Italy is full of iconic cities and beautiful landmarks that are well worth visiting: think Capri, Florence, Pisa, the Pantheon in Rome. But it’s often the less-frequented spots that have a sense of magic to them—and feel the most authentically Italian. On her latest trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast, Bells & Becks founder Tamar Miller set out to discover the undiscovered. Here, she shares her favorite finds, from tiny towns to ancient ruins and more.
The Monti Neighborhood in Rome
“Even in Rome—one of the most tourist-frequented places on earth—you can find more under-the-radar neighborhoods where you can mingle with the locals. My favorite area right now is Monti, a neighborhood close to the Coliseum. Because it’s outside of the city center it’s a little more mellow, with a cool art and vintage shopping scene.”
Lacco Ameno
“The island of Ischia is my absolute favorite! We stayed in an area called Lacco Ameno and especially enjoyed the relaxed family atmosphere. But relaxed doesn’t mean sleepy: there an amazing energy and bustle to Italian nightlife with everyone out on their passeggiata, or evening stroll, along the main street after dinner and late into the night.”
Atrani
“This little city perched on the coast just east of Positano is so beautiful and a little more off the beaten track than other towns. Don’t miss the amazing stairs that inspired MC Escher’s mind-bending artwork!”
Maiori and Minori
“A little further to the East, you’ll come to Maiori and Minori, two small sister towns that you can walk between on a charming footpath. The transcendent Delizia al Limone, a world-famous lemon sponge cake, originated at Pasticcieria Sal de Riso in Minori and is an absolute must-have.”
Bagni Regina Giovanna in Sorrento
“Sorrento sunsets were the best, but the highlight of my time there was actually an early morning trek we took to Bagni Regina Giovanna, an ancient Roman ruin with a spectacular swimming hole. We got there early enough that we had it almost entirely to ourselves—totally magical.”
Path of the Gods & Montepertuso Buco Trails in Positano
“The city of Positano gets a lot of tourist attention (and for good reason), but my favorite part of it was actually outside of the city: We first took the more frequented Path of the Gods hike, known for its stunning views of the Sorrento peninsula, but kept going and climbed to the amazing "mouth" in the mountain in Montepertuso. Strenuous, but well worth it.”
La Figlia del Presidente in Naples
“Naples is renowned for its pizza, and this rustic little restaurant specializes in a mouth-watering fried pizza that I’ll be thinking about for months to come.”
