8 Italy Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
Italy is a unique country full of incredibly friendly towns that offer tourists and locals warm hospitality and vibrant ways of life. In Spello, visitors can enjoy a unique festival where the city gets draped in colorful flowers. Floral paintings are made and carpets with real flowers are laid out on the streets of the town during the Infiorata di Spello. Atrani is a surreal location with a beach that appears straight out of a painting and also celebrates a community event dedicated to fishing every August with concerts and seafood delicacies. Aosta is another friendly community offering a riverside trail with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. These eight Italian towns are the best locations to enjoy unmatched friendliness.
Spello
Spello is an ancient town in the Province of Perugia in the eastern-central region of Umbria. Spello provides visitors with incredible community vibes; the locals always welcome people with open arms and a relaxed pace of life. In the heart of town is Villa dei Mosaici di Spello, a museum renowned for its Roman mosaics and well-preserved floors from the first century. The site of the mosaics was discovered in 2005, as it was intended to be a parking lot, but the community decided to preserve them and built the museum in 2008. On the next block is Il Beericcio, a local restaurant for patrons to enjoy pub-style dishes like burgers, craft beers, sandwiches, and stuffed pizzas in a rustic setting.
In early June, Infiorata di Spello (Festival of Flowers) takes place, when people create carpets and pictures made of flowers for the feast of Corpus Domini (the Body of Christ). The town itself is covered in flowers, whether they're natural or dyed flowers. These flowers make the community pop and stand out in jaw-dropping beauty for locals and visitors to enjoy and celebrate the passage of the religious procession. A great place to gather for a game of il calcio (soccer) is Stadio Comunale XVI Giugno, where A.S.D. Julia Spello plays their home games. Fans from far and wide can enjoy a local team playing in front of the home crowd, enjoy youth games, and always have a warm, welcoming audience.
Aosta
Aosta is a very friendly and walkable community and has a stunning alpine culture in the northern region of the country. Bar Restaurant Société en Ville is a popular spot in town to enjoy a relaxing glass of wine, an incredible locally crafted dinner, and an easygoing lunch and coffee in a sleek and modern setting. The restaurant brings together a diverse selection of food and drinks in an atmosphere that makes people feel at ease and at home. An incredible and lively festival to enjoy in June is Musicastelle, offering locals and visitors seven free concerts performed by local artists in gorgeous natural locations in the Aosta Valley. The festival combines nature, music, sustainability, and tourism to the region.
Just north of downtown is Roisod - Ru Neuf, an around 10.1-mile-long trail (16.25 kilometers) showcasing the alluring views of the mountains on a peaceful riverside trail. The pathway is simple, with a running creek next to the trail, and is an ideal spot for tranquil walks and horseback riding during the summer months. At the western end of town, Museo Archeologico Regionale offers visitors a tapestry of the region's history, with exhibits featuring ancient artifacts, Roman Ruins, glass objects, and a glimpse into life in the Roman Empire and among the area's earliest inhabitants.
Pisticci
In the Province of Matera in Southern Italy is Pisticci, a town that is a remarkably friendly destination with genuine Southern Italian hospitality, a walkable town center, and a very tight-knit community. A great place to try a flavorful slice of pizza is Ristorante Pizzeria Napul'e in the center of town. The pizza capricciosa is a must-order, along with the calamari in a friendly atmosphere. On the northern tip of town is ASD Trio A Volo Pisticci, a skeet shooting range for a more action-packed day with friends, colleagues, and loved ones shooting clay pigeons in the air while taking in the stunning mountainous scenery around the facility.
During the prime of the summer in August, the Lucania Film Festival is held, an international film festival showcasing the best work from the independent film scene and new upcomers in the movie industry since 1999. The movies celebrated at the festival honor creative storytelling, visual experimentation, and intercultural dialogue. Near the center of town is Museo Civico Pisticci, a local museum that has a nice collection of historical photographs, artifacts, and clothing from different time periods on display.
Atrani
About 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) south of Naples is Atrani, a vibrant and friendly coastal town, thanks to its intimate community feel, car-free pedestrian zones, and it was famously used in the movie The Equalizer 3. Le Palme Ristorante Pizzeria serves patrons alluringly delicious pizzas to enjoy while also providing seating with stunning views of the Amalfi Coast. Customers can enjoy a diverse selection of seafood, pasta dishes, and wood-fired pizzas with friends and loved ones. A memorable community event to attend during the third week of August is the Le Giornate Del Pesce Azzurro (also known as Bluefish Festival), which is aimed at promoting fishing on the coast, as well as serving locally caught anchovies and sardines, and has live performances and concerts throughout the city.
Spiaggia di Atrani is a basic beach resort giving residents and visitors access to the alluring coast. It has a public beach and is an ideal spot to enjoy a relaxing swim and relax under the sun. Another incredible restaurant to try in town is 'A Paranza, where patrons can enjoy locally prepared dishes with essential flavors in a comfortable and gorgeous setting. The dishes have a focus on the traditional Mediterranean flavor, leaving customers satisfied and wanting to return for seconds.
Brisighella
Just 65 kilometers (40.4 miles) southeast of Bologna is Brisighella, a warm, welcoming comune with a medieval past, a pedestrian-friendly layout, and a slower pace of life. In the center of town is Parco Giuseppe Ugonia, a park created to honor the soldiers who died during World War I on what used to be the town's livestock market. The park consists of towering trees and benches, and is a unique mix of honoring soldiers and everyday pleasure. A couple of blocks away from the park is Via degli Asini, a gorgeous, quaint street that transports people into the feeling of walking through an actual postcard, with colorful buildings lining the street. The street is an architectural treasure as it was built as a defensive bulwark in the 14th century, and showcases the town's historic beauty to those venturing in and out of the area.
An exciting local community event to experience in town is Romantic Brisighella, a one-night showcase of art and love in the medieval village. Local restaurants set up candle-lit tables on the cobblestone streets and offer patrons custom tasting menus. Local musicians perform contemporary love songs to keep the experience memorable and special. In the northern portion of town is Arena Spada Teatro all'aperto, an outdoor performing arts theater allowing its guests to experience local plays and concerts under the nighttime stars. The theater hosts plays, lectures, and art and cultural experiences for people to enjoy.
Tropea
Tropea is an incredibly popular resort town on the coast of the Gulf of Saint Euphemia, and is renowned for its unmatched southern Italian hospitality, breathtaking cliffside setting, and turquoise waters. Tropea Beach is a gorgeous stretch of sand that stretches for 60 miles (100 kilometers), and allows people to go scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters, enjoy a relaxing day on the sand, and is a hot spot to visit during the summer. Next to the beach is the Sunset Beach Club Tropea, a spectacular place to wine and dine on authentic Italian cuisine, enjoy the stunning views of the beach and waterfront, and enjoy the amenities found within the club like the garden and sun terrace. Sunset Beach Club is also an incredible place to take in the sunset and listen to local live music.
A traditional event to experience in September is the Madonna of Romania, which honors the town's protector with religious processions, street fairs, and fireworks launched at midnight over the Tyrrhenian Sea. An incredible restaurant to try in town is Incipit, where patrons can enjoy flavorful seafood, elegant Mediterranean dishes, and authentic Italian cuisine served in a delightful, intimate setting, and an outdoor terrace to take in views of the sea.
Polignano a Mare
On the coast of the Adriatic Sea is Polignano a Mare, a seaside town renowned for its stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and it was the birthplace of singer Domenico Modugno. A great community event to experience in town is the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, taking place in town and showcasing people taking jaw-dropping cliff dives into deep blue water to win the King Kahekili Trophy. The coastal town's scenery provides a dazzling backdrop as the men jump from 27-meter platforms and women jump from 21-meter platforms. Spiaggia di Ponte dei Lapilli is an elegant beach to visit, as beachgoers can admire the white-pebbled grounds, clear cerulean blue water, and alluring views. The beach is an excellent spot for snorkelling and is near local cafes and restaurants, like Da Tuccino and Il Grecale.
East of the beach is the Museum of Contemporary Art Pino Pascali, a contemporary art museum showcasing the works of the late Pino Pascali. The museum displays photographs and drawings, as well as a rotating exhibition of international contemporary art for visitors to enjoy, and the incredible waterfront views. Within town is SOAN Cafè, a cozy café and wine bar to enjoy with friends and loved ones when out on the town. The bar has a warm, welcoming feel to it, outdoor seating is available, and it is a great place to begin the day with a freshly made breakfast.
Cefalù
On the northern shores of Sicily is Cefalù, a coastal city with a laid-back atmosphere, highly walkable, and provides visitors with incredible Italian hospitality. Cefalù Beach is the place to walk its glorious golden sands, walk by or swim in stunningly clear waters, and is surrounded by medieval architecture. A local event that's a can't-miss in August is Ntinna a Mari, a game where 17 boys or men must walk on a 16-meter wooden beam with animal fat and must catch a flag on the very end of said beam. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the town, make entertaining memories, and get the public involved in watching it unfold.
Near the beach is the Club Cefalù - Sushi Club, a sushi restaurant that's perfect for people wanting to enjoy freshly made sushi in a setting with a captivating atmosphere. The ambience is top-notch and features a touch of Middle Eastern influences found throughout the restaurant. A unique landmark to see with friends and loved ones is Porta Terra e Mura Megalitiche, a historical site that served as a gateway to the city, showcasing impressive dry stone walls that have stood the test of time and add to the allure of the city's medieval architecture. The centuries-old landmark is within walking distance of local restaurants like Alchimia and Mas Que Nada for those looking to enjoy incredible Sicilian cuisine.
Unmatched Friendliness In These Italian Communities
The friendliness found in these memorable Italian communities is unmatched, leaving tourists wanting to return to these incredible places for a second or third time. Cefalù is full of hidden gems, and it's unique Ntinna a Mari event; Polignano a Mare is a gorgeous resort town with the action-packed Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, and Aosta is an adventurous place with access to natural trails, thanks to its alpine location. Towns in Italy are full of adventure with local community events, glamorous beaches, and flavorful restaurants friends and loved ones will always cherish for years to come.
