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.

Col de Bousson is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.154m (7,066ft) above the sea level, located in the Cottian Alps, between France and Italy.

Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini Montanaro is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.195m (7,201ft) above the sea level, located in northern Italy, in the autonomous region of Aosta Valley.

Colle della Ciabra is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.712m (5,616ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont.

Cime Bianche is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.899m (9,511ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley region of north-western Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Monte Botte Donato is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.928m (6,325ft) above the sea level, located in the Calabria region of Southern Italy.

Skihaus Schöneben Fraiten is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 2.105m (6,906ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol in northern Italy, on the border with Switzerland and Austria.

San Giacomo Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.313m (7,589ft) above the sea level, located in the Lepontine Alps, on the Swiss-Italian border.

Passo San Antonio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.489m (4,885ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Belluno, in the Italian region of Veneto.

Passo Serra Sant'Antonio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.602m (5,255ft) above the sea level, located on the border of the Lazio and Abruzzo regions, in Italy.

Lago Alpe del Cavalli is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.508m (4,947ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in the Italian region Piedmont.

Rifugio Ciareido is a high mountain hut at an elevation of 1.957m (6,420ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Belluno (Cadore) in the Italian region of Veneto.

Monte Colmo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.933m (6,341ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian province of Brescia, in Lombardy, in the High Camonica valley.

Sella di Sompdogna is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.392m (4,566ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Udine in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Passo del Lusia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.005m (6,578ft) above the sea level, located in Trentino in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol.

Goletto Gaver is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.795m (5,889ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy.

Bocchetta di Campiglia is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.216m (3,989ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy.

Sella di Leonessa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.890m (6,200ft) above the sea level, located in the Central Apennines, in Italy.

Col dei S'Cios is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.342m (4,402ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Pordenone in the Italian region Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Monte Ray is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.846m (6,056ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy, near the French border.

Passo di Pradaccio is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,305ft) above the sea level, located in Toscana, in central Italy.

Laghi delle Cime Bianche is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.885m (9,465ft) above the sea level, located in Breuil-Cervinia, an alpine resort in the Valle d'Aosta region of northwest Italy. It's one of the highest roads of Europe.

Col de Joux, also known as Col du Mont-Joux, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.930m (6,332ft) above the sea level, located in the Aosta Valley in northwestern Italy.

Passo della Presolana is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.297m (4,255ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy.

Monte Cimone is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.165m (7,103ft) above the sea level, located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

Rifugio Salvatore Citelli is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 1.742m (5,715ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily. 

Monte della Guardia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.654m (5,426ft) above the sea level, located in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Colle Barant is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.381m (7,811ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Turin in the Italian region Piedmont.

Passo Godi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.630m (5,347ft) above the sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy.

Passo Polentin is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.538m (5,045ft) above the sea level, on the border between Austria and Italy.

Monte Tomba is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.799m (5,902ft) above the sea level, located in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto.

Monte Motta is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.776m (9,107ft) above the sea level, located in Piedmont, Italy. It’s one of the highest roads of Europe.

Majelletta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.897m (6,223ft) above the sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Expect a steep climb, with a maximum gradient of 15%.

Roccaraso-Aremogna is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.663m (5,456ft) above the sea level, located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy.

Chaz-Dura is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.560m (8,398ft) above the sea level, located in northern Italy, in the autonomous region of Aosta Valley.

Lago di Neves is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 1.866m (6,122ft) above the sea level, located in South Tyrol in northern Italy.

Monte Pizzoc is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,565m (5,135ft) above the sea level, located in Veneto, Italy.

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