The 7 Best Road Trips in Italy

From being the home of global food favourites such as pizza and pasta to its running coastlines and incredible history, there is something for every type of holidaymaker when visiting Italy. Because it is so large, Italy is also home to vastly different scenery, from glorious Mediterranean beaches in the south to mountainous terrain in the north, so by far the best way to explore the country is by car, taking in all of the scenery wherever possible. These are the 7 best road trips in Italy.

The Open Road Awaits: 7 Unforgettable Italian Road Trips

1. Palermo to Catania

For the first road trip on this list, we’re not starting on mainland Italy – we’re instead heading south, to the Italian island of Sicily. Shrouded in history and a proud heritage and culture, Sicily is one of the most famous islands in the Mediterranean. And taking in the northern part of this island is a road-tripper’s dream come true. 

Starting your journey in Palermo, you will drive along the northern Sicilian coastline, witnessing the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea accompanying you on your left the whole time. 

You will then follow the eastern coast of the island down from Messina, and before you arrive at Catania – Sicily’s second-largest city after Palermo – you will traverse around the base of the famed Volcano, Mount Etna. A road trip to remember for the rest of your life.

Distance: 340km

Route highlights: Northern Sicilian Coast, Palermo, Mount Etna

When to do it: Late summer/autumn, from August to November.

2. Cortina to Bolzano (The Falzarego Pass)

If you’re visiting northern Italy anytime soon, this route is a must, particularly in the winter months.

Starting in Cortina, you will eventually make your way to Bolzano, some 170km away. But the best part about this trip? You meander through the Italian Alps and through the famed Falzarego Pass, a winding mountain passage, taking you high into the Alps and safely down the other side.

While the route is equally as stunning in the summer, the beauty of driving through the snowy mountains is a must – and shows how versatile the weather and topography of Italy is – those in the south of the country are sipping chilled glasses of wine on the beach at the same time you’re getting wrapped up warm for an exciting winter road trip!

Distance: 170km

Route highlights: The Alps, Falzarego Pass, traditional Italian Alpine villages

When to do it: Excellent in the winter months.

3. Reggio Calabria to Santa Maria di Leuca

From Northern Italy to Southern Italy, this road trip is essential for sea and beach lovers. This route from Reggio Calabria in the southwest of the country takes you all the way across to the small town of Santa Maria di Leuca, covering the sole and the heel of the boot shape of Italy’s southern coastline.

Bordering the Ionian Sea, which Italy shares with Greece, this route takes you through cities, towns and tiny Italian villages which have remained largely unchanged for decades, or even centuries.

Alongside stunning sea views the whole way, we highly recommend indulging in some traditional Italian gelato to cool off after a long day on the road, or even better, treating yourself to a glass (or make that a bottle) of crisp Italian white wine at a beachside restaurant – bliss.

Distance: 660km

Route highlights: Ionian Sea, Southern Italian Coastline

When to do it: Spring or summer for the warmest months and best views.

4. Turin to Trieste

Another Northern Italian road trip which takes in all the best that the north of the country has to offer, this route from Turin (or Torino) to Trieste makes for an excellent drive.

Starting in the northern powerhouse city of Turin (where any football lover can catch a Juventus game), you will make your way east across the country right the way to Trieste, which sits on the Italy–Slovenia border.

This is a fantastic road trip for several reasons: firstly, the north of Italy is known for its beauty, and if you like, you can extend this road trip to visit another major northern Italian city: Milan.

In addition, the road trip takes you right through the Dolomites in northern Italy, which, if done in summer or autumn, can make for incredible scenery. Whether the lush green Alpine forests entice you or you’re all about the Instagram-perfect autumnal sunset photo opportunity, the Dolomites never disappoint.

End your road trip in Trieste, or carry on into Slovenia for the sake of adding an extra 20 minutes onto your driving time.

Distance: 550km

Route highlights: The Dolomites, The Alps, Slovenian border

When to do it: Summer or Autumn.

5. Rome to San Marino

Speaking of ticking off two countries in one road trip, the route from Rome to San Marino enables you to do exactly this (three, if you start from Vatican City). 

This road trip takes you through the heart of the country, known for its rolling hills (Rome was built on seven of them, after all) and its lush vineyards. For any wine-lovers, this is a road trip that you simply can’t afford to miss.

While Italy has a glorious coastline, the centre of the country can often be overlooked, which makes this perfect for a slow, meandering drive across the country. So take your time, and remember to stop off and soak up that glorious Italian sunshine with a glass of wine on an evening.

San Marino makes for a perfect end to the trip, as this small landlocked country has a surprisingly rich and interesting history – meaning it’s like being on an entirely new holiday as soon as you arrive.

Distance: 400km

Route highlights: Rome, Vatican City, San Marino

When to do it: Spring or Summer. Although this route can get very busy in the summer, particularly in Rome.

6. Florence to Venice

Two of the biggest cities of the Renaissance Era, everybody must visit either one (or preferably both) of these cities at least once in their lifetime – so what better way to visit them both than to incorporate them into one road trip?

Florence is known for its medieval streets, which have hardly changed in centuries, while Venice is, of course, known for being built on a lagoon. While in Florence, pay a visit to Juliet’s House, the home allegedly behind the inspiration for Shakespeare’s play Romeo & Juliet.

Alongside the numerous views in both cities, the scenery between these iconic cities is equally as beautiful, as this road trip doesn’t account for going directly between the two but rather through the middle of the country and passing other cities such as Modena and Verona on the way.

This road trip is a must for history buffs as well as those who want to see the beautiful Italian countryside.

Distance: 340km

Route highlights: Florence, Venice, Verona, Modena

When to do it: Autumn for quieter roads.

7. Amalfi Coast Extended Route

Last, but by no means least, on our list of the 7 best road trips in Italy is the Amalfi Coast road trip, starting in Palermo and ending at the preserved city of Pompeii.

One of the many highlights of this road trip is the stunning Amalfi Coast, world-renowned for its colourful buildings, jagged cliff edges and some of the best lemons in the world – which are not only used in all sorts of cooking, but perhaps most famously for limoncello – and Amalfi Coast limoncello has to be sipped on an evening as the sunsets over the horizon.

In addition, you not only get to see the mighty Mount Vesuvius volcano for the remainder of the journey, but you can drive right up to its base (those feeling adventurous can scale the volcano), and visit the ancient city of Pompeii, which was all but destroyed in an eruption from Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.

Distance: 100km

Route highlights: Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius

When to do it: It is Best to avoid the busiest times of the year (May–August).