Road Trip: On the Most Beautiful Roads in Italy
To explore everything this country has to offer, from its snowy peaks to its rugged coasts, passing through its green hills and savory cuisine, renting a car in Italy remains the best option. Throughout your journey on Italy’s roads, you will admire its stunning landscapes. In Italy, the journey is already a destination in itself.
Driving through Tuscany
Although the must-see cities of Florence and Siena are best explored on foot, discovering the “real” Tuscany happens along the way, and renting a car is the ideal means to achieve this.
The curves of the Via Chiantigiana make it one of the most beautiful roads in Italy. Well-maintained, it is very easy to drive on. The landscapes are adorned with picturesque castles, fortified towns, and even though it is entirely possible to cover this route in a single day, you will likely want to take more time to fully enjoy its generous vineyards. Plan for an overnight stay! Heading south from Florence, the straight road “Via Senese” will lead you to the Via Chiantigiana and its first stop at Greve, at the gates of Chianti and its region. After a stroll in the central square, take a detour west to the famous fortified town of Montefioralle, perched on a hill. Don’t forget your camera! From there, rejoin the main route, passing through the town of Panzano – an ideal spot to stop for a bite – and historic Castellina. Finally, after crossing a dense forest, head west to discover the ancient vineyards of the town of Gaiole. There, you can taste the wines of the Castello di Brolio castle, which has its own cellar. Cheers!
All roads lead to Rome
What better way to experience a road trip in Italy than by following the traces of an ancient Roman road? The “Via Cassia” takes you from Florence to Rome, with its cypress and pine-lined edges and numerous curves.
During the six-hour drive from Florence, you will discover many points of interest and detours worth taking to enrich your journey. Leaving Siena southwards, drive about 45 km to the ancient Etruscan city of San Quirico d’Orcia, where medieval ruins, viewpoints, and the tranquility of the Leonini botanical gardens invite you to take a break. A little further south, you pass through the town of Abbadia San Salvatore and follow signs for the ancient “Via Francigena.” Once, this route led pilgrims from Canterbury to Rome to bow before the tombs of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. For a breath of fresh air, stop by Lake Bolsena or continue to Sutri, on the edge of the Bracciano National Park. All this – and much more – awaits you on the long road to Rome.
Along the roads of the Amalfi Coast
Along the Amalfi Coast, the sun-drenched towns and villages are an open invitation to stop and enjoy a seafood meal or indulge in authentic Italian gelato.
Start your road trip with a visit to Naples, the cultural capital of southern Italy, then hop in a car to explore the stunning coastlines. To quickly travel from Naples to Pompeii, take the A3 Napoli-Reggio Calabria highway. If you have more time, take the coastal road to admire the magnificent view of the Gulf of Naples. Along the “Via Litoranea,” you’ll find excellent restaurants for every budget. Whichever you choose, you won’t miss the imposing Mount Vesuvius towering above. Spend a night in the area to fully appreciate the fantastically preserved archaeological remains of Pompeii. Don’t forget: most nearby hotels offer free parking. From Pompeii, it’s less than an hour’s drive along the coast to Sorrento, with its maze of alleyways lined with shops and cafes. By the sea, the terrace of “The Foreigner” club is perfect for a typical lunch with an amazing view of the sea and the gulf. Finally, if you have nerves of steel, take the breathtaking road to Amalfi, a winding route with hairpin turns that clings to the edges of towering cliffs. A spectacular way to end your Italian vacation.
Driving between sea and volcano in Sicily
The island may seem small, but Sicily is packed with things to see and do. Renting a car is the best way to visit all the major attractions at your own pace.
Two days in picturesque Palermo are more than enough to get a glimpse of the place. Then head east, following the scenic coastal road with your rental car. The usual route through Sicily via the A-19 is currently closed and won’t reopen anytime soon. Luckily, the alternative road is magnificent – though slower. The SS120 is a local road that winds through the island’s steep hills and green valleys. Stop for lunch in Cerda to taste the traditional cuisine of “Trattoria Nasca 2” and its unique artichoke dishes. Once you reach Tremonzelli, you rejoin the highway with its smooth asphalt ribbons for the drive to Catania. There, park at the port and take a shuttle to the city center for a stroll on Piazza del Duomo square. Finally, a 40-minute drive takes you on one of Sicily’s most spectacular roads to the southern slope of Mount Etna. At Rifugio Sapienza, trade your rental car for a cable car and an unforgettable trip to the summit of the volcano. Prepare for an incredible view of the crater: road trips in Italy don’t get more explosive than this one!
Road trip in Italy: exploring the lakes
What do you get when you combine a landscape of lakes, mountains, and forests, complemented by perfect highways and a speed limit of 120 km/h?
It’s simply the recipe for a fantastic road trip in Italy, in the Lake District. Although the small roads around the lakes can be narrow and winding, the main routes connecting the lakes are a paradise for road trip enthusiasts. Milan is an excellent starting point for exploring northern Italy by car. From there, it’s just about an hour’s drive to Lecco via the “Statale 36,” then Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como, nestled on the lake’s shores. Bellagio is one of the best places to stay overnight, with its brightly colored houses overlooking the lake and mountains. On the way to Lake Maggiore heading southwest, the brand-new A36 highway spares you the hassle of backtracking to Milan. This leads directly to the beautiful A8 highway – the “Lakes Road” – which takes you to the elegant town of Stresa. Take time for a boat trip to Isola Bella, where you can visit the luxurious Palazzo Borromeo and its gardens. Back on the A8, you can continue west through the shimmering forests of the Val Grande National Park for a majestic finale to your journey through the Italian lakes.
