Beyond the Crowds: Where to Go in Italy Instead

Avoiding the crowds in Italy is not always easy. Overtourism has become a serious problem in places like Rome, Venice, and Florence, where visitor numbers often overwhelm the very things people have come to see.

I was recently interviewed for a major newspaper article whose premise was simple: if you only have a few days, which is better, Rome or Florence? My immediate response was neither.

I’ve written a lot about the problems of overtourism over the years, and I know that I, like many others, often end up telling people what not to do. Don’t go here. Don’t visit then. Avoid this neighborhood. Skip that attraction.

The problem is that no one likes being told what they shouldn’t do. At least not without being offered an alternative.

And that’s where the conversation about tourism in Italy often falls short.

Because while some destinations are struggling under the weight of too many visitors, there is another side of the story that rarely gets told. There are countless places in Italy where tourism is not a problem at all. Places with extraordinary history, beautiful landscapes, remarkable food traditions, and vibrant local communities that see only a fraction of the visitors who crowd into the usual hotspots.

The funny thing is that many of the things people come to Italy looking for can be found in places where hardly anyone goes. These are places where you can still stumble upon an empty piazza, strike up a conversation with a shopkeeper, or sit down for lunch without needing a reservation made months in advance.

If you’re worried that I’m about to reveal—and possibly ruin—these places, don’t be. There is a reason they remain off the radar. Many are difficult to reach, often requiring a car and a willingness to navigate less-than-perfect roads. Once you arrive, accommodations may not always meet international expectations. But for travelers willing to trade a little comfort for authenticity, the rewards are immense. If you’re committed to discovering a side of Italy that feels genuinely untouched, this list is for you.

To help point you in that direction, I reached out to friends and colleagues across Italy and asked a simple question: where would you send someone who wants to experience Italy without contributing to the crowds?

What follows is our short list of destinations worth considering. Think of it as a roadmap to a different kind of Italian journey—one that benefits not only you, but also the places you visit.