12 Enchanting Italian Small Towns That Resemble Storybook Villages

Italians are passionate about preserving their cultural heritage. There are consortiums dedicated to safeguarding regional products like Parmigiano Reggiano, groups focused on maintaining the nation's artistic and architectural gems, and even official recognitions for the country’s most picturesque villages. I Borghi più belli d’Italia is an organization established in 2001 to promote and celebrate the historic, cultural, and artistic heritage of Italy’s towns.

As defined by the association, “A borgo (plural: borghi) is a captivating small Italian town, typically fortified and dating back to the Middle Ages or Renaissance. It generally develops around a castle or noble residence and is often encircled by defensive walls and towers.”

Currently, there are 313 villages acknowledged as the borghi più belli d’Italia, each proudly showcasing the association’s emblem. From north to south, here are our selections for the 12 most stunning small towns in Italy.

1. Tremezzo

• Location: Lombardy, 90 minutes from Milan

Nestled along the western shores of Lake Como, this charming town boasts stunning 18th-century villas. One of the most exquisite is Villa Carlotta, now a museum featuring beautifully landscaped gardens filled with citrus trees, English roses, camellias, and a variety of other flora. Just a five-minute stroll away is the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, an Art Nouveau landmark that has been captivating guests for over a century. With its floating pool, spa, and a culinary experience that honors the legacy of the renowned chef Gualtiero Marchesi, this family-operated hotel is among Italy's finest.

2. Barolo

• Location: Piedmont, one hour from Turin

This village in the Langhe hills of Piedmont shares its name with the region's renowned fine wine. Everything here revolves around wine: the surrounding countryside is blanketed with vines cultivating Nebbiolo grapes, essential for the coveted Barolo wines. No visit is complete without wine tasting at wineries like Cantine Damilano and Gaja. Even the 10th-century castle at the town’s heart now hosts WiMu, the Wine Museum in Barolo. A bottle of Barolo pairs exquisitely with local delicacies such as agnolotti al plin (meat-stuffed ravioli) or tajarin (long pasta) adorned with white truffle sourced from nearby woods.

3. Vernazza

• Location: Liguria, 50 minutes from La Spezia

As one of the five charming villages that comprise the renowned Cinque Terre, Vernazza may very well be the most idyllic. It features a promontory that gracefully wraps around its harbor, which also serves as a small sandy beach. The harbor is framed by the iconic pastel-colored buildings that have made this area of Liguria famous. Dominating the port is the Church of Santa Margherita with its distinctive octagonal tower. Overlooking the town is Doria Castle, a fortress that dates back to the 11th century.

4. Capalbio

• Location: Tuscany, 90 minutes from Siena

As the southernmost municipality in Tuscany, this medieval village became a cherished retreat for Italy’s prominent intellectuals and politicians, including philosopher Umberto Eco and former president Giorgio Napolitano during the latter half of the 20th century. The historic center, situated atop a hill with its winding cobblestone streets and quaint houses, is about a 20-minute drive from the coast. Just a 15-minute car ride away is the Tarot Garden by Niki de Saint Phalle, an expansive park filled with monumental sculptures representing tarot card figures, inspired by Gaudí’s Park Güell in Barcelona and the Sacro Bosco di Bomarzo in nearby Lazio.

5. Civita di Bagnoregio

• Location: Lazio, two hours from Rome

This village, located a couple of hours north of Rome, is perched on a tuff hill and appears isolated due to erosion, resembling an island in the midst of a valley. A long, narrow bridge nearly 1,000 feet in length links the medieval part of town to the remainder of Bagnoregio. With no cars allowed in the historic center, strolling through the narrow cobblestone streets feels like a journey back in time. Stone buildings lining the streets host shops and eateries serving local delicacies such as fresh pasta with wild boar ragù or black truffle.

6. Sperlonga

• Location: Lazio, two hours from Rome

The emperor Tiberius had a villa in this coastal town, situated halfway between Rome and Naples, making it a beloved summer getaway for Romans. The historic center is perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Sperlonga’s beaches are awarded a Blue Flag by the nonprofit Foundation for Environmental Education for their cleanliness and sustainable practices. The town’s whitewashed buildings are home to restaurants, bars, and shops. On summer evenings, the streets buzz with people enjoying a passeggiata (a leisurely stroll), browsing shops, and savoring an aperitivo or dinner on the terraces of local restaurants.

7. Guardiagrele

• Location: Abruzzo, 40 minutes from Pescara

Nestled in Abruzzo, between Majella National Park and the Trabocchi Coast, this town has earned a reputation as a hub for artisans, particularly those who forge with cast iron. Today, you can still find shops selling cast iron creations, and you might catch a demonstration from one of the town's remaining forgers. As you wander through the village, take in the collegiate church of Santa Maria Maggiore, adorned with a lovely brick-covered corridor (known as a loggia). The town is also famous for a pastry called sise delle monache—which translates to “nun’s tits”—comprising three domed sponge cakes filled with creamy pastry.

8. Atrani

• Location: Campania, 90 minutes from Naples

Adjacent to Amalfi, this quaint hamlet often goes unnoticed by those drawn to more renowned towns like Positano and Ravello. However, if you take the scenic road that climbs from Amalfi’s beach, you’ll soon find yourself in Atrani, which, at just 0.07 square miles, is among Italy's smallest towns. Despite its size, it boasts immense charm, featuring a lovely beach and the main square, Piazza Umberto I. In Atrani’s eateries, you can look forward to fresh seafood and local delicacies such as mozzarella di bufala and limoncello.

9. Alberobello

• Location: Puglia, one hour from Bari

This town, nestled in Puglia’s Itria Valley, is renowned for boasting the highest density of trulli (traditional limestone houses with whitewashed walls and conical roofs) in all of Italy. The town has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to these unique structures. Once mere peasant homes and largely abandoned, many trulli in the town center and the nearby countryside have been restored into charming holiday rentals, shops, and eateries. Visitors can even witness a cheesemaking demonstration and taste freshly crafted cheeses like mozzarella and burrata at Agriturismo Aglio Piccolo, a trullo-turned-agriturismo just outside of the town.

10. Cisternino

• Location: Puglia, one hour from Bari

Located just 25 minutes from Alberobello, this town exemplifies the charm of a classic southern Italian borgo. A clock tower presides over the central piazza, with narrow streets branching out, lined by whitewashed buildings. Residents adorn their homes and shops with vibrant flowers and potted plants, creating a lively Mediterranean atmosphere. In summer, both locals and visitors delight in exploring the town's boutiques, enjoying aperitivos or dining outdoors, and wandering with gelato in hand.

11. Tropea

• Location: Calabria, one hour from Lamezia Terme

Often referred to as “the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian,” this town sits majestically atop a cliff overlooking the shimmering sea below. It ranks among the key villages along Calabria’s Coast of the Gods, steeped in legend—one tale claims that Hercules founded Tropea. Today, it invites visitors to sunbathe and swim on its beaches during the day and explore the historic center in the evening. Numerous shops offer summer apparel, while restaurants and bars serve local delicacies like ‘nduja (a spicy spreadable sausage), caciocavallo cheese, and jams made from the famous Tropea onions.

12. Carloforte

• Location: Sardinia, two hours from Cagliari

As the sole town on Isola di San Pietro, a small island just off Sardinia's coast, Carloforte is one of Italy’s hidden gems. Established by Ligurian fishermen in the 18th century, the town is adorned with pastel-colored buildings. Historically, the mainstay of the local economy was tuna fishing, and today, virtually every restaurant serves tuna in a multitude of ways—raw, smoked, cured, grilled, in pasta dishes, or on sandwiches. Along its quaint coves, you'll find several beaches boasting some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean.