What are the most spectacular roads in Italy?

Located in the southern part of Europe, Italy is a dream for drivers as it hosts mountain passes (the Alps), coastal drives (Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Ligurian), and some of the most famous scenic routes in the world. 

It’s nearly impossible to choose only a few roads to drive in the country, as there are about 600 of the most spectacular roads in the world. Stelvio Pass is Europe's most famous road. At an elevation of 2.757m (9,045ft) above sea level, the pass is located in the northern part of the country. It's one of the highest roads of Europe. Featuring 48 hairpin turns, the road through the summit is a marvel of engineering.  

If you prefer coastal drives, you must Experience the Breathtaking Amalfi Coast Road. The road follows the shoreline from Sorrento south to Salerno. The road has been featured in films for as long as cameras have rolled at 24 frames per second. If you want to feel like James Bond, don’t skip Strada della Forra. A small car with a functioning horn is recommended. For skilled drivers only. The drive is known by motorcyclists from all over Europe, as it is impressive and not exactly without danger in a few narrow and steep spots. If you prefer roads with a story, don’t miss Strada delle 52 Gallerie, a WWI military mule road. Built on the massif of Pasubio, it was constructed in this position to stay away from Austro-Hungarian artillery fire.

Doss dei Gembri is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.520m (8,267ft) above the sea level, located in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Passo dei Contrabbandieri (Smugglers pass) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.581m (8,467ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino-South Tyrol in northern Italy. The road goes through the ruins of several WWI fortifications. It's one of the highest roads of the country.

Passo Barbacana is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.180m (7,152ft) above the sea level in the Alpes-Maritimes, located on the Italian-French border. The pass is reachable by motor vehicles on the Italian side. On the French side it’s just a walking path.

Rifugio Averau is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.418m (7,933ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Belluno in Italy.

Rifugio Pulpito is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.354m (7,723ft) above the sea level, located in the Ortler Range, in South Tyrol, in northern Italy.

Lago Agnel is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.332m (7,650ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont.

Passo della Corna (Pas de la Corne) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.046m (3,431ft) above the sea level, located on the Italian-Franch border.

Picco Palù is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.490m (8,169ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian province of South Tyrol.

Strada Provinciale 35 is a very challenging road in the Calabria region of southern Italy. The road is very steep with several hairpin turns, offering stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Strada delle Farfalle is a mountain road located in the Province of Sassari in the Italian region Sardinia. Located in the Limbara mountain range, the road is pretty rough in parts.

Passo di Collalunga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.441m (8,008ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes, on the Italian-French border.

Strada Regionale 251 is a scenic road located on the border between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, in northern Italy.

Col di Tsomioy is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.464m (8,083ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy.

Rifugio Pomedes is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.303m (7,555ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the southern Alps in the Veneto region of Northern Italy.

Strada Ascea-Marina di Campagna is an amazing and exciting journey in the Campania region, in southwestern Italy. The road offers stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Col du Mont is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.169m (7,116ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy.

Colle Birrone is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.699m (5,574ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in northwest Italy.

Colle Rastcias is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.176m (7,139ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in northwest Italy.

Strada degli Alpini is the name of the sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a steep and narrow zig-zag road located in the Province of Treviso, in the Italian region Veneto.

Rifugio Genova-Schlüterhütte is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 2.304m (7,559ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol in northern Italy.

Diga della Maina is the name of a narrow high dam located in the province of Udine, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in Italy. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Cimetta Rossa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.499m (8,198ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy.

Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.383m (7,818ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy.

Rifugio Santa Croce di Lazfons-Schutzhaus Latzfonserkreuz is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.316m (7,598ft) above the sea level, located in the South Tyrol province of north Italy.

Monte Fana is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.502m (8,208ft) above the sea level, located in the Trentino-South Tyrol region of Italy.

Passo Vezzena is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.402m (4,599ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Col Rodella is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.462m (8,077ft) above the sea level, located in Val di Fassa, in South Tyrol in northern Italy.

Punta di Verzel is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.871m (6,138ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region Piedmont.

Strada Provinciale 22 is a very scenic high mountan road located in the heart of the province of Catanzaro of the Calabria region of Italy.

Colle della Lace is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.047m (6,715ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Aosta and Piedmont regions, in northern Italy.

Col Toront is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.615m (5,298ft) above the sea level, located in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The elevation gain is 1.321 meters. The average gradient is 7.33%, with sections up to 16%.

Kesselberghütte is a mountain cabin at an elevation of 2.299m (7,542ft) above the sea level, located in Italy’s South Tyrol region.

Alpe Soglia is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.841m (6,040ft) above the sea level, located in Piedmont in northern Italy.

Passo di San Colombano is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.247m (7,460ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region in northern Italy.

Located in the Metropolitan City of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont, Ceresole Tunnel is said to be the steepest tunnel in the Alps, with gradients of around 14-16%.

Col dei Rossi is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.371m (7,778ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, in Italy.