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You’re never been to Italy and need something different than the classic Lake Como, or the bustling madness of Milan? Well, here are some of the best places to go to in southern Italy.
Keep in mind that the difference between South Italy and North Italy is quite intense, so get ready for some amazing cultural shock ( read more about best places to visit in Italy).
One thing that needs to be said about the cultural shock, is how much food you’ll eat. I’m not saying that people eat less up north, but I’m definitely saying that in Southern Italy people want to make sure you eat and try everything that they can offer.
So, not only you should visit it for its beautiful landscapes, nature, and beaches, but also for the variety of food you’ll enjoy. Cause let’s say it you’re in eating to see beautiful art, architecture, traditions, and as much food as you can stuff in yourself. I mean I know that’s what I tend to do when I hit new spots in this amazing country. Now find out what are the best places to visit in Southern Italy!
South Italy where to go
Best Places to visit in Southern Italy
Naples
Looking for top 10 places to visit in southern Italy? If you’re visiting the south of Italy you can’t leave the one and only capital of pizza aside, you have to go to see Naples in its entirety, no doubt one of the best places to visit in southern Italy. From the high-class areas of Vomero to Spaccanapoli where you’ll find some of the most authentic food and atmosphere you’ll ever live ( looking for Naples apartments for rent? Check our apartments in Naples Italy). Near the area of Spaccanapoli is where you’ll find San Gregorio Armeno, that is famous for its nativity scene sculptors, that work on them all year long. Plus some beautiful squares that you’ll have to visit. I’d advise getting a guide cause in Naples there are so many things to see, that even the most navigated traveler won’t be able to find everything. So, if you’re in Naples ask your southern Italy resort to help you find a guide ( discover the city with our complete guide about Naples).
Amalfi
One of the most important places near Naples, going further south, is the Amalfi Coast. If you’re familiar with the Genovese 5 Terre, this is the sunny southern-limoncello drinking version. Nothing wrong with that at all, actually maybe a bit more fun for that. Jokes aside, you have to drive through this area cause you’ll have some of the most spectacular views, we’re talking colorful seafront towns, crystal clear sea, coves. I mean what else do you need for convincing? You’ll find some of the best beaches of southern Italy.
Matera
Southern Italy isn’t just sea and food, ok maybe there is a lot of food, but there are also great mountains in southern Italy. In the area of Basilicata, the only region in the south that isn’t covered in the most part by water, you’ll find the characteristic town of Matera, famous in all of Italy for its rocks and caves. So if that’s your thing, going down south for you implies a certain stop in Matera.
Puglia
Puglia is most of the times forgotten by a lot of tourists, most of the people that visit go because their families came from there in the first migration waves from Italy to the US. Now one thing that is defo on your south Italy attractions list should be Puglia and the Trulli. Puglia well is the whole region and you’ll get nice and fat while there, the Trulli are old “rifugi” built in the countryside of Puglia as a shelter for pastors that would bring their flocks far out in the hills.
Sicily
Finally, at the end of our Itinerario (itinerary) of southern Italy we have Sicily, the biggest of Italian islands, and no doubt the best fish eating region in my opinion (pasta allo scorfano, is a must). The island has so much to offer, from the craziness of Palermo to the calmness of Ustica. You have to visit the most of it and if you can stay a couple weeks, rent a car and get around as much as you can.
[…] to remember that Italy has a varied cuisine, it’s 21 regions are all masters of its own food. The south has more fish based foods, and also fries a lot more of it, while the north prefers to cook with […]
[…] 7 days is pretty tight, I personally think you should have a base city from which you go on day trips. Let’s say you stay in Florence, go to the beach one day, visit the 5 Terre for another day, visit the Chianti region, and another day to visit Siena, and have 3 days to walk around Florence. At least you won’t stress out too much, and you’ll get to live the culture as well as just sightseeing it ( interested in best places to visit in southern Italy?) […]