REGIONS OF ITALY
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 18 November 2023
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There are twenty official Regions of Italy, each with their own cultures, cuisine and local dialects. It was only in 1861 that Italy was united as one country so each region spent much of its history either as an independent state or part of an historical kingdom.
Perhaps more so than in my own country (England), there is a greater sense of identity with theItalian regions; the historical factors mentioned above contribute to that along with socio-economic considerations. There is a general feeling in Italy that people from the north are richer than those from the south and there are certain character stereotypes that get attributed to the two halves of the country, usually quite unfairly. |
Rapallo, Liguria
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There are also environmental reasons that contribute to the sense of belonging to a region rather than a country; the mountain slopes and glacial lakes of Trentino Alto-Adige for example are quite different to the sun-baked beaches and rolling hills of Sicily.
It is therefore important to think of Italy as those separate regions to get a better understanding of how the country is laid out and what you can find in each region. I've divided the twenty regions into four geographical categories: Northern Italy, Central Italy, Southern Italy and the Island Regions.
It is therefore important to think of Italy as those separate regions to get a better understanding of how the country is laid out and what you can find in each region. I've divided the twenty regions into four geographical categories: Northern Italy, Central Italy, Southern Italy and the Island Regions.
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Northern Italy
Lombardy in the north can boast all three of Italy's most famous lakes within its borders: Lake Como, Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore attract a huge amount of visitors all year round while a little further north the region has some great ski resorts to offer such as Livigno and Ponte di Legno. The capital of Lombardy is Milan while other great cities there include Bergamo, Cremona, Mantova, Brescia and Pavia.
To the west of Lombardy lies the region of Piedmont which also attracts those drawn to mountain pursuits. Piedmont's capital Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006 where resorts such as Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx came to the fore. For many though, the quintessential image of Piedmont is rolling hills of vineyards; towns such as Barolo and Barbaresco in the Langhe region are two of the most popular.
As you head south from the plains of Piedmont you descend to the coastal region of Liguria. Here the landscape changes completely with dozens of beautiful seaside towns interspersed with villages perched in dramatic cliffside positions. The five villages of the Cinque Terre combine with the glamorous towns of Portofino, Sanremo and Portovenere. Everywhere, Liguria's colourful architecture is quite unique.
The region of Emilia Romagna bridges the huge expanse of country from Liguria in the west to the Adriatic Sea in the east. Its capital city Bologna is known as a gastronomic paradise while the cities of Parma and Modena are famous for their production of cheese, ham and balsamic vinegar. Some of Emilia Romagna's most magnificent sights can be found in the form of Byzantine mosaics in the city of Ravenna.
Head north of Emilia Romagna up the coast and you reach the region of Veneto. Reigning supreme here is the capital city of Venice but the cities of Verona, Padova and Vicenza are each worthy of a great deal of attention. The eastern shore of Lake Garda is one of Veneto's greatest attractions but there's some dramatic scenery to be found further north in the Dolomites and the ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Friuli Venezia Giulia lies to the east of Veneto and offers a mixture of history, seaside resorts and mountains. The capital of the region is Trieste which almost touches the border with Slovenia but has an historic culture based upon its rule under the Austrian Empire. North of Trieste there are the intriguing towns of Cividale del Friuli and Udine while one of the highlights here are the magnificent Lakes of Fusine.
One of the best regions to enjoy all year round is the beautiful Trentino Alto-Adige. During the winter its Alpine ski resorts such as Madonna di Campiglio and Canazei are some of the best in the country, but if you come back at the height of summer you'll still find them thriving with hikers on activity holidays. The region also has dozens of amazing lakes and historic cities including Bolzano and Trento.
The smallest region in the north of Valle d'Aosta which is another favourite with skiers and snowboarders. Its main resorts are Breuil-Cervinia and Courmayeur which is just a short distance from the region capital of Aosta with its Roman ruins. During the summer, the region's valley areas come to life with flowers adorning window boxes in the Lys Valley with mountain lakes warm enough to swim in.
To the west of Lombardy lies the region of Piedmont which also attracts those drawn to mountain pursuits. Piedmont's capital Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006 where resorts such as Sestriere and Sauze d'Oulx came to the fore. For many though, the quintessential image of Piedmont is rolling hills of vineyards; towns such as Barolo and Barbaresco in the Langhe region are two of the most popular.
As you head south from the plains of Piedmont you descend to the coastal region of Liguria. Here the landscape changes completely with dozens of beautiful seaside towns interspersed with villages perched in dramatic cliffside positions. The five villages of the Cinque Terre combine with the glamorous towns of Portofino, Sanremo and Portovenere. Everywhere, Liguria's colourful architecture is quite unique.
The region of Emilia Romagna bridges the huge expanse of country from Liguria in the west to the Adriatic Sea in the east. Its capital city Bologna is known as a gastronomic paradise while the cities of Parma and Modena are famous for their production of cheese, ham and balsamic vinegar. Some of Emilia Romagna's most magnificent sights can be found in the form of Byzantine mosaics in the city of Ravenna.
Head north of Emilia Romagna up the coast and you reach the region of Veneto. Reigning supreme here is the capital city of Venice but the cities of Verona, Padova and Vicenza are each worthy of a great deal of attention. The eastern shore of Lake Garda is one of Veneto's greatest attractions but there's some dramatic scenery to be found further north in the Dolomites and the ski resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Friuli Venezia Giulia lies to the east of Veneto and offers a mixture of history, seaside resorts and mountains. The capital of the region is Trieste which almost touches the border with Slovenia but has an historic culture based upon its rule under the Austrian Empire. North of Trieste there are the intriguing towns of Cividale del Friuli and Udine while one of the highlights here are the magnificent Lakes of Fusine.
One of the best regions to enjoy all year round is the beautiful Trentino Alto-Adige. During the winter its Alpine ski resorts such as Madonna di Campiglio and Canazei are some of the best in the country, but if you come back at the height of summer you'll still find them thriving with hikers on activity holidays. The region also has dozens of amazing lakes and historic cities including Bolzano and Trento.
The smallest region in the north of Valle d'Aosta which is another favourite with skiers and snowboarders. Its main resorts are Breuil-Cervinia and Courmayeur which is just a short distance from the region capital of Aosta with its Roman ruins. During the summer, the region's valley areas come to life with flowers adorning window boxes in the Lys Valley with mountain lakes warm enough to swim in.
Lombardy
Mandello del Lario, Lake Como, Lombardy
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Emilia Romagna
Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Emilia Romagna
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Liguria
Sestri Levante, Liguria
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Friuli Venezia Giulia
Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia
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Trentino Alto-Adige
Lake Tenno, Trentino Alto-Adige
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Valle d'Aosta
Lilianes, Valle d'Aosta
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CENTRAL ITALY
Central Italy consists of six regions: Tuscany, Lazio, Marche, Abruzzo, Umbria and Molise. The most famous of those regions is Tuscany where there are multiple types of holiday you can consider. You can for example stick to the cities of which Florence, Siena, Lucca and Pisa are obligatory stops, or you could instead take a more sedate ramble through the valley regions such as the Val d'Orcia or Chianti with its wonderful vineyards. Tuscany also offers island escapes with pristine beaches on Elba and the smaller islands of Giglio and Capraia.
Lazio is the region of Rome, the capital of Italy and this already marks it out as one of the most popular destinations in the country. This is a region of contrasts where historic hilltop villages such as Cività di Bagnoregio mingle with the region's two largest lakes: Lake Bracciano and Lake Bolsena. There's also a long coastline to enjoy here as well as the Pontine Islands of Ponza and Ventotene.
On the opposite side of the country to Lazio is the region of Marche (or Le Marche to some), on the Adriatic Coast. Marche offers some of Italy's most stunning countryside scenery in its interior while the Conero Peninsula is famous for its beautiful beaches and resorts such as Sirolo and Portonovo. The capital of the region is the port city of Ancona, while the cities of Urbino and Ascoli-Piceno are rich in history.
Abruzzo lies beneath Marche on the Adriatic Coast. This is a region where you can really enjoy the wide open spaces of national parks such as the Gran Sasso and Majella or ski during the winter at Campo Imperatore. Historic towns such as Vasto and Ortona pepper the coastline while the undulating hills of the interior offer up fascinating villages such as Rocca Calascio, Roccascalegna and Pizzoferrato.
With famous hill towns such as Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Todi and Spoleto within its environs, there's no shortage of sights within landlocked Umbria. Just a short distance from the regional capital of Perugia lies the magnificent Lake Trasimeno with its islands: Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese. One of the most dramatic sights in Umbria though is the village of Castellucccio surrounded by multi-coloured plains.
The region of Molise used to be the lower half of Abruzzo but is one the smallest regions in the country since its separation. The two most important towns are Campobasso (the regional capital) and Isernia but there are dozens of hilltop villages secreted around the region's wind system of roads. Over on the small coastline is the seaside town of Termoli from where you can take a ferry to the Tremiti Islands.
Lazio is the region of Rome, the capital of Italy and this already marks it out as one of the most popular destinations in the country. This is a region of contrasts where historic hilltop villages such as Cività di Bagnoregio mingle with the region's two largest lakes: Lake Bracciano and Lake Bolsena. There's also a long coastline to enjoy here as well as the Pontine Islands of Ponza and Ventotene.
On the opposite side of the country to Lazio is the region of Marche (or Le Marche to some), on the Adriatic Coast. Marche offers some of Italy's most stunning countryside scenery in its interior while the Conero Peninsula is famous for its beautiful beaches and resorts such as Sirolo and Portonovo. The capital of the region is the port city of Ancona, while the cities of Urbino and Ascoli-Piceno are rich in history.
Abruzzo lies beneath Marche on the Adriatic Coast. This is a region where you can really enjoy the wide open spaces of national parks such as the Gran Sasso and Majella or ski during the winter at Campo Imperatore. Historic towns such as Vasto and Ortona pepper the coastline while the undulating hills of the interior offer up fascinating villages such as Rocca Calascio, Roccascalegna and Pizzoferrato.
With famous hill towns such as Assisi, Orvieto, Gubbio, Todi and Spoleto within its environs, there's no shortage of sights within landlocked Umbria. Just a short distance from the regional capital of Perugia lies the magnificent Lake Trasimeno with its islands: Isola Maggiore and Isola Polvese. One of the most dramatic sights in Umbria though is the village of Castellucccio surrounded by multi-coloured plains.
The region of Molise used to be the lower half of Abruzzo but is one the smallest regions in the country since its separation. The two most important towns are Campobasso (the regional capital) and Isernia but there are dozens of hilltop villages secreted around the region's wind system of roads. Over on the small coastline is the seaside town of Termoli from where you can take a ferry to the Tremiti Islands.
Southern Italy
Down into the hot south we find the four regions of Puglia, Campania, Calabria and Basilicata. Puglia is one of Italy's most popular holiday destinations with its wonderful Salento region offering a dramatic rocky coastline dotted with beautiful beaches and cobalt seas. Puglia is also the region of the unmistakeable Trulli Houses of Alberobello and the Baroque city of Lecce while further north, the Gargano Peninsula has its own enviable collection of beaches and seaside towns such as Vieste. The resort of Polignano a Mare is also not to be missed.
The capital city of Campania is Naples which is the most important city in the south of Italy. Just across the water from Naples are the beautiful islands of Ischia, Capri and Procida while the Amalfi Coast is famous throughout the world. Archaeological sites abound in Campania as well with big-hitters such as Pompeii, Herculaneaum, Villa Oplontis and Paestum just a small selection of its most famous.
Calabria is one of the biggest geographical regions in Italy and has one of its longest coastlines. Unsurprisingly, it's the sea that comes to the fore here with lovely seaside towns including Tropea, Scilla and Pizzo. The biggest city is Reggio Calabria with its Riace Bronze statues while inland there are three national parks including Sila with its lakes and forests, providing perhaps a surprising landscape for the south.
Occupying the area between Calabria to its south and Puglia to its east is Basilicata. This is one of Italy's least well-known regions and therefore fascinating to explore. Its main sight is the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Matera but dig deeper and you'll find dramatic landscapes of rolling hills interspersed with historic towns and villages including the eerie "Ghost Town" of Craco.
The capital city of Campania is Naples which is the most important city in the south of Italy. Just across the water from Naples are the beautiful islands of Ischia, Capri and Procida while the Amalfi Coast is famous throughout the world. Archaeological sites abound in Campania as well with big-hitters such as Pompeii, Herculaneaum, Villa Oplontis and Paestum just a small selection of its most famous.
Calabria is one of the biggest geographical regions in Italy and has one of its longest coastlines. Unsurprisingly, it's the sea that comes to the fore here with lovely seaside towns including Tropea, Scilla and Pizzo. The biggest city is Reggio Calabria with its Riace Bronze statues while inland there are three national parks including Sila with its lakes and forests, providing perhaps a surprising landscape for the south.
Occupying the area between Calabria to its south and Puglia to its east is Basilicata. This is one of Italy's least well-known regions and therefore fascinating to explore. Its main sight is the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Matera but dig deeper and you'll find dramatic landscapes of rolling hills interspersed with historic towns and villages including the eerie "Ghost Town" of Craco.
Calabria
Chianalea, Calabria
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Basilicata
Muro Lucano, Basilicata
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ISLAND REGIONS
Sicily is one of the biggest regions in Italy; itself an island, it also has a number of smaller islands within it such as the seven volcanic Aeolian Islands and the three Aegadian Islands just off the coast of Trapani. Another island group, the Pelagie Islands is home to one of Europe's best beaches: Spiaggia dei Conigli on Lampedusa. In Sicily's vibrant capital city Palermo you'll find the incredible Palatine Chapel.
The second island region of Sardinia also has a series of islands of its own: the quirky Asinara where donkeys roam freely and tiny Tavolara that boasts its own royal family are just two. Sardinia's greatest attraction is its collection of beaches with the likes of La Pelosa and Rena Bianca among the best. The island dates back to pre-historic times and one of its most evocative sights is Su Nuraxi di Barumini.
The second island region of Sardinia also has a series of islands of its own: the quirky Asinara where donkeys roam freely and tiny Tavolara that boasts its own royal family are just two. Sardinia's greatest attraction is its collection of beaches with the likes of La Pelosa and Rena Bianca among the best. The island dates back to pre-historic times and one of its most evocative sights is Su Nuraxi di Barumini.
