Italy is known for its picturesque towns, rolling hills, dramatic coastlines, and ancient cities—but some of the country’s most breathtaking views are best seen not from a car or plane, but through the wide windows of a train. While the high-speed lines connecting Rome, Milan, and Florence are efficient, the lesser-known regional and heritage routes offer slow, scenic adventures that capture the heart of Italy.
Here are ten off-the-beaten-track train journeys that reveal a side of Italy you may have never imagined.
1. Sulmona to Isernia (Trans-Siberian of Italy)
Route: Sulmona (Abruzzo) to Isernia (Molise)
Known as the “Trans-Siberian of Italy” for its alpine landscapes and snowy winter scenery, this historic railway winds through the rugged Apennine Mountains. At over 1,200 meters, it’s one of the highest rail lines in the country. Along the way, the train passes through tunnels, gorges, and postcard-perfect villages like Roccaraso and Pescocostanzo. This is a seasonal tourist train now, mostly operating on holidays, but worth planning your trip around.
Highlight: Snow-covered forests in winter and traditional stone villages untouched by time.
2. Catania to Caltagirone
Route: Catania (Sicily) to Caltagirone
This lesser-known Sicilian route snakes inland from the coastal city of Catania to the ceramic capital of Caltagirone. The journey offers views of Mount Etna’s lava fields, vineyards, and rolling hills dotted with olive trees. As you climb in altitude, you’ll feel like you’re entering an entirely different Sicily—rural, quiet, and evocative of a bygone era.
Highlight: The final approach to Caltagirone’s famous tiled staircase is a visual treat.
3. Tirano to Lecco (via Valtellina)
Route: Tirano to Lecco, Lombardy
While the Bernina Express (to Switzerland) steals the spotlight in Tirano, heading south through Valtellina reveals another side of northern Italy. This rail line hugs the Adda River and glides through vineyards and medieval hamlets. It’s a slow and romantic journey with minimal tourists.
Highlight: A stop in Morbegno for local wine and cheese tasting.
4. Palermo to Agrigento
Route: Palermo Centrale to Agrigento Centrale
This rail trip takes you from Sicily’s capital through the sunburnt interior to the Valley of the Temples. It’s a meandering ride through wheat fields, ghost towns, and historic strongholds of Norman and Arab influence. Though it lacks the polish of northern routes, the raw beauty makes it unforgettable.
Highlight: A dramatic entrance to Agrigento, with ancient Greek temples appearing suddenly on the horizon.
5. Siena to Chiusi
Route: Siena to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, Tuscany
This quiet line is one of Tuscany’s hidden gems. Rolling hills, vineyards, cypress-lined roads, and golden wheat fields unfold outside your window in true “under the Tuscan sun” fashion. The pace is relaxed, the stations are quaint, and you’ll rarely encounter other tourists.
Highlight: Autumn, when the landscape turns a painterly blend of ochre and sienna.
6. Naples to Benevento (Valle Caudina Line)
Route: Napoli Centrale to Benevento
This lesser-used regional line carves its way through the Campanian countryside, passing ancient Roman ruins, verdant valleys, and sleepy hill towns. As you leave Naples behind, the chaos fades and a more tranquil, agrarian Italy appears.
Highlight: Historic tunnels originally built in the 19th century and occasional glimpses of Mount Vesuvius in the distance.
7. Cuneo to Ventimiglia (The Maritime Alps Route)
Route: Cuneo to Ventimiglia via Tenda Pass
One of Italy’s most scenic and underrated railways, this line cuts through the Maritime Alps before dropping dramatically to the Ligurian coast. It’s an engineering marvel with more than 80 tunnels and breathtaking cliff-edge sections.
Highlight: The descent into Liguria, where mountains abruptly give way to the glittering sea.
8. La Spezia to Pontremoli (Lunigiana Line)
Route: La Spezia to Pontremoli, Liguria/Tuscany border
This line is often overshadowed by the Cinque Terre Express, but the inland journey into Lunigiana is a quiet delight. It travels through dense forests, medieval villages, and forgotten castles on the northern edge of Tuscany.
Highlight: Pontremoli, a charming town known for books, bridges, and mysterious prehistoric statues.
9. Verona to Bolzano (Through South Tyrol)
Route: Verona to Bolzano
This train ride showcases the dramatic transition from Veneto’s rolling plains to the alpine peaks of South Tyrol. You’ll pass vineyards, castles perched on cliffs, and snowcapped mountains. It’s ideal for travelers interested in both wine and hiking.
Highlight: The Dolomite skyline as you approach Bolzano is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
10. Fabriano to Pergola (Marche’s Forgotten Line)
Route: Fabriano to Pergola
One of Italy’s most scenic yet nearly forgotten routes, this tiny railway is often used only by locals and train enthusiasts. It travels through the wild heart of the Marche region, a land of chestnut forests, gorges, and medieval hill towns.
Highlight: The Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi, a dramatic canyon area perfect for hiking and caving.
Italy’s trains aren’t just a way to get from point A to B—they’re windows into the soul of the country. While most travelers flock to the well-known Frecciarossa lines or the Cinque Terre route, these ten hidden gems offer something far more precious: a chance to slow down, unplug, and see Italy the way it was meant to be seen—through its villages, landscapes, and timeworn tracks.
Whether you’re a train buff, a nature lover, or just a curious traveler tired of the same Instagram hotspots, these journeys invite you to trade speed for serenity and discover the beauty that lies off the beaten track.
