7 beautiful Italian villages not to be missed

Dozza (Bologna)

Not too far from Bologna you will find Dozza, a small town made unique by the paintings that adorn the facades of the houses. This medieval village is like an open-air art museum, with colourful paintings adorning the houses, the walls, the streets and the squares. It is always a good time to visit it, but the third week of September is particularly good, since that is when the Biennale del Muro Dipinto takes place, attracting artists from every part of the world. The town is also known for its summer wine festival and its ancient fortress, which served as a private home until 1960. Dozza owes its name to doccia, a conduit that carries water. The reference is also to an ancient aqueduct capable of collecting water from Monte del Re in a cistern to cope with drought.

Castelmola (Taormina)

Castelmola is a small town in Sicily. Although it overlooks Taormina, a popular tourist destination, it receives few visitors from outside the region. The good thing is that Castelmola is relatively unspoilt. Anyone who undertakes a short trekking route can enjoy landscapes and views that are more spectacular than those of Taormina. The climb is steep, but once you arrive you can reward yourself with the excellent locally produced almond wine.

San Leo (Rimini)

If you have read Dante's Divine Comedy, San Leo in the Marche region might be familiar to you. This is because the famous poet wrote the Purgatorio about this small mountain town, in particular about the fortress, part of which was built by the Romans. The town is famous for this castle that stands on a steep cliff above it. Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, you won't want to miss the 7th-century parish church in Piazza Dante and the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral of San Leo.

Bosa (Oristano)

Bosa, in Sardinia, is one of the most colourful towns you will find in Italy. This is because the houses are painted in a rainbow of pastel colours. The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians and later sacked by Arab pirates. Bosa's charm is enhanced by the fishing boats, even though the tanneries were once its main economic base. Strolling around the town is a pleasant way to spend the hours, walking up to the town's impressive ruined castle for a breathtaking panoramic view.

Alberobello (Bari)

Alberobello in southern Italy is perhaps younger than most of the small villages in Italy, many of which date back to Roman times. This town, founded by 40 families in the 16th century, has more than 10,000 inhabitants. It is a picturesque town famous for its distinctive dwellings, the trulli, buildings with conical roofs often painted white. The houses are unique because they were built dry with stone, without the use of mortar – a trick to avoid paying taxes, as they were precarious constructions that were easy to demolish.

Castelmezzano (Potenza)

Castelmezzano, in southern Italy, is another fascinating place that is designated one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Being surrounded by mountains with good hiding places, it became a refuge for bandits in the 19th century. It has a population of about 1,000 people all year round, a number that increases greatly during the summer, when visitors come here to zip through the mountains on the so-called “Flight of the Angel”, a cable crossing the Lucanian Dolomites at a height of 400 metres that offers a suggestive panorama. At night, when everything is lit up, the town has been described as a nativity scene.

Malcesine (Verona)

It is hard to believe that Malcesine, on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, has never been anything more than a picture-postcard spot. In fact, its past has been far from peaceful. It was fought over by everyone, from the Romans to the Ostrogoths and from the Franks to Napoleon. Perhaps that is why its most important landmark is the Scaliger Castle, a 13th-century fortress that replaced one built in the 5th century. It is marked by a medieval tower in white stone; an Etruscan tomb was found within its walls.

Bagnoregio Bagnorea (Viterbo)

Founded by the Etruscans 2,500 years ago, Civita di Bagnoregio sits on a pinnacle battered by wind and erosion. Nevertheless, it offers some rather surprising views from above. The medieval village has become famous for its geological feature as a citadel atop a tufaceous spur. It is accessible only on foot, and thanks to its fame as a film set, it is one of the main tourist attractions of Bagnoregio. It consists of a centre perched on the top of the hill, with houses, walls, a ducal palace and the parish church. It is nicknamed the “Dying Town”. This fascinating town exudes a medieval atmosphere, from the cobbled streets to the old ivy-covered arches. The town hosts donkey races in the main square in July and September.