Pizza, gelato, cappuccinos galore—what’s not to love about Italy?
I’m not here to convince you to go to Italy, but I am here to say that visiting one of the quieter towns or cities of Italy is definitely worth it. It’s the innocuous, quiet places that provide a glimpse into daily life. And a plus is that they just might be more affordable, have better food, and be a delightful place to rest while on a long trip.
The small towns of Italy are where the true cultural experience is—a glimpse into the life of a student, a shop owner, the holiday of another European.
If you need suggestions for a trip to Italy, I’ve included my personal ten day itinerary here. I also have suggestions for a day in Rome and will continue writing weekly, follow along if you’re interested:
Small Towns Are (Typically) Free From Tourists
When I moved overseas, I hadn’t seen a single American in the wild for ten months… that is until I went to Rome. There were Americans everywhere.
Not to say that big cities like Rome aren’t worth the visit—they are! They have incredible tourist sites and history. But it’s not the place to experience a different culture.
Italy’s culture is magic: full of slow life, conversation with friends over dinner, and laying in the grass at a park. That exists in places like Rome, but it’s hard to find.
A small town is where you find that.
Small Towns Are Glimpses Into Daily Life
Visiting smaller towns provides a glimpse into the true life of Italians—something you won’t see by simply visiting the big cities.
Small towns still have all the same charm: castles, architecture, etc. But you have the chance to see:
- Families playing in the park
- Students of the local university throwing a frisbee
- People on their daily jog
It’s a chance to slow down, see life from the perspective of another culture. And romanticizing their life might just help you romanticize your own.
Each culture has a different way of life—lessons to be learned about how to live life. These glimpses into daily routines can be a chance to reflect on your own life, and possibly leave the trip changed.
Where Other Europeans Vacation—And There’s Good Reason
The cities in Italy—Rome, Florence, Milan, and others—are fantastic to visit, for the tourist sites. But the smaller places in northern Italy, like Bolzano, Como, and Lecco, are places that Italians and even other Europeans visit for the magic of Italy: the slow pace of life, the food, the restful scenery.
Small towns have a slow pace of life. They are restful, easygoing. The shops close at 5 pm, allowing the employees to go about their normal life.
A Chance to Build Cross-Cultural Relationships
When going to the smaller towns, especially solo, it’s the chance to meet someone from another culture.
When I hiked up to a hut in Austria, on the border of Italy, I had the chance to chat with hikers from Germany, Austria, Italy, the Netherlands and other places. Having a drink, spending time with them, gave me the chance to hear about their life.
These are the moments that make travel worth it—being immersed in another culture, seeing how people live life differently is why travel is so transformative.
A Note About the Big Cities
I’m not saying that visiting places like Rome, Milan, Florence aren’t worth it. They are! They are absolutely beautiful, have stunning architecture and a wealth of history. But it’s also not the place that I had the most transformative travel experience.
If you are in the big cities, take time to get lost, to wander, to find the places where only locals go. There are a few things you’ll find:
- The people are more friendly and relaxed
- The food is better. It’s more authentic too—it’s what the true Italians eat, not what tourists want
- The glimpses of life might just teach you something: three men strumming a guitar and singing in an alleyway, kids playing in a park, a couple enjoying dinner on the balcony
At the very least, find an alleyway.
Epiphanies in Venice
During my day in Venice I bought gelato and wandered down an alleyway. It was simple, just 100 feet from the busy streets, but I was able to enjoy my gelato in peace. I sat at the edge of a canal, my feet on the step which water lapped up toward.
I saw a Venetian boy park his boat, then jump across two others to get to the sidewalk. I met a woman, who did live in America, but her husband was Venetian and we chatted. I learned a little bit about what it looks like to grow up in Venice—something I would have missed if I were with the other tourists on the crowded streets.
Most importantly, I had the chance to pause, to take a breath and to soak in where I was, appreciating the little things: water sloshing in the canal, the sunlight dancing along the windowsill, the chatter of two elderly ladies doing laundry. I saw where someone lives their daily life.
These moments and memories are precious, because they are the details of what makes Venice, Venice.
I think sometimes when traveling it’s easy to get caught up in seeing the sites and doing all the things—but seeing it as someone’s daily life allows us to take lessons from what we see and apply it to our lives.
That element is what takes simply traveling and makes it into something that richly affects, alters, and transforms your own daily life at home.
The Takeaway: Slow Travel in Italy
Travel isn’t only about checking off famous landmarks. It’s about slowing down, noticing daily life, and letting those details change you.
Small towns in Italy offer:
- A slower pace of life
- Authentic cultural experiences
- Delicious, local food
- Opportunities to reflect and grow
That’s what makes travel transformative—and why your Italy itinerary should always include at least one small town.
The Olive Atlas 
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