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Most Beautiful Villages of Northern  Italy

Note:  I've decided to add villages in these sections that are not included in the listings of the Borghi Piu Belli.  I will keep my website live while working through this process.  please forgive the incompleteness of the information, understanding that this site is a constantly evolving work in progress!

Included in this section are the Most Beautiful Villages of the regions of Valle d'Aosta, Piemonte, Lombardia, Trentino/Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli, Liguria, Emilia Romagna.

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Because we will continue to add to this section as we visit more towns, they will be arranged loosely on this page without a specific order.

Apricale

Apricale is an absolute "wow" from the moment you first spot it, clinging to the side of a hill in the mountains of Liguria..  In a region where there seem t be impressive hilltowns around every bend, Apricale stands out as one of the most memorable.

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Wandering this wonderful town will not disappoint, either.  Just make sure you remember where you parked your car, as it is very easy to get turned around here!

Borghetto

Borghetto is a charming small village south of Lake Garda.  A  lot of the Hamlet feels like a stage set, and that just adds to its beauty.

Canale di Tenno

Canale, Comune di Tenno, is a lovely old mountain village just north of Lake Garda in the Trentino/Alto Adige region.   Having a feel that is a meeting of mountain and old Italian architecture, the village is delightfully different from any of the other villages we've visited.  

Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena

Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, about 25 minutes into the mountains from Albenga, is home to an impressive castel which dominates a rustic, but charming old village.

ceriana
 

Though not officially listed as a Borgo Piu Bello, you will probably still say "wow" as you round the bend and catch your first glimpse of this Ligurian town that clings to the side of a steep hill.  

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Ceriana is also an interesting place to wander along its ancient, narrow streets, under archways, and through narrow passageways.

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The town is on the road to Apricale, if you are headed inland from the coast.

Cervo

If Keith and I could only choose one Beautiful Village in all of Italy to recommend, it would likely be Cervo.  Situated on a hill above the sea, Cervo, meaning Deer in Italian, is visible from  across the bay, and everywhere in between.  It flows down to a small harbor and beach, as well as climbing through tiny alleys and piazzas to a stunning roccoco church and beyond up to a small castle.  Cervo, untouched by the mass tourism of the Cinque Terre and some other places, definitely mertis its place on the list of the Borghi Piu Belli...Most Beautiful Villages...of Italy!

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Cervo is just five minutes away from our mills a Borgata Tre Molini.  It is the place that greets us many times each day as we are out running errands in our local market town, San Bartolomeo al Mare, as we are entering the autostrada heading east, and as we drive back home from the west.

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But, Cervo isn't our favorite just because it is the closest.  It is also just simply lovely.  From the pastel-colored maneristic church that dominates the center of town to its lovely little winding streets.

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Civezza

Civezza, while not officially on the list of the Borghi Piu Belli (Most Beautiful Villages) of Italy list, is a very charming village.  Located just 20 minutes west and inland from Imperia, Civezza is a hill town that combines a bit of fun, derived from its name, meaning Coquette, and charming little streets and views toward of the surrounding countryside.  All over town are tile depictions of clowns and other lighthearted characters.

 

Civezza is a cute town, worth a stop if you are in the area. 

Finalborgo

Finalborgo, just a short distance inland from the sea, is a very charming town.  While it is listed as one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, it is a bit larger than a lot of the others.  It is contained within walls, and inclludes wide pedestrian streets and piazzas.  There are plenty of places to eat, shop, and enjoy this lovely medieval town.

Laigueglia

Laigueglia, a lovely seaside town, is another of the Borghi Piu Belli, most beautiful villages, of Italy.  It boasts beautiful village, and a main pedestrian street between the medieval palazzi, protected from cold sea breezes.  Unlike some of the other quieter villages on the list, Laigueglia boasts numerous eateries, accommodations, shops, and recreational opportunities.

Lingueglietta

Lingueglietta is a charming hilltown in the hills high above the Ligurian sea.  As you round the bend In the road approaching it, you just have to way 'Wow!"  One of the Borghi Piu' Belli... most beautiful Villages of Italy, it is a bit more understated than some of the other villages on the list, but still well worth a visit and a wander.

Malcesine

Malcesine is just one of the lovely lakeside villages that surround Beautiful Lago di Garda.  Its charming narrow streets, old buildings, and beautiful views across the lake and into the spectacular mountains make it a wonderful destination for a stroll or overnight stay.

Millesimo

Millesimo is a mid-size village in a river valley along the autostrada from Savona to Torino.  It is not flashy, but worth a visit.

Noli

Noli is a beautiful walled medieval village on the shore of the Mediterranean in western Liguria.  It is home to lovely old cobbbled streets, arches and piazzas.  There is a plaque near the sea which proclaims the point from which Christopher Columbus sailed from Italy to The Holland in 1476.  

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The castle, high on the hill above the town, offers wonderful views in many directions, and over the sea.  While interesting to visit, it is mainly a shell of what it once was.

Sappada Vecchia

Sappada Vecchia, in the Dolomite Mountains of the Friuli region, is a true alpine,village, complete with lovely wooden cottages, perfect woodpiles, fresh mountain air, and snow-covered slopes.

Taggia

Taggia is one of the fascinating Hill towns of Ligura, not far inland from the sea..  There is a wonderful old Roman/Medieval arched bridge at the base of the town that spans a wide seasonal river bed.  The town itself wanders up the hillside in a maze of narrow arched streets, dark alleys and small piazzas, ending at the top in a castle which dominates the top of the town,  

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this is a favorite place for us to explore.

Tellaro

To be honest, Tellaro is everything you would hope to find in the Cinque Terre, and without the crowds.  This charming fishing village, on the eastern side of the Gulf of the Poets, whose main city is La Spezia, occupies a beautiful site, with colorful houses and shops leading down to the small harbor, where a beautiful church overlooks the gulf. and colorful fishing boats bob up and down In the small inlet.  Tellaro, for good reason, is listed as an official "Most Beautiful Village of Italy."

Verezzi

In contrast to the Cinque Terre, Verezzi, or Borgio Verezzi, is mostly unknown to foreign tourists.  This lovely little village, clinging to the steep hillside high above the Mediterranean has retained a quaint charm of its own.

The Cinque Terre, or "Five Lands," are five fishing villages hugging the rugged cliffs of Liguria roughly between Sestri Levante and La Spezia.  In recent years the villages have been "discovered" by tourists to the extent that fishing is just a minor part of their economy.  All five villages retain their lovely setting and beauty, though souvenir shops and many many tourists may be a deterrent to some, depending on when you choose to visit.  Vernazza is on the list of Most Beautiful Villages, though it is debatable which of the Cinque Terre is the most lovely.

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Vernazza, Cinque  Terre
zuccarello

Zuccarello, on the list of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy, is a small Hamlet with one arcaded street, and whose buildings back onto a rushing mountain stream over which an arched medieval stone bridge crosses at about the center point of the town.  Other than on weekends and holidays, the town is generally very quiet.  Nevertheless, it is a pleasant place for a quick stroll.

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