Some places you take a bite of, others you want to inhale. With its art-laden cities, rambling seaside villages and medieval towns, Italy is the feast you never want to finish. 

From north to south, the country is blessed with scenes so perfect they could have been plucked from a postcard. Whether it’s the romantic appeal of Italy’s lake region, little-known islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea or hilltop villages primed for Instagram, these are some of the most evocative places in Italy to play out la dolce vita.

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Most romantic: Lake Orta

This small, tranquil lake in the    foothills of Piedmont near the   Swiss border is encircled by thick forest and has all the romantic charm of A-list-approved Lake Como, minus the Gucci-toting tourists. Hop on a ferry for views from the island of San Giulio (also known as the Island of Silence due to its historic monastery). Back on the mainland, the medieval village of Orta San Giulio offers markets, churches and a Michelin-starred meal at Moorish hotel Villa Crespi. 

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Most photogenic: Procida Island

One of the film sets for The Talented Mr Ripley, this tiny island between Ischia and Naples is best reached by ferry from Naples or Amalfi. The island’s photogenic clusters of pastel-hued homes set the tone in this artsy microcosm of culture. Procida was officially named Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2022, with 44 projects on the go spanning art, urban regeneration and environmental sustainability. 

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Most natural: Grotta del Bue Marino, Sardinia

On the western coast of the island of Sardinia lies a cave that’s home to kilometres of cathedral-like caverns and Neolithic wall carvings. Named after the monk seals that once inhabited the caves and its sandy beach where they came to breed, Grotta del Bue Marino is surrounded by piercing blue water and accessed through towering rock arches. Hire your own inflatable boat from Cala Ganone, then embark on a one-hour guided tour inside. 

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Most beautiful village: Tropea

  Taking home the title for Italy’s   “Borgo dei Borghi 2021” (most beautiful village), this coastal town in Calabria is known as the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With its clifftop architecture, cobblestone streets and azure seas, Tropea in southern Italy lives up to the hype. Adding to the visual drama is Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, an ancient monastery perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean and accessible only by foot. Pay the small fee to visit the gardens. 

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Most ’grammable  room: Como Castello Del Nero, Tuscany

The storied Como Castello del Nero occupies a 12th-century castle with a Slim Aarons-worthy pool overlooking the countryside in the Tuscan town of Tavarnelle. The two exclusive Heritage Suites invite you to sleep in a museum, with the walls and soaring ceilings elaborately painted in original 15th-century frescoes. Organise a wine tasting at Colle Bereto to try the region’s Chianti Classico sangiovese. 

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Most remote:  San Fruttuoso

   A dainty seaside village in the    Italian Riviera between Portofino    and Camogli, San Fruttuoso is the ultimate reward for those willing to go the extra mile. Reached by a coastal hiking trail of roughly two and a half hours from San Rocco di Camogli (or an easier inland option), this tiny paradise is worth the effort. One of the five seaside towns that make up Golfo Paradiso, it’s a slow-feel paradise with a pebbled beach, ancient monastery and fresh frutti di mare.

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Most  underrated: Seccheto  Beach, Elba  Island

Snub the crowds of Amalfi and head off the beaten path to Italy’s third-largest island, where Napoleon was rather gloriously exiled. Elba Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea is one of Tuscany’s hidden gems and the tiny beach of Seccheto on the southern coast is giving Italian Riviera vibes without the prices. Hire and captain your own boat from the “Noleggio gommoni” tent at neighbouring Fetovaia Beach to do a self-guided cruise of its idyllic coves and beaches. 

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Most unique: Ostuni, Puglia 

   More reminiscent of Greece than    Italy, Ostuni in Italy’s southern    Puglia region is best known for its whitewashed old town that looks like it leapt straight out of a fairytale. The stark contrast of its jumbled, tonal white buildings and the verdant olive trees surrounding it make it one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval cities. It’s perched high on a hill, so you can soak up panaromas of the countryside and Adriatic Sea from most aspects. 

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 Most  spectacular:  Sassi di Matera,   Basilicata

   The UNESCO-listed ancient cave dwellings of Matera date back to the Palaeolithic period and are thought to be among the first human settlements in Italy. Sassi di Matera is made up of two ancient “cave” neighbourhoods, carved out of limestone into the ravine, and wandering its jumbled staircases is a humbling experience. Sleep in a cave at B&B Le Dodici Lune and avoid visiting in the scorching summer months. 

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Most ambient town in Italy: Il Pescatore Restaurant, Sardinia

Cruising Italy by yacht? This is one of the best places in the world to “dine off”. Helmed by chef Franco Tonelli, the Sardinian seafood fine-diner in the old port of Porto Cervo is absolute waterfront and has been around for decades. The former fisherman’s hut has a relaxed vibe and features a twinkling terrace on which to enjoy regional eats, such as maccheroni alla chitarra with saffron lobster and fish mezze with fresh peretta cheese. Book ahead.

alpescatoreportocervo.com

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Most authentic place in Italy:  Cefalu, Sicily

    Few places in the world are as     picturesque as this northern Sicilian fishing village in summer. Just avoid the busy August period. To one side, the lengthy beach and its turquoise bay is framed by medieval dwellings, and a smaller beach that is accessed via the ancient Porta Pescara doorway. The small town is an easy stroll, so grab a cannolo or gelato, head to the Duomo to see the World Heritage-listed Norman cathedral or peek into the ancient wash baths.

Words: Jenny Hewett