Are you planning a trip to the southern regions of Italy and want to discover the most beautiful cities in Southern Italy?
We have the absolute best cities for you, which should definitely be on your Italy travel bucket list.
We traveled through Southern Italy and visited many of these places and cities.
Among our personal top 5, we share even more cities in Italy with you.
Our 5 Favorite Best Cities Of Southern Italy
- Naples with Pompeii and Herculaneum: A Journey to Antiquity
- Alberobello: Home of the Trulli Houses
- Matera: The City of Cave Dwellings
- Taormina: Gateway to Mount Etna
- Positano: Jewel of the Amalfi Coast
The Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in Southern Italy
The cities and towns in Southern Italy exude a unique charm that sets them apart from other parts of the country.
While the cities of North Italy are surrounded by the majestic Alps, the south is characterized by volcanoes, rugged landscapes, cliffs, and dreamy beaches.
Particularly beautiful and worth seeing are the following cities:
Naples with Pompeii and Herculaneum: Time Travel to Antiquity
Naples is named as the best food city in the world, and one of our favorite cities. You can explore the best of Naples in a day.
Near Naples, you can visit the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day.
They were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Today, the archaeological sites are among the most popular sights in Italy.
Here you can get an insight into the life of the inhabitants at that time.
Pompeii is famous for its excavations, impressive wall paintings, and mosaics.
You can also visit the remains of the streets and baths here.
Herculaneum, which is even closer to Naples, offers an exciting insight into the houses of the wealthier population.
These are better preserved than in Pompeii and still show remaining wooden structures and furniture.
⭐️ Good to know: You can visit Pompeii as part of a day trip from Rome.
Alberobello: Home of the Trulli Houses
Alberobello, located in the region of Puglia, is famous for its Trulli houses.
These are white, conical-shaped houses with gray stone roofs.
Buildings of this type can be found everywhere in the region.
However, the most beautiful ones are in Alberobello.
The Trulli houses are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best sights in Puglia.
The unique architecture of the houses provides insights into this traditional Italian architecture.
The streets in Alberobello are lined with hundreds of Trulli houses.
Some of them are shops or used as accommodations.
You can even stay overnight in some of them.
A walk through Alberobello is highly recommended.
The best way to get there is by car. In our driving tips for Italy guide, and how to rent a car in Italy, we share everything you need to know.
We parked on the outskirts of the settlement and walked through the small alleys on foot.
In some of the houses, you can get onto the roof of the Trulli.
From here, you have the best view of the sea of houses and the protective symbols on the roofs.
Matera: The City of Cave Dwellings
Matera is known for the Sassi.
These are cave dwellings built into the rocky terrain.
Matera is also located next to a gorge and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
The city is fantastically situated and there are cave churches, narrow, winding alleys, and prehistoric architecture to discover here.
Matera was also the European Capital of Culture and attracts visitors from all over the world with its unique landscape and fascinating history.
The Sassi di Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These are cave dwellings and cave churches that were built into the slopes on the edge of the gorge.
Today, some of the caves in Matera have been converted into hotels and restaurants.
Taormina: The Gateway to Mount Etna in Sicily
Taormina is located on the east coast of the island of Sicily.
From the amphitheater in the small town of Taormina, you have one of the best views of Mount Etna.
From the ancient theater, you also have a fantastic view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Taormina is also a popular place for artists and writers.
The narrow streets with boutiques and very good restaurants are particularly beautiful here.
Positano: Most Beautiful Coastal Town on the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is world-famous for its dreamy coastal landscape and one of the many reasons why to visit Italy.
Positano is the most beautiful of the coastal towns for us and the highlight of the Amalfi Coast sights.
Positano is known for its colorful houses, which are built on steep slopes.
You can lie on the pebble beach and enjoy the sea, or visit the narrow streets with shops.
Here you can buy ceramics, drink Limoncello, or enjoy a coffee on the promenade.
From Positano, you can also take a ferry to Capri, drive along the Amalfi Coast, or hike along the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei).
Naples: Coastal City and Birthplace of the Pizza Napolitana
Naples is a coastal city on the Bay of Naples.
Napoli is the largest city in Southern Italy and is renowned for the Neapolitan pizza and its proximity to the Vesuvius volcano.
From here, you can easily visit Pompeii and Herculaneum, one of the best things to see in Italy.
One of our favorite things to do is hiking up Mount Vesuvius to see the crater up close.
Additionally, the Amalfi Coast is reachable from here in just 1 ½ hours.
In Naples, you can visit stunning landmarks such as the Naples Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the underground tunnels.
But also, the Piazza del Plebiscito, the medieval fortress Sant’Elmo, and the seaside Castel dell’Ovo are must-visit attractions.
The Galleria Umberto is a premier destination for shopping enthusiasts, reminiscent of Milan‘s famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Sorrento: Gateway to the Amalfi Coast
Close to Naples is the coastal city of Sorrento.
You can stroll through the old town or to the Piazza Tasso, the largest square in Sorrento in the Campania region.
For one of the best views of the sea, the volcano Vesuvius, and the Bay of Sorrento, you can go to Villa Comunale Park.
Don’t miss the Vallone dei Mulini, a 200-year-old abandoned mill in a gorge near the main square.
If you want to swim in a special place, you should add the Il Bagno della Regina Giovanna to your bucket list.
It is a natural pool below Roman ruins.
From Sorrento, it’s only a short drive or train ride to the famous Amalfi Coast or the island of Capri with the Blue Grotto.
Cagliari: Island Capital
Cagliari is the capital city of Sardinia.
This coastal city is located in the southern part of the popular vacation island.
Like many Italian cities, it boasts a beautiful old town and plenty of sights to see.
These include the medieval citadel, the Basilica of San Saturnio, and the Archaeological Museum.
From here, you can also head to some of the most beautiful and best beaches in the Mediterranean Sea.
The turquoise waters around Sardinia are world-renowned.
If you want to leisurely enjoy the beautiful landscape, you can, as we did, take a train inland.
Conclusion about the most beautiful cities in South Italy
Southern Italy has a lot to offer. Whether you’re exploring this part of Italy on a road trip or by train, you’ll find a variety of cities, each offering different attractions and highlights.
Have you ever visited Southern Italy? Share your experiences or plan your trip with our travel tips for Italy.
