Anyone living in Rome, Florence or Venice, knows how it feels to coexist with tourists on a daily basis. Of course, Italy is worthy of every ounce of its fame, because being able to appreciate the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa or any of the breathtaking creations of the Renaissance artists is absolutely priceless. Nonetheless, the country’s popularity, and especially certain cities' importance, also mean that prices skyrocket and some places become inaccessible.
But, don’t worry, because one of the advantages of a country as vast, rich and amazing as Italy, is that even its lesser-known destinations are fabulous. They’ll be less expensive and will save you from overwhelming crowds, and they won’t deprive you of the joy of diving into the magical world of Italy. Keep reading our blog to learn more about certain hidden gems of the country, where you’ll experience the most authentic Italian adventure.
Bergamo, Lombardy:
We’re going to begin with one of the jewels of the Northern region of Italy, Bergamo. It has an ideal location, just around 30 km from the Swiss border. Normally, the city is overshadowed by Milan, Lombardy’s capital and clearly one of tourists’ preferred destinations in the country, but since they are just 40 km away from each other, even if you visit Milan, you should spare a couple days for Bergamo. In reality, it is a charming walled city that will make you feel like the protagonist of a fairytale with its cobblestone streets and old palaces.
One of its highlights is the Città Alta, Bergamo’s upper town that is surrounded by the massive Venetian defensive systems, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monumental structure dates back to the XVIth century, to the time where the city was part of the Venetian Republic, and it extends for 6 km, reaching 50 meters heights in certain places. It is highly recommended that you visit during the evenings, because there’s nothing as beautiful as seeing the sun descending on the horizon and soaking Bergamo’s lower part in a golden color. you’ll be able to access the site through one of its four monumental gates. Another landmark of the city is the Rocca of Bergamo, a castle built between Roman and Celtic ruins, that has seen the ever changing nature of the town, and that today guards its treasures in the city’s historic museum.
In Bergamo, you’ll have the opportunity to see the massive Venetian defensive systems, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna:
We’ll continue our journey in Northern Italy, in Ferrara, a city of the Emilia-Romagna region. It is located between Venice and Bologna, although it hasn’t been discovered by many tourists just yet. Once you get to see the city, you’ll be shocked to know that it isn’t more popular, because it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its beauty and cultural significance. As if that wasn’t enough, Ferrara is also perceived as one of Europe’s most relevant cities in terms of culture, arts, and gastronomy. Fortunately, this means that you’ll have plenty to discover and enjoy. For example, thanks to the Estes, the former rules of the city, there are multiple palaces that you can visit, and that’ll show you how Ferrara evolved from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Walk down its streets, explore its historic center and get lost in its alleyways, and you’ll soon understand that the city is truly something special, because every corner is filled with beauty and history. One of the main landmarks of the city is the Estense Castle, which perfectly captures Ferrara’s titles as the City of the Renaissance and the first modern city. It is a magnificent structure from the 14th century, with two main attractions: an impenetrable castle and a lively court palace. Once you step foot on the city, we know that you’ll fall in love with it.
Ferrara is another designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is known for its cultural and artistic impact.
Verona, Veneto:
Verona is a curious case in this Top, because it is not as hidden as the other cities. On the contrary, lots of people at least have heard of or have a certain image of it, thanks to Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers story that precisely takes place in Verona. However, its reputation hasn’t been translated in a tourist boom seen in other cities of the country, so Verona is still engulfed in some kind of mystery that’ll make your visit even more exciting. Most of the city’s visitors are so captivated by Romeo and Juliet, that they focus on a 14th century palace with a balcony, known as Juliet’s Balcony, that has been made out to recreate the site where part of their love story unfolded, even though there’s no relation whatsoever between the palace and Shakespeare’s work. Nonetheless, scattered around the walls of the palace, you’ll find notes and graffiti asking Juliet for guidance in love. Aside from this popular spot, you’ll see that this is a bustling and energetic city, where the landscape is dominated by a massive and well-preserved 1st-century amphitheater, a remnant of the glorious Roman Empire. If you go to Verona during the summer, you’ll be able to enjoy the opera festival organized right there at the amphitheater.
Even if most people go to Verona for its relation to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, one of the most spectacular sights in the city is its 1st-century amphitheater.
Sperlonga, Latina:
Something that was missing from our Top was a coastal city, the perfect place to enjoy an idyllic Italian scenery. Thus, we chose Sperlonga, one of the country’s finest seaside villages, with wonderful views of the Tyrrhenian coast and a peaceful atmosphere that will help you feel at ease during your stay. The fact that this small town is embedded on a rocky cliff, contrasts with the soft and golden sand of its beaches, perfect for the visitors that are looking forward to soaking in the sun and enjoying the freshness of the Mediterranean sea. Undoubtedly, everyone’s preferred activity in the city is swimming, walking along the beach and resting in a sunny and beautiful place. But, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other activities worthy of your time in Sperlonga. For example, you can head over to the archeological museum to understand a little bit more of the city’s extensive history. Otherwise, the best plans here are to have a walk across town, discovering every little café and restaurant lost into a maze of alleys, as well as going on a mini cruise along the shore to appreciate the stunning views across the coast.
Sperlonga is one of Italy’s finest seaside towns, and the perfect place to enjoy some idyllic Italian scenery.
Tropea, Calabria:
Our last stop is Tropea, another coastal city located in Calabria, Southern Italy. While the other cities on the Top are located in pretty popular and touristy regions, and other famous places such as Rome, Venice and Milan happened to be close, Tropea is part of Cantabria, a region often overlooked by visitors. Because of this, the hidden gem is not only the city, but Cantabria as a whole. What’s more, Tropea will give you an excellent preview of what you can expect from this region, with its picturesque buildings, delicious restaurants and golden beaches. It might seem similar to Sperlonga, because it also rests atop some spectacular cliffs, overlooking the breathtaking Tyrrhenian Sea. Now, the natural views are not the only marvelous ones, because going around town, you’ll find the wonderful Cattedrale di Maria Santissima di Romania, a 12th century cathedral that was built on what once was a Byzantine cemetery. One of the cathedral’s highlights is the painting of the Madonna of Romania, which proves that there’s no way to escape art anywhere in Italy. Finally, you cannot leave Tropea without trying cipolla gelato, that is, onion gelato. We know what you must be thinking! But bear in mind that this is an area famous for producing cipolle di Tropea, a type of red onion well known throughout the country, so it is safe to say that this is a delicacy of the area.
Tropea is another splendid seaside village, located in the often overlooked region of Cantabria.
We hope that you enjoyed our Top 5 of hidden gems in Italy, and that you’ve come to realize that there are infinite ways to get to know a new place, in this case, Italy. Obviously, the most famous cities are that famous for a reason! Clearly it is worth it to visit the Vatican Museums or Venice’s canals, but there’s also a lesser-known Italy that is equally astonishing and beautiful. And, as you saw, most of the cities that we mentioned are not far away from Milan or Rome, so if you have the time and budget, you can absolutely have the best of both worlds.
So, venture beyond the usual tourist hotspots and let Lokafy guide you to the hidden gems of Italy. Book a private walking tour with one of our Lokafyers and unlock a truly unique and enriching travel experience. Discover the charm, history, and local flavors that await in these lesser-known destinations, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
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