Northern Italy has an unfair share of the world’s most beautiful towns — pastel harbors, lakeside promenades, and villages ringed by jagged peaks, all within a few hours of each other.
Here are the 15 best towns in northern Italy, ranked, so you know exactly where to point your camera first.
The 15 Best Towns in Northern Italy to Visit
Here they are, ranked from good to absolutely unmissable — starting at the very top.
1. Bellagio
Bellagio sits right at the fork of Lake Como, which is why it’s earned its title as Italy’s most famous lake town.
Its steep stone stairways climb from the ferry dock past silk shops and gelaterias, with lake views appearing at almost every turn.
Stroll the gardens of Villa Melzi along the water, then grab an aperitivo on the waterfront as the ferries come and go.
2. Varenna
Just across the water from Bellagio, Varenna is Como’s most beautiful town at water level, with colorful houses pressed right against the lake.
Follow the Passeggiata degli Innamorati — the “lovers’ walk” — along the shore, then wander up through the flower-draped stairways of the old town.
Don’t leave without seeing the lakeside gardens of Villa Monastero, which stretch for nearly two kilometers along the shore.
3. Sirmione
Sirmione occupies a narrow peninsula reaching into Lake Garda, and you enter its old town over a drawbridge through a genuine moated castle.
Beyond the Scaliger fortress, lanes of gelato shops and trattorias lead to the Grotte di Catullo, the ruins of a vast Roman villa at the peninsula’s tip.
Thermal waters bubble up here too, so you can finish your sightseeing with a soak overlooking the lake.
4. Manarola
Manarola is home to what might be the most photographed village view in Italy — that famous shot of pastel houses stacked on black cliffs above a tiny harbor.
The classic angle is from the walkway of Punta Bonfiglio, and it’s worth waiting for sunset when the whole town glows.
Afterward, wander the vineyard terraces above town, where the local Sciacchetrà wine has been made for centuries.
5. Vernazza
Vernazza is the definitive Cinque Terre town, with a natural harbor, pastel tower houses, and a small castle keeping watch above the sea.
Its piazza opens right onto the water, ringed by fishing boats and restaurant tables, and it’s as lovely at breakfast as it is at dusk.
For the iconic view, hike a short way up the coastal trail toward Monterosso and look back — you’ll see why this stretch of coastline is world famous.
6. Portofino
Portofino is tiny, glamorous, and unforgettable, its horseshoe harbor lined with tall painted facades and superyachts.
Walk up to the church of San Giorgio and on to the lighthouse for views back over the harbor that no photo quite does justice.
Yes, it’s expensive — but a coffee in the piazzetta watching the boats is a small price for a front-row seat to the Italian Riviera at its most polished.
7. Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is the queen of the Dolomites, a stylish mountain town completely ringed by some of the most dramatic peaks in Europe.
The pedestrianized Corso Italia is made for slow evening strolls, with pink-hued mountains glowing above the rooftops at sunset.
Use it as your base for cable cars, alpine lakes, and hikes — Lago di Sorapis and the Cinque Torri are both within easy reach.
8. Malcesine
Malcesine’s castle rises straight from the shore of Lake Garda, towering over a knot of cobbled lanes and lakefront cafés.
Climb the castle tower for views along the whole lake, then ride the rotating cable car up Monte Baldo, where the panorama stretches from the water to the Alps.
Back at the bottom, the little harbor is one of Garda’s prettiest spots for a sunset drink.
9. Burano
Burano is the rainbow-colored island town of the Venetian lagoon, where every house is painted a different bright shade and the canals double it all in reflection.
Local legend says fishermen painted their homes so they could spot them through the fog, and today the tradition is protected by law.
Come for the colors, stay for the lace-making heritage and a plate of fresh seafood by the canal.
10. Portovenere
Portovenere is the UNESCO-listed harbor town just beyond the Cinque Terre, with a wall of tall painted houses facing the water and far fewer crowds.
At the end of the promontory, the striped church of San Pietro stands on its rocky point above the sea — one of the most dramatic church settings in Italy.
Walk out to it at golden hour, then explore Byron’s Grotto in the cliffs below.
11. Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the Cinque Terre’s dramatic third icon, its tower houses stacked steeply above a tiny rock-framed harbor.
The classic view is from the short path around the marina, especially at dusk when the windows light up above the boats.
It’s also the best of the five villages for an evening — grab fried seafood in a paper cone and eat it on the harbor rocks.
12. Limone sul Garda
Limone sul Garda earned its name from the lemon terraces that climb the cliffs behind its old town, and you can still visit the historic Limonaia del Castèl groves today.
The lakefront promenade and narrow lanes are backed by sheer rock, giving the whole town a dramatic, squeezed-between-cliff-and-water feel.
For something special, walk or cycle the famous bike path that hangs right over the lake just north of town.
13. Camogli
Camogli is the locals’ Portofino — a working fishing harbor backed by tall painted facades, with a fraction of the crowds and prices.
The pebble beach sits right below the colorful houses, so you can swim with one of the Riviera’s best views in front of you.
Time your visit for the evening passeggiata, when the waterfront fills with families and the focaccia shops are still warm.
14. Courmayeur
Courmayeur is a historic alpine town sitting at the foot of Mont Blanc, with a cobbled old center that feels a world away from purpose-built ski resorts.
The Skyway Monte Bianco cable car rises from the edge of town to 3,466 meters, with rotating cabins and views across the roof of Europe.
Down below, Via Roma delivers cozy wine bars, mountain-gear boutiques, and serious alpine dining.
15. Ortisei
Ortisei is the polished main town of Val Gardena, right in the heart of the Dolomites and surrounded by peaks on every side.
Its pedestrian center is full of painted facades, woodcarving workshops, and café terraces with mountain views.
Cable cars run straight from town up to the Alpe di Siusi and Seceda, so some of the best scenery in the Alps starts a few minutes from your morning coffee.
Final Thoughts on the Best Towns in Northern Italy
The best towns in northern Italy pack an incredible amount of variety into one region — you can wake up on Lake Como, lunch on the Ligurian coast, and watch the sun set on the Dolomites, all in the same trip.
Whichever of these towns you choose, you really can’t get it wrong.
Looking for more Italy inspiration? Check out these popular reads:
- Hidden Gems in Northern Italy
- The Perfect Northern Italy 7-Day Itinerary
- Northern Italy vs Southern Italy – Which Should You Visit?
And for even more destination guides, tips, and bucket-list ideas, head over to our Italy travel blog!
