Some Of Italy's Most Scenic Roads

Italy was the first country in the world to construct a motorway when the forty three kilometer long Milano - Varese Autostrade, also known as the A8 / Autostrade de Laghi – Road of the lakes -  was completed in 1926. 

Today Italy has over six thousand kilometers of motorways made up of thirty two Autostrade – A Roads - and over eighteen thousand kilometers of State Highways - SS Roads.

Despite having Europe's third longest coastline, after Greece and the United Kingdom, Italy is actually better known for it's many Alpine mountain passes where it is home to Europe’s fifth highest mountain road, the Stelvio Pass, which attains an ultimate elevation of 2,757 meters above sea level.

Found below is a list of ten of Italy’s most scenic routes, which includes rural, mountain and coastal roads, followed by a list of Italy’s cross border routes. 

 

Italy's Autostrade

  

A1 –  Italy’s A1, also known as the Motorway of the Sun, is a 759 kilometer long north – south route which travels through the country’s rural interior between the cities of Milan and Naples, travelling through the Campania, Lombardy, Tuscany and Umbria regions and passing through the historic towns and cities of Bologna, Firenza, Modena, Palma and Pisa. 

The A1 also links with the country’s Grande Raccordo Anulare / Rome Orbital / A90 road, which is the main access road into the city of Rome and the Vatican City State. 

Map Of Rome's GRA

A3 – Italy’s A3 road links the city of Naples with the port town of Reggio Calabria on the country’s west coast, passing through the towns and cities of Bagnara Calabra, Castellmare di Stabia, Pompeii, Salerno and Vietri sul Mare before terminating in Reggio Calabria, where ferries to the island of Sicily can be taken.

Located just outside Bagnara Calabra is the impressive Sfalassa Gorge which is spanned by the equally impressive 254 meter high by 376 meter wide, Sfalassa Bridge. 

The A3 also links with two of Italy’s most popular coastal roads, they are - 

The 50 kilometer long SS163 / Amalfi Coast Road, which is a high and very narrow, twisting cliff road which hugs the Gulf of Salerno coastline between the small towns of Vietri sul Mare and Positano. 

Driving along the SS163 will reward you with stunning views out across the  Bay of Naples, where on a clear day, you can see the Isle of Capri, the island of Sicily and Mount Vesuvius rising out of the sea.

The road passes through the picturesque small towns of Conca dei Marini, Furore, Praiano and Amalfi, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The SS106 / Ionian Coast Road, which is a 96 kilometer long coastal road which travels in an east – west direction along southern Italy’s Ionian Sea coastline, between the port towns of Reggio Calabria on the west coast and Taranto on the east coast.

The road also passes through the town of Crotone and Matera, the latter of which is a subterranean city and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The road is also spanned by the ancient, Roman built, Saracen Viaduct, located just outside the village of Catanzano.

The SS106 is considered to be one of Italy’s most dangerous roads owing to it’s many tight bends, it’s dense sea fog and / or cloud cover, a very slippery surface when wet and the fact that the locals use it as a race track.

Positano, Campania

A5 – This road is a 143 kilometer long north – south route linking the city of Turin with the Mont Blanc Tunnel, known as the Trafori Monte Bianco in Italian, and then on into France.

The road travels through the picturesque alpine regions of Piedmont and the Aosta Valley in the very north west of the country.

The road travels through the Alpine towns of Courmayeur, Ivrea and Santhia and is one of Italy’s main Alpine transportation routes with links to several other alpine routes and major ski resorts, not just in Italy, but in France and Switzerland too. 

A8 – Italy’s A8 road was the world’s first ever motorway when it was opened in 1926.

Today this forty three kilometer long route, which is also known as the Road of the Lakes, travels through the countryside of northern Lombardy, between the industrial city of Milan and the city of Varese, located in the foothills of the Campo dei Fiori Mountain Range and along the shore of Lake Varese. The city is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sacro Monte di Varese. 

At Varese the A8 links with three other roads which will take you on to the Italian Lake District, the A26 road for access to Lake Maggiore, the A9 road for access to Lake Como and Lake Lugano and the SS36 road which will take you to the city of Monza, home of the internationally renowned, Autodrome Nazionale, where Italy’s Formula One Grand Prix is held. 

A14 – This 756 kilometer long road hugs Italy’s Adriatic Sea coast located along the country’s east coast, where it links the city of Bologna with the port town of Taranto.

This picturesque coastal road travels through the regions of Abruzzo, Apulia, Marche and Molise and passes through the popular Italian holiday resorts of Ancona, Bari, Fermo, Pescora and Rimini.

At Rimini the A14 links with the SS72 road which travels for just ten kilometers in a south easterly direction before terminating at the border of Europe’s oldest republic of San Marino, where it then links with the 220 kilometer long, San Marino Super Highway, network.

 

A21 – This 238 kilometer long road links the city of Turin with the ancient city of Brescia via the picturesque Po Valley, located in the Emilia Romagna, Lombardy and Piedmont regions of northern Italy. 

The road, which is also known as the Road of Wines, travels through miles of vineyards and lush, green farmland and is surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Italian Alps.

The road also passes through the historic city of Piacenza along the way.  

The Gavia Pass, Lombardy

 A26 -  Italy’s A26 is a 197 kilometer long road which links the Italian port city of Genoa with the ancient town of Gravellona Toce in the north west of the country.

The road, which is also known as the Road of Tunnels due to it’s forty six tunnels and fifty eight viaducts, makes it’s way through the lush, green countryside of Liguria and Piedmont passing through the historic towns of Alessandria, Santhia and Voltri along the way. 

 

                                            ITALY’S CROSS BORDER ROUTES

                                         Italy has open borders with five countries.  

The River Po, Turin 

ITALY - SAN MARINO

Europe’s oldest republic can be accessed by way of the ten kilometer long, SS72 State Highway which is accessed from the east coast resort city of Rimini.

ITALY - VATICAN CITY STATE

The world’s smallest country can be accessed on foot or by road (not advised) from anywhere within Rome. The capital can be accessed from any direction of the compass by way of the Grande Raccordo Anulare / Rome Orbital / A90 road.

ITALY - AUSTRIA 

The Brenner Pass – Is located between Vipiteno in Italy and Innsbruck in Austria via the Alpine village of Brenner. This very busy and important mountain route, which is part of Italy’s A22 road, attains an ultimate elevation of 1,370 meters above sea level and is open all year round.

The Reschen Pass – Is located between between the Inn River Valley and the River Vinschgau Valley and links the town of Merano in Italy with Landeck in Austria. This 1,504 meter high pass is open all year round.

The Monte Croce Pass / Plocken Pass – Is located along the Carnic Alps and links the village of Paluzza in Italy with the village of Kotschach Muthen in Austria. This 1,636 meter high pass is open all year round.  

The Stelvio Pass

ITALY - FRANCE

The Piccolo San Bernardo Pass – Is located Between the Aosta Valley in Italy and Bourg St. Maurice in France. This 2,188 meter high pass is open from June through to October.

The Moncenisio (Mont Cenis) Pass – Is located along the Graian Alps and links the Italian town of Susa with the franch town of Lanslebourg. The pass is open all year round .

The Monginevro Pass – Is located along the Cottian Alps and links the town of Cesane in Italy with the town of Briancon in France. The pass is open all year round.

The Maddalena Pass – Links the Maritime Alps with the Cotian Alps and is located between the town of Vinadio in Italy and Barcellonette in France. The pass is open from May to October.

The Tenda Pass – Is located in the Maritime Alps, located between the Italian town of Cuneo and the French coastal city of Nice. The pass is open all year round and incorporates the 3,182 meter long Tenda Tunnel.

The Mont Blanc Tunnel - The Mont BlancTunnel is 12 kilometers long and links the Italian town of  Courmayour with the French ski resort of Chamonix through Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. The tunnel is open all year round and has a fixed toll. 

The Frejus Tunnel –This 12 kilometer long tunnel is located between the Italian town of Baronechia and the French town of Modane through the Cottian Alps. Toll charges apply.

   

ITALY - SWITZERLAND

The Gran San Bernardo Pass – Is located between the summits of Mont Blanc and Mont Rosa and links the Aosta Valley in Italy with the town of Martigny in Switzerland. This 2,469 meter high pass is open from June to October.

The Simplon Pass – Is located along the Pennine and Lepotine Alps and links the town of Domodossola in Italy with the town of Brig in Switzerland. This 2,005 meter high pass is open year round.

The Maloja Pass – Is located along the Val Bregaglia and links the Italian town of Chiavenna with the Swiss town of Splug in Graubunden Canton. This 1,815 meter high pass is open all year round.

The Bernina Pass – Is located along the Bernina Mountain Range and links the Italian town of Val Poschiano with the famous Swiss ski resort of St Moritz. This 2,328 meter high pass is open from June through to October.

The Umbrail Pass – Is located between Bormio in Italy and Santa Maria Val Mustair in Switzerland. This 2,501 meter high pass is open from June through to October.

The San Bernardo Tunnel – This 5,798 meter long tunnel links the Italian town of Saint Rhemy en Bosses in the Aosta Valley with the Swiss town of Martigny through the Pennine Alps. 

The St. Gotthard Tunnel – This 16 kilometer long tunnel, which is toll free, links the Italian town of Airolo with the Swiss town of Goschenen through the Lepotine Alps.

The Munt la Shera Tunnel – This 3,385 meter long tunnel is open all year round from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m daily and links the town of Livigno in Italy with Zernez in Switzerland through the Ortler Alps.Toll charges apply.

The Maloja Pass

Italians drive on the right hand side of the road.

The speed limit on Italian motorways is 130 kilometers an hour.

All of Italy’s motorways are toll roads. Drivers must obtain their ticket when entering the motorway but pay when exiting, and payment must be made in cash.

For road toll estimates, visit - www.tolltickets.com

Autostrade – A roads - are recognised by their green signage and state highways – SS roads - are recognised by their blue signage, so don’t get confused by the blue signs, which tend to denote a motorway in most other European countries.

Italian road signs can be rather complicated, so do familiarise yourself with their signage before you embark on your journey. 

Italian drivers have a reputation for being rather aggressive, so bear that in mind next time you have one tailgating you on the autostrade, it’s not personal it’s just normal road etiquette over there. 

Driving in Italy’s larger cities is a bit confusing to say the least, so in order to cut down on congestion, pollution and frayed nerves, it’s probably better to stay on the outskirts of the cities and take the metro system into town.  

For a list of the Italian city metro systems visit - Metro systems in south-west Europe. 

The Italian capital, Rome, along with the Italian cities of Florence, Genoa, Milan and Pisa have all recently implemented congestion charges. To find out how these charges affect visitors, visit any of the relevant city tourist websites.

To read about the geography of Italy, visit -  Facts about Italy.

If you’re into driving and Italian cuisine, you may find the following blog page of interest – 
A culinary road trip of Italy.

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