When people talk about Italy’s most beautiful mountain towns, they’re usually picturing snow-capped peaks, stone houses and those emerald-green valleys. In reality, mountain life here stretches from the jagged Dolomites in the north to the wind-swept Apennines further south.
The five below capture that range, balancing dramatic scenery with villages that still feel lived-in rather than stage sets for passing visitors.
Castelmezzano
Clinging to the jagged Lucanian Dolomites in southern Italy, Castelmezzano looks as though it has grown straight out of the rock itself. Pale stone houses stack upwards along steep, winding lanes, all hemmed in by dramatic, wind-swept peaks that glow pink at sunset.
Making an appearance on the official list of most beautiful villages in Italy, or I Borghi più belli d’Italia, it’s small, rustic and wonderfully unpolished. It boasts a sense of stillness that feels far removed from Italy’s better-trodden mountain resorts.
Top thing to do: Take on the Volo dell’Angelo zipline for a bird’s-eye sweep over the valley.
Highlight: The view at dusk from the upper part of the village, when the rock formations turn a soft rose-gold.
Santo Stefano di Sessanio
High in the Gran Sasso National Park in Abruzzo, this time-honoured stone village sits at over 1,200 metres, surrounded by open Apennine plateaus and grazing sheep. Also on the official list of the most beautiful villages in Italy, its tightly packed houses, arched passageways and a watchtower give it an almost monastic feel, especially when mist rolls in across the foothills.
Restoration has been careful rather than flashy, so it still feels authentic rather than polished for tour buses.
Top thing to do: Walk the trails across the Campo Imperatore plateau for wide, cinematic views of the Apennines.
Highlight: The Torre Medicea, standing guard above the village with sweeping mountain panoramas.
Sappada
Right up near the Austrian border, Sappada has a distinctly Alpine character, with wooden chalets, carved balconies and flower boxes merrily decorated in summer. The village stretches along a broad valley framed by the snow-dusted Dolomites, with church spires and hay barns punctuating the emerald-green meadows.
There’s a strong local identity here, reflected in its dialect, long-standing mountain traditions and presence on the I Borghi più belli d’Italia.
Top thing to do: Hike to the Sorgenti del Piave, the source of the River Piave, through peaceful woodland trails.
Highlight: The old wooden houses in Borgata Bach, the most atmospheric corner of the village.
Ortisei
Set in the heart of Val Gardena, Ortisei is one of Italy's prettiest snowy villages. It is surrounded by some of the most recognisable peaks in the Dolomites, including the Seceda ridge and the Alpe di Siusi plateau.
Its painted façades, onion-domed church and tidy pedestrian centre reflect the area’s Tyrolean heritage. Cable cars rise straight from the village into high alpine terrain, so dramatic scenery is never far away.
Top thing to do: Take the Seceda cable car for one of the most striking ridge views in the Dolomites.
Highlight: The Adolf Kostner viewpoint, where the sharp peaks line up like stone teeth against the sky.
Bormio
Tucked into an Alpine valley inside Stelvio National Park in Lombardy, Bormio combines a medieval old town with serious mountain credentials. Cobbled lanes, stone archways and frescoed buildings sit beneath snow-capped peaks, while thermal baths steam away at the edge of town.
A top Italian winter destination, it feels both historic and quietly spirited, especially in winter when skiers drift back through the old centre at dusk.
Top thing to do: Soak in the Bagni Vecchi thermal baths with views across the valley.
Highlight: Driving or cycling the Stelvio Pass, one of Europe’s most dramatic high-mountain roads.
Stay inspired for your travels in Italy —get our weekly newsletter for the latest travel, legal, and lifestyle news.
For a taste of the high life, sign up for the monthly luxury market round-up.