The 20 Most Beautiful (And Undiscovered) Villages In Italy—Winners Of A 2025 Contest
What are the most beautiful villages in Italy? Every year, a popular TV contest in Italy crowns the winners.
Launched in 2014, and broadcast annually on Italy's national TV channel, Borgo dei Borghi (which translates to 'The Village of Villages') spotlights the country's most beautiful small villages—places that still feel like hidden gems.
Each year, 20 villages (one from each region in the country) compete for the coveted title. The winners are chosen by both public vote and a panel of experts in history, art and culture. The goal is to celebrate Italy's rich regional diversity and promote sustainable tourism in places that might otherwise be overlooked—perfect at a moment when overtourism is reshaping travel across Europe.
The 2025 list has just been revealed, spotlighting 20 villages across Italy that stand out for their beauty, culture and charm. From seaside escapes to medieval hill towns and foodie havens, each one offers a unique slice of Italian life—without the crowds.
This year's winning village is Militello in Val di Catania in Sicily. The town is set in at the foot of Mount Etna and was originally founded in the Middle Ages. After being destroyed in a 1693 earthquake, the village was rebuilt in a Baroque style that eventually earned it a UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Today, the village is home to more than 20 historic churches and a collection of noble palaces.
A scenic view of Maiori on the Amalfi Coast, with terraced hills, colorful buildings, and boats on the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea—named one of Italy's most beautiful villages of 2025. getty
The second village on the list is Agliè, in the Piedmont region—it's got manicured gardens, weekly markets and a UNESCO recognized castle. Coming in third is Vignanello, a Lazio village set among volcanic hills and lush vineyards. Perched high above the Tyrrhenian Sea, Aieta takes fourth place. Rounding out the top five is Maiori, one of the unsung stars of the Amalfi Coast and a quieter, more affordable alternative to places like Positano. Why You Need To Go Now
Many of these spots on the list are surprisingly affordable, offering boutique hotels, local trattorias and artisanal experiences for a fraction of what you'd pay in Italy's big name cities.
Best of all: In these small villages, the food is just as good, the history runs just as deep and the pace of life invites you to slow down and savor your surroundings. In some cases, villages are going even further to attract visitors and new residents. Aieta, which ranks fourth on this year's list, was part of a Calabrian initiative back in 2021 offering newcomers up to $33,000 to relocate. Other small towns and villages across Italy have offered houses for as little as €1 to revive shrinking communities.
But here's the catch: Once a village wins, it's no longer a secret. Just look at Peccioli in Tuscany, which won the contest in 2024. Set on a hilltop, this once-sleepy town has seen a surge in visitors, thanks to its title, with travelers now flocking to see its cutting-edge contemporary art installations and stunning Palazzo Senza Tempo. Which is why you want to see these enchanting spots before they hit the big time.
Here are the 20 most beautiful Italian villages to visit before everyone else does.
The Nymph Zizza fountain in Militello Val di Catania, Sicily—Italy's most beautiful village of 2025. getty Ranked: The 20 Most Beautiful Villages In Italy
1. Militello in Val di Catania, Sicily: The winning town is Militello in Val di Catania, which feels like a living museum with more than 20 churches, ornate palaces and lively festivals. Don't miss the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Stella and its famed marble Madonna.
An aerial view of Agliè Castle in Piedmont, a UNESCO World Heritage site. getty
2. Agliè, Piedmont: The gem in the north of Italy used to be a summer retreat for the House of Savoy. It has manicured gardens, weekly markets, stately piazzas and a laid-back vibe. Its main castle is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A street in the medieval village of Vignanello—one of the most beautiful villages of Italy. getty
3. Vignanello, Lazio: Set amid volcanic hills and vineyards, this village is a favorite for wine lovers and history buffs. Time your visit with the annual grape harvest festival, when the whole town celebrates with tastings, music and local specialties.
A view of Aieta, a hilltop village in Calabria. getty
4. Aieta, Calabria: Located more than 1,600 feet above the Tyrrhenian Sea, Aieta combines Renaissance elegance with wild mountain scenery. Explore its 16th-century palace and wander medieval streets that feel untouched by time.
The charming town of Maiori on the Amalfi Coast, with its hillside castle. getty
5. Maiori, Campania: On the Amalfi Coast, Maiori is often overshadowed by the big-name towns like Amalfi and Positano—but it has the longest beach on the coast and is quieter and more budget-friendly.
The picturesque town of Lazise on the shores of Lake Garda. getty
6. Lazise, Veneto: Set on the southeastern shore of Lake Garda, Lazise is all about medieval charm with lakeside relaxation. The town's stone walls, bustling harbor and thermal spas make it ideal for a romantic getaway.
A church in Ischitella, one of Italy's most beautiful villages in Puglia. getty
7. Ischitella, Puglia: Ischitella has stunning Adriatic views, whitewashed houses surrounded by olive groves and is a gateway to the Gargano National Park and nearby coastal beaches. Don't miss local specialties like orecchiette and fig jam.
The coastal village of Buggerru in Sardinia, framed by cliffs and turquoise sea. getty
8. Buggerru, Sardinia: Once a mining town, Buggerru is now a coastal retreat framed by cliffs and turquoise waters. It's perfect for surfers, hikers and anyone craving a wilder side of Sardinia.
Grado, a colorful seaside town in Friuli-Venezia Giulia with Venetian-style canals and Adriatic charm. getty
9. Grado, Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Nicknamed 'The Island of the Sun,' Grado has a mix of beaches, lagoons and Roman ruins. The village also has thermal spa tradition dating back to the 19th century.
A view through the window of Castello di Montechiarugolo. getty
10. Montechiarugolo, Emilia-Romagna: Not far from Parma, this riverside town is a place for foodies and history buffs. Visit the 15th-century castle and stop at a trattoria for local prosciutto and Parmigiano.
The medieval village of Corenno Plinio on the shores of Lake Como. getty
11. Corenno Plinio, Lombardy: This tiny hamlet on Lake Como is pure medieval magic with winding stone stairways and ancient churches. Far quieter than nearby Bellagio, it's ideal for travelers seeking stunning lake views without the crowds.
Montalbano Jonico, perched above the dramatic badlands of Basilicata. getty
12. Montalbano Jonico, Basilicata: Set between two ravines and surrounded by dramatic clay badlands known as calanchi , Montalbano Jonico has an otherworldly landscape.
View of the rooftops in Penne, a historic hill town near the Gran Sasso mountains. getty
13. Penne, Abruzzo: This hilltop red-brick village—the gateway to the Gran Sasso mountains—has sweeping countryside views and a well-preserved historic center. Visit in fall for truffle season.
The village of Scarperia in Tuscany, just north of Florence. getty
14. Scarperia, Tuscany: Scarperia is famous for its handmade knives. The village also has tons of motorsport energy, thanks to the nearby Mugello Circuit, a favorite of Formula 1 fans.
A view of the countryside just outside the walls of San Gemini in Umbria. getty
15. San Gemini, Umbria: San Gemini is a wellness haven with healing mineral springs and Roman ruins. Don't miss the ancient Roman cisterns or the peaceful Benedictine abbey just outside town.
The hilltop village of Agnone in Molise, known for its ancient bell foundry. getty
16. Agnone, Molise: This village is home to amazing artisan cheesemakers, as well as one of the world's oldest bell foundries, where bells have been cast for centuries.
The village of Ala in Trentino-Alto Adige, surrounded by vineyards and Alpine hills. getty
17. Ala, Trentino-Alto Adige: Set in the Vallagarina wine valley, this village is known for its aristocratic past. Hiking trails nearby lead into the Dolomites, and local red wines are worth a taste.
A view of Sirolo, overlooking the Adriatic. getty
18. Sirolo, Marche: This clifftop village is a stunning a coastal escape without the crowds. Its white stone streets overlook pebble beaches and turquoise waters.
The coastal village of Deiva Marina in Liguria, a peaceful alternative to Cinque Terre. getty
19. Deiva Marina, Liguria: Just up the coast from Cinque Terre, Deiva Marina is a much quieter alternative with much of the same beauty. The beaches are wide and relaxed, and the surrounding trails offer dramatic views of the Ligurian coastline.
Nus Castle in the Aosta Valley, overlooking the Alpine village of Nus. De Agostini via Getty Images
20. Nus, Valle d'Aosta: Surrounded by castles and vineyards, Nus is a scenic base for exploring the Aosta Valley. Don't miss the rare Vien de Nus red wine, grown on terraced mountain slopes. MORE FROM FORBES: Forbes This Affordable European Country Is Launching A Digital Nomad Visa: Here's What You Need To Know By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes Tourists, Beware: Europe Cracks Down With Bans, Fines And Restrictions For 2025 By Laura Begley Bloom Forbes Move To Europe: 8 Secret Towns Where You Can Live Well (For Less) By Laura Begley Bloom
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Exploring France's Loire Valley is a surreal affair, with its blend of ancient Gaelic history, resplendent Renaissance châteaus, and vineyards with roots in an era that makes the American mind, with our comparatively infant 250-year history, malfunction. And there's no better way to be immersed in it all than by hopping on a bike and cycling along the Loire River, tracing the seams that hold together this enchanting region. In 2025, the area is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its certification as a UNESCO heritage region, as well as the creation of Loire à Vélo (Loire by Bike), a 560-mile marked bike route that stretches from Nantes in eastern France to its terminus in the seaside resort town of Saint-Brévin-les-Pins. I already had plans to be in Barr, an Alsatian half-timbered village, to run a 50-kilometer ultramarathon. What better way to recover than to spend a few days shaking out my legs across 100 miles of bike trail and spoiling myself with good food and drink? Joe Baur while riding his bike through the Central Loire Valley. Joe Baur/Travel + Leisure I start my journey on a Tuesday morning in Orléans at the Empreinte Hotel, where a touring bike is waiting for me. I leave my duffel bag with reception for transport to my next stop and hop on the bike for an 18.5-mile ride to Beaugency. It's a beautiful start to the day with the gentle morning sun glistening against the Loire. Tracing the river makes for relatively flat, easy riding. It's also, at this point, almost entirely separated from vehicular traffic. Skirting through the countryside with tall oaks surrounding me and a mix of great tits (don't look at me, I didn't name them), blackbirds, and the common swift chirping, it's easy to slip into a peaceful trance, humming Mungo's 'In The Summertime.' My only plans for Beaugency are to catch a train. As I make my way through town, I'm quickly confronted with one of the challenges of traveling along a 560-mile route: There are too many places and not enough time. I'll find over the next three days that if I made a pit stop at every charming village or roadside cafe, I'd never make it back home to Berlin. Château de Chaumont overlooking the Loire River. Joe Baur/Travel + Leisure Despite the temptation to linger, I promptly hop on the train to make my scheduled tour of the historic Château de Chaumont. This is part of the beauty of travel in western Europe. You can cycle, hop on a train when you're tired, and continue onward as you please. About 40 minutes later, I depart the train in Blois and rejoin the bike path for another 14 miles to the château, where I meet with Ophélie Le Coze after a buffet-style lunch—my hefty plate featured veggie sausage, a couple of salted grenadine potatoes, rice, and a small helping of ratatouille before I finished with an apple crumble. This would end up being one of my favorite meals of the trip: filling, flavorful, and varied. Le Coze is a press relations assistant at the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, an 11th-century estate and UNESCO World Heritage Site that could serve as the backdrop of a Disney film with its series of connected cylinder towers topped with smooth coned roofs. Guests walking into the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire. Joe Baur/Travel + Leisure Because the Loire Valley is brimming with castles, there's almost a kind of competitive impulse to stick out among the pack. Here, the coup de grâce, as it were, is the extensive gardens surrounding the château. Le Coze explains that Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire is home to the annual International Garden Festival running from April to November. More than 900 gardens have been created over 30 years of competition. This year's theme is 'Once Upon a Time, in the Garden,' evoking a childlike playfulness from a world full of fairy tales. These are not your average gardens. They're walk-in exhibitions that transport visitors to the fantastical place of a child's imagination. There's one with Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket, another with a large pond surrounded by mythical creatures exquisitely made of wire, and one where, after walking through a keyhole, you're invited to sit on benches playing their own soft melody next to an encased flower offering a thematic scent for the encounter. In total, there are 15 gardens shaped like leaves hanging off branches when viewed from the sky. It's a kind of experiential art I've never before encountered, and I leave with a newfound appreciation for human creativity and imagination. From the château, I roll down the hillside back to a houseboat on the Loire where I'll be spending the night. It's a charmingly no-frills setup, but I don't need much when views of the Loire are literally right at my feet. I wake up to birds chirping like an orchestra tweaking their instruments. Breakfast is served by basket delivery on the deck of the boat. I devour my pain au chocolat and jar of fresh strawberries while sipping on a second batch of French press coffee. It's a gloomy, chilly morning with afternoon rain threatening in the forecast. I've got another 28.5 miles ahead of me on the day and am motivated to get moving. The last thing I want is to risk missing out on my wine tasting. Despite the cool wind, I warm up quickly on my roughly 13-mile ride to Château du Clos Lucé just outside of Amboise. Loads of school children in matching hats are trotting around the grounds like lemmings to admire the home where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life. The Tuscan artist and inventor moved to the château in 1516 at the invitation of King Francis I. Since da Vinci turned out to be the most famous resident, the château has been converted into a museum of his life's work while giving a glimpse into where he lived and slept during the last few years of his life. The exhibitions touch not only on his artistic career, but also on some of the more interesting-to-bizarre designs he concocted for military equipment, like the large tank shaped like a Hershey's kiss. Outside, visitors wander the gardens that have been shaped to mirror the Tuscan landscape that inspired da Vinci, complete with the tall, thin cypress trees so emblematic of the region. You can also spot the occasional homage to da Vinci's inventions, like his take on the precursor to a helicopter's propellers. Children run over to turn the handle that makes the wavy blades spin. Crates of wine bottles from Maison Lauducius. Joe Baur/Travel + Leisure Ready for wine, I unlock my bike and head back to the trail to make it to my tasting before the rain clouds decide to alleviate themselves. Fortunately, it's just another 40 minutes on the saddle before I reach Maison Laudacius—a wine cave built in 1961 into a limestone cliff that keeps up to two million bottles cooling at around 12 degrees Celsius (53 Fahrenheit). It's now a cooperative for a group of 15 local winegrowers. Monks started making wine in this region as early as the 5th century. Chinon quickly became the grape of choice for both its resilience and versatility. That's why it can be used to make all of your favorite varieties, from a dry Montlouis-sur-Loire to a sweet 2018 Montlouis Liquoreux. I also learn about the North American phylloxera insect that wiped out vineyards all across Europe in the late 1850s thanks to its accidental introduction by American sailors. Fortunately, we managed to help fix what we broke by introducing American rootstock, a type of soil resistant to the insect that's still used today. I'm handed over to wine expert Etienne Delannoy for the tasting. I taste six different wines, all representative of the Loire Valley. I am no wine connoisseur—and it would be a disservice to pretend I know my notes from my tannins. So I'll just say that the wine, unsurprisingly, was good. And though my palate will never be even half as refined as a sommelier's, I am always appreciative of the opportunity to taste the land while standing right in the middle of it. With my taste buds buzzing in the finest flavors of the Loire Valley, I coast for another 40 minutes to Les Hautes Roches, where I'll be spending the night. The property radiates the French luxury of American imagination with its castle-like stone architecture built into the side of a limestone cliff. I'm in room nine of 14, up a short outdoor stone staircase. Inside is a spacious suite that puts to shame some of the actual royal chambers I've seen thus far. A fresh plate from a restaurant in Villandry, France. Joe Baur/Travel + Leisure After standing at the doorway for a few minutes, not wanting to sully the place with my aura of dried sweat and imposter's syndrome, I finally slip out of my shoes and walk a bit further into my room. I decide to embrace it all—the glitz and glam of staying at a hotel whose name I can barely pronounce—by treating myself to a hot bath. With a fresh face, I warm up in the bathrobe and spend the next couple of hours lounging about in bed. Refreshed, I pull something out of my bag that's a bit more worthy of Les Hautes Roches and head to dinner. The server seems surprised when, in my never-ending quest to force France to feed me vegetarian food, I point out that all of the main options are meat or fish. With apologies, I'm served a full menu that includes steamed white asparagus ('tis the season) over a creamy hollandaise sauce and bits of cubed bread crumbs, a Neapolitan rigatoni with tomato sauce, and a luscious chocolate mousse with a garnish of toasted almonds wrapped around like a skirt. There are worse ways to end the day. The sun is out once again after a restful night's sleep. It's my last day on the bike, but I don't want to leave. One night at Les Hautes Roches and my imposter syndrome is gone. With 42 miles to cover on the day, this will be my longest bit of cycling on the trail. Leaving the hotel in Rochecorbon, I rejoin the trail in nearby Tours, cutting through the city like a local thanks to my watch beeping directions at me. Then, with one turn, I'm suddenly out of the urban confines of sidewalk bike lanes, traffic lights, tricky intersections, and the general cacophony that comes with city life, and I'm back in the Loire countryside with white fuzz from the surrounding poplars floating gently to the ground like a batch of fresh snow. I make it to Château de Villandry around 10 a.m. to meet with the owner, Henri Carvallo, for a quick tour of the castle. Early in the visit, I'm surprised to learn that Villandry is, arguably, a part-American castle. The gardens at Château de Villandry. Joe Baur/Travel + Leisure Carvallo's great-grandmother was Ann Coleman—the daughter of wealthy Irish immigrants, born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Ahead of her time, she was a researcher in Paris when she met her future husband, the Spaniard Joachim Carvallo. The two married in Pennsylvania, moved to France, and eventually purchased the Château de Villandry. During their lifetime, they opened sections of the castle to the public. Now, visitors can see just about everything. I finish up with a short walk, starting among the forest paths before dipping into the gardens with views of the castle. Then, I embark on my final leg of the trip—nearly 24 miles to the Royal Fortress of Chinon. Unlike the first day, when I cycled almost exclusively on bike paths, today I'm almost always sharing the road with cars following speed limits between 30 and 45 miles per hour. Obviously, my preference would be for the solace and almost guaranteed safety of the bike-only sections, but I'm comforted by the knowledge that there are still more cyclists—both of the Lycra-clad variety and leisurely tour groups—than cars. I'm whizzing down a hillside when I notice the sign for the Royal Fortress of Chinon. Unfortunately, I'm already committed to this descent. I loop around through the medieval heart of the city and follow directions along Rue Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc Street). I imagined myself finishing with a triumphant climb back to the top of the fortress, but the path of giant, jagged stones made that impossible. By the looks of it, nobody has touched this road since Joan of Arc walked up in 1429 to meet the man she thought to be the rightful king of France, Charles VII. At just 17 years old, she convinced the 26-year-old royal to allow her to raise the siege of Orléans. A guide greets me at the gift shop before taking me on a quick tour of the castle. She starts by noting this place has been inhabited for 3,000 years. (The beginnings of the castle didn't come until the 10th century.) Indeed, a subtle theme of the trip has been the frequent historical reminder that this is where the Celts once lived before the Romans conquered the region. The fortress is smaller than other castles along the way, but still well worth the visit given its connection with the always fascinating Joan of Arc and the exhibition of artifacts associated with her life. And to help bring the experience to life, you can grab a HistoPad. These tablets allow visitors to scan select locations throughout the grounds to load up an image of what it would've looked like in the 15th century. It does lead to some comical sights of tourists spinning around with tablets, like some kind of educational Pokémon Go, but the silliness of it all doesn't make it any less fascinating. It's less than a mile down from the fortress and over the Vienne River before I hop off the bike for the last time at Hôtel Rive Sud. My timing is impeccable, with the owner pulling up just as I arrive for check-in. In order to make my research a little more well-rounded, I decide to pause the wine, switch course, and try some of the local brew. I'm advised to check out Bras(se)fort—conveniently just down the street from my dinner reservation. I pop my head in and meet either a British man or a Frenchman with a native-British accent. He tells me they just brew and sell on site. If I want to try a cold beer, I can go next door to La Cave Voltaire. I follow orders and grab a seat in the evening sun and try their IPA—bitter and hoppy, just what I was looking for. Not to mention, a fitting transition as my time in central France comes to an end and I prepare for my return home to Germany.
