There are places whose beauty makes them seem unreal, as if they had been created by an artist or as a stage for a theatrical show. In Italy there are many places that we could classify as "too beautiful to be true" and today we present you with 5 of them. As soon as you see them, you’ll want to organise a holiday straightaway to get to know these really special places.
From north to south, discover the fairy-tale Italian cities that will leave you speechless, which you should visit at least once in your life to get that feeling of being in a truly unique place in the world of rare beauty.
In short, these are the places that transform a simple vacation into the memory of a lifetime.
1. Spello
On the southern slope of Monte Subasio, between Assisi and Foligno, is Spello, one of the most beautiful municipalities in Italy. This small town nestled in the green countryside of Umbria is characterised by its houses built with the pink stone typical of the area. Everywhere you can find the signs of its long history: Roman and Lombard, popes and lords.
Spello is a real jewel, and such is its charm that walking through its alleys you often have the feeling of being on a movie set. To discover all the hidden corners of this charming place, we recommend you take part in the tour "Spello di Vicolo in Vicolo" organised by Sistema Museo: an urban trekking route which takes you to admire panoramic views, artistic and monumental heritage and silent, romantic streets.
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2. Positano
A place that has fascinated visitors for centuries, Positano is the pearl of the Amalfi coast. Seen from the sea, Positano is a colourful staircase climbing up the mountain, with a proud gaze towards the horizon.
It has been a holiday destination since Roman times thanks to its incredible position and the particularly mild climate. The streets wind up and down, alternating between colourful houses and craft shops. From every corner you can see the impressive multicoloured majolica dome of the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta.
The unique beauty of this place has attracted great artists, actors and directors over the years, from MC Escher to Steinbeck, from Picasso to Klee, from Zeffirelli to Liz Taylor, who all fell in love with this corner of Italy that seems to have been painted by the hand of a great painter.
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3. Cefalú
On the northern coast of Sicily, at the foot of a rocky promontory, lies Cefalù, a small village of great artistic, cultural and historical importance. Its position, in fact, favoured the settlement of different peoples over the centuries: Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Normans. The city developed around its cathedral, which since 2015 has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The sacred and the profane live side by side in this town: rich and elegant palaces, testimony to Cefalú’s place as the seat of the bishop, are mixed with the humble houses of fishermen, simple properties made of blocks of stone near the sea.
The decadence of some buildings on its streets makes Cefalù a magical place, whose eternal beauty conveys a feeling of respect for these places and their history. You can’t leave Cefalù without climbing to the top of the promontory to enjoy the spectacular views over the city and its crystal-blue waters.
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4. Verona
On the banks of the river Adige stands Verona, a city that contains more than two thousand years of history within its walls, a reflection of the turbulent events that have affected Italy in recent centuries. This beautiful city, besides being known worldwide for the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Its palaces speak of a past of wealth and power, and the perfectly preserved arena is still converted into an opera house every summer, offering the public a chance to witness the spectacle of this great cultural art.
Let yourself be captivated by this city and its elegance, a place where works from the Roman period, typical medieval streets and Renaissance palaces coexist in beautiful harmony. Verona, the city of lovers, will conquer your heart.
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5. Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is an irregular stretch of the Ligurian coast, in the province of La Spezia, in which there are five towns or, according to the direct translation, “Five Lands”, which were once fishing villages. Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore are the names of these charming places, embedded between land and sea.
Taking a walk along the Sentiero Azzurro, or Blue Path in English, you can visit all five villages while enjoying a wonderful view of the sea. Thanks to the particular characteristics of the territory, the Cinque Terre are considered one of the most evocative places on the Italian coast, so much so that since 1997 they have formed part of the World Heritage.
Colourful houses lean against each along steep, narrow alleys from where you can see the sparkling sea and the harbours, where the small wooden boats of the fishermen still float with their typical orange nets. This is surely one of the prettiest places on Earth.
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