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Looking for hidden gems in Italy beyond the usual tourist route

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Anton_B
Joined:
25.04.2022
Posts: 2286
Topic Starter
01.01.2025 16:27
My partner and I are planning a two-week trip to Italy next spring, but we really want to avoid the massive crowds in places like Rome, Florence, and Venice. We are looking for suggestions for smaller, less-known towns that still offer authentic food and beautiful architecture. Does anyone have experience visiting the smaller villages in regions like Umbria or Puglia? We’d love to hear about places where we can actually hear the locals talking rather than just other tourists.
18 replies in this topic
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redoven
Joined:
11.07.2020
Posts: 1268
26.01.2025 21:16
You should definitely check out Matera in Basilicata. It's stunning and feels like stepping back in time, even if it's getting a bit more popular now.
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ekspert_forum
Joined:
21.02.2024
Posts: 981
14.02.2025 11:00
In reply to a previous post
I second the suggestion for Matera, but if you want something even quieter, head further south into the Cilento region.
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Oli_S
Joined:
12.11.2021
Posts: 2200
19.02.2025 06:57
Skip the main cities and go straight to Ascoli Piceno in Le Marche. It's an absolute gem with incredible food and almost zero foreign tourists.
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Toni_M
Joined:
25.02.2023
Posts: 1525
17.04.2025 09:03
In reply to a previous post
Is Le Marche expensive compared to Umbria? I've been eyeing that region for a while.
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Nadiya_D
Joined:
30.03.2021
Posts: 827
24.04.2025 05:46
In reply to a previous post
Not at all, it's actually much more affordable than Tuscany or Umbria. You get the same rolling hills without the price tag.
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nabludatel_x
Joined:
07.06.2021
Posts: 1837
06.05.2025 08:15
Try Spello in Umbria. It's close to Assisi but way more relaxed and the flower-lined streets are just beautiful.
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mati_123
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12.07.2022
Posts: 911
25.05.2025 02:54
In reply to a previous post
Spello is lovely, but make sure you have a car. Public transport in those smaller Umbrian villages can be a nightmare.
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Oli_S
Joined:
09.08.2024
Posts: 1427
30.05.2025 15:23
If you want Puglia, avoid the coast in August. Try staying in Locorotondo instead of Alberobello-it's much more authentic and less of a theme park.
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Goshko_Bolo
Joined:
18.01.2020
Posts: 1752
05.06.2025 17:55
In reply to a previous post
Totally agree about Locorotondo. It's the best place to just sit with a glass of wine and watch the world go by.
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iztrit_potrebitel
Joined:
30.12.2021
Posts: 1990
02.08.2025 10:21
Look into Orvieto. It’s on the train line from Rome, so it’s easy to reach, but the vibe in the evenings is strictly local.
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Goshko_Bolo
Joined:
03.03.2022
Posts: 900
03.08.2025 05:48
I honestly think Umbria is the best choice for spring. The countryside is so green and vibrant that time of year.
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Lori_N
Joined:
02.03.2020
Posts: 1390
22.08.2025 08:36
Don't overlook the town of Trevi. It's perched on a hill, overlooks the valley, and the olive oil there is world-class.
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grigor_b
Joined:
11.02.2022
Posts: 1948
15.09.2025 17:57
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good agriturismo in Puglia? We want something family-run.
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star_vulk
Joined:
07.07.2025
Posts: 1854
12.10.2025 09:36
In reply to a previous post
Check out some places near Ostuni, but stay outside the city walls. You'll find much better value in the olive groves.
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Kras_T
Joined:
18.04.2021
Posts: 1800
16.10.2025 14:52
I went to Civita di Bagnoregio years ago. It's the 'dying city' and it's quite unique, though it does get a few day-trippers.
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Oliviya_T
Joined:
09.06.2021
Posts: 606
28.10.2025 00:06
Honestly, just pick a random town in Abruzzo. It's the most underrated region in the whole country.
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Nadiya_D
Joined:
19.05.2022
Posts: 2295
12.11.2025 02:03
In reply to a previous post
I'll second Abruzzo! Santo Stefano di Sessanio is like a movie set. You'll feel like you have the place to yourself.
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Filip_G
Joined:
16.10.2022
Posts: 2324
31.12.2025 20:31
In reply to a previous post
Thanks for all these tips, guys. My planning list just got a whole lot longer!

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