5 Alternative Italian Travel Routes to Combat Overtourism: From Tuscany's Canyons to Calabria's Cammino del Normanno
To address the surge in cultural tourism in Italy, Artribune has introduced five alternative travel paths aimed at alleviating overtourism. Among the recommendations are Tuscany's Orrido di Botri canyon, Laguna Blu, Sentiero Elsa, Masso delle Fanciulle, and Lake Bilancino. In the Campania region, the Sannio beneventano showcases Benevento's Arco di Traiano, Teatro Romano, Castello di Montesarchio, Sant'Agata de' Goti, and the Matese mountains, which include the Parco Geopaleontologico di Pietraroja, home to the dinosaur fossil 'Ciro.' The Cammino del Normanno in Calabria, a 141-kilometer trek, earned a Special Mention at the Oscar Italiani del Cicloturismo 2026. Additionally, Lugano, Switzerland, boasts extensive hiking and biking options, while camper travel is promoted as an eco-friendly choice, with destinations in Ireland, Portugal, and France.
Key facts
- Artribune lists five alternative travel routes to combat overtourism in Italy and nearby.
- Tuscany's Orrido di Botri is a canyon with walls up to 200 meters high, accessible with authorized alpine guides.
- The Sentiero Elsa runs over four kilometers between Colle di Val d'Elsa and San Gimignano.
- Benevento houses the Arco di Traiano and Teatro Romano, and is linked to the legend of the janare witches.
- The Castello di Montesarchio hosts the Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Sannio Caudino with the Cratere di Assteas.
- The Cammino del Normanno in Calabria is 141 kilometers long, divided into eight stages, connecting Capo Vaticano to Monasterace.
- The Cammino del Normanno received a Special Mention at the Oscar Italiani del Cicloturismo 2026.
- Lugano offers over 900 km of hiking trails and 400 km of mountain bike routes.
- Mario Botta designed the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli on Monte Tamaro, part of the Architour.
- A study by Istituto Sant'Anna di Pisa found camper travel produces 30% less CO2 than car-and-hotel trips.
- Suggested camper destinations include Doolin (Ireland), Praia da Tocha (Portugal), and Bidart (France).
Entities
Artists
- Mario Botta
Institutions
- Artribune
- Oscar Italiani del Cicloturismo
- Istituto Sant'Anna di Pisa
- Associazione Produttori Caravan e Camper
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale del Sannio Caudino
- Parco Geopaleontologico di Pietraroja
Locations
- Italy
- Tuscany
- Garfagnana
- Orrido di Botri
- Bagni di Lucca
- Laguna Blu
- Sentiero Elsa
- Colle di Val d'Elsa
- San Gimignano
- Maremma
- Masso delle Fanciulle
- Cecina
- Lago di Bilancino
- Mugello
- Campania
- Sannio beneventano
- Benevento
- Castello di Montesarchio
- Sant'Agata de' Goti
- Cerreto Sannita
- Matese
- Cusano Mutri
- Guardia Sanframondi
- Pietraroja
- Calabria
- Cammino del Normanno
- Capo Vaticano
- Monasterace
- Parco naturale regionale delle Serre
- Zungri
- Mileto
- Serra San Bruno
- Stilo
- Kaulonia
- Lugano
- Switzerland
- Gandria
- Morcote
- Monte Tamaro
- Monte Lema
- Monte Brè
- Monte San Salvatore
- Doolin
- Ireland
- Wild Atlantic Way
- Cliffs of Moher
- Aran Islands
- Praia da Tocha
- Portugal
- Bidart
- France
- French Basque Country
- Corniche Basque