It is unfortunate that most people who travel to Italy don’t go south of Rome. Many places in would be overcrowded if they were further north. The Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and other tourist attractions in southern Italy are both highly regarded.
These seven attractions are worth more attention than they get from tourists. Some of them are almost unknown to most people who visit Italy each year. These spots deserve a bit more attention from tourists. Here’s a short introduction to some places in the south of Italy you might not have heard about but that are worth your time.
This is not a complete list of all the places that are worth seeing in southern Italy. You knew that, right. Right.)
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Sassi di Matera
A series of cave dwellings are found in the Matera. They are believed to be inhabited back to around 7000 BCE. The town residents used them until the middle 20th century when they were forced to move. Many of them have been restored to their original condition and others have been converted into unique hotels. The “sassi” are the caves, and Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Alberobello Trulli
Alberobello, Puglia, is most famous for its unique houses. These are cylindrical white structures with conical gray roofings known as “trulli” and can be used as homes, shops or restaurants. Although these traditional structures can be found in other areas of Puglia too, Alberobello is the best place to view them.
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Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto, located on Capri’s Amalfi Coast, is not the only sea cave where the water glows in a ethereal manner. The cavern is mostly underwater and the sun shines through it. It glows a brilliant blue color because the light filters through the water. Only the tide is right is required to access the cave’s entrance. Even then, only small rowboats are allowed.
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Reggia di Caserta
A former royal palace is located near Naples with huge manicured gardens. It is Italy’s answer for Versailles. The Reggia di Caserta palace was built in 18th century to serve the Bourbon kings from Naples. Now it is open to the public. On a day trip from Naples, you can visit the palace apartments, the gallery of fine paintings and the vast gardens.
Paestum
Paestum’s ruins are Greek, not Roman. The site’s three Greek temples are from the 5th-6th century BCE when Paestum was a major city in Magna Granecia. The site also contains a Roman Forum and an amphitheater that dates back to the 3rd Century BCE. A museum on the site houses many of the artifacts discovered during excavations. This UNESCO site can be reached easily from Salerno. However, you could also travel from Sorrento and .
Valley of the Temples
There are more Greek ruins on the island of Sicily, in an area called the Valley of the Temples. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. These temple ruins, which include seven temples in different states of ruin, are among the most well-preserved ancient Greek remains anywhere. You can visit them on a day trip from Taormina or Palermo or Agrigento. The geography is not to be confused as the temples are located on hills and not in the valley.
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Mt. Etna
The huge Mt. The massive Mt. If it isn’t about to erupt, Etna can be a great spot for guided hikes in summer and a popular ski area in winter. The mountain’s bounty will appeal to wine and food lovers.
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