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Italy is not only well renowned for its food, but also for its dreamy villages. Out of all the beautiful places to visit in Italy, the most serene and the most real charm lies in the villages. The authenticity is of supreme nature. There are 294 villages, and no matter where you are, you are likely to be close to one of them at all times. This is THE place to disconnect yourself from the world and rediscover yourself.
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Quick Facts & FAQ’s
I am going to introduce you to the most enchanting villages of all time, but before we go, here’s something you should know.
The best time to visit Italy is between April and June and between mid-September and October when the weather is almost always pleasant, it’s not too crowded, and the rural colours of the villages really come to show.
Manarola, Cinque Terra hands down! There are a total of five towns in Cinque Terre, namely Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. The best way to get here is by a local train called the Cinque Terre Express
1. Stilo, Calabria
Located in southern Italy, the main source of income for the majority of the population here is based on agriculture, production of cereals, oil, wine, and cheese. It is believed that this town was first inhabited after an ancient Greek colony named Kaulon was destroyed. Cattolica is a temple in Stilo. It was constructed in an authentic Byzantine style. There are various frescoes inside the church that highlight the Norman style of painting, which is a type of wall painting.
Another religious and historically significant structure is the Church of San Nicola da Tolentino, which was initially constructed by monks. You will be able to view the scenery of the sea and the woodlands around here. It also has frescoes and a giant bell tower. The Normal Castle is built on the top of Mount Consolino, although now the monument is a ruin. Since it’s a small village, all the locations mentioned are close to each other and are easy to travel to. Stilo is also well connected and so is easy to reach from other locations.
2. Manarola, Cinque Terre
Manarola was first founded in Roman times, but people have been living here since the 12th century when they were looking for places to exploit the natural resources of the sea. The best time to visit here is in the summer months of September and October. It is especially famous for its grapevines and its sweet Sciacchetrà wine.
Even though there are no beaches here, a serene harbour area has provisions for swimming. This is the best place to stay in Cinque Terre if you want to have the most breathtaking views. The population here is only 353, although it is popular among tourists.
You can also pay a visit to the Cinque Terre National Park while you are here. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, the complete area of Cinque Terre is known to be a tourist trap, and how could it not be with such a peaceful and tranquil environment. The best way to get here is by a local train called the Cinque Terre Express. There are a total of five towns in Cinque Terre, namely Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
3. Atrani, Amalfi Coast
Atrani is relatively secluded and another wonderful village to have a peaceful experience in. It is only a 2-hour walk from Amalfi. You can book a private walking tour where you will visit locations in both Atrani and Amalfi. If you want to get there quickly and are not interested in taking a walking tour, you can opt to go there by bus or private car as well.
The line 5120 bus from Amalfi to Atrani is only a 5-minute ride and costs less than €2. This is a coastal fishing village and the population here is less than one thousand. This location has been used to shoot for various movies as well, so it is possible that some places might look familiar to you. The best time to visit here is also in the summer months in September or May.
The Atrani beach has a beautiful Meditteranean blue colour. The Tyrrhenian Sea is the perfect place for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is clean, free from pollution. This is THE place to grab some authentic Italian food you’ve been craving forever that you might not even know about till you have had a taste.
4. Neive, Piedmont
Neive in Piedmont has a relatively larger population of about 3000 people. It is not as famous for its tourism as it is for its wine because of the quality of its grapevines, but since a lot of people visiting here in recent years have come for viewing agriculture, the rise in tourism has significantly increased. Tourists are also attracted to the rural lifestyle of this village. Amazing place to explore, isn’t it?
There are not a lot of options for travelling here for tourists yet, so a bus is the best way to go, or if you have a private car, even better! Parking is easily available as well. Most tourists choose walking as their means of transport while exploring the village since the area is not that large and it helps locate a lot more attractions.
5. Castel Gandolfo, Lazio
Castel Gandolfo is located 25 kms or 16 miles southeast of Rome. The population here is close to 9000. Barberini Gardens is a must-visit here. The garden is unimaginably well maintained and the beauty is absolutely astonishing with its fountains, plants, and pine trees. Belvedere Gardens is another must-visit. The name literally means “Beautiful view”. Belvedere Gardens is where the celebrities Kim Kardashian and Kanye West got married.
The antiques and the decor of the Papal Palace brings curiosity about its history. Lake Albano is the deepest lake in Lazio. It is not meant for swimming, but you can rent paddle boats for €10 per hour. If you are looking to pay a visit to a church, you can do so by visiting the San Tommaso Church.
Another religious visit in Castel Gandolfo is The Pope’s Farm, which perfectly fulfils your expectations of the home of a sacred person.
