What are the most spectacular roads in Italy?
Located in the southern part of Europe, Italy is a dream for drivers as it hosts the mountain passes (the Alps), coastal drives (Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Ligurian), and some of the most famous scenic routes in the world.
Choosing only a few roads to drive in the country is nearly impossible, as there are about 600 spectacular routes. 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 in 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 since cameras started rolling 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 without danger in a few narrow and steep spots. If you prefer roads with a story, don’t miss the 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.
Driving through the curvy SP11 road
Strada Provinziale 11 (SP11) is a short mountain road located in Trentino, in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.
Driving to the international San Jorio Pass
Passo San Jorio (Passo di San Iório) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.012m (6,601ft) above the sea level located on the border of Switzerland and Italy.
Courage is required to drive the Cresta Sobretta
Cresta Sobretta is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.901m (9,517ft) above the sea level, located in the northern Italian province of Sondrio. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
A wild road to Refuge Grand Tournalin
Refuge Grand Tournalin is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.535m (8,316ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Aosta Valley, Italy. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Italy.
The road to Pizzini Refuge is not for the beginners
Rifugio Pizzini is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.706m (8,877ft) above the sea level, located in the Cedec valley, in the Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
Lago di Lei
Lago di Lei is an artificial high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.000m (6,500ft) above the sea level, located in the Valle di Lei, on the border of Switzerland and Italy.
A Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Rifugio La Baita
Rifugio La Baita-Val di Rezzalo is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.860m (6,102ft) above the sea level, located in the northern Italian province of Sondrio.
An epic enthralling road to Col di Caneva Pass
Passo di Col di Caneva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.835m (6,020ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto.
A tricky road to Monte Ornito
Monte Ornito is a mountain peak at an elevation of 764m (2,506ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Latina, in the Lazio region of central Italy.
The Wild Road to Cadino Pass
Passo di Cadino is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.937m (6,354ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy.
Travel Guide to Rifugio Prarayer
Prarayer Hut is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above the sea level, located in Aosta Valley, in northern Italy.
Forcella Pass, The Road That Has it All!
Passo della Forcella is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.824m (5,984ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The average steepness is 15.08%.
A delightful yet challenging drive to Forcella Chiandolada
Forcella Chiandolada is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.582m (5,190ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Belluno in the Italian region Veneto.
A memorable road trip to Pampeago Pass
Passo di Pampeago (Reiterjoch) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.003m (6,571ft) above the sea level, located on the border between the provinces of Trento and Bolzano, in northeastern Italy.
The rough and bumpy road to Colle Bourget
Colle Bourget is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.299m (7,542ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin, Italy. The peak offers a magnificent view of both sides of the ridge.
A paved road to Agueglio Pass
Passo Agueglio is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.143m (3,750ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region of Lombardy.
The road to Monte Festa is not for the faint of heart
Monte Festa is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.065m (3,494ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
The wild road to Colle di Perla
Colle di Perla is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.215m (7,267ft) above the sea level, located on the border between France and Italy.
The breathtaking road to Fraele Pass
Passo di Fraele is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.955m (6,414ft) above the sea level, located in Lombardy (Italy). It’s located near the border between Switzerland and Italy and belongs to the Alps.
SS18 from Sapri to Acquafredda, an Italian road for James Bond
Spanning the Campania and Basilicata regions of Italy, the iconic Strada Statale 18 from Sapri to Acquafredda is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The road has been featured in movies, high-end auto commercials, and advertisements.
A memorable road trip to Lago di Place Moulin
Lago di Place Moulin is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.968m (6,456ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of northwest Italy.
A narrow paved road to Monte Ologno
Monte Ologno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.168m (3,832ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont. It’s a 10.4 kilometres climb at 9% with a steepest steepest section of 13% right after the first kilometre.
A wild road to Klammljoch (Gola Pass)
Klammljoch (Passo di Gola) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.288m (7,507ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Austria and Italy. The road to the summit is unpaved and it's closed to motorized vehicles, but it can be traversed by bicycle.
The defiant road to Alpe di Poti
Alpe di Poti is a mountain pass at an elevation of 827m (2,713ft) above the sea level, located in the Arezzo comune in Italy, in Tuscany.
A military road to Colle della Vecchia
Colle della Vecchia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.605m (8,546ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont. It's one of the highest Italian roads.
Carosello 3000
Carosello 3000 is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.783m (9,130ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Sondrio, Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy, near the Swiss border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.
A very bumpy, grueling road to Collardente Pass
Passo di Collardente-Pas de Colle Ardente, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,305ft) above the sea level, located in the Maritime Alps on the border between Italy and France. The pass is traversed by the spectacular Via del Sale.
Im Hinteren Eis
Im Hinteren Eis is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.030m (9,940ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol in northern Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.
Road trip guide: Conquering Monte Campomolon
Monte Campomolon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.848m (6,062ft) above the sea level, located in Veneto, a northeastern Italian region.
Col di Val Bighera: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Col di Val Bighera is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.120m (6,955ft) above the sea level, located in the Alps in Italy.
A narrow paved road to Sella di Russis
Sella di Russis is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.729m (5,672ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Dolomites in South Tyrol, Italy.
A paved road to Coe Pass in the Venetian Prealps
Passo Coe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.610m (5,282ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino-South Tyrol, in northern Italy.
The road to Prato Piazza Pass isn’t an easy one
Passo Prato Piazza (also called Plätzwiesensattel) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.993m (6,538ft) above the sea level, located in the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy.
Bruncu Spina
Bruncu Spina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.828m (5,997ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region Sardinia.
Driving the road to Picco Pass is not a piece of cake
Passo di Picco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.870m (6,135ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, northern Italy.
A paved road to Brenner Pass, the lowest of the Alpine passes
Brenner Pass is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1,370m (4,495ft) above sea level located on the Italian-Austrian border.