Majestic palaces to picture-perfect villages: 8 underexplored UNESCO sites in Italy

Val di Noto in Sicily
Val di Noto in Sicily
Did you know that Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, ranking ahead of China?

There are 58 in total in the country, so why not go beyond the Colosseum and Pompeii and explore one of these other amazing underexplored Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Matera, Basilicata

Dating back to the Paleolithic age, the Sassi di Matera are stacked stone dwellings that appear to almost tumble down the ravine in the city of Matera.

Frescoes of Padua, Veneto

See the glorious 14th century frescoes in the historic walled city of Padua, chosen for the way they illustrate the progression of fresco art.

Montecatini Terme, Tuscany

Montecatini Terme has joined the UNESCO listing for the Great Spa Towns of Europe as a prime example of early continental spa culture.

Val di Noto, Sicily

Comprising eight towns acclaimed for their Baroque-style architecture, Val di Noto is an unforgettable destination on the idyllic island of Sicily.

Porticoes of Bologna, Emilia Romagna

Covering 62 kilometres in total, the porticoes have been a feature of the town since the 12th century.

Vicenza, Veneto

Located between Venice and Verona you’ll find Vicenza, home to Palladian architecture, stunning palaces, majestic villas and ancient Roman history.

Urbino, Marche

Urbino boasts a grand cultural history. If you love Renaissance art and architecture, be sure to add Urbino to your Italian bucket list for one of the most remarkable UNESCO sites in Italy.

Reggia di Caserta, Campania

The 1200-room Reggia di Caserta was inspired by the Palace of Versailles and is one of the largest and most extravagant palaces in the world.

Want to discover more in Italy? 11 lesser-known Italian regions that should be high up on your bucket list.

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