One of the most rewarding things to do in Italy is to rent a car and explore the incredible landscapes of the country. Even though Italy doesn’t have the best of reputations when it comes to the driving etiquette of the locals, if you avoid driving in the center of the most populous towns, you’ll certainly stay away from trouble.
Home to more than fifty spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, rich historic sites, ruins, and museums, impressive works of art, and one of the most delicious gastronomies in the world, hiring a car and moving around as you please, away from crowded touristic trails and overpopulated (and thus, often overpriced) areas, the country is a collection of stunning surprises. Discovering them by car can make a rewarding and utterly unforgettable memory.
So, come with me, and let’s venture along one of these incredible road trips in Italy to discover hidden gems, amazing coastal highways, and some of the most spectacular scenes in the country.
4 Best Road Trips in Italy
1. Road Trip in Tuscany
The best area to depart when exploring the Tuscany region is the capital of the area, Florence. One of the most beautiful cities in Italy and the impressive cradle of Renaissance art in Europe.
If you’re planning a short stay in Florence, then renting a car and leaving this touristic city behind for a couple of days is never a bad idea.
This will not only give you a break from one of the most visited centers in the country, but it will also let you explore tranquil countryside roads filled with views that seem to come right out of an enchanting Hollywood movie.
LEARN MORE: Itinerary for One Day in Florence
Pisa
Once out of Florence, head to Pisa, if you want, for a short stop in another famous Italian city.
Over here, devote the morning to checking out the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the medieval walls surrounding the tower, and the nearby cathedral of Pisa, one of Italy’s most notable examples of Romanesque architecture.
What to see in Pisa? The leaning tower, of course!
Lucca
In the afternoon, drive to Lucca, another Tuscan gem you will not want to miss.
Over here, spend some time wandering the ancient alleys of the historic center and stop at any “forno” (local bakery) to purchase freshly baked bread for a picnic.
Walk to the beautiful Communal Botanical Gardens that cover two of the bastions on the city walls and enjoy your lunch surrounded by these extensive gardens filled with trees and flowers.
If you want, you can also visit the ponds and statues or explore the garden’s herbarium.
Witness the sunset while enjoying a walk along Lucca’s Mura Urbane, an impressive complex of defensive walls dating back to the Renaissance considered among the best-preserved fortifications in Italy.
In the evening, head to the center of the historic district once again, this time for an aperitivo before dinner in any of the many small restaurants in town.
LEARN MORE: 40 Italy Travel Tips
While on a road trip around Tuscany be sure to make time to visit lovely Lucca
San Gimignano
On the second day, get behind the wheel early to reach San Gimignano, another gem town that will amaze you with its incredible architecture and beautiful alleys.
San Gimignano is home to some famous towers built by the most important families in the Middle Ages and that make for impressive photoshop opportunities.
Stop in San Gimignano during your Tuscany road trip and admire the gorgeous architecture
Volterra
Right after, get back on the road for a few more kilometers and make a quick stop in Volterra.
Volterra is a walled medieval town famous for its gorgeous marble Cathedral and a nearby Roman Theater complex where it is possible to visit the ruins of its ancient baths dating from the third century.
Siena
The famous city of Siena awaits in the afternoon.
Housing a beautiful ancient historic center with an impressive fan-shaped central square surrounded by Gothic palaces and medieval towers with distinctive building details.
The city is a great destination for you to spend the night and wake up early to explore the smallest towns in Tuscany while also sipping some of the best local wines.
A road trip around the Tuscany region should include a visit to Siena
Chianti Region
North of Siena, you will find some of the most charming small towns and settlements in the Chianti region, one of the most prominent wine regions in the world.
In the afternoon, drive south (about one hour from the center of Siena) to explore the beautiful Montepulciano, an enchanted medieval hilltop town surrounded by vineyards and worldwide famous for its red wine, the vino nobile.
Remember though, drinking and driving in Italy can be heavily fined, so if you want to enjoy the local wine without any risk, then park your car and join a wine tour in the Tuscany region.
2. Road Trip to Lakes in Northern Italy
The Lake area in the northern part of Italy offers plenty of opportunities to admire northern Alpine landscapes dotted with high peaks and pristine lakes, often surrounded by picturesque towns.
Devote at least three days to this trip, although you could easily spend a whole week exploring the region. Leaving from Milan and heading east is often the recommended route.
Lake Maggiore
On the first day, head north towards the province of Varese to admire the beautiful Lake Maggiore, the second-biggest lake in the region, after Lake Garda, and one of the most visited lakes in the country.
If you’re uncertain what lakeside towns to visit along the sprawling lake, check out Laveno, home to the only natural port on the lake.
For stunning views, the funicular can take you up to the Sasso del Ferro Mountain, where the views of the Alps and the lake are simply fantastic.
The lake is also home to beautiful islands, the most famous of all is Isola Bella (yes, it translates as Beautiful Island, and for a reason!).
The former fishing village on the island is now home to one of the most impressive Baroque palaces in the north of the country and a must-visit place in the lake region.
While on a Northern Italy road trip visit Lake Maggiore and Isola Bella
Lake Como
On day number two, it’s time for the cosmopolitan Lake Como, easy to reach both from Varese and Milan. The lake, now known for hosting villas and residences of famous Hollywood figures, has long been one of the most aristocratic destinations in the country.
Surrounded by gorgeous little towns and some of the most lavish lakefront villas you can imagine, the lake is also a perfect day trip destination if you’re staying in Milan or Turin. On the other hand, however, one day doesn’t seem to be enough to visit.
Among the cities and settlements surrounding the lake, the remarkable Como is one of the places you should visit, with its beautiful churches and a crowded street market that extends along the winding alleys of the old town.
Beautiful Lake Como is a great road trip destination in Italy’s Lombardy region in the north
Lake Area Villages
From the lake area, you can board one of the many daily ferries to visit other lakefront enchanting villages, including Bellagio, Varenna, Tremezzo, and Menaggio.
If you’re short of time or have no clue where to go, I suggest exploring at least two of these small towns.
Start with Bellagio, the most famous town in the region, a special place made of narrow, steep cobblestone alleys that climb up to the highest points in the village and offer incredible views of the lakes.
This tour of Bellagio includes a visit to the surrounding area.
Tremezzo, instead, is home to the most spectacular villa facing the lake, Villa Carlotta, an imposing neoclassic palace dating back to 1843 that was given to Charlotte of Prussia as her wedding present.
On the last day of the circuit, it is a good idea to visit the smallest lake in the circuit, Lake Iseo, in a majestic region between Bergamo and Brescia.
Over here, other than visiting the small town of Iseo that gives name to the lake which underlines its importance, it is a good idea to also explore Monte Isola.
This small island at the center of the lake is a green oasis housing a fourteenth-century castle, Rocca Martinengo.
If you still have time to spend in the area, head to Lake Garda.
This is the largest lake in the country, and for that, we have prepared a separate road trip (see below) for this lake. Use it to find all the things to do when you visit!
3. Lake Garda Road Trip
As we have mentioned already, Garda is the country’s biggest lake and one of the most beautiful to visit.
Despite the fame Lake Como has achieved in recent years, Garda is second to none when it comes to beautiful vistas and things to do in the area.
Lake Garda is about one hour from Milan and easy to reach by car.
Moreover, it is one of the main tourist centers in northern Italy and, therefore it’s often overcrowded.
Although it might take weeks to travel around the whole of Lake Garda, spending a few days visiting the most picturesque lakeside villages is a worthy experience.
Sirmione
Start by heading to Sirmione, the most important town facing the lake and close to Milan.
It stands on a small peninsula and features a small but beautiful beach, a favorite destination among locals during the summer.
In town, it is also possible to visit an old medieval castle overlooking the historic center as well as the ruins of an ancient Roman Villa.
READ MORE: Best Things to Do in Milan Italy
Take a road trip to Lake Garda and visit the medieval Scaligero Castle in Sirmione
Desenzano
For a calmer, laid-back atmosphere, head north to the city of Desenzano, home to three pristine beaches, but also offers some outstanding views of the Alps.
Even if Desenzano is not as touristic as Sirmione, it still has efficient tourist infrastructures for those who want to spend a few days, including over 20 important hotels, delicious restaurants, and an important variety of pubs and discos.
More Small Towns on Lake Garda
Other smaller towns around the lake that you can visit include Limone, Malcesine, and Gargnano del Garda, with picturesque lakefront restaurants, a small marina, and a lively central square where, a few times a week, it’s possible to shop in the street market.
Picturesque Limone (Italian for lemon) sits along the shore of Lake Garda
4. Amalfi Coast Road Trip
One of the most visited destinations in the region of Campania, southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast is a succession of thirteen impressive seaside villages extending along a 50-kilometer stretch of coastline on the Sorrentine Peninsula, starting on the clifftop town of Sorrento and ending almost in the port city of Salerno.
Filled with tourists all year round, but especially during the warmer months, this popular holiday destination impresses with its traditions and incredibly beautiful landscapes.
Most towns stand clinging to the sides of cliffs that plunge into the sea giving the rugged shoreline a colorful note with its lemon groves, pastel buildings, ancient churches, and dreamy beaches.
Outlining a detailed itinerary is not easy, since it much depends on what types of villages and atmospheres you enjoy, more tranquil and relaxing (for instance in Praiono, Furore, or the tiny Minore ) or more active and busy (for instance Positano).
However, you can start by heading to this Amalfi Coast itinerary to discover what to do and what not to skip.
Unmissable stops along the circuit include the beautiful Amalfi, which gives its name to the coast and is among the most picturesque seaside towns in the country.
Also, do make a stop to explore Ravello and its unique villas and Positano, home to the famous limoncello, a delicious spirit made of lemon and lemon zest and one of the staple products in the region.
LEARN MORE: 23 Most Beautiful Cities in Italy
While roadtripping the Amalfi Coast be sure to stop in beautiful Positano
They say that the road trip along the Amalfi Coast is not for the faint of heart.
Unexpected hairpin turns, and blind bends over the sea combined with reckless local drivers are not an ideal combination.
However, this road trip can also be an interesting adventure if you do it with an organized experience like this one or independently by boat or by combining the free and the public bus.
Of course Amalfi town is a highlight of any Amalfi Coast road trip
Important Tips When Driving in Italy
Follow these suggestions to enjoy a safe road trip with total peace of mind.
When renting your car, spend a few extra euros and ask for it to be equipped with a GPS which will prove especially useful for navigating smaller towns and secondary roads.
Nothing can be more frustrating than wasting precious time asking for directions in a language you don’t understand completely.
Parking in Italy is not an easy task, most of all when it comes to bigger cities.
In such cases, watch for signposts indicating Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL) because these are restricted areas that often can be accessed only by specific vehicles or residents with special permits, and parking in that area often comes with heavy fines.
More Italy Travel Ideas
7 Best Day Trips from Florence
Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre
Guide to Rome (Where to Stay + What to See)
10 Best Hiking Trails in Italy
About the Author
Gabi Ancarola is a translator and travel journalist living in Crete. She regularly writes about Europe for several magazines about travel, gastronomy, and hospitality. She has published several travel guides about Greece and plans customized trips to the Greek islands. She loves cooking local dishes, taking photos, and driving on the mountain roads of Crete.