A Little-Known Region Offers Some Of The Best Of Coastal Italy Without Tourist Crowds

The magic of Italy is undeniable. From delectable food and incredible landscapes to captivating history, there's no other place quite like it. No wonder it's one of the top five most visited countries in the world. As worldwide tourism continues to rebound post-COVID, Italy is thriving. The most recent year-end estimates put the number of 2024 visitors at roughly 62.2 million, up from 60.9 million the year before and just shy of achieving pre-pandemic numbers. And yet, while some regions of Italy are completely inundated with tourists such as Veneto or Lazio or Tuscany, one little region remains noticeably absent from most itineraries.

Molise may be small, but this lovely little southern Italian region on the Adriatic coast has a lot to offer. Because it's largely untouched, it maintains a rugged old-world charm that is increasingly difficult to find as Italy's infrastructure continues to evolve to accommodate tourism. But the flip side to that is, due to the lack of public transit and tourist accommodations, a rental car and a reliable non-digital map are best for getting around. However, if you're willing to sacrifice some modern conveniences, it's worth it to explore one of Italy's underrated gems. Whether you're looking for skiing, pristine beaches, medieval castles, the best authentic Italian cuisine, or delicious wine, you can find it all in Molise.

If you arrive during ski season, be sure to visit Campitello Matese: one of the most popular ski resorts in the area. With nearly 25 miles of slopes of varying degrees of difficulty and areas for both freestyle and cross-country skiers, there's something for everyone. Even during the warmer months, Campitello Matese attracts mountain bikers and climbing enthusiasts from all over.

If you're more of a beach lover, you'll have 30 miles of coastline to explore. Be sure to check out the gorgeous seaside town of Termoli. This fortified medieval village is not only surrounded by well-equipped sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, it's also full of structures from the Middle Ages such as Castello Svevo of Termoli and the Cathedral of St. Mary of Purification. But Termoli isn't the only medieval town in Molise. If you want to see more, you're just a short drive from many picturesque ancient villages with stunning architecture and rich history such as Petacciato, Campomarino, or Montenero di Bisaccia.

Let's get down to one of the main reasons people come to Italy: the food. Just because the cuisine in Molise is simple doesn't mean it's lacking. What they do, they do it well. For instance, the breathtaking hilltop village of Fornelli is also known as the City of Oil thanks to their production of outstanding light, fruity olive oil. The small sub-region of Biferno is celebrated for its variety of wines with unique terroir.

Although there are some outstanding restaurants in the region, it's best to call ahead to be sure they're open as the listed hours are often not reliable. To make the most of your food tourism experience, one good option might be to stay a night or two at an agriturismo (farm-stay) to truly absorb the culture and the food. There are many regional specialties to indulge in — this is the part of Italy that invented fusilli pasta, after all. Be sure to sample their signature dish, fusilli alla molisana — fusilli pasta covered in a ragù of lamb, veal, or pork. This region is also known for its award-winning cheese known as caciocavallo —an aged, salted, semi-hard cheese produced with local cow's milk. And bacon lovers must try the guanciale, which is cured pork cheek bursting with flavors of garlic, diavolillo chili pepper, salt, and pepper.