Northern Italy always gets the attention of the tourists a lot more than the Southern region with the most adventurous tourists usually stopping their ventures at Rome. While it is true that Northern Italy offers greater tourist attractions, it is also a fact that if you want to have a taste of something different and unique, Southern Italy tourist places remains a better option.
The best thing about Southern Italy is that it is rather serene and calm as compared to the Northern region of the country which is always cluttered with tourists. While Southern Italy makes up for around half of the total land of the country, the population in the region is lesser. With the Southern region housing some of the most attractive beaches, you will be able to vacation with a smaller crowd at wonderful beaches if you plan to head South rather than North when you visit Italy.
Southern Italy Tourist Places
Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Southern Italy with the scenic beauty of the place simply irresistible. The towering cliffs, the beautiful villages and the captivating architecture make for great viewing. Amalfi and Positano are two resort towns that should also be visited to enjoy the best of Amalfi Coast’s picturesque beauty. A number of tourist attractions lie close to the Amalfi Coast with Capri Island and Pompeii (a wonderful archeological site) only a small distance away.
Matera
Matera is one of the best Southern Italy tourist places with the wonderful and iconic Sassi district being one of the reasons for its popularity. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the district of Sassi is home to astonishingly beautiful dwellings as well as churches that have been standing for hundreds of years. Another reason for the popularity of Matera is the rather modern town that lies close to the district of Sassi which provides a great contrast of how much the world has developed from the olden times. The beauty of Matera can be best captured through Piazza Sedile and Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Naples
Naples is the biggest city in Southern Italy and is home to a number of museums as well as palaces and castles. The city is also very popular for its love for food with the city also known as the place where pizza was born. The two most famous museums that are a must visit during your stay at Naples are Historic Centre of Naples and National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The Royal Palace and Palazzo Reale are the two regal palaces in Naples and both of them a sight to behold. And if palaces don’t quench your love for kingly architectures, then you can check out Castel dell’Ovo and Castel Nuovo as well.
Alberobello and the Salento Peninsula of Puglia, the Heel of the Boot
The Salento Peninsula of Puglia which is present in and around the region of Alberobello is one of the most astonishing Southern Italy tourist places. The unique wonder is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entire town is full of beautiful dwellings and can leave anyone spellbound and dumbfounded. Apart from the outstanding scenes, the Southern region of the Salento Peninsula also offers a number of beautiful seaside towns like the towns of Otranto and Gallipoli along with scenic beaches.
Greek Temples and Baroque Towns of Southeastern Sicily
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is one of the best Southern Italy tourist places to enjoy and explore. With so many towns, beaches and historical sites present here, it’s best to choose a specific part of the island to explore during your holidays. The Southeastern region of Sicily remains the most preferred option for tourists as it houses the Temples Archeological Park. The park is home to a number of Greek temples that were built during the 4th and 5th centuries. Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a Baroque town and is another wonderful place to explore.
Valle D'Itria
Valle D’Itria is a beautiful tourist attract in the South of Italy with the place laden with scenic landscapes and small dwellings that are astonishingly beautiful. Martina Franca is one of the Baroque villages present in Valle D’Itria and it is laden with elegant and lavish mansions that would leave you lost for words. Alberobello is another wonderful site which is listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and the place is home to excellent structures that have been preserved from prehistoric times.
Porto Selvaggio
Porto Selvaggio is one of the most attractive beaches in Southern Italy with the place offering a heavenly scene during sunset. Present in the Salento Peninsula, the beach is not just great for sunbathing and for enjoying the serene environment but is also a great attraction for history enthusiasts. There are a number of coastal towns present in and around the beach and these towns hold a number of pearls of history within their walls. Every town has a tale of its own to tell and you can learn them all if you decide to visit Porto Selvaggio.
Paestum
Paestum is situated in Salerno in southern Italy and is home to probably the most well-kept and well-maintained Greek temples. This is one of the reasons why Paestum has been included in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The most captivating place in Paestum is the path of a city of olden times which is believed to have been created in 600 BC. There are three iconic Greek temples that are also in very good shape and offer great historic lessons on the architectural practices of olden times.
Pozzuoli
Pozzuoli is also one of the greatest Southern Italy tourist places with the place’s location being its best attraction. Pozzuoli is actually located at the centre Campi Flegrei (Phlegaean Fields). And the best part of this location is that it is a volcano area. The place is pretty safe with the volcano present underground though the place is famous for the sight of steam rising from the ground. Apart from the location’s attractiveness, Pozzuoli remains a great tourist attraction because of Flavian Amphitheater which is Italy’s third biggest amphitheater.
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