From Valle d’Aosta to Sicily, we’ve selected four of the Italy’s most beautiful villages.
Founded in 2001, I Borghi più belli d’Italia is an association of small towns and villages in Italy. It was inspired by Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. The aim of the association is to recognise and preserve the natural and historic beauty of small towns and villages in the country. For us, the I Borghi più belli d’Italia can be used as a guide to find the very best of the best when it comes to rural Italy. It may be that would like to own a property in a beautiful Italian village. Alternatively, you might prefer to live in a town, but these villages can be the perfect day-out of walking, sight-seeing, snacking, and gift-buying. Here are our picks of villages highlighted by I Borghi più belli d’Italia.
Etroubles, Valle d’Aosta
Art dots the village!
Étroubles is like a small jewel within the Italian Alps, it is situated at an altitude of almost 300 metres, in the Great St Bernard Valley, 20km from Aosta.
Aside from its location, what makes Étroubles so exceptional is that it is an open-air museum. Illustrations, sculptures, and contemporary paintings dot the village’s streets, giving it a charming character. The village is home to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which impressively dates all the way back to the 12thcentury. Étroubles really celebrates Italy of times gone by, with the first dairy of the region (made in the mid 19th century) now turned into a museum.
As it is set in the mountains, Étroubles is the perfect place to pass by if you’re fanatic about walking or skiing.
Buonconvento, Tuscany
Buonconvento.
The name “Buonconvento” derives from the Latin “bonus conventus” meaning good fortune. My English translation of the I Borghi più belli d’Italia’s website was “Good Luck” – what a name, we must stop by!
Buonconvento is located about 30 kilometres from Siena. The city is still enclosed by a wall that was built in 1379, originally, the wall had just two entrances for you to make your way in. Much of the wall was destroyed by the Nazis, viewing it, you’ll get an insight into Medieval and 20th century history.
Buonconvento is home to two museums. Mezzadria Sense focus on countryside life. And the Val d’Arbia Museum of Sacred Art, which collects Sienese art ranging from the 13 th – 17th centuries.
Vico del Gargano, Puglia
Vico del Gargano.
With the nickname “the village of love”, we just had to have a nosy of this one. Located in the southeast of Italy, the Vico del Gargano is sandwiched in between the hills of the Gargano National Park and the coast – making it the perfect stopping-point for walkers and beach babes alike. The town has a real feel for an old, unspoiled Italy with its cobbled streets and landmarks, including the Chisea Matrich church and the Palazzo della Bella.
Erice, Sicily
Erice – in the clouds!
From afar, Erice is visually striking. On the west of Sicily, it is positioned 750m above sea level. If you are someone who often has their head in the clouds, Erice is the place to be, for it often disappears into its own cloud!
From Erice itself, there are magnificent views of the sea and the valleys. For the best views, go to Torre di Federico, once a lookout during the Sicilian Vespers uprising.
Erice has had a long history of being passed from ruler to ruler, as is evident in its architecture. Castello di Venere, the Temple of Venus, started off life in the hands of the Normans in the 12th century. It has gone on to be a worship place for the Elymians, the Phoenicians, the Greeks, and the Romans.
These are just four of the villages featured by I Borghi più belli d’Italia, so it is safe to say this is not an exhaustive list, but it just goes to show how fascinating and beautiful rural Italy is.
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