Italy’s biggest surprises aren’t in the guidebooks—they’re found down sunlit backstreets, over long lunches, and in cities you might never have heard of. If you’re craving something a bit more real and a lot less crowded, it’s time to look past the obvious stops.

From tucked-away northern towns to brilliant coastal hideouts, some of the most beautiful and genuine places to live, eat, and explore in Italy are off the beaten path. These are the cities where market stallholders greet you by name, meals last all afternoon, and every corner seems to have a story.