The 5 Most Charming Small Towns in Italy

February 5, 2022

Portofino, Liguria The coastal town of Portofino is one of the most beautiful European ports to sail into.It also has a wealth of excellent hotels like the Hotel Splendido and the Grand Hotel Miramare, plus great shopping, and of course, that radiant coastline.

Castelluccio, Umbria

Located atop a steep hill 5,000 feet above sea level, Castellucio is the highest—and most beautiful—village in the Apennine Mountain Range.The village is backed by snow-capped mountains on one side and on the other, lush, fertile plains that blossom with red poppies, violets, and rapeseed in the spring.

Pietrapertosa, Basilicata

**Pietrapertosa is one of the most dramatic towns in all of Italy—it’s carved into the bare rock on the side of a mountain, and boasts an elevation of 3,500 feet.**

The town itself is beautiful, filled with ancient ruins and a ninth-century Saracen castle—but the highlight of any visit is a ride on Il Volo dell’Angelo.

Sorrento, Campania

**Despite the lack of a beach, tourists love Sorrento, which straddles the cliffs overlooking the ocean**

The old town makes a great base for exploring surrounding areas—the Amalfi Coast to the East, Pompeii to the North, and the island of Capri offshore.

Polignano a Mare, Apulia