9 Amazing Little Italian Villages You Need To Visit!

1.) Vernazza: This little village in Cinque Terre, Italy is one you’ll recognise from all those stunning, colourful photos on Pinterest, Google, Facebook and pretty much anything related to Italy on the internet. The village does live up to its hype too! Before we visited it, it was definitely a place I’d been looking forward to seeing and so my expectations were pretty high but it surpassed it on every account. The best view of the city is from the nearby hill (which you have to walk up some side streets from the main square to get up to but it’s actually quite an easy climb. It’s also next to the other 4 villages of Cinque Terre so you can pack in more sights while you’re there.

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2.) Portofino: This is also an ideal destination to visit if you’re in and around the Cinque Terre as it’s not far from Genoa airport and certainly worth the trip there. Definitely by it’s colourful buildings and idyllic seaside charm, Portofino is one of the more up-market villages to visit (you’ll see why when you catch sight of the designer stores lining the streets) but don’t let that put you off, it’s still a very affordable place to visit and retains it’s rustic charm which attracts tourists the world over.

3.) San Gimignano: If ever there was a postcard perfect place that truly defined captures Tuscany, this is it! Set in wine country, this is the perfect location for a laid back (wine-filled) holiday with friends and family. Being in London, this is the exact kind of place my friends and I all talk about wanting to go to when you want to escape the hectic shoving pushing, running and general stress and hassle of London life. 

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4.) Positano: The cascading hills chock-filled with colourful houses is another Italian gem set in the Amalfi coast. The stark contrast of the towering mountains, the sea and the stunning technicolour of the houses makes for some pretty impressive ‘pick-you-chin-off-the-floor” moments.

5.) Castelmezzano: Located in the Southern Italy area of Basilicata, Castelmezzano is one of those villages that is fantastic during the day but truly spectacular at night! It’s one of those places that you’ve probably never heard off but once you do (and see photos), you’ll find it pretty hard to get out of your mind.

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6.) Alberobello: Alberobello is truly defined by it’s unique buildings – so much so that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village looks nothing like any of the other Italian villages already mention so is guaranteed to be a unique site to visit and has a strong history dating as far back as the early 16th century.

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7.) Manarola: This is arguably as memorable and as picturesque as Vernazza in Cinque Terre. Again, this is one of those villages you’ll have remmeber having seen a photo of somewhere or the other and the subliminal bombardment of this image onto your sense is down to how truly beautiful it is. Like any decent Italian village, it’s also got oodles of great places to eat and lots of homemade ice creams to help cool your down on a warm summer evening… Aaaaww, who are we kidding, even on a cool winter evening, Italian gelatos are still the best!

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8.) Pitigliano: This village is definitely one that is at one with its natural surroundings. The houses seem to have ‘grown out of the rocks’ and the village is one unlike many other villages in Italy. It has a strong boundary and is surrounded by lush greenery which only serve to make the village look even more dramatic as you approach it. If you’re able to scamper up to the top of some of the buildings here, you’ll be rewarded with an amazing sight of the amazing Tuscan countryside.

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9.) Civita di Bagnoregio: This city set on a hill is one of the most rustic and truly Italian villages you’ve probably never heard of. It has a strong mystical vibe, perched on the hill and a wander through the streets will leave you deep in love with the tiny little village.