We’ve all heard of Rome, Sicily or Tuscany, but how many people know some of the less populated areas? Sure these cities don’t have the popular tourist attractions that many go to Italy for, but they offer quite a few opportunities to see parts of Italy that few ever see. Below you will find some parts of Italy that aren’t well-known, but are still worth visiting.
Molise
Located in the southern part of Italy, not many people know about Molise, including Italians. It’s an interesting place to visit because it is so diverse. There are ghost towns, a variety of wildlife including boars and wolves, snow-capped mountains and beaches. One of the main reasons why people don’t know Molise exists is because it is a relatively new region. It was created in 1963 when it was divided from Abruzzo. By far Molise is one of the best kept secrets in Italy. If you do happen to visit Molise, make sure you try the torcinelli or pampanella or see the beautiful, and often deserted, beaches.
Parma
It’s a shame that not a lot of people are familiar with this town as some of the country’s best food can be found here. The European Food Safety Agency can actually be found in Parma so you know this city has to take its food seriously. Both the cheeses and pastas are excellent and something every tourist should definitely try. In addition to the food, the town is known for its historic centric center, the Duomo and Camera di San Paolo.
Viterbo
Located between Molise and Tuscany, this is a sleepy little town that’s best known for the abundance of fountains it has. There’s a lot of history with the Etruscan tombs and pleasure gardens. The best time to visit Viterbo is in the spring when the weather is nice. Don’t be surprised though if you see a former pope or a celebrity as they have been known to visit the area to get away from some of the crowds of the bigger cities.
Urbino
Perhaps the reason why many people don’t know about Urbino is because it’s difficult to get too. There isn’t a train station and there is only a sparse amount of buses that go to it. There is a small mountain road that can be difficult to navigate. If you can get to Urbino, it will be worth it. The Palazzo Ducale, which is built into a mountain, houses the National Gallery of Urbino and the Marche. Famous paintings by artists like Raphael and Francesca can be seen here. It’s best to visit Urbino in the morning to do some sightseeing, stay for lunch and then leave before nightfall as there isn’t much to do here once the sun sets.
If you’d like to visit Italy, but crowds aren’t your thing, there are plenty of lesser known places to go. You can also visit a crowded city like Rome one day and move on to a more remote place the next day. We can help you figure out an itinerary that will allow you to see what you want and maximize your time in the country.
