19 Hidden Gems in Italy and Beautiful Corners Worth Saving
Putting together your “hidden gems italy” wish list? Start with ivy-covered archways, colorful little shops and blue water beneath towering cliffs.
These pictures have plenty of ideas for your next trip, whether you love wandering through old streets or stopping for a mountain view.
Some of these spots are well-known rather than secret. Think of this as a mix of hidden corners and bigger sights, with little details worth looking for along the way.
Beautiful Italian corners to inspire your next trip
an ivy-covered archway
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous little passageway. I love the ivy climbing around the windows and spilling over the arch.
You can even see a green hillside through the opening.
If you’re looking for hidden gems in italy, little corners like this are lovely inspiration. Leave some room in your plans for a walk without a long checklist.
a doorway in the rock
How lovely is this entrance? The white door sits inside a rough, pitted rock face, with little plants growing above it.
That big rectangular planter full of yellow flowers is my favorite detail.
Save this one if you’re more drawn to small street scenes than sweeping skyline photos.
a shop full of color
I am obsessed with this colorful shopfront. The floral hanging pots cover the dark doors, while bright cups and stacked dishes fill the stand in the middle.
The arched ceiling inside is worth a look too. If you stop at a shop like this, ask before taking photos of the interior.
rows of pointed rooftops
The trulli of Alberobello are hardly a secret, but how pretty are these rooftops? The gray cones sit close together above white buildings, with a narrow lane running between them.
I especially love the little potted plants along the street. Look beyond the roofline and there’s plenty to notice at ground level.
an ochre church facade
This little church may just be one of my favorite street scenes here. I love the rust-colored vertical bands and the pale decorative frame around the upper window.
The dark umbrella and pink flowers add such pretty details to the rainy scene. You don’t need blue skies for every travel photo!
a church below the peaks
If you love mountain scenery, this one is for you. A pointed church tower rises above green fields, with jagged pale peaks filling the background.
The yellow trees are especially gorgeous against the darker forest. I’d keep both the village and the mountains in the frame rather than zooming in on just one.
towers above the rooftops
There is so much to love in this skyline, from the tall bell tower to the broad dome on the right. The peach and yellow buildings look beautiful in that golden light.
Save this view if you like seeing how a whole town fits together. The mountains behind the rooftops make it even prettier.
Orvieto’s detailed cathedral
Where do you even look first? Orvieto Cathedral has pointed arches, colorful mosaic panels and a round window surrounded by intricate decoration.
This isn’t a hidden little church, but the smaller details deserve your attention. I’d start with the patterns around the doorways before looking up at those tall spires.
turquoise water and a cliffside town
I am obsessed with the water in this view. The bright turquoise sits below pale cliffs, with buildings crowded along the edge on the left.
The huge dark opening in the rock is just as striking as the town. Keep both in your photo if you want to capture this same combination.
Camogli’s colorful waterfront
If you love a colorful seaside town, save Camogli. Tall yellow, orange and pink buildings follow the curve of the beach, with a church standing at the far end.
The rows of green umbrellas are such a cute detail. This photo shows a busy beach scene rather than a secluded little cove.
sea caves beneath the cliffs
Don’t want your whole wish list to be towns and churches? No problem!
This view swaps rooftops for tall cliffs, dark cave openings and gorgeous green-blue water.
The narrow split near the middle is especially striking. If you’re planning a coastal outing, check local access and sea conditions rather than assuming the caves are open to explore.
white buildings on the hillside
How pretty is this jumble of white buildings? Little dark windows, curved openings and roof terraces fill the hillside, with church towers rising above them.
I love the ochre facade in the foreground too. It’s a lovely change from all that white without taking your attention away from the town.
pale blue woodland pools
These cascading pools look almost unreal. Pale blue water spills over uneven ledges, with trees surrounding the bathers and mist rising near the top.
There are already plenty of people enjoying the water here, so don’t take the woodland setting as a promise of solitude. Check the site’s current bathing rules before planning a visit.
mosaics from arch to ceiling
This mosaic-filled interior may just be my favorite detail photo on the list. I love the green, blue and gold-colored patterns curling around the arch.
The small portraits in circular frames are beautiful too. Give yourself a moment to look upward instead of moving straight through a space like this.
boats on Lago di Braies
Lago di Braies is well-known, but this view makes it easy to see why. The mountains reflect in green-blue water, with brown rowing boats gathered beside the boathouse.
I especially love the boats in the foreground. They give you something to look at before your eye reaches those huge peaks.
a wine shop with a knight
Is that a suit of armor beside the wine shop? This entrance has so much going on, from shelves of bottles to boxes and handwritten signs.
The sign above names Cantina Ercolani. Save the name if you want to look it up, but check current visitor information before counting on any tasting or underground visit.
blue walls and bright pink
Who says neighboring houses have to match? This pale blue and bright pink pairing is so cute, especially with the dark shutters and little flower boxes.
I love the bench below the windows. If you photograph residential streets like this, keep doorways clear and give the people living there their privacy.
painted pots along the steps
The painted planters are my favorite part of this narrow staircase. Bright yellow fruit designs cover the blue pot in front, with more colorful pots continuing uphill.
You don’t need a grand square for a lovely photo. A few steps and little bursts of color give you plenty to work with, while leaving room for others to pass.
Bosa’s waterfront reflections
Last but definitely not least, we have this gorgeous waterfront in Bosa, Sardinia. I love the pink, yellow and red facades with their simple peaked rooflines.
The little boats and long colorful reflections make the scene even prettier. I’d leave plenty of water in the frame rather than cropping close to the buildings.
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