If you think you’ve seen all Italy has to offer, think again. Beyond the famous cities and crowded coastlines lies a quieter, more authentic and unique Italy: where beauty meets simplicity and time seems to slow down. These are the places locals whisper about, where tradition is still alive, and where summer feels like a personal secret.

At Play Italy, we believe travel should be about discovery. So we’ve gathered five of our favorite underrated destinations, plus a special bonus surprise, that are perfect for a summer escape. From peaceful lakes and hilltop villages to wild islands and architectural wonders, these hidden gems are ready to welcome you - without the crowds!

And if you want to organize your trip with us, we’re just an enquiry away as always!

Lago d’Orta is our northern pick for a reason: it’s a place where you can breathe. Compared to the more famous Lake Como or Lake Maggiore, this smaller lake feels untouched, intimate, and deeply romantic. It’s ideal for those who crave serenity, natural beauty, and a glimpse of Italy that hasn’t been smoothed out for the tourist crowd.

The heart of the area is Orta San Giulio, a charming town with a long history dating back to Roman times. The medieval core has been lovingly preserved, and its narrow cobblestone streets lead to old chapels, family-run trattorias, and balconies dripping with geraniums. No cars are allowed in the historic center, which keeps things wonderfully quiet. The pace is slow, and that’s exactly the point.

Just a short boat ride away is Isola San Giulio, a tiny island that seems suspended in time. It’s home to the Monastery of the Benedictine Sisters, where the atmosphere is hushed and spiritual. You can walk the island’s circular “Way of Silence and Meditation,” where signs gently prompt you to reflect on themes like peace, patience, and love. It’s one of the most tranquil places you’ll ever visit.

For things to do, you can start with a lakefront lunch in the main square of Orta San Giulio, followed by a boat ride or a dip in the clear, swimmable waters. Nature lovers can hike up to Sacro Monte di Orta, a UNESCO-listed devotional complex surrounded by forest, filled with Renaissance chapels depicting the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The view from the top is a peaceful panorama of lake and sky.

Nearby, you’ll find Omegna at the northern tip of the lake, home to traditional markets and artisan shops, or even venture slightly east to Lake Maggiore if you want a short day trip with a bit more bustle.

Something truly unique to bring back? Orta is part of a small, traditional region known for artisan silverwork and local delicacies like torta di pane (a rustic bread pudding).

Many shops also sell handmade soaps and herbal oils, often infused with mountain lavender or wild mint - the perfect souvenirs!

Does this look enticing? Well, we can assure you it is! If you want to plan your customized trip to Italy, just start contacting us.

Cervo is one of those places that makes you wonder how it’s managed to stay under the radar. Perched above the Ligurian Sea between the more famous towns of Sanremo and Alassio, this medieval village has all the beauty of the Italian Riviera, without the chaos. We picked Cervo because it feels untouched by time, and yet, it still hums with quiet cultural richness and seaside charm.

The village’s history stretches back over a thousand years, with roots in Roman times and a long-standing tradition of fishing and olive cultivation. As you climb through its labyrinth of narrow, stone-paved alleys (called caruggi), you’ll pass flower-filled balconies, hidden archways, and artisan shops selling everything from handwoven baskets to Ligurian ceramics. There's a story in every corner here.

At the very top of the village stands the Church of San Giovanni Battista, also known as the "Church of the Corallini." It was built in the 18th century with money earned by local coral fishermen, and its ornate Baroque façade glows in the afternoon sun. Step inside for frescoes and silence, or simply pause outside to take in the sweeping view over the sea and terraced hills.

Cervo may be small, but it offers more than enough to fill a day or linger for a few. Stroll down to the small, rocky beaches below for a refreshing swim, or follow scenic trails through the olive groves that surround the village. If you're looking for a slightly larger beach with more space to sunbathe or splash with the kids, the nearby town of San Bartolomeo al Mare is only a few minutes away and offers sandy stretches and easy access to the sea.

And if you're visiting in July or August, you're in for a treat: the Cervo International Chamber Music Festival transforms the village into an open-air concert hall, with world-class performances under the stars in the church square.

Nearby towns worth exploring include Imperia, with its lively port and excellent gelato spots, and Dolcedo, a quiet inland village surrounded by olive mills and walking trails.

For something special to take home, Cervo is a great place to find taggiasca olive oil, prized for its rich and slightly nutty flavor. Many small producers sell directly from their farms or shops.

Liguria is definitely one of the best Italian regions for summer vacations. It offers a wide variety of scenes, whether you're drawn to the glamour of places like Portofino or the peaceful charm of hidden gems like Cervo.

Few places in Italy inspire such immediate awe as Civita di Bagnoregio. Perched high on a crumbling plateau of volcanic rock in northern Lazio, this ancient town is only reachable on foot, across a long pedestrian bridge that feels like a passage into another world. We chose Civita not just for its dramatic setting, but for the way it captures the quiet resilience of small-town Italy.

Founded by the Etruscans more than 2,500 years ago, Civita has weathered centuries of earthquakes and erosion. Its nickname, “La città che muore” (The Dying City), comes from the constant landslides that have slowly eaten away at its foundation. Yet despite it all, Civita is very much alive: preserved and cherished by those who refuse to let it fade.

The town itself is small and walkable, made up of stone houses, flower-draped balconies, and narrow lanes that feel like the set of a historical film. It’s not just picturesque, it’s peaceful. Visitors often spend hours doing very little here: sipping coffee in the square, reading in the shade, or simply watching the sky change over the Valle dei Calanchi below.

One of the town’s most unique features is its silence. There are no cars, few shops, and no loud distractions. But don’t be fooled: there’s plenty to see. You can visit the Church of San Donato in the main piazza, peek into tiny artisan boutiques, or explore underground tunnels carved into the soft tufa rock centuries ago.

Civita also makes a great pairing with nearby Bagnoregio, the larger town at the foot of the bridge, where you can grab lunch or stay overnight. If you’re up for a longer day trip, Lake Bolsena is only a short drive away, offering lakeside villages, local wine, and peaceful waterfront views.

Something special to take away from Civita? Try the local fagiolina del lago, a delicate heirloom legume grown in the region, often served in stews or pasta. It’s the kind of food souvenir that tells a story, just like the town itself.

Civita may be called “dying,” but for many who visit, it leaves behind something unforgettable: a sense of stillness, beauty, and endurance. Curious about it? If you’re already planning to visit the nearby Rome, consider adding a few days or day trip to this stunning town!

Just off the western coast of Sicily lies Favignana, the largest of the Egadi Islands and one of the most blissfully laid-back places you’ll ever visit. We chose Favignana for its unique blend of simplicity, natural beauty, and authenticity. If you're dreaming of a summer where flip-flops are the dress code and your biggest decision is which cove to swim in next, this is your island.

Favignana is often described as a butterfly: its shape resembles one when viewed from above. But more than that, it feels like a gentle flutter from the past. Life here runs slow, and wonderfully so. The island is mostly flat, making it perfect for exploring by bike, which is how most locals and visitors get around. You can cycle from the main town to remote beaches in under 20 minutes, stopping along the way to explore caves, olive groves, or just pause for a granita in the shade.

Historically, Favignana was the heart of Italy’s tuna fishing industry, and its legacy is still felt everywhere. The island was home to one of the largest tuna-processing plants in Europe, the Ex Stabilimento Florio, now beautifully restored as a museum. It’s worth a visit to understand how this small island once fed much of the Mediterranean and to see the grandeur of the Florio family’s industrial vision.

For beach lovers, Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra are musts: rocky coves with turquoise water so clear it looks unreal. Bring water shoes, a picnic, and spend the day soaking in the silence. There are sandy stretches too, like Lido Burrone, if you prefer a more classic beach setup.

The town of Favignana itself is a lovely mix of everyday life and subtle elegance. Fishermen unload the catch of the day at the harbor, kids play in the piazza, and restaurants serve up unforgettable pasta con le sarde, fresh sea urchin, or the island’s famous tonno rosso (red tuna). Local shops sell handcrafted goods, including ceramics, sun-dried capers, and tuna pâté: ideal souvenirs with a real taste of the island.

Favignana is not about doing everything, it’s about doing almost nothing, and loving it. Here, you can sit on a rock and watch the horizon for hours, fall asleep to the sound of waves, and feel your whole body slow to the island’s rhythm. It’s not flashy or fancy, it’s Sicilian elegance in its purest form. If you want to know more about it, let’s have a chat!

Off the northeastern coast of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands rise from the sea like a chain of myths. Volcanic in origin and dramatic in personality, this UNESCO-listed archipelago is made up of seven islands - but we’re spotlighting two that offer the most vivid contrast: Stromboli and Panarea. Together, they capture the wildness and refinement of southern Italy in perfect balance.

Let’s start with Stromboli, the island that never sleeps. Its volcano, one of the most active in the world, has been erupting almost continuously for over two thousand years. Locals call it “Iddu,” or “Him,” as if it were a living being, and once you see the bursts of molten lava shooting into the sky after sunset, you’ll understand why. You can hike to the summit with a guide for a dramatic view from the crater, or stay lower and take a night boat tour to watch the eruptions safely from the water. It’s nature’s fireworks, no filter needed!

Stromboli isn’t all fire, though. Its black-sand beaches and lush walking paths offer quiet moments too, especially if you venture to the village of Ginostra, accessible only by boat and entirely off the grid. It’s the kind of place where you’ll drink espresso with fishermen at sunrise and feel like you’ve dropped off the map.

Then there’s Panarea, Stromboli’s elegant sibling. The smallest and most exclusive of the Aeolian Islands, Panarea is famous for its whitewashed houses, no-car policy, and effortless glamour. While it attracts a fashionable crowd in the high summer months, it still manages to feel peaceful and almost secretive. Days here are spent lounging on quiet beaches, exploring ancient ruins, and taking boat trips to nearby islets with sparkling, turquoise waters.

In the Aeolians, you can start your day with a swim in still, clear water and end it watching the sky light up with lava. Where else in the world gives you that? Check out our Aeolian Islands Sailing Tour for more!

If you know us, you know we never really stick to what we say in the titles of our articles. We always like to give you a little extra, something unexpected, something off the page. So here’s your bonus surprise: a place that doesn’t quite fit into any category, and that’s exactly why we love it.

Tucked away in the hills of Umbria, far from the usual tourist routes, lies La Scarzuola: a place that feels like a dream made solid. Built around the ruins of a 13th-century Franciscan convent (where legend says Saint Francis once planted a rose and a laurel bush), it was reimagined in the 1950s by the Milanese architect and surrealist Tomaso Buzzi.

What he created here isn’t just a structure, it’s a philosophical fantasy, a labyrinth of stages, sculptures, staircases, and theatrical facades. Each corner is loaded with symbolism and mysticism, blending pagan imagery, Christian references, esoteric geometry, and a healthy dose of personal eccentricity. It’s part spiritual retreat, part puzzle box.

Visits are only allowed by guided tour, and that’s a blessing, it makes the place feel even more mysterious. Your Local Expert guide will help decode some of the stranger elements, from the miniature cities to the towering "Ideal City," but much of the experience is left to your imagination.

There’s no other place in Italy quite like it. You won’t find crowds or glossy brochures. What you’ll find is a sense of curiosity, wonder, and maybe even a little confusion and that’s exactly the point. If you like your travel with a touch of the surreal, La Scarzuola delivers.

So if you’re exploring Umbria, perhaps on a nice chill retreat, take a small detour into the wild imagination of Tomaso Buzzi. You’ll leave with a story no one else in your travel group will be able to top.

Here at Play Italy, we are dedicated to transforming your exploration of Italy's natural wonders into a seamless and unforgettable experience. Whether you're marveling at the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, relaxing by the serene waters of Lake Como, savoring the rolling hills of Tuscany, or soaking in the stunning coastal views of the Amalfi Coast, our Booking Agent service is here to tailor your adventure to your tastes. We ensure that each moment is not just seen but truly experienced. 
 
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