Under-the-radar Italy: Timeless towns, cultural charm and UNESCO wonders

Italy is home to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, but beyond the well-trodden paths lies a treasure trove of lesser-known gems. From ancient mosaics to medieval towns and tranquil thermal springs, these hidden UNESCO-listed destinations offer a glimpse into Italy’s rich history, art and culture. 

Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna

As it turns out, you don’t need to die to go to heaven, you just need to go to Ravenna. For art lovers, the city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region is an earthly paradise, with glorious mosaics offering a breathtaking glimpse into a time when art and spirituality were inseparable. Spread over several churches and baptisteries around town, the tiny tiles form one of the world’s most dazzling collections of early Christian mosaic artwork, enshrined since 1996 on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

In this living museum, no fewer than eight early Christian monuments grace the UNESCO ranks, including the Basilica of San Vitale, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Mausoleum of Theodoric, Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and Sant’Apollinare in Classe, the Aryan Baptistery, Neonian Baptistery and Chapel of Sant’Andrea. Don’t forget to look up in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia to be awed by its starry vault ceiling.

Montecatini Terme, Tuscany

Montecatini Terme captivates with its grand fountains, mystical grottos and soothing hot springs. Nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany, the area was officially named one of the great spa towns of Europe after being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. Located less than an hour from Florence and Pisa, the town’s rich thermal springs have been enjoyed since Roman times, with tired travellers across the ages easing their aching limbs in the natural hot waters of Terme Tettuccio.

Elsewhere in Montecatini, culture seekers can head to the medieval village of Alto, which can be reached aboard the Gigio and Gigia, two beautifully restored trains that tackle the 290-metre elevation with timeless grace. Don’t miss the MO.CA. Montecatini Terme Contemporary Art museum to see more than 350 works.  

Siena, Tuscany

Just under two hours from the springs lies the medieval city of Siena, brimming with historical and cultural charm. The Gothic spires soar above the Tuscan hills, offering a striking silhouette that has earned Siena a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 1995.

Effectively a sprawling, open-air museum, the city’s monuments have retained both their ancient ramparts and their outstanding art collections. Head to the central square of the Piazza del Campo and work your way around the surrounding landmarks, including the Fonte Gaia fountain, dating back to 1346.

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Cilento, Campania

Often eclipsed by its neighbours Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Cilento is a vast and varied region in the south of Campania. And what it lacks in flamboyance, the area more than makes up for in both natural and man-made wonders. A UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, Cilento’s 80 sun-bleached towns, wild nature, kilometres of coastline and ancient temples sprawl between the Gulf of Salerno and the Gulf of Policastro.

Designated as a cultural landscape of extraordinary value, the region bears witness to settlements dating back 250,000 years, plus a National Park boasting its own UNESCO Mab Biosphere Reserve status due to its stunning network of karstic caves. The most popular attraction here is the ancient Greek town of Paestum, the only surviving example of a Magna-Grecian town. Home to three magnificent Greek temples, the open-air archaeological park is an atmospheric (and less crowded) alternative to Pompeii.  

Noto, Sicily

Noto is an architectural marvel. Almost entirely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693, the UNESCO World Heritage Site was one of eight centres redesigned in the late Baroque style, creating a stunning urban landscape that must be seen to be believed. 

Situated less than 40km southwest of Syracuse, Noto has one of Sicily’s most beautiful and well-preserved historic hubs, where every street and building tells a story of resilience and artistry. The pièce de résistance is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, an exquisite pedestrian walkway flanked by spectacular florid palazzi and churches. Keep an eye out for the Basilica Cattedrale di San Nicolò, a spectacularly domed cathedral that dominates Noto’s skyline.

Alberobello, Puglia

While it is perhaps one of Italy’s more recognisable UNESCO World Heritage destinations, life moves slowly in the Puglia town of Alberobello. Famed for its miniature trulli houses with distinctive conical roofs, the majority of the 1,500 drystone buildings are fully functional homes still occupied by locals and largely unchanged since being erected in the 14th century. 

Featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996, the fairytale town is nestled in the Itria Valley between the Apulian provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto, providing a Mediterranean haven untouched by the passage of time. Many trulli can be visited inside, but the Museo del Territorio offers a unique journey through Alberobello’s architectural evolution, while the trullo church of St Anthony of Padua is a feat of architecture.