5 lesser-known destinations in Italy for cheaper prices and smaller crowds in 2026

Share the article

With its fascinating ancient ruins preserved for thousands of years, beautiful cities that resemble open-air museums and incredible cuisine, Italy is on the bucket list of millions of travelers heading to the Old Continent in 2026.

The dolce vita However, it comes at a price, and sometimes a dazzling one: Between spending around $223 per night on hotels in Milan and dropping as much as $285 on daily expenses in Amalfi, you’d better have some extra cash if you’re looking to hit the big hotspots.

Oh, did we mention the crowds?

Good luck dragging yourself out of bed at 5am to take a clean photo of the Trevi Fountain, only to find a line of Instagrammers who beat you to it.

Fortunately for budget-conscious, crowd-wary travelers, not all of Italy is one big, hectic tourist playground. If you are looking for “normal” prices, less chaos, and most importantly: authenticity, these 5 lesser known gems are the best choice to enjoy Italy without spending a lot of money:

Udine

Udine, an elegant small city in northeastern Italy, is best known for its stately Piazza della Libertaframed by Venetian-era architecture. In particular the Gothic, pink and white marble Loggia del Lionello and the striking bell tower overlooking the square.

Largely ignored by tourists, it has a beautiful historic center intersected with cobbled streets and peppered with family businesses trattoria serving regional delicacies: you haven’t been to Udine until you’ve tried Osteria Al Marinaio’s frico con polenta.

Culturally, don’t miss Udine Castle, home to several art galleries, and its cathedral. Austere on the outside, yet a richly decorated Baroque gem once you cross the main portal, it is one of the most impressive churches you can find in this corner of Italy.

Average prices in Udine, Italy

Vicenza

One of the most beautiful, yet criminally underrated destinations in Italy, Vicenza has the Old World flair of Venice (without the canals), world-class museums that hold their own against Rome’s, and a food scene that could give Naples a run for its money, except it isn’t completely overrun.

Every tour of Vicenza starts at Piazza dei Signoriwith its slender, tall Torre Bissara, which is about 80 meters high, and the arcade-lined Basilica Palladiana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site palazzo designed by the famous architect Andrea Palladio in the 16th century.

After you’ve filled your phone storage and taken photos of every angle, grab a few hearty Veneto-style pasta and local wine Osteria Il Cursoreand end the day with a stroll through the fountain-studded, tree-lined area Giardini Salvithe most serene city park in the city.

Average prices in Vicenza, Italy

Perugia

The capital of Umbria, a culturally rich region in central Italy, away from the usual hustle and bustle, Perugia is none other than the typical Italian town: imagine imposing walls, cobbled streets and centuries-old mansions that have barely registered the passage of time.

The Priori Palace, built between 1293 and 1443 to house the ‘Priori’ – ten men chosen from the city’s major guilds to govern it – is the defining landmark, with its Hogwarts-esque vaulted corridors, frescoed chapels and carved window frames.

Nearby is the Fontana Maggiorea 13th-century fountain with Biblical scenes. As for the city’s Duomo, it’s not nearly as ornate as those in Milan or Florence, but it’s definitely worth seeing for its ribbed vaults and sturdy columns.

Average prices in Perugia, Italy

Lecce

Nickname ‘Florence of the SouthThanks to its impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque monuments, Lecce is a hidden gem of the increasingly trendy Puglia region, which remains relatively untouched.

In the center of the city, the delicately sculpted Basilica of Santa Croce features impressive sculptures and a rose window, while the nearby Roman amphitheater is partially undonegrounded after centuries beneath the ocher buildings of Lecce, tells vivid stories of legendary civilizations of the past.

In addition to strolling through the timeless alleys of Lecce and soaking up its centuries-old heritage, you can to have to try pasticciottoLecce’s signature treat: a crumbly shortcrust pastry filled with warm custard, best enjoyed fresh from the oven at Caffè Alvino, in the atmospheric Piazza Sant’Oronzo.

Average prices in Lecce, Italy

Scicli

Located on the southern side of Sicily, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Val di NotoScicli has all the island’s postcard-perfect ingredients: winding medieval streets, opulent churches and charming piazzebut without the hustle and bustle of Taormina.

A walk along Via Francesco Mormina Penna leads you past opulent palazzi, baroque chapels and cozy cafés. The street runs along a dry canal that only fills up during heavy rain, and forms the elegant centerpiece of Scicli’s old town.

Other must-sees include Palazzo Beneventano, considered one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Sicilyand uphill, overlooking the sunlit city, Chiesa di San Matteoan abandoned church that also serves as a viewpoint. Come during sunset to see a magical Scicli glowing golden.

Average prices in Scicli, Italy

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.