I’ve lived in this beautiful country for many years now and I’d love to share my favourite hidden gems and lesser-known spots, perfect for discerning travellers seeking tranquility away from the tourist masses…
1. Elba Island
I was slightly obsessed with this island – it’s dodged mass tourism thanks to its protected status and sustainable mindset, so the beaches are pristine, the landscapes feel wild, and the culture refreshingly authentic, with rugged mountains, pastel villages, historic fortresses, and chic villas!
From Pisa it was just a 1.5-hour drive to Piombino, then a ferry to Portoferraio. My days were split between snorkelling in shimmering seas, hiking to Monte Capanne and Volterraio (the views were incredible!), and meandering through Portoferraio and Marciana Marina, soaking up the atmospheric narrow streets and sun-splashed squares!
Location:Off the coast of Tuscany, west Italy | Size: medium-sized island | Vibe: unspoilt and quietly elegant
My favourite highlights…
Staying at the chic 4-star Marina Garden Hotel – I loved the boutique details including the mini-bar stocked with aromatic miniature Aleatico DOCG and handcrafted biscotti packs!
2. San Fruttuoso
This rare spot still felt like a secret! Hidden along the Italian Riviera, it’s been carefully protected for centuries, keeping its historic abbey and natural beauty intact. Add an Insta-worthy turquoise bay backed by striking historic architecture, a small pebble beach, emerald hills, and it was pure, old-world magic!
From Genoa, I trained to Santa Margherita Ligure, then I took a boat along the coast (you can also hike in via Portofino). I snorkelled the bronze underwater Christ of the Abyss statue, hiked the trails in nearby Portofino Regional Park, and tucked into garlicky lasagnette al pesto in Da Laura restaurant.
Location:Ligurian coast between Portofino and Camogli, northwest| Size: tiny hidden bay and hamlet | Vibe: secluded, romantic with a a secret-cove feel
My personal highlights…
Staying at the trendy 4-star LHP Hotel Santa Margherita Palace & SPA – I indulged in their bergamot-scented hammam and then braved the exhilarating vertical ice waterfall!
3. Capo Vaticano
I was in awe of the very stretch of coast. Quiet, unspoilt, and refreshingly free of big resorts, it was all dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, soft pale sand, and photogenic whitewashed buildings wrapped in greenery, which is exactly why so many people call it the finest beach in the south!
A little over an hour’s drive from Lamezia Terme was all it took, and I was spending my time basking in the sun, cruising to secret coves by boat, gazing at fiery sunsets and gorging on Fileja pasta tossed with sweet Tropea onions, wild spinach, and a kick of Calabrian chilli at the rustic Ristorante Le Grotte di DeSo.
Location:Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast, southern Italy | Size: small headland and beach area | Vibe: wild and remote Mediterranean feel
My personal highlights…
Staying at the Insta-worthy 4-star Capovaticano Resort Thalasso Spa Resort and indulging in a Calabrian sea salt and essential oil foot ritual, with fresh rosemary sprigs and bergamot-infused oils in their huge wellness spa!
4. Lipari
This volcanic island still felt very raw and real! Tucked away and fiercely protective of its natural beauty and traditions, I was quietly taken with the jagged cliffs, sparkling blue water, varied beaches, clusters of white houses with terracotta roofs, cobblestone streets and unexpected pockets of ancient history!
I drove from Catania to Milazzo, took the ferry to Lipari, checked into the boutique 4-star Hotel Mea – Aeolian Charme explored Lipari Castle, spent a quiet afternoon at Spiaggia Bianca, where the sea was a surreal, luminous turquoise thanks to the white pumice seabed and wandered past the rusting skeletons of the old mining piers.
Location:Aeolian Islands, north of Sicily| Size: small island (but the largest of the Aeolian Islands) | Vibe: intimate and effortlessly Mediterranean
My personal highlights…
Sipping a chilled glass of honey-sweet Malvasia delle Lipari while watching the sky turn peach over Baia di Canneto from the pebbly sands of Coral Beach!
5. Ischia
I admired how effortlessly charming this island felt. Its wellness-first approach, centred on natural hot springs, has kept things peaceful and traditional, with a gorgeous mix of beaches, verdant greenery, turquoise water, and pastel-coloured villages, all topped off by the show-stopping Aragonese Castle standing guard above it all!
I took a ferry from Naples, I soaked in the famous thermal pools at Negombo and Poseidon Gardens, explored the historic Aragonese Castle in Ischia Ponte, and took a yacht tour around the island where I swam at the Grotta dell’Amore and enjoyed freshly made linguine onboard.
Location:Bay of Naples, southern Italy | Size: large volcanic island | Vibe: chic-but-laid-back Italian island feel
My highlights…
Staying at the well-focused 4-star Sorriso Thermae Resort & Spa – I loved the five thermal pools and their Fangotherapy Mud Therapy treatment with warm sulphur-rich thermal clay, magnesium minerals and a fresh rosemary finish!
6. Noli
I’m hopelessly smitten with this place – a pocket-sized medieval dream that’s dodged mass tourism, where turquoise bays lap against ancient walls, cobblestone streets twist between old towers, and pastel-warm Ligurian houses glow under rows of terracotta tiles.
From Genoa, I took a scenic 1-hour coastal train to Spotorno-Noli, then a quick 5-minute bus ride into Noli and my days here were a superb mix of both adventure and slow travel – hiking the Capo Noli coastal trail gazing at epic sea-and-mountain views, wandering Noli’s medieval streets, peaceful beach time and basil-smothered Ligurian linguine in the tiny trattoria Bucun du Preve!
Location:Ligurian coast, northwest Italy | Size: small seaside town | Vibe: quiet, old-world, and gently romantic
My highlights…
Staying at the charming boutique Paradiso Di Manù – I adored the “mini-farm” vibe complete with lizards sunning on walls, cats hiding in baskets (Lilla was my favorite!), and jasmine scenting the air!
7. Isola del Giglio
This secluded speck of an island totally won me over – it was remote, relaxed, fiercely preserved, and ridiculously pretty, with electric-blue waters, a scatter of sandy and pebbly beaches, pastel houses stitched into the hills and Giglio Castello standing guard high above!
The journey was worth it – train to Orbetello, taxi to Porto Santo Stefano, ferry across to Giglio – as the reward was an idyllic long weekend at the charming Hotel Castello Monticello, snorkelling in glassy, marine-life-rich waters, wandering the medieval lanes of Giglio Castello, and savouring a slightly salty Vermentino della Costa Toscana in the cute cafés of Giglio Porto.
Location:Off the coast of Tuscany in the Tyrrhenian Sea | Size: small island | Vibe: unspoilt with a slow Mediterranean feel
My favourite highlights…
Snorkelling Cala dell’Arenella’s calm, clear waters —I gawped at schools of glinting damselfish and silver bream and even saw a moray eel slipping out from the granite rocks (my trip highlight)!
8. Lake Maggiore
A photo I took of a lakeside villa on Lake Maggiore – it was a seriously dreamy place!This is one of my photos of Lake Maggiore taken in summer – I fell in love with this tucked away beauty spot!
I’ve been back a few times now, and this romantic lake resort still mesmerises me with its gentle elegance and tranquil Alpine setting – shimmering water, emerald hills, pastel villages, fine villas, flower-filled gardens, and calm sandy-pebble beaches, all blissfully crowd-free (well compared to Garda or Como anyway)!
From Milan, I took a hour’s direct train to Stresa and mixed slow beach days by the lake with grand visits to the Borromean Islands’ ornate palaces and botanical gardens, and a cable-car ascent to Mount Mottarone where I was treated to photogenic views over Lake Maggiore backed by the Alps.
Location:On the Italy–Switzerland border in northern Italy | Size: large lake | Vibe: elegant, serene, and softly glamorous
My favourite highlights…
Staying at the Insta-worthy 4-star Hotel de Charme Laveno – I loved the rooftop infinity pool and their honey-and-lavender body glow in their spa (they used local Alpine herbs such as wild thyme, mountain sage, rosemary)!
9. Procida Island
This quietly gorgeous island served up real, everyday authenticity – I found no mass tourism, deep-rooted traditions, and even a ‘Capital of Culture’ title to prove it it all – wrapped in a slow, sun-drenched vibe of sandy beaches, rocky inlets, pastel-painted houses, glassy marina waters, and narrow cobblestone streets.
After ferrying for an hour over from Naples, I checked into the funky 4-star CALEA Boutique Hotel and spent my days drifting between Marina Corricella’s colourful lanes, lazy swims at sandy Chiaiolella Beach, and the atmospheric hilltop of Terra Murata with its ancient abbey and big coastal panoramas.
Location:Bay of Naples, south | Size: small island | Vibe: authentic, and quietly enchanting
My highlight…
Exploring the abandoned prison of Palazzo D’Avalos – I wandered past rust-flecked iron bars, peeling graffiti, and dusty display cases of uniforms and yellowed documents!
10. Scilla
This was a rare gem that still felt genuinely untouched to me – quiet, authentic, and rich with fishing-village character, with shimmering turquoise water, soft golden and pebbly shores, candy-coloured houses, and Castello Ruffo dramatically crowning the rocks above it all.
I stayed at the charming 4-star beachfront Hotel Palazzo Krataiis, soaked up the sun on the sandy Marina Grande Beach, wandered through the enchanting Chianalea fishing district, and explored the historic Castello Ruffo and feasted on spaghetti tossed with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, and spicy Calabrian chilli!
Location:Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast, south | Size: small seaside town | Vibe: romantic, old-world Mediterranean feel
My favourite highlights…
Dining on the unique platform which was built directly over the sea at Restaurant Bleu De Toi – my divine zesty risotto came with lemon and toasted Bronte pistachios!
11. Calabria
Quiet, rustic, and intriguingly off the radar, I found this region had impressively held onto its traditions and avoided mass tourism and rewarded me with wild beaches of sand and pebbles, rugged mountain backdrops, gentle green hills, pristine coastlines, and historic stone towns and cute little churches!
From Lamezia Terme, I based myself near the coast for Scilla before heading inland for the rest of my two-week stay. As well as just simply kicking back, I explored the stunning cliffside beaches of Tropea and hiked through the atmospheric landscapes of Pollino National Park.
Location:Southern Italy (toe and instep of the “boot”) | Size: 5,877 square miles | Vibe: soulful with a slow, old-Italy feel
My personal highlights…
Staying at the 4-star boutique Suite Hotel L’Oasi di Riaci – I really liked the private sandy beach, their natural pool designed to look like a beach setting (and did too!) and the ornate Bardelli ceramics which gave it a chic touch!
12. Tremiti Islands
This five-island archipelago felt like a secret corner of the Adriatic – remote, protected, and deliciously quiet, with minimal tourism and landscapes made up of soft sandy beaches, pebble coves, dramatic cliffs, shady pine forests, old stone buildings, and impossibly clear aquamarine water.
The trip began with an hour’s hydrofoil ride from Termoli and turned into four very chilled-out days at Relais Al Faro Bed&Breakfast, split between snorkelling in wonderfully clear waters, sunbathing on Cala delle Arene, hiking San Domino’s scenic trails, stepping back in time at San Nicola’s abbey and medieval defences, and discovering hidden sea caves by boat.
Location:Adriatic Sea off the coast of Puglia, southern Italy | Size: small island archipelago | Vibe: low-key with a castaway Mediterranean feel
My highlights…
Taking my first dive in San Domino – I eased into cool, crystal water before floating past slow-moving groupers, shimmering shoals of sea bream, and the spooky dark mouths of underwater caves!
13. Lake Orta
This was a true hidden gem with a peaceful, under-the-radar feel and none of the crowds of Italy’s big-name lakes, framed by glassy water, pebble-and-rocky shores (with a few sandy pockets), green hills, cobbled lanes, elegant villas, manicured gardens, and that dreamy little monastery-topped island floating in the middle.
From Milan, I hopped on a 1-hour-20 train to Orta San Giulio and slipped into slow-travel mode — wandering the charming village streets, gliding by boat to Isola San Giulio’s monastery, strolling the hushed Sacro Monte chapels, and unwinding by the glassy lakeshore.
Location:Piedmont, northern Italy | Size: small lake | Vibe: romantic with a nostalgic, elegant feel
My favourite highlights…
Staying at Relais & Chateaux Villa Crespi was pure romance, from the opulent 19th-century villa and my hand-carved walnut four-poster bed to the Petals of Rose Ritual spa ritual which used warm rose-infused oils!
14. Lampedusa Island
I discovered that Lampedusa had that rare, off-the-map feel I’m always chasing, with boat-only or hike-in beaches that had successfully kept mass tourism in check and preserved its luminescent turquoise waters, white sandy coves, and rugged cliff-backed scenery.
From Sicily, it was an easy one-hour flight to Lampedusa, followed by a stay at the characterful Relais Isole del Sud and hiked 40 minutes from Casa Teresa through fragrant maquis shrubland, taking in dramatic cliff-top views before cooling off with a swim in the wonderfully clear waters of Cala Pulcino.
A sunset dolphin-watching yacht tour was a highlight, sailing on a sleek catamaran, spotting playful dolphins, sipping a chilled Sicilian Spritz, and jumping in for a golden-hour swim.
Scott Balaam - writer and photographer
Scott started his travelling life back in 1999, when he headed off on a solo jaunt to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia with just a backpack, a camera and a spirit for adventure. After that, the travel bug bit hard and now he is always seeking to head off somewhere new. Over the years he has lived in Italy, Qatar, Australia, Ireland, UK and the USA but his spiritual home will always be Rome as this is the city which most satisfies his unrelenting thirst for culture, good food and great football. In his spare time Scott loves nothing better than to be behind the camera and also runs his own blog and Instagram page. He also counts Melbourne, the rest of Italy, Amsterdam, USA, Athens, Cape Town and Tel Aviv among his favourite places. Find Scott on Linkedin, Instagram, or Twitter.
Hotel Reviewing Experience –Asked by many tourist boards and many high-profile travel brands to formally review hotels including Visit Sweden, OET (Spanish Tourism Office), Sultanate of Oman and Travel Alberta. Also travelled around the world scouting out and reviewing all the most unique hotels in the world, check out our Instagram page for photos. Also mentioned as a top UK travel journalist.
