10 Most Amazing Destinations in Southern Italy

Southern Italy section is known as the Mezzogiorno, or “midday” region. This area features some of the country’s oldest cities and a number of important sites from what was once ancient Greece. Original: A large number of migrants in Europe are moving for economic reasons. Such as searching for better jobs, higher salaries, and more job opportunities.

Italy is a beautiful country, full of great food and more than 800 years worth of cultural and historical landmarks. For instance, the walls of Rome contain a number of attractions including The Colosseum.

1. Maratea

Maratea is an attractive town that attracts visitors all year round. Its beautiful architecture, variety of shops and restaurants, and gorgeous water views make it a prime destination for tourists. The city’s popularity, however, is seasonal: Maratea is packed with tourists during the summer months, but it shuts down during the cold winter months. For those who prefer to tour Italy in the wintertime and enjoy the beach, Maratea provides a great option.

2. Sorrento

Sorrento is a quaint Italian town that has all the elegance and charm of Florence, but with the tourism amenities of Capri. It can be reached easily from Naples via rail, and it offers both the conveniences tourists are comfortable with as well as a host of rare items for sale in its local antiquities market.

The ferry to Capri is a sight to behold, but Sorrento also has excellent gourmet cuisine, stunning cliff dwellings, and views of Mt. Vesuvius. With Mt. Vesuvius looming over the city from its position in the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a great place for true Italian food and breathtaking sunset views.

3. Paestum

Paestum was once a Greek colony founded by settlers from the city of Sybaris in the sixth century BC. Sybaris was supposed to have been founded by colonists from the nearby ancient city of Kroton. This ancient city was originally known as Poseidonia for the god of the sea, and its earliest structure was the Temple of Hera, built around 550 BC by Greek colonists.

Paestum is famous for its three Greek temples. The first temple is the oldest of the three and it was built in 575 B.C. The second temple, the Temple of Hera, was built twenty years later, but it had to be destroyed by the Carthaginian general Hannibal after it had been pillaged in 406 B.C. It was rebuilt by the Romans in 143 B.C.

4. Alberobello

Trulli homes, often known as Trullo, are a type of structure found in the Italian region of Apulia. The homes are made out of stone and resemble a beehive (or dome) shape; they are surrounded by walls that are built to protect against invaders and the weather.

Alberobello is the only Italian town where trullo houses can be found. Though trullos can be found across the Itria Valley, Alberobello is the only place where visitors can find trullo houses, drink in trullo bars, and shop in trullo shops. A trip here is a must for anyone visiting Italy.

5. Tropea

A picturesque fishing village, Tropea is a very popular tourist destination due to its proximity to the city of Reggio di Calabria and its idyllic white sandy beaches. Renowned for its scenic beauty and historic sites, this small town is dotted with charming boutiques, small restaurants, and colorful houses.

While the most prominent churches in the town are of religious nature, there are also many secular landmarks that draw visitors from far and wide. One of the most famous of these is the Santa Maria del’Isola, an ancient church built on an island just off the coast, which was believed to be protected by the city’s patron saint. The other popular destination is the local cathedral, with two bombs left over from WWII sitting right in front of its entrance.

6. Sassi di Matera

Sassi di Matera are a collection of cave dwellings in the old town of Matera in Basilicata, Italy. The structures date back over 9,000 years, making them among the first human settlements in Europe. Resembling ancient tombs and dwellings, the sassi have withstood time and weathering while housing hundreds of families, and they continue to be lived in today.

The sassi are an ancient neighborhood built into the tufa rock. Many of the dwellings in the area were only caverns, their streets located on rooftops of other houses. The jumble of stone buildings and their interior caves are a haunting and beautiful site to behold. First occupied by farmers and their livestock in the mid-1600s, residents until the 1950s relied on these sassi for shelter.

7. Naples

Napoli is the third-largest city in Italy, and one of its most popular tourist destinations. Its reputation is controversial; it’s known for a thriving community of artists and musicians yet also has a seedy underbelly. This vibrant coastal community has been the backdrop to many movies, including “The Godfather.

Pizza, spaghetti, and other dishes were developed in Naples and its surrounding area. Restaurants often feature their own versions of these recipes, which may include fresh ingredients from local farms. Naples is home to a large, medieval castle as well as the nearby seaside fortress of Castel del’Ovo. Also nearby is the volcano Vesuvius, which is still an active volcano to this day.

8. Capri

With its rich mythology and history, Capri is an island that has attracted many people throughout the centuries. In Roman mythology, the Sirens used their sultry songs to lure sailors to their death in the area surrounding the island. Even so, many Romans have apparently been tempted by Capri’s aura of danger in order to live here. One of the most popular attractions on the island today is Villa Jovis, the emperor’s imperial residence.

Capri is home to a number of famous attractions, including the Blue Grotto, which is accessible by boat when the tide is right. The island’s cable car offers a bird’s-eye view of the city. The same company operates a boat service that will transport you to a small groomed beach for swimming.

9. Pompeii & Herculaneum

A small section of the town of Pompeii. Roughly one-fifth the size of the original town, was preserved as a result of Mt Vesuvius’s sudden eruption. This town had a population of over 20,000 but suffered from a lack of proper building materials. Some 3,000 people is all that remains here. They died in place and have been preserved by volcanic ash like ancient mummies for more than 1,700 years.

The remains of Pompeii consist of an ancient Roman city. That was mostly destroyed and buried in ashes when volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius covered most of the Italian peninsula. The nearby region of Herculaneum, another important site near Pompeii, provides a snapshot of how the wealthy once lived.

10. Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is a popular tourist destination that can be reached by car, bus, or train. From Rome, you may take the Ferrovia Regionale to Salerno, then arrive at the Amalfi Coast in less than an-hour.

There are many wonderful places to stay in Sorrento, and if you’re looking for something a bit more laid back. You won’t find a better place than the town of Sant’Agnello. Just up the coast from Sorrento, Sant’Agnello is home to some of the most picturesque views in all of Italy. As well as some very fine hotels.