Absolutely, you can savor Italy without the throngs. Here’s how.

Italy ranks among the most popular travel destinations globally, welcoming 54.7 million international visitors in 2023. This can make it seem daunting to escape the bustling crowds, particularly in major cities and famed coastal spots. From personal experience, having lived in Rome for nearly five years and explored every corner of the country, from the Dolomites in the north to Sicily in the south, I can assure you that with a bit of planning, you can carve out your own unique journey and enjoy a truly enchanting experience in il bel paese. Consider venturing into lesser-known regions, immersing yourself in the charm of village life, and seeking alternatives to the heavily-visited attractions. Here are some suggestions to help you engage with local cultures for a deeper and more memorable trip.

Discover hidden gem destinations

Italy consists of 20 regions, many of which remain delightfully less explored. Instead of heading to Tuscany for its iconic rolling hills and medieval towns, consider visiting Umbria or Abruzzo. Nestled in central Italy, Umbria is often referred to as Italy's green heart, featuring picturesque hilltop towns like Orvieto, Perugia, and Assisi, surrounded by serene landscapes of olive groves and fields of sunflowers or poppies.

Abruzzo stretches from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Coast, with a third of its area dedicated to national parks, including Gran Sasso and Parco Nazionale della Maiella. It’s an ideal destination for hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts. You can trek to the historic Abbey of Santo Spirito, founded in the 13th century by Benedictine monks, cycle the Via Verde path along the Trabocchi Coast, and enjoy a night in a cozy wooden cabin at Dimore Montane within Parco Nazionale della Maiella. Besides having fewer tourists, these areas often offer more affordable options than typical tourist hotspots.

Even in well-known regions like Campania—home to the Amalfi Coast and Capri—you can discover lesser-known spots that maintain their authentic charm. “You can still find truly original restaurants, bars, and shops that haven’t been gentrified,” says Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO of Pellicano Hotels, which operates three boutique hotels in hidden seaside gems. In Santa Severa, near her hotel La Posta Vecchia, Sciò recommends L’Isola del Pescatore, a quaint beachfront eatery renowned for its “best fish soup.” Ischia, where Pellicano Hotels manages Mezzatorre, is a splendid alternative to Capri, boasting lovely beaches, thermal springs, vineyards like Casa d’Ambra, and charming family-run restaurants such as Umberto a Mare, praised by Sciò for “romantic seaside dining.”

Explore beyond the major cities

Travel writer Elizabeth Heath, who has called the small Umbrian village of Allerona home for 15 years, believes that exploring small towns reveals a more authentic side of Italy. “The term authenticity is often overused in travel discussions, but here it truly resonates,” she explains. “Visitors seeking to understand the daily lives of Italians in these quaint towns—how they connect with the land and harvest its bounty—can experience something that even a medium-sized town like Orvieto can’t offer, with its population of 10,000 compared to just 200.”

Driven by their deep appreciation for heritage, Italians have established an association dedicated to safeguarding and promoting their small towns and cultural heritage. Known as Borghi più belli d’Italia, this group has officially recognized 313 villages as Italy's most beautiful. Civita di Bagnoregio, dubbed the “Dying Town” due to the slow erosion of its tuff hill, is a favorite among Heath and Sciò, appearing to float like an island in the valley. Personally, I adore Tropea, a stunning clifftop village overlooking the sea on the Coast of the Gods, believed to have been founded by Hercules.

Explore alternatives to well-known attractions

If you let go of the bucket-list mindset, you’ll discover amazing sights throughout Italy that receive very few visitors. “I recently visited Ostia Antica, one of the most remarkable Roman sites still intact. It was completely empty,” shares Sciò, who resides in Rome. Just 40 minutes from the city, Ostia Antica was a bustling port during the Roman Empire, with ruins that rival, if not surpass, those of the Roman Forum. Be sure to admire the black-and-white mosaics, depicting gods, sea creatures, and advertisements by shop owners.

Another gem is Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, which Sciò praises for having “one of the most exquisite private collections of Renaissance and Roman art.” Situated on the lively Via del Corso in Rome, this palace owned by the Pamphilj family features masterpieces by Raphael and Caravaggio, along with a hall of mirrors inspired by the one at Versailles. This is just one example of an elaborate palazzo filled with artistic treasures.

Across Italy, you’ll find opulent villas and private palaces open to the public, offering insights into various historical periods. For instance, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone on the Amalfi Coast date back to the 13th and 11th centuries, respectively, though they have been renovated over time. In Milan, Villa Necchi Campiglio stands as a prime example of 1930s art deco architecture. Many of these sites are preserved and managed by Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI), a nonprofit similar to the National Trust in the UK.

Schedule a tour with a local outfitter

In 2023, Heath and her husband, Paolo Marchetti, launched Villaggio Tours to offer travelers an immersive experience in their village of Allerona, recognized as one of the Borghi più belli d’Italia, while also boosting the local economy. Over the course of a week, a small group of travelers might forage for mushrooms, participate in the olive harvest, take a pottery class in Orvieto, join a cooking lesson with Marchetti’s mother, and enjoy a day trip to Civita di Bagnoregio, the so-called Dying Town. “We hope this initiative revitalizes the community and helps people appreciate the charm of small villages that stand in stark contrast to bustling places like Venice, Rome, or Florence,” shares Heath.

Founded by Canadian Zoe Shapiro in Rome, Stellavision Travel aims to show travelers the authentic Italy beyond common stereotypes. Stellavision’s small group tours focus on off-the-beaten-path destinations like Puglia and the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily. This boutique feminist travel company highlights the voices of marginalized groups by organizing size-inclusive trips to southern Italy and offering unique experiences, such as a walking tour centered on women in ancient Rome.

“We’ll connect you with an excellent guide, but Stellavision will never offer a tour of the Colosseum. There are locals who have been doing that longer than I have, and they excel at it,” explains Shapiro. “Where Stellavision shines is in providing solo travelers, female travelers, and niche groups with access to a behind-the-scenes Italy that is often inaccessible or unknown to the average tourist.”

Seek out boutique accommodations

While Italy boasts numerous luxurious hotels from renowned brands, it is also home to exceptional family-run boutique hotels scattered throughout the country. At these charming places, you’ll often meet the owners who can share their personal recommendations and insider insights. Take the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, for example. Established in 1834, it has been run by the Fiorentino family for 190 years. During a recent visit, I followed the advice of fifth-generation owner Guido Fiorentino and purchased a stunning inlaid wood box from his favorite artisan.

Sciò highlights two favorites: Hotel La Perla in the Dolomites, a cozy mountain chalet founded by Annie and Ernesto Costa in the 1950s and now managed by their sons, and Corte della Maesta in Civita di Bagnoregio. “It has so much character,” she says about La Perla. “There’s a clear vision and perspective, and the location is absolutely breathtaking.”

Visit during the off-season

In sought-after cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, the low season seems to be shrinking, but if you truly want to steer clear of crowds, consider visiting in winter. From November through March—especially in January and February—you’ll encounter fewer tourists, lower hotel prices, and more last-minute dining options. I adore January in Rome, with its crisp, clear days and less crowded streets.

“I adore Rome and Venice as well, so I’m not trying to disparage those cities. I just believe that the high season is no longer the best time to visit them,” Heath remarks. “I visited Venice in January and it was absolutely delightful.”

Shoulder season—spring and fall—offers a great compromise for travelers seeking pleasant weather with fewer crowds than the summer months. “Personally, I enjoy traveling in Italy during September, October, and May,” shares Sciò. These months are particularly ideal for visiting coastal areas like the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Riviera, Puglia, and Sicily, as locals tend to flock to the beaches in July and August.