Southern Italy is a land of sun-drenched coastlines, ancient ruins, clashing cultures and rustic streets frozen in time. From winding between pastel villages along the Amalfi Coast, to seeking out baroque treasures of Sicily, the towns in Southern Italy offer something special for all travelers.
In this guide, we’ll highlight 10 must-visit towns that perfectly showcase the culture, history and natural beauty of Southern Italy.
1. Sorrento, Campania
Overlooking the Bay of Naples, this clifftop Southern Italian town is a gateway to the Amalfi Coast with a history that stretches back to Roman times. Start in Piazza Tasso, where centuries-old cafes and palaces frame your view – an ideal spot for your first gelato. Explore the Sedile Dominova, a 15th-century aristocratic meeting hall with frescoed ceilings. Wander down to Marina Grande, the old fishing harbor where colorful boats line the shore. If there’s time, the Museo Correale di Terranova houses antique furnishings, paintings and Roman-era artifacts – revealing layers of Sorrento’s past.
Must-see sights: Piazza Tasso, Marina Grande, Vallone dei Mulini, Sedile Dominova, Cathedral of Sorrento, Museo Correale di Terranova
2. Pompeii, Campania
When Mount Vesuvius blew in 79 AD, Pompeii was covered in ash and frozen in time. Today, this pocket of Roman life has been uncovered with archaeological digs. Now you can wander through bakeries and bathhouses, streets and squares, and see frescoed walls and ancient graffiti. It’s one of the most complete archaeological sites in the world where you can see what life what really like in Roman times..
Must-see sights: Forum, Villa of the Mysteries, Amphitheatre, Temple of Apollo, Plaster casts
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3. Capri, Campania
This small Italian island is where natural beauty, glamor and history collide in the Tyrrhenian Sea. With Trafalgar, you’ll sail to the island of Capri, then ascend to Capri town by funicular for a guided walking tour with a Local Specialist. Begin at Piazzetta di Capri, the bustling square where locals and visitors gather, framed by cafes and designer shops, and hear about the famous names who have been drawn to Capri’s beauty – from Roman emperors to 1950s movie stars. Later, you could cruise out to Blue Grotto, a sea cave famous for its glowing waters, or explore Villa Jovis, Emperor Tiberius’s cliffside palace. If there’s time, don’t miss Gardens of Augustus.
Must-see sights: Piazzetta di Capri, Blue Grotto, Villa Jovis, Gardens of Augustus, Anacapri
4. Positano, Campania
The jewel of the Amalfi Coast, Positano is pretty pastel town in Southern Italy where the buildings, stairways and streets cascade down into the Mediterranean Sea. Make sure you stand on Spiaggia Grande, the main beach, to gain a perspective on the dramatic vertical townscape, catch some sunshine and take a dip. From there, it’s a long way back up by foot – but you can take it slowly. Stop to take photographs, shop artisan and ceramic workshops along the Via dei Mulini, and pop into the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Must-see sights: Spiaggia Grande, Via dei Mulini, Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Path of the Gods
Nearby you should visit: the town of Amalfi, Atrani and Rabello
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5. Taormina, Sicily
On the island of Sicily lies Taormina, another hilltop town with ruins, cobbled streets and spectacular views. *Sigh*, the beauty of Southern Italy is sometimes too much! Here you can’t miss the Greek Theatre, an ancient amphitheater that’s still used for performances, or the Corso Umberto, the main street. Go for a stroll here to find artisan shops, historic palaces, gelato vendors and cafes. Have your camera ready to capture Isola Bella, a tiny island and nature reserve just off the shore – it’s a postcard perfect swim spot that captures the essence and beauty of Sicily.
Lucky Trafalgar guests stay in the town of Giardini Naxos, just a short drive away, giving easy access to Taormina without sacrificing comfort or seaside charm.
Must-see sights: Greek Theatre, Corso Umberto, Public Gardens, Isola Bella
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6. Agrigento, Sicily
Agrigento is another town in Southern Italy caught in the past. Here find the Valley of the Temples, one of the most extraordinary archaeological landscapes in the Mediterranean. The island of Sicily has seen many civilizations pass through, and here a ridge of ancient Greek sanctuaries – some nearly perfectly preserved – offer a glimpse at its storied past, reshaped by time, war and earthquakes. Walk among 2,500-year-old columns and altars that once formed the heart of Akragas, a powerful Greek city.
Beyond the temples, visit the Archaeological Museum to see artifacts and learn about the daily and ritual life of the ancient city. And explore Agrigento’s ‘modern’ town with its baroque churches and historic center.
Must-see sights: Valley of the Temples, Temple of Concordia, Temple of Hera, Temple of Heracles, Archaeological Museum
7. Palermo, Sicily
While we tried to stick to towns on this list, of all the cities in Southern Italy we thought Palermo deserved a spot. The capital of Sicily was founded by the Phoenicians back in 734 BC – since then it has been shaped by conquerors and traders. You can feel the weight of this history in the streets, starting with the Palermo Cathedral, where Norman, Arab and Baroque elements stack together in a single façade. Close by the Palatine Chapel within the Norman Palace has some of the most intricate Byzantine mosaics in the world. And then there’s 21st-century Palermo, defined best by the buzzy and loud street markets in Ballarò and Vucciria, where fishmongers and fruit vendors bring the life to the ancient city.
Must-see sights: Palermo Cathedral, Palatine Chapel, Ballarò Market, Capuchin Catacombs, Quattro Canti
Nearby you should visit: Cefalú for beaches
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8. Matera, Basilicata
Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, looks like a beige-hued mirage. This town is Southern Italy has been carved directly into the limestone cliffs of Basilicata. Within there’s a sprawling network of cave dwellings, rock-hewn churches and ancient cisterns that reveal how people lived here for thousands of years. One of the best stops is Casa Grotta, a restored cave home that shows the realities of life before the 1950s evacuations. The plateau of Murgia National Park offers a great view of the honeycomb structure that unfolds across the ravine.
Must-see sights: Sassi Caveoso, Sassi Barisano, Casa Grotta, Rupestrian Churches, Murgia National Park
9. Alberobello, Puglia
Have you heard of trulli? They are a traditional building unique to Puglia – think whitewashed, cone-roofed houses built from dry rock without mortar – and Alberobello is filled with more than a thousand of them. The idea stems back hundreds of years – the trulli are designed to be dismantled quickly, which was to avoid taxation. Wander through the fairytale-like streets, snapping pictures in the popular Rione Monti district, or pop to Rione Aia Piccola for a quieter, more residential look at trullo life.
Must-see sights: Rione Monti, Rione Aia Piccola, Trullo Sovrano, Museo del Territorio
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10. Ostuni, Puglia
Ostuni rises from the olive-dotted plains of Puglia in a maze of whitewashed alleys and sunlit terraces. The fortified old town was built in layers, and you can trace them as you climb toward the 15th-century Ostuni Cathedral. The surrounding lanes twist like a labyrinth – let yourself get lost and you’ll find hidden viewpoints over the Adriatic, medieval staircases, and hidden terraces (perfect for an Aperol spritz). Ostuni is the perfect day trip from Alberobello and just below the town, the coastline around Rosa Marina and Pilone offers some of the clearest, bluest water in northern Salento.
Must-see sights: Ostuni Cathedral, Aragonese ramparts, Historic Centre, Museum of Pre-Classical Civilisations, Santa Maria d’Agnano Archaeological Park
Nearby you should visit: Monopoli, Polignano a Mare
FAQS about towns in Southern Italy:
What is the nicest city in Southern Italy?
Tough question! Naples is still a little rough around the edges, but it’s fast-changing and is one of Italy’s greatest cities. It blends ancient history, energetic street life and extraordinary food traditions. From here you have great access to iconic sites like Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast.
Is Southern Italy worth visiting?
Absolutely. Southern Italy offers some of Europe’s richest archaeological sites, dramatic coastlines and sandy beaches, layered ancient and medieval history, and fantastic regional food traditions that vary from town to town. Each region delivers depth, variety and authenticity for travelers that tune in.
What is the best small beach town in Southern Italy?
Many consider Tropea the best small beach town in Southern Italy. Its cliffs drop straight to clear turquoise water, and the historic center sits above long sandy beaches. Think dramatic views, calm swimming spots and easy Aeolian Islands access. Polignano a Mare and Vieste in Puglia are also popular, as is Cefalù in Sicily and Maratea in Basilicata region.
Any other towns in Southern Italy that you’d add to this list? Leave us a comment…