Italy is and always has been one of the most visited destinations for holiday-makers. But in a post-social media age, it can feel like there is almost no corner of this country left unexplored. Undeniably, Italy is one of the busiest travel spots all year round, but if you know where to look, there are still dozens of spots that will make you feel like you’re a world away from chaos-level crowds.
Both RUSSH Beauty Editor Emily Algar and I (Digital Strategy Director and Associate Publisher, Mia Steiber) have spent our fair share of time zig zagging through some of Italy’s most beautiful regions. One of the most special things about Italy is that no two destinations are the same. Cuisine, architecture and even dialects can completely change in just 100km. It’s not something you can truly understand until you’ve made the pilgrimage from Lombardy, through Tuscany and Lazio down into Campania. During our adventures, we’ve found a few surprising gems that made us feel like we’d stumbled onto a path less travelled.
If you’re looking for a (non-exhaustive) curation of destinations that you won’t find on other people’s lists, below find our picks of the best under-the-radar Italian destinations we’ve discovered (so far).
Monopoli
This beachy town sits on the Adriatic coastline of the Puglian region of Italy, almost equidistant from the two major towns Bari and Brindisi. Most visitors to Puglia are probably familiar with with the stunning cliffside town Polignano a Mare. Monopoli on the other hand is far less known to international travellers (it’s mostly Italian holiday-makers here), but arguably just as gorgeous. It’s also just a 15-minute drive away.
Monopoli has one of the buzzier and more expensive historical centres of the towns in Puglia. It’s well worth spending a full day getting lost amongst the white washed alleys and ducking into the artisanal shops. Of course you’ll need far more than one day to lay by the aquamarine water. There are both sandy and rocky beaches around Monopoli so you will have your pick. You’ll find the sandy stretch around Cala Porta Vecchia, and for one of the prettier rocky parts try Porto Bianco.
Tropea
This coastal village is in the region of Calabria, the most Southern part of the Italian mainland. Calabria is one of the lesser known and lesser visited regions for international travellers. Again, it’s one of those spots patroned by local Italian vacationers during their summer holidays. One Google Image search is enough to explain Tropea’s appeal, old stone buildings perched atop white cliffs that plunge straight into some of the most vibrantly turquoise water imaginable. The aesthetic beauty of this town is hard to rival. But the appeal of this place runs deeper. My Nonno was originally from Calabria, and it was historically one of the far less affluent parts of the country which shaped the region’s unique character and signature take on cuisine. The peasant traditions of Calabrian culture birthed culinary icons like nduja and caciocavallo cheese.
Locorotondo
Another Puglian gem, Locorotondo is a tiny town on the top of small hill. It’s right near Alberobello, which commands most of the attention of the towns in the Valle D’Itria. But I would argue that Locorotondo is far more charming. As I was walking through the windy streets of the little town, a rogue rainstorm hit us out of nowhere. We ran for shelter into the nearest wine bar. It ended up being one of the more memorable moments of any trip I’ve ever taken. This cosy bar was draped with a canopy of grape vines and stacked with a dusty collection of the most gorgeous Puglian wines. We stayed for a glass (or two) while the rain subsided and started to truly soak in the slow pace and imperfectly perfect beauty of this locale; stone walls, green shutters, Juliet balconies and trailing vines. My best tip is to ignore any and all “what to see” lists, instead just see where your feet take you.
Praiano
Praiano is the next town over from Positano. Given just how busy this region is, some might say that it is a stretch to call Praiano “under-the-radar”, yet every year, thousands of people flock to the hills of Positano, leaving Praiano unexplored. It’s smaller and far less busy and as a result has the quaint and relaxed vibe that people come to the Italian coast to find. It is also filled with some of the most Instagrammable swimming spots. One Fire Beach and Furore Beach are probably the prettiest. You can also look to Il Pirata Beach Club which will make you feel like you’re living in a postcard.
Camogli
Camogli is a town on the Italian Riviera. It’s sister towns Santa Margarita, Rapallo and the fabulous Portofino are far more well known. But I’d argue, Camogli is the true diamond of this stretch of coast. It has all the hallmarks of a Ligurian fishing village, brightly-coloured, block-shaped buildings set against choppy sapphire seas. Yet Camogli’s more compact size gives it a charm you won’t find in the bigger towns. If you can get a reservation, I truly recommend staying at Cenobio Dei Dogi, a hotel that oozes old-world Italian charm. It hasn’t been through one of those 21st century renovations that strips all the character from a building, it’s still filled with yellow walls, terracotta tiles and dark wood railings. It’s perfect. Your mission for the stay? Never miss a sunset.
Elba
Not many international travellers are aware that Tuscany is home to a selection of stunning islands, as well as its hilly wine regions. Elba is the largest one, just a few kilometres off the coast so it’s an easy spot for both day trips and longer stays. History buffs might be familiar with the island as it was the exile spot for Napoleon in the 1800s. The sand here is whiter than what you’ll find on some of the volcanic islands and the water has an irresistible green tinge. Hiking, snorkelling the shipwreck and discovering all the island’s hidden beaches should be the only items on your itinerary, this island is very relaxed. But, it is surprisingly big, so you might want to consider a car or a scooter if you want to explore the whole thing.
Ischia
This is a small island at the top of the gulf of Napoli. Ischia just North of Capri and roughly twice its size. While this is still very much an under-the-radar location, it has grown in notoriety thanks to Mezzatorre, the luxury hotel and thermal spa situated on the island. Given the proximity, Ischia is aesthetically similar to Capri in its cliffs, hills and bougainvillaea-covered buildings. But that’s where the similarities stop. Ischia is a quiet paradise that offers a more restful vacation than the glitzy, champagne-soaked affair you’d expect on Capri. Emily has written a more in-depth guide to the island, but the main takeaways: always keep a swimsuit stuffed in your day bag when wandering the island and leave your watch at home.
Lampedusa
This tiny island is South of the Sicilian mainland, and sits arguably closer to Tunisia. On a first glance, you’d be forgiven for confusing the light-yellow plains and zingy blue water for one of the Maltese islands. Looks aside, Lampedusa has an undeniably Italian soul. This is one of the lesser known Sicilian islands, so you won’t find the same queues and packed beaches that you find on some of the other islands. That said, there are still plenty of accommodation options, so you can make a longer stay of your visit here. Joining a boat tour or chartering one of your own is an absolute must. Lampedusa’s best scenes are definitely found while out on the water.
