
Pietramelara – A medieval village at the foot of Monte Maggiore, surrounded by forests and historic palaces.
San Giorgio del Sannio – Known for its charming piazzas, noble palaces, and local wine culture.
Sant’Agata de’ Goti – A jewel of stone houses built on a tufa cliff, with Roman roots and medieval charm.

Basilicata

Basilicata is a land of cliffs, caves, and quiet medieval villages, often overlooked by tourists. Its borghi preserve centuries-old traditions and stunning architecture, with a unique blend of Greek, Norman, and southern Italian influences.

Acerenza – Nicknamed the “Cathedral City,” with an imposing Romanesque cathedral and sweeping views of the Bradano Valley.
Castelmezzano – Nestled among jagged peaks known as the Dolomites of the South, it’s famous for its breathtaking mountain scenery and adventure zip line.
Genzano di Lucania – A hill town surrounded by wheat fields, known for its traditional bread-making and historic churches.
Guardia Perticara – Called the “village of stone,” with perfectly preserved stone houses and alleys.
Irsina – A medieval village with a cathedral housing a statue attributed to Renaissance master Mantegna.
Maratea – Known as the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian,” with colorful houses, 44 churches, and a towering Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the sea.
Moliterno – Famous for its Pecorino cheese, aged in special caves, and its medieval castle.
Pietrapertosa – Another gem in the Lucanian Dolomites, dramatically built into the rock with breathtaking views.
Tricarico – A historic borgo with Arab, Norman, and Byzantine roots, featuring towers and winding alleys.
Venosa – Birthplace of the poet Horace, with Roman ruins, a Norman castle, and an unfinished medieval abbey.

Molise

Quiet and unspoiled, Molise is a region of mountains, forests, and ancient villages where traditions remain strong. Its borghi feel timeless, offering a glimpse of Italy before mass tourism.

Agnone – Famous for its centuries-old bell foundry, which still crafts bells for churches around the world.
Fornelli – A medieval borgo with preserved stone walls and towers, often called the “pearl of Isernia.”
Frosolone – Known for its cutlery-making tradition, producing knives and blades since the Middle Ages.
Oratino – A hilltop village with artisan stonework and sweeping views over the Biferno Valley.
Sepino – Near the impressive Roman ruins of Saepinum, with medieval streets and rustic charm.

Abruzzo’s borghi are perched on cliffs, nestled in valleys, and surrounded by the Apennines. They’re rich in history and natural beauty, making them a paradise for hikers, history lovers, and anyone seeking authentic Italy.

Anversa degli Abruzzi – A tiny village clinging to a cliff above the Sagittario Gorge, with stunning nature all around.
Bugnara – Surrounded by mountains and olive groves, with medieval alleys and Baroque churches.
Caccamo – Known for its picturesque stone houses and scenic views of the Peligna Valley.
Calascio – Famous for Rocca Calascio, a mountaintop fortress that feels like a movie set (it has appeared in films like Ladyhawke).
Castel del Monte – A shepherds’ village in the Gran Sasso mountains, celebrated for its transhumance traditions.
Castelli – Renowned for its hand-painted ceramics, a craft dating back to the Renaissance.
Civitella del Tronto – Home to one of the largest fortresses in Europe, dramatically overlooking the landscape.
Guardiagrele – Known as the “city of artisans,” with metalwork traditions and beautiful churches.
Navelli – Famous for its saffron, considered among the best in the world, and charming stone lanes.
Opi – A peaceful village inside Abruzzo National Park, with spectacular mountain scenery.
Pacentro – Overlooked by the Majella mountains, with medieval towers and a timeless atmosphere.
Penne – A hill town with red-brick streets and a mix of Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
Pescocostanzo – A mountain jewel with elegant Renaissance and Baroque palaces, known for lace-making.
Rocca San Giovanni – A coastal borgo near the Trabocchi Coast, with historic churches and sea views.
Santo Stefano di Sessanio – A beautifully restored medieval village in the Gran Sasso mountains, now a model for “albergo diffuso” hospitality.
Scanno – Famous for its heart-shaped lake and women who still wear traditional dress on feast days.
Villalago – Overlooking Lake San Domenico, with peaceful mountain charm and ancient hermitages.

Lazio

Beyond the Eternal City, Lazio hides villages of volcanic lakes, ancient necropolises, and dramatic tufa cliffs. These borghi offer a quieter, more authentic side of central Italy.

Anguillara Sabazia – A lakeside borgo on Lake Bracciano, with cobbled alleys and waterfront views.
Bassano in Teverina – A village perched above the Tiber Valley, with a medieval tower and hidden underground passages.
Calcata – Once abandoned, this cliffside borgo is now revived by artists and bohemians, giving it a quirky charm.
Castel di Tora – On the shores of Lake Turano, with breathtaking views and a romantic lakeside setting.
Civita di Bagnoregio – The “dying city,” perched on a crumbling hilltop and reached only by a pedestrian bridge, one of Italy’s most iconic villages.
Greccio – Famous as the place where St. Francis of Assisi staged the world’s first Nativity scene in 1223.
Orvinio – Surrounded by the Monti Lucretili, with a medieval layout and peaceful mountain charm.
Sperlonga – A whitewashed seaside village with winding alleys, perched above golden beaches and grottoes.
Subiaco – Known for its monasteries, especially the Sacro Speco, clinging dramatically to the rock.
Trevignano Romano – On the northern shore of Lake Bracciano, with colorful streets and castle ruins.
Tuscania – Rich in Etruscan heritage, with Romanesque churches and a picturesque medieval core.
Vico nel Lazio – A walled medieval village in the Ernici Mountains, with towers and stone archways.

Umbria

Known for its stone villages, rolling hills, and deep Etruscan and medieval roots, Umbria offers a quieter alternative to Tuscany — with equal charm.

Bevagna – A Roman and medieval gem, with ancient mosaics, a medieval square, and a famous annual Medieval Festival.
Castiglione del Lago – A lakeside village on Lake Trasimeno, dominated by the 13th-century fortress of the Lion.
Citerna – A hilltop borgo with panoramic views and Renaissance architecture, known for its graceful arcades.
Deruta – Renowned for its hand-painted ceramics, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.
Lugnano in Teverina – A village of narrow alleys and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Monte Castello di Vibio – Famous for the Teatro della Concordia, considered the world’s smallest theater.
Monteleone di Spoleto – A mountain borgo with a medieval center and ties to an ancient Etruscan chariot discovery.
Montone – A walled medieval town with sweeping valley views, tied to the legend of mercenary captain Braccio da Montone.
Norcia – Known for its black truffles, cured meats, and stunning location near the Sibillini Mountains.
Panicale – Overlooking Lake Trasimeno, with Renaissance frescoes and charming piazzas.
Pietralunga – Surrounded by forests, this village is known for its rustic atmosphere and ancient Roman roads.
Spello – Famous for its flower-covered balconies and the Infiorata flower festival, plus Roman walls and medieval lanes.
Trevi – Perched on a hill of olive groves, known as the “olive oil capital” of Umbria.
Vallo di Nera – A medieval fortress village overlooking the Nera River valley, with stone houses and peaceful charm.

Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna combines fertile plains, mountain landscapes, and historic towns that tell the story of medieval Italy. Its borghi are rich in culture, gastronomy, and architectural beauty.

Bagno di Romagna – A spa town in the Apennines, famous since Roman times for its thermal baths.
BobBio – A medieval jewel on the Trebbia River, with a 7th-century abbey and the iconic Devil’s Bridge.
Brisighella – Known for its three hills: a castle, a clock tower, and a sanctuary, plus delicious olive oil.
Castelvetro di Modena – A wine village surrounded by Lambrusco vineyards, with a checkerboard piazza.
Compiano – A borgo crowned by a castle that once guarded the route between Emilia and Liguria.
Dozza – Famous for its colorful murals painted on village walls, blending art with daily life.
Fiumalbo – A mountain borgo with stone houses, nicknamed the “village of fairies.”
Gualtieri – A Renaissance town redesigned by artist Guercino, with a grand central piazza.
Longiano – Overlooked by the Malatestiana Fortress, with views across the Romagna hills.
Monteveglio – A medieval borgo surrounded by vineyards, part of a protected regional park.
San Giovanni in Marignano – Known as the “granary of the Malatestas,” with historic granaries and fortifications.
Verucchio – A fortress village tied to the Malatesta family, with sweeping views over the Marecchia Valley.
Vigoleno – A tiny walled borgo with a perfectly preserved medieval castle and panoramic ramparts.

Liguria

Liguria stretches between the mountains and the sea, with villages clinging to cliffs, tucked into bays, or perched on terraced hillsides. Its borghi are colorful, romantic, and full of maritime history.

Apricale – A medieval hilltop village with steep cobblestone alleys and stone houses cascading down the slope.
Brugnato – A small borgo in the Vara Valley, with colorful houses and a Romanesque cathedral.
Campo Ligure – Famous for its filigree silver jewelry tradition and medieval castle.
Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena – A perfectly preserved medieval fortress village with slate-roofed houses.
Finalborgo – A walled village near the sea, known for its medieval architecture and outdoor climbing culture.
Laigueglia – A pastel-colored fishing village on the Riviera delle Palme, with a long sandy beach.
Millesimo – Surrounded by forests, this borgo is tied to medieval battles and local truffle traditions.
Noli – Once a proud maritime republic, today a charming fishing village with towers and Gothic churches.
Seborga – A quirky hilltop borgo that claims to be an independent principality.
Tellaro – A tiny fishing village near Lerici, with pink and orange houses hugging the rocky coastline.
Triora – Known as the “village of witches,” with a museum dedicated to witch trials of the 16th century.
Varese Ligure – Italy’s first eco-village, with a circular medieval piazza and organic farming heritage.

Lombardy

Lombardy is famous for fashion and finance in Milan, but its villages tell a quieter story — one of medieval towers, Alpine traditions, and pastel-colored houses reflected in the lakes.

Bellagio – The “pearl of Lake Como,” with elegant villas, cobbled stairways, and sweeping views where the lake splits into two branches.
Cassinetta di Lugagnano – A village along the Naviglio Grande, lined with noble villas and historic gardens.
Castellaro Lagusello – Overlooking a heart-shaped lake, with medieval walls and a romantic atmosphere.
Cornello dei Tasso – A hidden medieval hamlet in the Brembana Valley, birthplace of the Tasso family who pioneered the postal system.
Fortunago – A tranquil hilltop borgo in the Oltrepò Pavese wine region, surrounded by rolling vineyards.
Gradella – A village of ochre and terracotta houses, often described as one of Italy’s most picturesque hamlets.
Gromo – A medieval Alpine village once known for iron forging, with a perfectly preserved historic center.
Menaggio – A Lake Como jewel, with a lively lakefront promenade and access to mountain trails.
Monte Isola – Europe’s largest lake island village, set in Lake Iseo, where fishing traditions and quiet charm prevail.
Morimondo – Built around a Cistercian abbey founded in 1134, surrounded by peaceful countryside.
Pomponesco – A Renaissance borgo on the Po River, redesigned in the 16th century with an elegant square.
Tremezzo – Home to Villa Carlotta with its famous gardens, overlooking Lake Como’s shimmering waters.
Zavattarello – A borgo dominated by its medieval castle, surrounded by green hills and woodlands.

Valle d’Aosta

This Alpine region is dotted with fortified villages, medieval castles, and stone hamlets that preserve a unique Franco-Italian culture. Its borghi are gateways to breathtaking peaks and timeless traditions.

Arnad – Known for its Romanesque church of San Martino and its celebrated lardo di Arnad (cured pork fat).
Bard – Dominated by the massive Fort of Bard, which has guarded the valley since the Middle Ages.
Étroubles – A picturesque village on the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route, decorated with open-air art installations.
Gressan – A tranquil mountain borgo surrounded by orchards and chestnut groves.
La Magdeleine – A tiny Alpine hamlet with wooden chalets, preserving the feel of traditional mountain life.
Perloz – Known for its medieval bridges and stone houses tucked into the Lys Valley.
Saint-Pierre – Overlooked by its fairytale castle, perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop.
Verrès – Famous for its austere 14th-century castle and its colorful Carnival traditions.

Veneto

Veneto’s borghi are diverse: some sit on tranquil lakes, others cling to hillsides, and many are crowned with castles. They combine Venetian elegance with Alpine and countryside traditions.

Arquà Petrarca – A medieval village in the Euganean Hills, where the poet Petrarch spent his final years.
Asolo – Known as the “city of a hundred horizons,” with Renaissance palaces and sweeping views.
Bassano del Grappa – Famous for its wooden bridge by Palladio, grappa distilleries, and mountain views.
Borghetto sul Mincio – A fairytale riverside hamlet with mills, bridges, and flower-decked houses.
Cison di Valmarino – Surrounded by forests and castles, with ties to Venetian noble families.
Follina – Known for its Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria, nestled in the Prosecco Hills.
Marostica – Famous for its living chess game played in the main square with costumed participants.
Mel – A quiet borgo in the Belluno area, with elegant palaces and views of the Dolomites.
Montagnana – A walled town with some of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe.
Portobuffolé – A tiny medieval borgo with Venetian architecture and a charming piazza.
San Giorgio di Valpolicella – A hilltop village with Romanesque churches and views over Valpolicella’s vineyards.
Serravalle (Vittorio Veneto) – A historic quarter with Gothic palaces and frescoed buildings.
Soave – Famous for its white wine and its impressive medieval castle surrounded by vineyards.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Friuli Venezia Giulia’s borghi combine mountain life, medieval fortresses, and elegant town squares. They reflect a mix of Latin, Slavic, and Germanic cultures, giving this region its unique flavor.

Cividale del Friuli – Founded by Julius Caesar, later a Lombard capital, today a UNESCO site with a dramatic Devil’s Bridge.
Clauiano – A rural village of stone houses and courtyards, considered one of Friuli’s prettiest hamlets.
Fagagna – Known for its medieval castle ruins and production of Montasio cheese.
Gradisca d’Isonzo – A fortified Renaissance town on the Isonzo River, once part of the Venetian Republic.
Poffabro – A picturesque Alpine borgo with wooden balconies and stone houses, surrounded by mountains.
Polcenigo – A water-rich village with springs, mills, and elegant Renaissance palaces.
Sesto al Reghena – Built around its Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis, with early medieval frescoes.
Toppo – A tiny medieval hamlet with two castles, offering sweeping views of the Friulian countryside.
Valvasone Arzene – Known for its castle, Gothic church, and historic organ, one of Italy’s finest.
Venzone – A walled medieval town rebuilt stone by stone after a 1976 earthquake, now beautifully restored.

Trentino-Alto Adige / Südtirol

This region offers fairy-tale mountain settings, frescoed churches, and villages where Italian and German cultures meet. Its borghi are gateways to both natural beauty and centuries of history.

Bondone (Trentino) – A medieval borgo overlooking Lake Idro, once known for its charcoal burners.
Canale di Tenno (Trentino) – A perfectly preserved medieval hamlet near Lake Garda, with stone archways and artists’ workshops.
Mezzano (Trentino) – Famous for its decorative woodpile displays (cataste e canzei) and views of the Pale di San Martino.
Rango (Trentino) – A mountain borgo with vaulted arcades and stone courtyards, known for its Christmas market.
San Lorenzo in Banale (Trentino) – At the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, celebrated for its rural traditions and ciuìga sausage.
Vipiteno / Sterzing (Alto Adige) – A colorful medieval town with Tyrolean architecture, once a key trading hub through the Alps.
Glorenza / Glurns (Alto Adige) – The smallest city in South Tyrol, completely enclosed by intact medieval walls.
Chiusa / Klausen (Alto Adige) – An artists’ town along the Isarco River, with cobbled lanes and mountain views.

Sardinia

Sardinia’s borghi are a mix of coastal fishing towns and mountain hamlets. They preserve unique traditions, crafts, and festivals that reflect the island’s distinct identity apart from mainland Italy.

Atzara – A village in the Mandrolisai hills, known for its vineyards, traditional costumes, and weaving.
Bosa – A colorful town on the Temo River, with pastel houses climbing up to Malaspina Castle.
Carloforte – On San Pietro Island, settled by Ligurian fishermen, with a unique dialect and tuna fishing heritage.
Castelsardo – A medieval fortress town overlooking the Gulf of Asinara, famous for its basket weaving.
Laconi – Nestled in Sardinia’s interior, with archaeological sites and the Aymerich Park’s lush gardens.
Posada – A cliffside borgo topped by a medieval castle, with sweeping views of the coast.
Sadali – Known as the “village of water,” with waterfalls, mills, and freshwater springs.
Santu Lussurgiu – A mountain borgo with cobbled streets and traditions of horsemanship and knife making.

Conclusion

Italy’s borghi più belli are more than just pretty villages — they’re living pieces of history, each with its own story, traditions, and sense of place. From Alpine hamlets to sun-soaked fishing towns, these 361 villages together form a mosaic of Italy at its most authentic.

This master list is just the beginning of my journey. As I visit each borgo, I’ll be sharing photos, personal impressions, and travel tips in separate blog posts, so you can explore them with me. My hope is that this project inspires you to look beyond the big cities and discover the smaller places where Italy’s soul truly shines.

Because in the end, it’s not just about checking villages off a list — it’s about experiencing the slower rhythms of life, meeting the people who keep traditions alive, and finding beauty in the details of every stone street and sunlit piazza.

So follow along as I make my way through Italy’s most beautiful villages, one borgo at a time. The adventure is just beginning!