Italy holds the world record for the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with over 50 remarkable places that showcase its rich cultural, architectural, and natural heritage. From the ancient streets of Rome to the rolling hills of Tuscany and the cliffside villages of the Amalfi Coast, each destination offers its own story, charm, and sense of wonder.
Travelling by car lets you set your own pace, whether you're stopping for sweeping views, venturing into hidden villages, or choosing the scenic road between legendary sights. If you're dreaming of a road trip through Italy filled with timeless beauty and unforgettable stops, keep reading for a route packed with iconic and hidden gems.
The historic centre of Rome is a treasure trove of ancient history and artistic grandeur. This UNESCO-listed area includes many of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. Rome’s ancient streets are also lined with churches, fountains, palaces, and monuments dating from the Roman Empire to the Baroque era.
While central Rome is best explored on foot due to pedestrian zones and limited vehicle access, having a rental car allows you to reach important sites on the outskirts, such as the Catacombs, the Appian Way, and the Baths of Caracalla. Parking in designated lots outside the ZTL (limited traffic zone) is the best strategy. You can then enjoy the historical wonders of the Eternal City without worrying about navigation or fines within the city core.
Few places offer a more vivid window into the past than the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, these towns were preserved under volcanic ash and provide a snapshot of life in ancient Rome. Mosaics, frescoes, marketplaces, and villas have survived the centuries, making these sites a must-visit for history lovers.
From there, the road winds down to the Amalfi Coast, a dramatic coastline of cliffs and colourful villages. Driving along this stretch allows you to stop in charming towns such as Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, each with its character, architecture, and cuisine. The views from the road are breathtaking, especially around sunset. Renting a small vehicle is advised, as roads are narrow and winding.
This UNESCO site includes five cliffside villages on the Ligurian coast, such as Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, along with Portovenere and three nearby islands. These centuries-old fishing communities are famous for their colourful buildings, rugged coastline, and terraced vineyards.
Although cars are restricted inside the villages, driving to nearby towns like La Spezia or Levanto gives you access to scenic overlooks, mountain trails, and regional cuisine. From these access points, you can hop on a train or ferry to reach the Cinque Terre villages. Driving allows for flexible scheduling and the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of Liguria, including lesser-known gems inland.
The region of Tuscany is a dream for travellers who love art, wine, and rolling landscapes. Florence’s historic centre is a UNESCO masterpiece, home to Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Brunelleschi’s Dome, and the Uffizi Gallery. The city itself is an open-air museum showcasing Renaissance innovation and beauty.
Siena, just a short drive away, transports visitors back to the Middle Ages. Known for its Gothic architecture and the famed Palio horse race, it offers an atmospheric and historic alternative to Florence’s grandeur. Continue to San Gimignano, a small walled town known for its skyline of medieval towers and fresco-filled churches. Driving through Tuscany allows you to stop in vineyards, olive groves, and artisan villages at your own pace. The region is known for Chianti wine, farm-to-table meals, and scenic rural roads.
South of Siena lies the Val d’Orcia, a classic Tuscan landscape that feels lifted from a painting. Recognised by UNESCO for its harmonious blend of nature and agriculture, the region is dotted with cypress-lined roads, hilltop villages, and golden fields. Pienza, originally redesigned during the Renaissance as the ideal city, is a highlight with its elegant streets and panoramic views. Montalcino, famous for Brunello wine, offers tastings and tours in historic wineries. The area is peaceful and ideal for a slower driving experience, with autumn and spring offering especially scenic moments to stop for photos or enjoy local food.
Located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, Matera is known for its “Sassi” districts, ancient cave dwellings carved into the limestone cliffs. These homes, churches, and cisterns date back thousands of years and have been inhabited continuously over the centuries. The city’s unique architecture earned it UNESCO status and recognition as a European Capital of Culture.
By car, you can explore not just Matera’s historic centre, but also nearby attractions such as the Murgia plateau, which features cave churches and archaeological sites. Staying in one of Matera’s restored cave hotels offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The drive to Matera takes you through a lesser-travelled part of Italy, filled with unspoiled countryside.
South of the Amalfi Coast lies Cilento, an area rich in both history and natural beauty. This UNESCO-listed region includes the Greek temples of Paestum, the ancient ruins of Velia, and the grand Carthusian monastery of Padula. Unlike busier destinations in Italy, Cilento offers quiet roads, pine forests, and pristine beaches. Villages cling to cliffs and hillsides, and local cuisine reflects the Mediterranean diet that originated here. A car is essential to reach the scattered archaeological sites and explore the vast parkland, coastal roads, and rural hamlets that define this underappreciated region.
The northern city of Vicenza and the countryside around it are home to the works of Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architects in Western history. His villas, inspired by classical Roman forms, are celebrated for their balance, proportion, and elegance. This UNESCO site includes the city of Vicenza itself, with buildings like the Teatro Olimpico, and numerous villas across the Veneto region. Driving between them lets you appreciate Palladio’s architectural legacy in a leisurely way, visiting gardens, courtyards, and interiors filled with frescoes and classical motifs. Many routes also take you through the wine regions of Soave and Valpolicella.
If you’re looking to extend your journey beyond these iconic heritage sites, don’t miss our Top Ten Unforgettable Road Trip Destinations in Italy Every Tourist Will Love for more scenic routes and hidden gems across the country.
Travelling by car provides flexibility that other forms of transportation cannot match. You can choose when to leave, where to stop, and how long to stay. Driving lets you connect major cities with hidden towns, pause for scenic viewpoints, and discover authentic local restaurants and artisan shops along the way.
driving from Florence to Siena and onward to Val d’Orcia or San Gimignano allows you to weave through vineyards and hill towns that are not served by rail. A southern route from Naples through Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and on to Matera or Cilento gives you a unique mix of history and coastline. Routes through the north, such as from Venice to Vicenza and into the Dolomites, offer a contrast between culture and Alpine nature.
Italy’s list of World Heritage Sites continues with many other locations accessible by car:
Renting a car with Final Rentals is a simple way to explore Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It lets you travel at your own pace and reach spots that public transport can’t. Final Rentals makes it easy to compare top providers, find great rates, and book the car that suits your trip.
For more practical tips on driving confidently and legally in Italy, visit Everything You Need to Know Before Taking the Wheel in Italy for the First Time.
Italy’s World Heritage Sites are more than just tourist attractions. They are windows into thousands of years of culture, craftsmanship, and natural harmony. Driving from site to site allows you to see more, do more, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Whether you’re exploring Renaissance cities, coastal cliffs, ancient ruins, or pastoral hills, a road trip through Italy offers unmatched depth and variety. Plan your route, rent a car in Italy with Final Rentals, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure through some of the most beautiful and historically significant places on Earth!
