Cities of Italy: Unknown Cities and Their Charm

Italy is too good to get to know just once. In fact, it’s impossible! It’s so diverse: beautiful mountains in the north and breathtaking small towns with colorful houses on the southern coast. To visit everywhere, even two trips aren’t enough. In this article, we tell you about cities you haven’t had a chance to visit yet. Here are some ideas for your vacation.

Monte Isola

Between Lake Garda and Como, there’s a small Lake Iseo, and on it, an island occupied by the town of Monte Isola. This is the largest island-town in Europe. And there are so many activities on the lake! Hang gliding, windsurfing, and sailing enthusiasts will always feel at home here. In short, there’s always something happening. Although the lake isn’t as big as its neighbors, amidst all the hustle and bustle, you can still find a quiet corner to reflect on things.

Also, cars are not allowed on the island, only buses. It’s understandable, as an area of just over 10 sq. km doesn’t need much transport.

How to get there: The closest cities to Lake Iseo are Brescia and Bergamo. From Brescia, take a train to the town of Iseo, and from there, take a boat — it will drop you right on the island.

Barga

Here’s a town near Florence. Barga will appeal to lovers of red tiled roofs. The town has many viewpoints from which to admire it all — a pure pleasure. You can also spot the medieval fortress and the San Cristoforo Cathedral. A good route for a day trip from Florence.

How to get there: Take a train from Florence with a transfer in Lucca. The journey will take about three hours.

Monteriggioni

If you’ve watched movies about Professor Langdon based on Dan Brown’s books ("Angels & Demons", "The Da Vinci Code", etc.), you’ve probably been interested in Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’ (or read it in school, who knows). Well, the towers of Monteriggioni are mentioned in that work! In general, the town is surrounded by a fortress and majestic towers — this is its historical design and main attraction. Whether to walk inside or outside is up to you; it’s beautiful from all sides.

How to get there: From the beloved and familiar Florence, a bus will take you to Monteriggioni in two hours and for less than 10 euros.

Alberobello

Once you escape the confines of Florence, head towards the ‘heel’ of the country. Near Bari, Alberobello lies hidden. The town is small but attracts visitors with its trulli — houses with conical roofs. Thanks to them, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.

And these roofs hold a secret: they are constructed without any adhesive material. And yet, they have stood for centuries!

Tourists are frequent guests here, so the infrastructure is top-notch: there are shops, many souvenir stalls with handmade goods, and even a Michelin-starred restaurant.

How to get there: From Bari, it’s an hour by bus, but from Rome, you’ll have to take a train with a transfer in Bari. The journey will take about 7–8 hours.

Perugia

Italy is not just Sicily or the Tuscan fields; there are also architectural gems. Perugia is a place where your eyes will tire from looking around because the architecture here is divine. This city is entirely made up of arches, stairs, balconies, and bridges. Plus, it has a hilly terrain, so breathtaking photos of sunsets and sunrises are guaranteed.

How to get there: It’s faster and cheaper from Siena by bus. It will be waiting for you at Siena’s train station. And from the “Perugia” stop, a driverless metro will take you to the city itself.

Portofino

Portofino is truly beautiful, though small. Essentially, it’s a harbor town not far from Genoa, and the scenery is very conducive to peace of mind.

If you’re nearby, grab an hour or two to sit on a bench by the coast with parked yachts, treat yourself to the most delicious ice cream and a vibrant cocktail. And before that, visit Brown Castle — it offers an incredible view of the bay!

How to get there: Genoa is the closest. And here you have a choice: take a ferry or travel by train + bus. But the ferry is much more romantic, and it’s interesting to see the coast from a different perspective.