Romantic Small Towns in Italy

Every discerned traveler knows that if you want to get acquainted with the country and explore it in all its authenticity, savour its character and uncover what sets it apart from its neighbors, you should favor local, untouristed places over the popular crowded ones found on the average traveler’s itinerary. Hidden art gems over the well-known gallery collections, family-owned authentic osterias tucked away from the limelight instead of bustling restaurants with scenic views but bland menus which have nothing to do with the local culture. And, perhaps most telling of a country’s character, small towns with less tourists coming in, the ones that only true connoisseurs know about. Here is our list of small yet enchanting Italian towns and villages, each one beautiful in its own unique way — offering a chance to savour the taste of authenticity that traditional tourist routes simply cannot provide.

Barolo

Nestled in the rolling Langhe hills, the medieval village of Barolo stands as the proud birthplace of Italy's most revered wine. This picturesque hamlet, crowned by its ancient castle housing the fascinating WiMu Wine Museum, breathes history in every cobblestone and vineyard. The surrounding slopes, where only select growers cultivate the prized Nebbiolo grapes, produce the robust Barolo wine that has captivated connoisseurs worldwide.

Beyond its liquid treasures, Barolo enchants visitors with its timeless charm. The autumn air carries the earthy aroma of white truffles from nearby Alba, while family-run trattorias serve handmade tajarin pasta draped in velvety sauces. A short drive reveals breathtaking vistas from hilltop villages like La Morra, where panoramic views stretch across vine-covered valleys to the distant Alps. The Museum of Peasant Civilization offers a poignant glimpse into the agricultural traditions that shaped this extraordinary terroir.

Tremezzo

Perched on Lake Como’s western shore, Tremezzo is a postcard-perfect village framed by mountains and elegant lakeside villas. Its refined beauty stems from its 17th- and 18th-century merchant families, who built grand Baroque palaces adorned with frescoes, marble floors, and antique furnishings.

Once a retreat for European nobility, Tremezzo boasts landmarks like Villa Carlotta, with its lush gardens and art collection. Even Greta Garbo’s character praised its charm, calling life here "divine" in the 1932 film Grand Hotel.

A hidden treasure is Parco Civico Teresio Olivelli, a quiet lakeside park with an 18th-century octagonal pavilion offering stunning views. With its rich history and timeless elegance, Tremezzo remains one of Lake Como’s most enchanting destinations.

Atrani

Clinging to the cliffs between sea and sky, Atrani holds the distinction of being Southern Italy's smallest town – a pristine medieval fishing village that has preserved its ancient soul far better than its famous neighbor Amalfi. This UNESCO-listed labyrinth of whitewashed houses tumbling down to a tiny piazza feels like walking into a living nativity scene, where every narrow alley, hidden courtyard, and flower-draped staircase tells centuries of stories.

The heartbeat of Atrani pulses in its pedestrian maze. From the striking staircase of San Salvatore de' Birecto church to the medieval passageways unchanged since the Maritime Republic era, time moves differently here. Unlike the polished tourist hubs nearby, Atrani's authenticity shines through its thousand-year-old churches like Santa Maria Maddalena and in traditions like the annual sarchiapone feast – where locals stuff locally-grown green pumpkins with ricotta, cured meats, and generations of culinary wisdom to honor their patron saint.

Here in Atrani, mornings begin with fishermen mending nets on the petite beach, afternoons drift by in sun-dappled alleyways, and evenings bring the scent of citrus over rooftops.

Lucca

Encircled by its magnificent 16th-century walls — among Italy’s few fully intact fortifications — Lucca is a living postcard of medieval Tuscany. Unlike other cities that outgrew their defenses, Lucca transformed its 4km-long, tree-lined ramparts into an elevated park, offering panoramic views over terracotta rooftops and the surrounding countryside.

Within these bastions lies a harmonious Roman grid of cobbled alleys, Romanesque churches, and hidden piazzas. The Guinigi Tower, crowned with its iconic holm oaks, and the Pfanner Palace’s Baroque garden whisper of Lucca’s golden age as a silk-trading powerhouse. Deeper in the historic center, legends linger at the Devil’s Bridge, where the Arno’s waters swirl beneath an ancient arch, and in the Palazzo Bernardini, where a mysteriously curved stone jamb is said to bear the devil’s curse.

The Volto Santo crucifix in San Martino Cathedral — with its haunting, soul-piercing gaze — has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Yet Lucca’s true magic lies in its unhurried rhythm: cyclists gliding along the walls at sunset, locals debating over espresso in Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, and the scent of farro soup wafting from trattorias.

Monteleone d’Orvieto

Perched on a sun-drenched ridge where Umbria brushes against Tuscany, this honey-colored hamlet, framed by undulating vineyards and silver-green olive groves, moves to the rhythm of rustling leaves and church bells rather than tourist crowds.

At its heart, the Torre Mozza (the "Blunted Tower") stands as a sentinel over San Francesco Church, where Renaissance frescoes glow in the candlelight. Nearby, the Castle of Monteleone’s weathered stones whisper of medieval power struggles. But the real marvel is the Teatro dei Rustici — a jewel-box theater carved from a 1732 granary by enterprising youths who simply wanted to stage Carnival comedies.

Wander Via Mazzini’s serpentine alleyways (once called "Via Dritta" and "Via Torta" — "Straight Street" and "Crooked Street"), where geraniums spill from wrought-iron balconies. Below the village, hiking trails unfurl through a patchwork of vineyards producing Orvieto’s golden DOC wines, while the Città della Pieve’s Piero della Francesca masterpieces lie just 10km away.

There are no queues, only conversations with winemakers at twilight. No souvenir shops, just the scent of wood-fired bread mingling with wild thyme. This is Umbria as it was, and still is: unhurried, unfiltered, and utterly unforgettable.

Discover the true Italy

If you would like to explore Italy deeper, remember: the most authentic experiences come from wandering without an agenda, saying "yes" to unexpected invitations, and letting these ancient places reveal their stories at their own pace.

The Sun Secret Collection travel designers will be pleased to craft a personalized journey — handling all the details so you can simply soak in the beauty of authentic Italy.

Buon viaggio — may your Italian adventure be as unforgettable as the country itself!