Southern Italy isn’t short on attention. You’ve probably heard of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, or Taormina, and for good reason. They’re stunning. But travel deeper, and you’ll find a different side of the South. One that hasn’t been completely discovered yet. No crowds. No souvenir shops. Just quiet piazzas and real people living real lives.
These towns and regions aren’t trying to be quaint – they just are. So here’s a curated list of Southern Italy’s least-touristed, most genuine places to discover.
1. Maratea in Basilicata
Amalfi Coast, but without the exorbitant everything and tourist queues, that’s Maratea. This quaint town on the Tyrrhenian coast in Basilicata has the nickname the Pearl of the South, and it’s not difficult to understand why. It’s got cliffs plunging dramatically into the ocean, blue sea, tiny coves, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Maratea also has 44 churches and a gigantic white Christ statue looking out to sea. But it’s the atmosphere that gets you: families chatting outside their homes, seafood restaurants with fresh catch of the day, and a marina where you’ll be the only non-Italian for miles.
2. Civita in Calabria
Deep in Pollino National Park, Civita is a small village with a noble story. It was founded by Albanian refugees during the 15th century and is one of Italy’s finest examples of a preserved Arbereshe town – here’s a unique mix of Balkan and Calabrian influence in culture and customs.
The town itself is stunning. Stone houses and streets, and a bridge spanning a stunning canyon. Definitely worth your visit.
3. Molise
Molise is the location Italians joke about as “not existing.” That says it all about how off the tourist trail it is. But those who do go there find a land of peaceful mountain villages, medieval castles, and rolling hills – and barely a tourist in sight. Visit Agnone, which has one of the world’s oldest bell foundries, or Termoli, a coastal town with a walled old town and beaches that remain largely local.
4. Locorotondo and Cisternino in Puglia
Everyone knows Alberobello, famous for its trulli houses. But if you’re looking for similar architecture without the tourist crush, head to Locorotondo or Cisternino, two hill towns in the Itria Valley that are just as beautiful, but still feel like actual places where people live.
You’ll find whitewashed streets with balconies and tiny squares in which time appears to be frozen. That’s the kind of place where you just savor the moment and don’t require an itinerary.
5. Scilla in Calabria
Scilla, along Calabria’s Tyrrhenian shore, is a town tied up in myth of Homer’s Odyssey, and endowed with real beauty. The beach is tranquil, the sea is dazzlingly clear, and the cliff castle offers great sunsets.
But the gem of Scilla is Chianalea, the fishing district, where houses rise straight from the sea and restaurants sit just inches from the surf. Try the local swordfish—grilled simply or served in a panino. It’s what the town is known for, and you’ll see fishermen hauling in their catches right off the rocks.
6. Syracuse in Sicily
Whereas some spots in Sicily are getting packed, Syracuse remains, in a large way, to be discovered, if you’re willing to stray off the beaten track.
The city’s historic center, the island of Ortigia, is where most tourists start – but the spell is in walking it with intent. Think about inspiring tours or twilight strolls accompanied by a native guide in small groups. For travelers in search of more depth, a richer sense of connection to the city, private itineraries in Syracuse allow you to tap into local life in ways that are simply impossible with group tours or guidebooks.
7. Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa in Basilicata
Hidden deep in Basilicata’s Lucanian Dolomites are these two stunning villages on mountain cliffs. They’re connected by the Volo dell’Angelo, a zipline that lets you fly between the towns at 120 km/h, if you’re brave enough.
Beyond the thrills, however, the towns themselves are not to be missed. Walk their rough stone streets, eat mountain cuisine like cavatelli with pork ragu, and enjoy the kind of peace you can only find in places that never see tour buses.
8. The Tremiti Islands in Puglia
Off the tip of the Gargano Peninsula lie the Tremiti Islands, technically part of Puglia but otherwise from another world. No clubs or luxury resorts here. What you’ll get instead are snorkeling in cyan water, pine-clad cliffs, and medieval abbeys.
The islands are tranquil, even in the summer. You get around on foot or by boat. It’s slow living incarnate, in one of Italy’s off-the-beaten-path locations.
9. Sant’Agata de’ Goti in Campania
Just an hour from Naples, Sant’Agata de’ Goti is the most enchanting hill town in Campania. The town seems to float above the valley.
Drop by for a day excursion or stay over a night or two. It’s peaceful, authentic, and entirely off all travel itineraries – just the reason to go.
These marvellous places seem to truly be timeless. Yes, you may have to drive on winding roads and speak your phrasebook, but if you want the kind of trip that stays with you, bemused with conversation, real food, and places that aren’t trying to sell you something, this is your South.
