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A road trip to Italy must be one of the best ways to explore this fantastic and diverse country. It is a chance to sample delicious foods from the various regions and to see how they all compare.

If, like us, you enjoy going off the beaten track to discover other must-see places, some you may have never heard of until now, then hire yourself a car.

Yes, driving in Italy can be a challenge. Check out our tips below to enjoy the experience.

If you have an adventurous spirit, then this is how we found these travel destinations in southern Italy and Sicily.

 

Taking the Ferry from Albania to Bari

We arrived in Southern Italy on the overnight ferry from Albania after a three-week road trip to the Balkans.

Our road trip started in Trieste, driving down the Croatian coast and passing through Montenegro and Albania.

Our €108 ferry ticket from Albania to Bari included sleeping quarters of bunk beds with an ensuite. While the bunk beds were half a meter too narrow to cuddle up as a couple, the room was spacious.

Although we left two hours late, we arrived at Bari, Italy, on time.

After breakfast of espresso and brioche at the forward-deck café, we were ready for the road trip through southern Italy and Sicily.

 

 

How to Travel Southern Italy and Sicily

Italy has 20 regions, all offering a different aspect of this fantastic country.

Our road trip destination was Sicily, which is often referred to as their own country by Sicilians. But we would also include in the road trip five of the six regions of southern Italy:

• Abruzzo
• Basilicata
• Calabria
• Campania
• Apulia (Puglia)
• Molise (not this road trip)

Or we could say:

• the outside heel of Puglia
• the in-step of Basilicata
• the toe of Calabria

Travelling by car is one of the easiest ways to explore southern Italy.

Most of the autostrada in southern Italy is without tolls – yay, a bonus for the wallet.

And as the autostrada is often elevated, you are rewarded with stunning views along the coastline.

If a car isn’t an option, then the trains in Italy are efficient and reasonably priced.

 

Views from Polignano A Mare (Puglia)

The old town of Polignano sits at the top of 20-meter-high limestone cliffs with incredible panoramic views out to sea.

Swimmers enjoy the beautiful, crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea and its numerous sea caves.

To get a perspective on how high the town is, Polignano hosts the Cliff Diving World Series. Now, this would be one heck of an adrenaline rush.

As you enter the old town gate Porta Vecchia, the cobblestoned narrow streets of Polignano make exploring much more interesting.

You will find quotes written on house doors and walls and displays of local artwork. The old town has a warm feel.

One of the best things to do in Polignano is to buy ice cream at Mario Campanella. Serving ice cream since 1935, they also serve coffee made with ice cream, whipped cream, and amaretto, which we couldn’t resist.

The service is good, and the prices are reasonable too.

Look inside Unusual Houses of Alberobello (Puglia)

Alberobello in Italian means beautiful tree; when you visit this small town, it is undoubtedly beautiful but unique.

For some locals, their home is a trulli, a building made of limestone with dry stone walls and a conical roof. It is certainly one way to clear the land of rocks.

The Trulli dates back to the 14th century when a feudal lord had his workers live in a Trulli to avoid paying taxes. The Trulli could be easily dismantled and moved to allow the Lord to avoid taxes for a settlement of people. It was very clever.

Today, Alberobello is designated a UNESCO site.

It was such fun to explore in and around the Trulli’s. Stepping inside to look at some shops and the small merchandise space. There is even a local “Trulli” church, Chiesa di Sant’Antonio.

If food is your passion, you must try a local delicacy: Pasticciotto Leccese, a small custard pie.

See inside caves at Matera (Basilicata)

If you have ever wanted to visit a cave-dwelling, Matera was just that until 1952. The locals carved out homes in the rocks of the hills and ravines many centuries ago.

Matera is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world and dates back 7,000 years.

We arrived by car, which allowed us to explore some of the caves outside of the town.

We ventured over the rocky terrain to peek at some caves, being careful not to step on a snake or fall into a hole.

Now, the better option is to visit the cave area known as the Sassi.

You can visit renovated caves offering accommodation, restaurants, and shops here. It’s certainly a change from the 1950s squalor living conditions from the photos we found online. Back then, the dwellings housed the locals and their livestock, too.

Matera is composed of two Sassi – Sassi Barisano and Sassi Cavesoco. Both areas give you an idea of the living conditions and how the caves have been transformed into modern-day living.

It is worthwhile visiting Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario to get a perspective on the layout of a cave dwelling. If you have time, a visit to Casa Noha offers a multimedia perspective of cave living put together by two local families.

Matera became a UNESCO site in 1993 and is worth visiting or staying on your road trip to southern Italy.

Walk the Fishing Village of Scilla (Calabria)

Scilla is one of those seaside towns you tend to fall in love with, even though it is the site of the sea monster Scylla from Greek Mythology. Luckily, we didn’t see anything unusual when we arrived.

The town of Scilla covers the hillside with houses, local shops and a large piazza overlooking the sea. You can wind down the hill past the Ruffo Castle (old fortress) to the beach.

The beach is an old fishing village now with hotels, restaurants, and bars. We found it quieter in the offseason of September, with the seawater still warm. It’s probably why the town is so famous.

Scilla looks out to the Strait of Messina, having a strategic advantage in guarding the shipping routes. On a sunny day, you can view the Aeolian Islands, seven small islands from northern Sic’s coast.

Lunch at Reggio Calabria (Calabria)

If you have some spare time while you wait for the ferry to Sicily, you may want to explore the old town area of Reggio Calabria.

As it was a Saturday around 1 pm when we arrived, a mass of traffic was heading up the hill, apparently racing home for lunch.

Were we driving along a one-way street? Or was this the norm? Or something else?

It was something else.

When we reached the pedestrian area of shops near the waterfront, it was deserted. The stores were now closed for the weekend.

Well, we didn’t mind, as it gave us time to enjoy the wide pedestrian streets and explore a city rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake.

For more information, visit the National Museum.

Reggio Calabria is famous for its two-life-size Greek warrior statues sculptured in bronze. They were found in the sea 80 km away from the shore.

But for us, the walk along the waterside promenade, with its views across to Sicily, was the perfect place to spend some time.

Seeing the street lined with Palm and Magnolia trees was ideal for hiding from the summer sun.

Swim at Arcomagno (Grotta del Saraceno) (Campania)

Arcomagno (Great Arch Cave) has got to be seen and believed.

Considering all the places we have seen in Europe, Arcomagno is right up there with our favourites.

There are two arched caves and a secret cave you can only access by swimming. The Blue Cave, where the water glows fluorescent blue, is magical.

Related Post: ArcoMagno a little piece of Italian Paradise

Wander the streets of Sorrento (Campania)

When you visit the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is one of the many towns on the Sorrento Peninsula.  It’s also a great place to base yourself and see Positano, Amalfi, and Capri.

Sorrento is famous for claiming the liquor that Limoncello sells along with the narrow shopping and pedestrian-friendly streets.

You can walk from the old town down to the marinas to see the fisherman working on their vessels. You can also take ferries to the island of Capri or the city of Naples.

Try Piazza Torquato Tasso, lined with cafes and bars for lunch or dinner.

See the wonders of Capri (Campania)

Take the ferry from Sorrento to the beautiful island of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The Belvedere Cannone is a great place to view the Faraglioni rocks, the Sirens’ Rock, and the Gardens of Augustus. The stunning clear blue water of Capri lies a long way below.

You can walk 2km from the marina with a 200-meter rise or take the funicular from the marina for a more leisurely trip.

 

Take the Bus to Positano (Campania)

After a wild trip on the narrow road from Sorrento, which zigzags along the coast to beautiful Positano.

Seeing buses passing with only a coat of paint between them was terrific.

The various small towns on the Amalfi coast are so picturesque we can see why crowds flock to this stunning region.

 

Uncover the history of Pompeii (Campania)

Visiting Pompeii had long been on our bucket list; ticking it off was great.

Some places do not live up to expectations, but for us, Pompeii exceeded ours.

It covers a large area, and many buildings are well preserved to the extent that one can imagine what life was like before the eruption.

This photo of the forum with the equestrian statue, possibly of the emperor Tiberius, faces Mount Vesuvius, the volcano burying Pompeii in 79 AD.

 

Visit the National Parks of Southern Italy

A road trip to Italy allows you to explore some of the beautiful national parks scattered throughout the country. If you love hiking, adding a day trip to one of the National Parks would be a great option, considering the reviews we have read.

On this trip, we passed by:

• Parco Nazionale del Polino
• then Parco Nazionale della Sila
• and Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte

The National Parks are open to the public and have stunning scenery.

Discover the Beauty of Sicily over seven days.

Sicily is separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina. The largest island in the Mediterranean dates to Phoenician and Greek settlements.

With volcanoes offshore and Mount Etna inland, it makes for an exciting landscape.

There are so many beautiful coves and unique towns and cities in Sicily. Spending seven days there will give you an idea of where to return next time.

The seaside town of Cefalu

On the north coast of Sicily is Cefalu, known for its fortress ‘Rocca’ atop a huge rock hill.

But the large and imposing Cefalu Cathedral, built in 1131, holds your attention.

The cathedral is part of the Arab-Norman series of nine buildings in Sicily dating back to the Norman Kingdom of Sicily (1130-1194).

Around the cathedral are many cafes and restaurants where you can drink under an umbrella away from the warm sun.

The bustling city of Palermo

Mountains surround Palermo, a bustling city on the coast of Sicily.

The fresh markets are a delight to wander, where you can choose a variety of vegetables, fruit, and fish. Palermo has around 2,500 sunshine hours a year, so you can leave the coat at home.

Our favourite place was the fabulous Fontana Pretoria, built in the 1500s.

We also loved the Palermo Cathedral, the Teatro Massimo and the Cappella Palatina.

But driving in Palermo was one of the scariest places we have driven. Traffic chaos is everywhere, and parking is a nightmare.

But once you are in the old town, everything is forgotten as you dine in piazzas sipping a crisp wine.

 

Old Town Ortigia in Syracuse

Syracuse is a UNESCO world heritage site on the Ionian coast of Sicily.

Remnants of Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras are notable in the white sandstone buildings of Ortigia island.

And when the weather is warm in Syracuse, Ortigia Island has some great swimming spots.

At Forte Vigliena, you can take the steps to a swimming area and sunbathe on the rocks.

 

Take the Cable Car to Erice.

Erice Castle (aka Venus Castle) is a must-see attraction in Erice. It was built by the Normans in the 12th Century.

The medieval town is perched on a hill at an altitude of 751m with panoramic views.

To get to Erice, there is a 3-km cableway ride known as the Funivia from Trapani.

Walking through the Porta Trapani, you walk cobblestoned streets lined with artisan shops and restaurants.

You must visit Pasticceria Maria Grammatico for a fantastic selection of tasty sweets and baked goods.

Erice is ideal for a weekend break or a romantic stay.

 

Wrapping up Southern Italy and Sicily Road Trip

A road trip to Italy’s south coast also offers fabulous beaches and early-century history.

The summertime beaches are busy, making late September and early October an ideal time to visit. This way, you can still swim in warm waters, with plenty of open beaches.

Book a table for dinner at sunset. Take evening strolls along the cliffs. Wander in ancient ruins.

Hiring a car is the best option for seeing southern Italy and Sicily. You can stop at small fishing villages.

So, if you plan a trip to Italy, including some of these southern Italy destinations, you won’t be disappointed.