Stories > Editors pick: five great roads in Italy
Editors pick: five great roads in Italy

Editors pick: five great roads in Italy

Published 2020-02-09 by Zdravko Anticic

Planning a trip to Italy next summer? You are not alone. Each year thousands of supercar owners travel to the most beautiful country in the world. The roads are amazing, probably the best in the world. In this blog post, we would like to share our five favourite ones for your summer bucket list.

If you want all the best roads, hotels, restaurants and secrets no tourists find, we recommend the book Gran Turismo - the supercar owner’s guide to Italy. The English version is now available in both printed and e-book format on our webshop.

> Gran Turismo - The Supercar Owner's Guide to Italy (e-book)

> Gran Turismo - The Supercar Owner's Guide to Italy (printed)

Please note that the Stelvio pass is not on this list. Albeit being a very famous road, it is far from the best in Italy. We actually advise against visiting this road with a supercar. Too much traffic, too many bicyclists, and most importantly: too many really tight corners that take the fun of driving away.

Here are five great alternatives to the Stelvio Pass. In no particular order. They are all equally great, in their own way.

Grande strada delle Dolomiti

Scenery: A
Excitement: A
Asphalt quality: B

We start with a real classic. Grande Strada delle Dolomiti. This is not really a road, but a whole series of roads between Bolzano and Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The road starts (or ends, depending on where you start) in Bolzano. Drive out of town and set the navigation to Lago Di Carezza. Then you will take route 241 via Ponte Nova and Nova Levante. In Lago Di Carezza you set the navigation to Cortina d'Ampezzo. It is that easy. The entire road is 110 kilometres long and takes about three hours to drive from start to finish. Amazing driving and scenery.

SS12 - Passo dell’Abetone

Scenery: B
Excitement: A
Asphalt quality: B

A road made famous by all the Ferrari marketing material produced there. Until just a few years ago, nearly all press images were shot on this road. Passo dell'Abetone runs between Modena in Emiglia-Romagna and Pistoia in Tuscany. Head south from Modena on SS12.

This is a very fun road, which is often used for the annual Mille Miglia rally. Not as dramatic in nature as in Passo della Cisa, but somewhat more entertaining.

SS1 - Passo del Bracco

Scenery: B
Excitement: A
Asphalt quality: B

If you are going south, towards Cinque Terre, La Spezia or Portovenere, I highly recommend Passo del Bracco. This road is also part of Via Aurelia (SS1), and a fantastic fun driving experience in the mountains overlooking the sea.

With many tight bends it is especially suitable for cars with a little less power. Think Lotus and you will understand. The road is very popular with motorcycle drivers and cyclists during the weekends, so please pay attention. Also, please stop at the cafe in Mattarana after the highest point of the pass. It is a classic stop for all locals that enjoy this road on the weekends.

SP13 - Passo del Vestito

Scenery: A
Excitement: A
Asphalt quality: B

This little gem connects the Tuscan seaside with the Garfagnana valley just north of Lucca. It is a dramatic and very entertaining drive both uphill and downhill. You recognise the road from the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace. Please pay attention - the road is sometimes quite narrow. Also, it can be a quite scary experience as a passenger, when the valley below the road is several hundred meters deep.

Road starts in Massa and ends in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Enjoy!

SR 429 - Strada Fioraie

Scenery: B
Excitement: A
Asphalt quality: A

Finally, this little monster. Discovered by us in 2018, it is the most exciting road in Tuscany. We have never, ever, met so many twists and turns in such a short distance. It is an everlasting dance with the laws of physics in your supercar. Insanely thrilling and adrenaline pumping.

The road is between Castellina in Chianti and Poggibonsi. You will absolutely love it.

What is your favourite road in Italy?

There are many really good roads in Italy. Do you have a favourite one? Please share it with us by e-mailing Peter Ternström.

Zdravko Anticic
Zdravko Anticic
zdravko@granturismo.org

Coming Events

Gran Turismo Toscana
9-13 October 2024
Florence - Chianti - Lucca - Florence
Gran Turismo Dolomiti
29 August - 2 September 2024
Treviso - Cortina - Bolzano - Garda Lake

Locations mentioned in the story

Grande Strada delle Dolomiti
A fantastic road in the north of Italy
SS1 - Bracco Pass
A fantastic road between La Spezia and Sestri Levante.
SR429 - Strada Fioraie
This extremely twisty road between Castellina in Chianti and Poggibonsi.
SS12 - Abetone Pass
One of the very best roads in Italy, used by Ferrari test drivers on regular basis
SP13 - Vestito Pass
A mountain pass that was made famous from the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The latest news and stories. All the best roads, hotels and restaurants. Invitations to exciting events. Be the first to know by subscribing to our newsletter.

Mondo Gran Turismo

More news and stories from the world of Gran Turismo

Was this Ferrari 288 GTO Enzo's apology to Niki Lauda?
Was this Ferrari 288 GTO Enzo's apology to Niki Lauda?
The secret deal between Lauda & Ferrari
How it all started: Gran Turismo Polonia
How it all started: Gran Turismo Polonia
20 years ago - Gran Turismo Events was born.
The true cost of owning a Ferrari
The true cost of owning a Ferrari
Objects in the mirror can be closer than they appear
Here are the top 60 pictures from the 2023 season
Here are the top 60 pictures from the 2023 season
Here are our favourite pictures from the 2023 season.
The astonishing stats from the 2023 season
The astonishing stats from the 2023 season
The total kilometres driven on all road trip events came in at 357 670 kilometres.
Here are our new rental cars for 2024
Here are our new rental cars for 2024
Out goes 2023 and in comes the 2024 season, and with it a plethora of new supercars available to rent from us.
Merry Christmas from Gran Turismo - Celebrating 20 years in 2024
Merry Christmas from Gran Turismo - Celebrating 20 years in 2024
The next season marks an anniversary for us, we have now been organising events for over 20 years.
Lotus vs Airplane - Who would win?
Lotus vs Airplane - Who would win?
Back in 2015, we raced a sportscar against an aeroplane on an airstrip in Sweden.
A night in The British Museum
A night in The British Museum
We spent an evening in the most important museum in the world. Here's how it went.
The absolute horror to ride in a Formula One car
The absolute horror to ride in a Formula One car
That time Peter got brutalised by a Formula One car on Yas Marina circuit
50 000 kilometres in 2023 - Here is the fast fleet of Gran Turismo
50 000 kilometres in 2023 - Here is the fast fleet of Gran Turismo
We do as we teach. Over 50 000 kilometres with our fleet of supercars in 2023.
No pulse: How Saab Turbo inspired a medical revolution
No pulse: How Saab Turbo inspired a medical revolution
The human body is fantastic, but it has it's weak points. A team of doctors decided to make it better.
Why we absolutely hate Dolphins
Why we absolutely hate Dolphins
They are some of the meanest and nastiest mammals that have ever existed
Here are the most common reasons for road rage and how to avoid it
Here are the most common reasons for road rage and how to avoid it
Please admit it. There have been times when you have wanted to murder someone next to you in traffic.
Do NOT wear Hawaii shirts at Lamborghini events
Do NOT wear Hawaii shirts at Lamborghini events
How not to dress at an elegant event invited by Lamborghini
Here is why I hate touchscreens
Here is why I hate touchscreens
The trend of big touchscreens in cars is a gigantic problem
The world’s most beautiful roads are in Switzerland
The world’s most beautiful roads are in Switzerland
Here is the holy trinity of Swiss alpine roads.
The legendary Rolls-Royce incident in Sweden in 1986
The legendary Rolls-Royce incident in Sweden in 1986
That time when Rolls-Royce went well out of their way to keep a client happy
Did the Ferrari Museum go too far?
Did the Ferrari Museum go too far?
How the Ferrari Museum coerced Marek to donate his car
Downforce is dark magic
Downforce is dark magic
I lost my downforce virginity recently. Here's how.
A postcard from Rome and The Vatican
A postcard from Rome and The Vatican
On March 23, we did a private tour of the Vatican.
Meet James Holm, our in-house photographer
Meet James Holm, our in-house photographer
Arguably the best automotive photographer in Scandinavia, James has been our event photographer since over a decade.
Houston, we have a massive problem
Houston, we have a massive problem
I love flying. This particular flight though, every pilot's nightmare became my reality.
Porsche is developing a hybrid 911
Porsche is developing a hybrid 911
It will utilize the latest hybrid technologies from the 919 Hybrid
Alfa Romeo is working on a new supercar
Alfa Romeo is working on a new supercar
They are pursuing a new Alfra Romeo tipo 33
Wallypower 118 - the coolest luxury yacht in the world
Wallypower 118 - the coolest luxury yacht in the world
Meet the luxury yacht from the movie "The Island"
Did you know? Rolex was founded in London.
Did you know? Rolex was founded in London.
The story of Rolex goes far beyond luxury watches.
The Ferrari F356 is the best Ferrari you never heard of
The Ferrari F356 is the best Ferrari you never heard of
Over the years, the F356 became one of the most sought-after cars in the world.
Sued by Ferrari because they deserved it
Sued by Ferrari because they deserved it
Guess what? Ferrari will sue you if you use their brand in a malicious way
Mr Bond, you have what the Greeks call thrasos
Mr Bond, you have what the Greeks call thrasos
Why James Bond films are so important.
The bizarre naming convention of Ferrari cars
The bizarre naming convention of Ferrari cars
Have you ever wondered how Ferrari determines the name for their cars?
I have no idea, I just stole the Lotus from a brat at Stureplan
I have no idea, I just stole the Lotus from a brat at Stureplan
The flashing blue light in the rear-view mirror approached at breakneck speed. Then I saw that the police blocked the road.
How to go from zero to owning a Ferrari in just one year
How to go from zero to owning a Ferrari in just one year
Dreaming about a Ferrari? Here is how you can make it happen in just one year.
Why the adorable Fiat 126p is the best car in the world
Why the adorable Fiat 126p is the best car in the world
Forget supercars like Lamborghini and Ferrari. The best car in the world is the Fiat 126p. Bear with us and let us explain.
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 1 to 20
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 1 to 20
As every year, we select the best pictures from the season. Here are places 1 to 20.
Mister Kawasaki and the most expensive chicken wings in the world
Mister Kawasaki and the most expensive chicken wings in the world
When you have unlimited money, amazing things can happen.
Forget the Fiat 500 of the 70s - The Lancia Stratos was really cramped
Forget the Fiat 500 of the 70s - The Lancia Stratos was really cramped
Fifteen years ago, I was the king of SEGA Rally. And the fastest car in the game was the Lancia Stratos.
Here comes the Swedish banker and his disgusting Italian girlfriend
Here comes the Swedish banker and his disgusting Italian girlfriend
Cencio la Parolaccia - The most fun restaurant in Rome.
No good deed shall go unpunished - How a Christmas gift went horribly wrong
No good deed shall go unpunished - How a Christmas gift went horribly wrong
A Christmas gift goes horribly wrong in Stockholm, 20 years ago.
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 21 to 40
The best pictures from 2022 - Places 21 to 40
As every year, we select the best pictures from the season. Here are places 21 to 40.
More stories

La Guida - The Supercar Owner's Guide to Europe

Our favourite roads, hotels, restaurants and places to visit

Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Grand Hotel Tremezzo
An Italian heavyweight in luxury, Olympic class, hotel at Como Lake.
Alberobello
Alberobello
A village with cute little smurf houses
Grand Hotel Miramare
Grand Hotel Miramare
A five-star hotel directly on the Ligurian coast
More locations

Events Calendar

Beautiful road trips and famous racing tracks since 2002. Supercars only.

Gran Turismo St Moritz
8-11 February 2024
St Moritz, Switzerland
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Adriatica
4-12 May 2024
Croatia - Bosnia - Montenegro - Slovenia
Fully booked
Special Event Maranello
29-31 May 2024
Maranello, Italy
Gran Turismo Nurburgring
3-6 June 2024
Nurburgring, Germany
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Riviera
9-14 June 2024
Forte dei Marmi - Santa Margherita - Monaco - St Tropez
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Polonia
24-30 June 2024
Poland
Gran Turismo Dolomiti
29 August - 2 September 2024
Treviso - Cortina - Bolzano - Garda Lake
Gran Turismo Europa
8-15 September 2024
St Moritz - Andermatt - Lugano - Monaco - Saint Tropez
Fully booked
Gran Turismo Italia
22-28 September 2024
Bologna - Florence - Portofino - Barolo - Iseo - Como - Garda
Gran Turismo Toscana
9-13 October 2024
Florence - Chianti - Lucca - Florence
The Drivers Collection
Contact us

While our head offices are in Geneva, Switzerland, the team is spread throughout Europe: Sweden, Poland, Italy and Croatia. Please select the appropriate team member to contact below.

For general enquiries, you can always use info@granturismo.org. For event registrations, please use registry@granturismo.org.

Justyna Weclawiak Justyna Weclawiak
Head of Event Organisation
+48 509 706 651
Björn Lagercrantz Björn Lagercrantz
Head of Finance
+46 (0)70 844 64 00
Michal Weclawiak Michal Weclawiak
Event Coordinator
+48 602 134 467
Zdravko Anticic Zdravko Anticic
Head of Content Creation
+385 (0)91 917 32 77
Pietro Bonuccelli Pietro Bonuccelli
Supercar Fleet Manager
+39 349 888 33 89
Marcin Jellinek Marcin Jellinek
Head of Special Events
+48 519 189 081
Nicolas Grandi Nicolas Grandi
Official Photographer
+39 347 917 42 70
Peter Ternstrom Peter Ternström
Founder and President
+39 331 332 50 80