7 Italy’s most beautiful coastal villages that are not yet overrun with tourists

When we think of Italy, cities like Rome, Florence, or Venice often come to mind. But the real Italy — the one that doesn’t boast, but quietly captivates — hides in small villages along the edge of the sea. In places where the day still begins with the sound of a fishing boat engine, the smell of fresh bread from the local bakery, and morning chatter beneath windows faded by endless summers.

These villages weren’t built for tourists — they were built for life. And if you have a bit of patience and a willingness to stray from the usual routes, they’ll welcome you with open arms. Here are 7 coastal gems that are truly worth experiencing:

1. TELLARO – THE LIGURIAN SEA WHISPERER

Perched on the far edge of Liguria, Tellaro feels like a forgotten note in the score of life. The houses cling stubbornly to the cliffs above the sea, and the local legend of an octopus that saved the village from pirates lives on in every corner. Quiet, slow, and deeply authentic — a place that tugs at your heart with its beauty.

Tellaro, Photo: kwasny222 Depositphotos

2. PORTOVENERE – WHERE POETS FELL IN LOVE

Portovenere blends history, dramatic cliffs, and pastel architecture into one perfect chapter just beyond Cinque Terre, but without the crowds. The Church of St. Peter, perched on a rock above the sea, stands like a silent guardian of time. Poets once found their words here, and you just might find yourself.

Portovenere, Photo: Maugli Depositphotos

3. ATRANI – THE SMALLEST VILLAGE ON THE AMALFI COAST

Just a short walk from Amalfi town, yet worlds apart in atmosphere. Atrani feels like a place people never want to leave. Cafés without menus, stairways leading to the unknown, and a sense that you’ve stepped straight into a novel.

Atrani, Photo: Balate Dorin Depositphotos

4. MARATEA – THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF THE SOUTH

In the southwest of Italy, in the Basilicata region, Maratea sits quietly between mountains and sea. With views over the Tyrrhenian Sea, narrow winding streets, and a giant statue of Christ watching over it all, it feels like a peaceful Rio de Janeiro, without the crowds. Maratea doesn’t try to impress. It simply exists — and that’s more than enough.

Maratea, Photo: bezikus Depositphotos

5. SCILLA – BEYOND THE MYTH

Scilla enchants at the very tip of Calabria, where the myth of Odysseus meets the sea. The Chianalea quarter is lined with houses that sink directly into the water. A sunset stroll along the shore, as waves kiss the doorsteps, feels like a quiet prayer to the Mediterranean.

Scilla, Photo: monticello Depositphotos

6. SPERLONGA – WHITE ON BLUE

Halfway between Rome and Naples, Sperlonga looks as if someone sprinkled white sugar over a cliffside. Whitewashed houses, stairways that disappear into each other, and a long sandy beach below. Roman emperors once built villas here — today, you’re building memories.

Sperlonga, Photo: Oleg_P Depositphotos

7. PROCIDA – AN ISLAND THAT SMELLS LIKE CHILDHOOD

The smallest and most unassuming island in the Bay of Naples. Pastel-colored houses, streets where children still kick a ball, and the feeling that time has quietly stopped. Procida feels like coming home, even if you’ve never been. It’s no surprise Il Postino was filmed here — poetry isn’t imagined in this place, it’s lived.

Procida, Photo: Maugli Depositphotos

From Liguria to the southern tip of Calabria, Italy hides villages that often remain in the shadow of larger cities — yet it’s in that very shadow they protect what matters most: authenticity, peace, and a story worth telling. Each of these places has its own rhythm, its own colors, and its own view of the sea that lingers in your memory.

If you’re tired of postcards and want something real, follow this path. Explore them. Experience them. Come back with a story no brochure could ever offer.