These Are the 5 Most Underrated Regions in Italy

I have traveled to over 80 countries across all seven continents. Yet I keep finding myself back in Italy. While some hungry travelers seek to visit every state in the US or every country in the world, the goal that lives at the top of my bucket list is to visit all 20 regions in Italy. Having now been to 18 (with only Sardinia and Molise left), here are the five most underrated Italian regions that tourists are missing out on.

I’m going to say something that might get me in trouble: the Amalfi Coast is overrated. While I do think it’s worth visiting at least once, it only takes a few hours to see how the dense crowds and overpriced, subpar food really taint the beauty of Amalfi. 

For one of the best beaches in Italy—without the crowds—head to the east coast’s Le Marche region. The capital of the region is Ancona, which is located directly on the Adriatic Sea and is home to plenty of incredible beaches, like Spiaggia Mezzavalle and Spiaggia Della Scalaccia. From Ancona, rent a car, and drive south down the coast to explore even more mesmerizing Italian beaches sans herds of tourists. The cerulean blue waters will dupe you into thinking you’re in the Caribbean, and the jarring white limestones surrounding the area—especially in Numana—will make a boat tour absolutely mandatory. Just don’t forget the Prosecco.

Where to stay: For a coastal, beachy accommodation, Muré Hotel Numana is a stylish hotel located right by the beach.

If you want to experience the true nit and grit of Italian soul, you’ll want to head to Basilicata. Located in the central southern part of the country, smack between Campania and Puglia and just north of Calabria, Basilicata’s humble roots still show to this day. Its most popular tourist destination is Matera, one of the world’s oldest cities and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city is full of limestone caves, referred to as “Sassi,” where residents used to live despite harrowing conditions.

Coming far from its impoverished past, the city has undergone regeneration, and is now full of restaurants, hotels (giving visitors the chance to sleep in the “sassi”), and museums. But Basilicata is not just Matera–in fact, the majority of the region doesn’t cater to tourists at all. It’s rare to meet an English speaker here, and dishes like strascinati mollicati di peperone crusco (a pasta similar orecchiette, with breadcrumbs and dried crushed peppers) shows the region’s past struggles on a plate. For a less touristic experience than Matera, head to small towns like Pignola, Bernalda, and Pietrapertosa.

Where to stay: If you do visit Matera, book a sassi room at Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa.

It’s hard to get a bad meal in Italy, but some regions do it better, whether it’s due to the terrain, weather, ingredients, or all of the above. While Emilia Romagna is famously the food region of Italy, and that’s not a title I doubt or dare to challenge (Emilia Romagna is home to Parmigiano Reggiano, Balsamic Vinegar, Prosciutto di Parma, and several other iconic Italian products), Piemonte flies far under the radar for stellar regional cuisine. 

In the capital of Torino, you can try bicerin, a layered coffee, espresso, and cream drink with roots dating back to 1763. In Alba, you can go truffle hunting with dogs, sip Barolo wine, and try Nutella in it’s hometown. You’ll also want to eat local specialties like battuta di manzo (beef tartare), agnolotti del plin (meat-stuffed pasta), tajarin (a thin-cut pasta made with a high ratio of egg yolks), castelmagno cheese, and bagna càuda (an anchovy and garlic soup). 

If you want to brave some of the more unique dishes of the region, go for vitello tonnato (boiled thin strips of veal topped with a tuna sauce) or insalata russa (a cold Russian salad made with carrots, peas, potatoes, mayonnaise, and tuna). What I love most about eating my way through Piemonte is it’s further proof that, despite popular tourist belief, Italian cuisine is so much more than pasta and pizza.

Where to stay: To get the best cuisine, head to Alba and stay at Palazzo Finati, a centrally-located hotel that’s just a stone’s throw away from plenty of exceptional local eateries.

While the Dolomites get all of the clout, the smallest and least populated Italian region could certainly give them a run for their money. Valle d’Aosta, located in the northwest corner of the country, shares a border with Switzerland and France, with Mont Blanc straddling all three nations. The region’s capital, Aosta, is completely surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and as soon as you arrive, it feels like you’re stepping directly into a postcard. 

In the wintertime, the region is an ideal destination for skiers, with close access to both Matterhorn and Mont Blanc (or as the Italians say, Monte Bianco). You’ll also want to try some Fontina Val d’Aosta, a sweet nutty cheese that is famously made in the region. Renting a car is absolutely recommended here, as getting to Aosta via public transportation is a several hour trek from pretty much anywhere in the country.

Where to stay: Le Rêve Charmant is located right in the heart of Aosta, giving you both a mountainous backdrop and easy access to restaurants and shopping in the area.

Everyone knows Tuscany as the wine region of Italy, but after speaking with plenty of Italians over the years, the general consensus amongst the locals is that Friuli-Venezia Giulia is home to the country’s best wine. So, to find out, I went there myself–you know, for field research. 

One of my favorite sips while there was Ramât, a Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC 2022 from Jermann Winery, a complex yet light wine from one of the region’s top producers. I also enjoyed Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato, a bright and slightly sweet Friulian wine that felt best sipping as I watched the sunset over Piazza Unita d’Italia, the largest European square facing the sea. The region’s capital, Trieste, is only six miles from Slovenia, giving it a uniquelyEastern European feel. Seeing menu items like goulash, prosciutto cotto (which is served hot with mustard and kraut), and avjar (a red pepper and eggplant spread) is not uncommon in this region. I personally preferred the small charm of Udine over Trieste, however, largely thanks to the excessive amount of Prosciutto di San Daniele I ate while there, another local delicacy of the region.

Where to stay: Astoria Hotel Italia is a centrally located hotel in Udine, with all of the city’s major attractions within walking distance.