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.

Passo delle Erbe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.993m (6,538ft) above sea level, located in South Tyrol, in the Italian Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol region.

Monte Rite is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.168m (7,112ft) above sea level, located in the province of Belluno in the Italian region of Veneto.

Located in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of Italy, driving the infamous Anfo Ridge Road is a lifetime experience. This old military road is certainly breathtaking and has a fearsome reputation.

Muro di Sormano is a short but devastatingly steep climb in Sormano, a municipality in the Province of Como, in Italy.This vertical wall is famous as one of the most severe of any road cycling race, featuring sections in excess of 27% grade. It’s one of the hardest and most epic climbs you can ride on two wheels.

Passo Gardena is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.123m (6,965ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol, Italy.

Passo Pordoi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.242m (7,355ft) above sea level, located in Italy. It's said to be the second highest surfaced road traversing a pass in the Dolomites, beyond Sella Pass.

Punta Veleno is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.171m (3,841ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Verona in the Italian region of Veneto. The terrible narrow road to the summit has 21 hairpin turns (all numbered) and hits a 25% of maximum gradient. Why such roads are built is difficult to understand; why you go up by bike, is perhaps a case for trained psychologists.

Sela de Culac is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.020m (6,627ft) above sea level, located in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in South Tyrol, Italy.

Passo di Lavazé is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.824m (5,984ft) above sea level, located in the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, in Italy.

Col Agnel-Colle dell'Agnello is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.744m (9,003ft) above sea level located on the French-Italian border. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Strada dei Cannoni is a military road located on the northern part of Italy. The road climbs up from 680m to 2.287m (7,503ft) above sea level.

Cristo Redentore di Maratea is a colossal statue of Jesus Christ atop of Monte San Biágio, in Maratea, a town in the province of Potenza, in Italy. The road winds up the side of the mountain bend after bend.

Passo del Vivione is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.836m (6,023ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy.

Located in the heart of the central Italy’s Tuscany region, the Strada Regional 222 is a very scenic drive crossing vineyards, olive groves and picturesque small towns..

Galleria dei Saraceni is a high-altitude tunnel at an elevation of 2,224m (7,296ft) above sea level, located in the Piedmont region of Italy.

Col de St-Pantaléon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.676m (5,498ft) above sea level, located in the Valle d'Aosta autonomous region of Italy.

Passo del Tonale is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.883m (6,178ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Lombardy, in Italy.

Sella Carnizza is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,123 m (3,684 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.

Vecchia Strada della Fricca is an old, abandoned road located in the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It's a true gem of military architecture. The road has a high risk of falling rocks.

Monte San Simeone is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,208 m (3,963 ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Udine, in Italy. There's space for a single car, with no guardrails, and hairpin turns in tunnels where you can't see the other end.

Theodulpass is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.336m (10,944ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Colle d’Ancoccia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.533m (8,310ft) above sea level, located in the province of Cuneo, on the far south west of the region of Piedmont, in Italy.

Colle di Chavannes is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.608m (8,556ft) above sea level, located in Valle d’Aosta region of Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Passo di Mortirolo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,878m (6,161ft) above sea level straddling Brescia and Sondrio provinces of Italy. This legendary ascent is one of the most grueling challenges in professional cycling, having been featured repeatedly in the Giro d'Italia stage race.

Forcella Luson is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.383m (7,818ft) above sea level, located in the Trentino-South Tyrol region of Italy.

Rifugio Piccolo Pirovano is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.018m (9,901ft) above sea level, located in the Italian province of Sondrio. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Passo Tre Croci is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.811m (5,941ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Belluno, in the Veneto region of Italy.

Passo di Foscagno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,308m (7,572ft) above sea level, located in the province of Sondrio, in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Lago Serrù is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.275m (7,464ft) above sea level, located in the Province of Turin within the Piedmont region of Italy.

Passo del Maniva is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,664m (5,459ft) above sea level, located in the Brescia province of Lombardy, in Italy. This pass offers a picturesque drive through the Italian Alps.

Rifugio Auronzo is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.340m (7,677ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto regions in Italy.

Testa Grigia is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.471m (11,387ft) above sea level, located on the border of Switzerland and Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Giogo della Bala is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.129m (6,984ft) above sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy. 

Monte Saccarello-Mont Saccarel is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.178m (7,145ft) above sea level, located on the French-Italian border.

Forcella d’Entova is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.802m (9,192ft) above sea level located in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region Lombardy. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Passo di Monte Giovo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.094m (6,870ft) above sea level, located in the South Tyrol province of Italy.

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