Let’s face it—Italy can get expensive, especially if you stick to the “Big Three”: Rome, Venice, and Florence. But beyond those postcard cities lies a quieter, richer, more affordable version of Italy—one filled with history, incredible food, and the kind of magic that doesn’t come with a €20 museum ticket or hour-long queue.
If you’re dreaming of la dolce vita without the price tag, here’s your ultimate guide to Italy’s most underrated and budget-friendly cities. These hidden gems offer all the beauty and authenticity—at a fraction of the cost.
1. Lecce – The Florence of the South, Minus the Price Tag
Often overshadowed by its northern cousins, Lecce in Puglia is a baroque beauty that shines golden under the southern sun. Known as the “Florence of the South,” it features stunning sandstone churches, hidden courtyards, and a local lifestyle that’s refreshingly relaxed with fewer tourists and more heart.
Lesser-known gem: Lecce has its own Roman amphitheater buried under the city center—completely free and open-air. You’ll literally stumble upon ancient ruins while grabbing a gelato.
Budget tip: Many architectural sites like the Duomo and Piazza Sant’Oronzo are free to visit. Stay in a masseria (a countryside farmhouse-turned-B&B) just outside the city for a charming, affordable stay. Local trattorias serve traditional orecchiette pasta meals under €10.
Traveler tip: Lecce is a great base to explore nearby towns like Otranto and Alberobello (the famous trulli houses). Rent a scooter or bike to explore nearby beaches and towns. Public transport is limited, but fuel is cheaper here than in the north. Rent a car to truly explore Puglia, but note that automatic cars cost more—book early!
Credit card hack: Look for no-foreign-fee cards like Revolut or Wise to avoid ATM and conversion fees when paying small vendors, and book accommodations with cards offering travel points (like Chase Sapphire or Amex Gold).
2. Trieste – Border-City Beauty with Balkan Flavors
Trieste is Italy with a Central European soul. Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this port city feels more like Vienna than Venice, with elegant cafes, literary history, and breezy seaside walks. Grand architecture, seafront cafés, and literary history make this a dream for slow travelers.
Lesser-known gem: Don’t miss the Grotta Gigante, one of the largest tourist-accessible caves in the world——entry is under €15 and includes a guided tour, and is only 20 minutes from the city!
Budget tip: Many of Trieste’s best attractions, including Piazza Unità d’Italia and scenic coastal paths, are completely free. You can even catch beautiful sea views from Napoleonica Trail with zero entry fees. Skip pricey restaurants and enjoy rich coffee culture in elegant old-school cafés for just €2.
Travel Tip: Hop across the border to Ljubljana, Slovenia, in under 90 minutes by train or bus. Tickets are cheap and it’s a unique two-country experience.
Card Hack: Use a card with no foreign transaction fees and travel protection—like Chase Sapphire Preferred—for peace of mind on cross-border travel. Book regional transport or accommodation on booking platforms like Trainline or Flixbus, and use cards with cashback on travel categories.
3. Parma – Italy’s Tastiest City
If food is your love language, Parma is your soulmate. The birthplace of Parmesan cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, this city is a culinary playground.
Hidden Gem: Visit local farms and producers around Parma. Many offer free tours with tastings—just book in advance. Also visit the Camera di San Paolo, a Renaissance-era room with whimsical ceiling frescoes featuring rabbits and mythical beasts—completely unexpected!
Budget Tips: Head to the university district for €1 espresso and €10 lunch specials. Markets like Mercato della Ghiaia offer affordable, ready-to-eat bites. Many local producers offer free or low-cost factory tours with tastings. Just contact them ahead of time. You can also eat like a king at casual osterie for under €15.
Travel Tip: The city is flat and walkable, but bikes are available for rent. Use the local bike-sharing app Bicincittà to explore more economically.
Credit Tip: Use a card that rewards dining—like Amex Gold or Capital One Savor—for extra value on your food adventures.
4. Bergamo – Twin Cities in One
Bergamo is a tale of two cities: the medieval hilltop Città Alta and the modern lower town Città Bassa. A short funicular ride connects them, making exploration a breeze. It gives you both worlds with just one affordable train ticket
Hidden Gem: Ride the funicular to San Vigilio Castle for panoramic views of the Alps and the Lombardy plains, with barely any tourists at sunset—entry is free, and it’s stunning.
Budget Tips: Get a 24-hour public transit pass (under €5) that covers buses and funiculars. Stay in Bergamo instead of Milan to save big on accommodation— it’s cheaper, quieter, and just an hour away by train.
Travel Tip: Fly into Bergamo’s Orio al Serio Airport, a hub for low-cost airlines like Ryanair and other low-cost carriers. You can fly in from many European cities for under €20!
Card Tip: Use a travel card with airline perks (like lost luggage insurance or lounge access) for low-cost flights.
5. Arezzo – Affordable Art and Tuscan Soul
Why battle crowds in Florence when Arezzo offers Renaissance art, Etruscan ruins, and classic Tuscan views—without the inflated costs?
Hidden Gem: Don’t miss Fortezza Medicea, a peaceful park with panoramic views of Tuscany and is a quiet picnic spot.
Budget Tips: Visit on the first Sunday of the month for free museum entry. Antique lovers will adore the massive monthly Arezzo Antiques Fair (held on the first Sunday of every month)
Travel tip: Arezzo is just over an hour from Florence by regional train—tickets can be as low as €8 if booked early.
Spending Hack: Use a travel rewards card with purchase protection when buying antiques or local art—just in case something doesn’t survive the trip home.
6. Cagliari – Island Life on a Budget
Cagliari, Sardinia’s sun-soaked capital, offers island charm without island prices. Think Roman ruins, colorful old towns, and cheap beach days.
Hidden Gem: Explore the underground Crypt of Santa Restituta—mysterious, ancient-dating back to Roman times, and free to enter.
Budget Tips: Ditch expensive restaurants for aperitivo culture—buy a drink and get a plate of snacks included. Beach buses to Poetto are less than €2 each way.
Travel Tip: Use the CTM bus app for cheap tickets and real-time schedules. Public transport here is better than expected. Buses run frequently to Poetto Beach, a local favorite. Instead of pricey beach clubs, opt for free public areas and buy snacks from street vendors.
Card Caution: Many beachside cafés still prefer cash—withdraw from ATMs using low-fee cards like N26 or Wise. Use cards with dynamic currency conversion disabled to avoid hidden charges.
7. Ferrara – Flat, Festive, and Full of Bikes
UNESCO-listed Ferrara is known for Renaissance architecture, rich history, and more bikes than cars. It’s peaceful, pretty, and perfect for slow travel. Ferrara is Italy’s cycling capital. The whole city moves by bike—and you’ll want to, too.
Hidden Gem: Visit the Palazzo Schifanoia to see zodiac-inspired frescoes that tell astrological stories—most travelers miss it, but it’s one of Ferrara’s top artistic sites. Tickets are under €6 and rarely crowded.
Budget Tips: Rent a bike for less than €5/day or get one free through many hostels and B&Bs. Ferrara’s historic center is compact and easy to explore in a day.
Travel Tip: Visit during the Palio di Ferrara in May—the oldest horse race in the world—a medieval celebration with music, parades, and pageantry—all free to attend.
Credit Tip: Some hotels here offer extra discounts if you book directly and pay with international travel cards—always ask. Booking accommodations early via platforms that accept credit cards with price protection (like Citi or Capital One) can save you from price jumps.
Budget-Friendly Train Routes Between Underrated Italian Cities
Italy’s extensive rail network makes it convenient and economical to travel between cities. Here’s a suggested route connecting the underrated gems:
1. Lecce to Ferrara
- Route: Take a high-speed train from Lecce to Bologna, then transfer to a regional train to Ferrara.
- Duration: Approximately 7.5 hours.
- Estimated Cost: From €35.77. (Rail Europe)
2. Ferrara to Parma
- Route: Direct regional trains are available.
- Duration: Around 1.5 hours.
- Estimated Cost: From €10.50. (Rail Europe)
3. Parma to Bergamo
- Route: Travel via Milan with a transfer.
- Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours.
- Estimated Cost: From €15.
4. Bergamo to Arezzo
- Route: Take a train to Milan, then transfer to a high-speed train to Florence, followed by a regional train to Arezzo.
- Duration: Around 5 hours.
- Estimated Cost: From €30.
5. Arezzo to Cagliari
- Route: Train to Civitavecchia, then ferry to Cagliari.
- Duration: Train: ~2.5 hours; Ferry: ~13 hours (overnight).
- Estimated Cost: Train: €15; Ferry: From €40.(EGTRE)
6. Cagliari to Trieste
- Route: Ferry back to mainland (e.g., Civitavecchia), then train to Trieste via Rome and Venice.
- Duration: Ferry: ~13 hours; Train: ~8 hours.
- Estimated Cost: Ferry: From €40; Train: From €50.
Travel Tips:
- Booking: Use platforms like Trenitalia or Rail Europe for schedules and bookings.
- Passes: Consider a Eurail Italy Pass for unlimited travel on certain days.
- Night Trains: Opt for overnight trains to save on accommodation.(Rail Europe)
Bonus Tip: Italy’s regional trains are efficient and cheap. Use Trenitalia or Italo websites to book early and save up to 70%.
Culinary Delights in Each City
Exploring local cuisine is a must. Here’s what to savor in each city:
1. Lecce (Puglia)
- Frisa: Twice-baked bread topped with tomatoes, oregano, and olive oil.
- Pizzo Leccese: Savory roll filled with tomatoes, onions, and olives.
- Wine: Primitivo and Negroamaro varieties. (Trips 2 Italy)
2. Ferrara (Emilia-Romagna)
- Cappellacci di Zucca: Pumpkin-filled pasta served with butter and sage.
- Salama da Sugo: Rich, cured pork sausage.
- Pasticcio di Maccheroni: Macaroni pie with béchamel and ragù. (Wikipedia)
3. Parma (Emilia-Romagna)
- Parmigiano Reggiano: World-renowned hard cheese.
- Prosciutto di Parma: Delicate, dry-cured ham.
- Tortelli d’Erbetta: Pasta stuffed with ricotta and herbs.
4. Bergamo (Lombardy)
- Casoncelli: Stuffed pasta with meat and breadcrumbs.
- Polenta Taragna: Buckwheat polenta mixed with cheese.
- Stracciatella Gelato: Creamy vanilla with chocolate shavings.
5. Arezzo (Tuscany)
- Ribollita: Hearty vegetable and bread soup.
- Pici: Thick, hand-rolled pasta.
- Cantucci: Almond biscuits often dipped in Vin Santo wine.
6. Cagliari (Sardinia)
- Fregola: Toasted pasta balls often served with clams.
- Porceddu: Roast suckling pig.
- Seadas: Fried pastry filled with cheese and drizzled with honey.
7. Trieste (Friuli-Venezia Giulia)
- Jota: Soup made with beans, sauerkraut, and potatoes.
- Goulash: Reflecting Austro-Hungarian influence.
- Presnitz: Spiral pastry filled with nuts and dried fruits.
Dining Tips
- Local Markets: Visit markets for fresh, affordable meals.
- Aperitivo: Enjoy pre-dinner drinks with complimentary snacks.
- Set Menus: Look for “menu del giorno” for fixed-price meals.
Top Card Picks for Budget Travelers
- Revolut / Wise – No foreign fees, real exchange rates
- Chase Sapphire Preferred – Great for travel protection and points
- Capital One Savor / Amex Gold – Ideal for dining and experiences
Wrap-Up: Affordable Italy Exists—You Just Need to Know Where to Look
Italy doesn’t have to drain your wallet. These underrated cities offer unbeatable value, unforgettable experiences, and a more authentic connection to Italian life than you’ll ever get elbowing through a crowd at the Colosseum.
Traveling Italy doesn’t have to mean following the crowds. These cities offer authentic experiences, unforgettable tastes, and plenty of opportunities to save—without sacrificing the beauty and charm Italy is known for.
Ready to explore budget-friendly Italy? Whether you want food, art, beaches, or just a break from the mainstream, these hidden gems are waiting—with open arms and open tables. By following this guide, you can immerse yourself in Italy’s rich culture and cuisine while keeping expenses in check. Enjoy your journey through these hidden treasures!
Choose one. Choose them all. But whatever you do, go beyond Rome.
