The regions of Italy: a journey from North to South in the most beautiful country in the world

Tutti noi conosciamo le regioni d’Italia anche se magari non ci siamo stati personalmente.

A scuola ne abbiamo studiato la geografia, i capoluoghi, l’industria e l’agricoltura.

Ma conosciamo le regioni dal punto di vista turistico?

In questo post scoprirai le regioni italiane, da nord a sud, per le loro bellezze e il perché i turisti di tutto il mondo le scelgono per le loro vacanze: una magnifica carrellata di immagini e qualche dettaglio su cosa attira i viaggiatori.

In quali regioni hai già fatto le vacanze? Quale regione, invece, vuoi visitare a tutti i costi?

Scrivilo nei commenti!

La Valle d’Aosta è la più piccola tra le regioni d’Italia e si trova incastonata a nord-ovest tra la Francia, la Svizzera e il Piemonte.

Tutto il suo territorio si sviluppa in mezzo alle Alpi e qui svettano le montagne più alte d’Europa: il Monte Rosa, il Gran Paradiso, il Cervino, sul confine con la Svizzera, e il tetto d’Europa: il Monte Bianco, proprio al confine con la Francia.

In questa regione, anche se piccola, c’è però un grande patrimonio culturale, gastronomico e naturale che la rende molto affascinante.

Esplorando la Valle d’Aosta si può vedere molto bene ancora oggi l’impronta degli antichi romani che hanno lasciato numerose testimonianze, tutte da visitare.

Tra le montagne si nasconde il primo parco naturale italiano che risale al 1922: il parco nazionale del Gran Paradiso, un ambiente incontaminato dove è possibile osservare gli animali nel loro habitat naturale: oltre allo stambecco, simbolo del parco, anche marmotte, camosci e aquile reali .

Vivere questa regione è molto stimolante perché la cultura italiana si fonde con la cultura della vicina Francia. Anche per questo motivo la Valle D’Aosta è una tra le regioni autonome che esistono in Italia.

Ti consiglio di visitare la Valle d’Aosta se:

• ami la montagna e gli sport invernali, come sci alpino, sci di fondo e snowboard;
• sei un amante delle attività all’aperto come camminate, arrampicate e scalate;
• sei alla ricerca di un ambiente tranquillo dove stare al fresco;
• ti piacciono i formaggi di montagna autentici, come la Fontina;
• sei affascinato dalle fortificazioni militari romane e medievali e dai castelli.

Piedmont is a region with a very diverse territory: to the west, north and south it is surrounded by the Alps, where one can enjoy pleasant mountain landscapes and major ski resorts where one can delight in winter sports.

In contrast, in the center of the region lie large plains and rolling hills. Some of Italy’s best food and wine products are born here: in addition to renowned meats and some of Italy’s finest wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco, there is also the famous Alba truffle, arguably one of the ingredients in the world’s best-known Italian dishes.

This diverse area also includes the beautiful area of Lake Maggiore where ancient villas stand in a tranquil and fascinating landscape.

Finally, Turin is a large, important and historic city that was also the capital of Italy. Here you can admire ancient noble palaces, interesting museums and the charm of an old Savoy city.

I recommend visiting Piedmont if:

• you love to play winter sports;
• you are a lover of refined food and fine raw materials;
• you are a lover of wine (especially red wine);
• You love the hills full of farmsteads and endless vineyards.

Liguria is a thin strip of land nestled between the French Riviera and Tuscany, close to all the major cities of northern Italy such as Milan and Turin.

Liguria is probably the most famous Italian coast in the world because of the mildness of its climate and the beauty of its coastline.

In fact, this region began its tourist development in the late 19th century, when nobles from all over Europe came here for vacations.

Liguria’s climate and weather allow travelers to visit all year round, often guaranteeing beautiful sunny days, especially in the western part, the “Ponente Ligure.”

Liguria also an extremely diverse territory is suitable for all types of tourism: for those who love the sea, for those who enjoy active vacations, and for those who love to taste gastronomic specialties.

Its hinterland is full of the truly charming medieval villages that are never crowded. These small masterpieces are especially loved by foreign tourists.

I recommend visiting Liguria if:

• you want to visit some of the most beautiful sea views in all of Italy;
• you are in northern Italy or in a city like Milan, Turin or Florence and want to have a weekend at the beach;
• you are a nature lover;
• you are a lover of medieval villages and castles;
• If you want to visit an Italian destination year-round.

Lombardy is the most populous Italian region and is located right in the center of northern Italy.

This region, which stretches from the Alps, bordering Switzerland, to the Po Valley, is also rich in varied landscapes: the popular ski resorts at the top of the Alps; the hills of Franciacorta where the best labels of sparkling white wine, produced by the classic method, are produced; and the views of the lakes that are one more beautiful than the other: Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore.

Milan, the capital of Lombardy, is Italy’s most important city for business. Alive, rich and every year more and more modern.

Other fascinating cities in Lombardy such as Bergamo, Como, Lecco, and Mantua are also not to be missed.

I recommend visiting Lombardy if:

• you want to enjoy Glamour and fun in the nights of Milan;
• Want to see the most beautiful Italian lakes;
• you love winter sports.

Of all Italian regions, Trentino is the one best known for the beauty of its mountains. The most beautiful and most majestic are surely the Dolomites, which have been elected a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Europe’s largest ski areas extend between these mountains: you can spend an entire day within the Dolomiti Superski area without doing the same slope twice.

The landscape here is truly magnificent: rocky mountains, fir forests, wide valleys, lakes, rivers, and small mountain villages all to be discovered.

In South Tyrol, also known as Sudtirol, the inhabitants speak more German than Italian. In the same way, the area’s culture and gastronomy are strongly influenced by neighboring Austria.

I recommend visiting Trentino-Alto Adige if:

• you are a winter sports enthusiast;
• you love the mountains;
• you want an active vacation;
• you like meat and Austrian cuisine;
• you like small alpine villages.

Veneto has a unique city in the world: Venice.

This wonderful city is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world every year, second only to Rome.

But Veneto is much more than that.

There are many other very beautiful and interesting cities in this region such as Verona, Vicenza, Padua and Treviso.

Long sandy beaches like those in Jesolo.

Wonderful mountain landscapes such as those of Cortina, known as the Pearl of the Dolomites.

Spa resorts where you can indulge in pleasant cures and total relaxation such as Abano Terme.

One of the best known and most appreciated products in the world comes from the Veneto region: prosecco, a sparkling white wine produced by the charmat method.

I recommend visiting Veneto if:

• you have never visited Venice or Verona;
• you are a lover of architecture;
• you are a wine lover.

Friuli Venezia Giulia is the region located in the northeast of Italy and borders Slovenia and Austria.

Views here range from the high mountains of the eastern Dolomites to the sandy beaches of Lignano Sabbiadoro.

The most important city, which is also the capital, is Trieste: a very interesting city with a rich cultural heritage.

I recommend visiting Friuli-Venezia Giulia if:

• You are a lover of outdoor sports activities;
• you are a lover of winter sports;
• you want to immerse yourself in a very unique multicultural environment.

A famous advertisement in Italy said that if we compare Italy to a house, Emilia Romagna is definitely its kitchen.

That may not be exactly the case, but undoubtedly many of the world’s most famous Italian products come from right here: prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano, tortellini, piadina, and the prized balsamic vinegar of Modena.

For food lovers certainly Emilia-Romagna is a recommended stop.

But this region is also the land of magnificent Renaissance cities such as Bologna, Ferrara and Modena.

Along the sunny, and somewhat crowded, beaches of the Riviera Romagnola, in Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica, many tourists choose to spend their summer vacations.

Emilia Romagna also very famous spas such as Salsomaggiore Terme.

Visit Emilia-Romagna if:

• you are a food and wine lover and want to taste the specialties where they are produced;
• you love historic cities and prefer those that are not too crowded;
• you like big sandy beaches and nightlife by the sea.

Tuscany is probably the most famous Italian region, internationally, in terms of tourism.

The first image that comes to mind when thinking of Tuscany is one that depicts its rolling hills: vistas dotted with vineyards, cypress-lined avenues and charming old villages.

The Italian Renaissance saw the light of day in this region, and here you can visit all the wonderful cities that this extraordinary period of history was the scene of: Siena, Lucca, Pisa and, of course, Florence.

Tuscany produces some of the world’s finest wines such as di Chianti, nobile di Montepulciano, and brunello di Montalcino.

If on your trip to Italy you want to pass through here, don’t forget to taste the original Fiorentina.

I recommend visiting Tuscany if:

• you are a lover of history, culture and art;
• you want to spend a few days in the tranquility of the hills and drink sought-after wine;
• If you have never visited Florence or Siena.

Umbria is a small region that lies right in the geographic center of Italy and is one of the few that is landlocked.

It is called the green lung of Italy and is in fact full of unspoiled landscapes in the enchantment of magnificent valleys and ancient villages.

Some compare this region to Tuscany in some ways.

Certainly, Umbria has unique art cities that are definitely worth visiting such as Assisi, Perugia and Orvieto.

History lovers can visit the evidence and remains of the ancient Etruscan civilization.

I recommend visiting Umbria if:

• you want to visit a destination that is less touristy than traditional Italian art cities;
• you are a lover of nature and tranquility;
• you want to visit Lake Trasimeno.

In terms of tourism, Marche is a well-known and popular region for Italians but less well-known internationally.

This area overlooking the Adriatic Sea has a beautiful coastline of long golden sandy beaches where you can spend relaxing and tanning vacations.

The best-known tourist cities are Senigallia, Pesaro Civitanova Marche, and San Benedetto del Tronto.

Brands is also a perfect destination for lovers of outdoor sports activities such as hiking and mountain biking and nature.

The Sibillini and Gran Sasso national parks are perfect settings for those seeking this type of vacation.

I recommend visiting brands if:

• you are a quiet beach lover;
• you are a lover of outdoor sports;
• don’t like crowded locations.

Latium is one of the most visited regions of Italy because Rome, the Eternal City, is located right here.

If you have never been to Rome surely this is where you should focus your visit to this region.

But there are also many things to see outside the capital: Lazio is a region full of archaeological sites related to ancient Roman civilization, such as Ostia Antica; The hills of the Castelli Romani; and the lakes of central Italy, such as Lake Bracciano and Lake Bolsena.

If you want to taste carbonara, amatriciana or gricia made authentically, you have to do it in Lazio.

I recommend visiting Latium if:

• you have never visited Rome;
• you are a lover of the history of Archaeology;
• you are an art lover;
• you want to taste Roman cuisine done authentically.

Abruzzo in the same way as Marche is a less internationally known region than others.

This makes Abruzzo a region to experience the authenticity of our country.

In its territory there are ski resorts, nature parks and hills that provide magnificent views.

Abruzzo has protected animal species such as the golden eagle, wolf, and The Marsican bear.

Abruzzo’s beaches on the Adriatic Sea are sandy in the north and rockier in the south. From the local cuisine came the famous arrosticini, delicious skewers of sheep meat.

Visit Abruzzo if:

• you know Italy and want to explore an area outside the classic itineraries;
• you want to enjoy a more authentic and less touristy area;
• you don’t want to take an expensive vacation.

In Italy, when talking about Molise, it is often said jokingly that this region does not actually exist.

But Molise exists, and how! It is a small, very pleasant region that is actually off the traditional tourist routes.

Those who want to visit in Molise are advised to push through its hills and mountains rich in traditions related to agriculture and its gastronomy.

Molise’s stretch of coastline has beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation its sea is clear and clean.

I recommend visiting Molise if:

• you want to explore an area that few people know about;
• You want to go on a budget trip;
• don’t like locations crowded with tourists.

Campania is a region full of history and culture.

Naples, besides being a lively and somewhat chaotic city, is a veritable open-air museum, and its historic center is the largest in Europe.

If you have a few days to visit Campania, you cannot miss visiting the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida, true wonders of nature.

Similarly, the Amalfi Coast and seaside villages such as Sorrento and Positano are worth a visit.

Campania is home to fascinating and world-famous archaeological sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum.

I recommend visiting Campania if:

• you have already visited Rome you want to enjoy a weekend in Naples;
• you want to visit one of the most famous stretches of coastline in Italy;
• you want to go and enjoy the authentic taste of real Buffalo Mozzarella;
• you want to go and taste Neapolitan pizza where it was invented.

Apulia, easily identified on the map even by foreigners because it is right on the heel of the boot, is a wonderful region, rich in nature, history and traditions.

She became incredibly popular late in life, when shots of her stunning views reached newspapers around the world.

Today Puglia is very fashionable especially among Italian tourists. In summer, in fact, it is very popular and busy .

Here there are wonderful sandy beaches and clear waters. The traditional Trulli are a must-visit, in the quaint village of Alberobello, for example, which has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

I recommend visiting Apulia if:

• You are looking for sandy beaches and crystal clear waters;
• you want to visit a trullo;
• you want to visit a traditional southern Italian destination.

Often those who visit Basilicata do not do so by accident: the majority of visitors come all the way here to see the city of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Matera, known as the City of the Sassi, is a unique city that has a dense network of Caves carved into the rock.

But Basilicata does not stop there. The entire region climbing the Apennines is rich in forests, spectacular lakes and pretty villages.

I recommend visiting Basilicata if:

• you want to visit the unique panorama of Matera;
• you want to visit an area off the traditional routes; you have a car and you drive.

Calabria is located at the very tip of the boot and is surrounded almost completely by the sea.

As you might expect, it is a region dotted with a beautiful coastline and beaches.

However, this region is much less developed touristically than other Italian destinations.

These characteristics make it an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy an authentic experience is peaceful in a classic southern Italian destination.

I recommend visiting Calabria if:

• you are a lover of the sea but not of crowded beaches;
• you know Italy and want to discover its hidden corners;
• You want to go on a budget trip.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and its position At the center of the routes in this sea has made it a Land of Conquest in history.

The many peoples who have passed through here including La Greca, La Romana, the Arab, the Norman, and the French have left evidence in the architecture, but also in the culture and cuisine.

Sicily is a region to be discovered both for its many fascinating archaeological sites, such as the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, and for its magnificent beaches and archipelagos.

While visiting Sicily it is impossible not to visit wonderful cities including Taormina, Syracuse, Mondello, Cefalù, Modica, and Noto.

I recommend visiting Sicily if:

• you want to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of southern Italy;
• you are a lover of the sea and beaches;
• you are a lover of architecture; you are not afraid of the heat;
• you want to taste gastronomic specialties such as cannoli or arancini.

Sardinia is definitely one of the favorite destinations for Italians who go on a beach vacation. In fact, Sardinia is full of wonderful beaches and exclusive, fashionable resorts such as those on the Emerald Coast.

Sailing and wind-related water sports such as windsurfing is kitesurfing are practiced in the northern part of the island.

The inland part, on the other hand, is much less populated is made up of cultivated area or where farming is practiced.

Sardinia is very popular in July and August, very quiet the rest of the year.

I recommend visiting Sardinia if:

• you love the sea and want to explore a new beautiful beach every day;
• want to visit the most exclusive destinations and experience the nightlife of the Costa Smeralda’s clubs.