The study “Italian villages online 2024” created by Telepass highlighted the destinations most sought after by usersoffering a glimpse into the growing interest in Italy’s historic villages. Analyzing research from 2020 to 2023, it emerges that places like Tropea, Alberobello and Civita di Bagnoregio they are among the most loved and sought after on the web, followed by other pearls such as Maratea, Otranto and Sperlonga.
With around 62 million searches in 2023 alone, the villages now represent one of the favorite destinations by Italian and foreign tourists, with an increase of 45% compared to 2020. Tropea dominates searches with an average of 148,300 clicks per month.
The Calabrian town is known for its splendid coasts and historical heritage, which make it an excellent summer destination. Continued Alberobellofamous for the characteristic trulli declared a UNESCO heritage site, with an average of 129,000 monthly searches, while Civita di Bagnoregiocalled “the dying city”, ranks third with 112,900 searches thanks to the charm of its inaccessible and history-rich village.
In winter there is a lot of interest regarding Subiaco, Vipiteno and Locorotondo
The research highlights a greater interest in the villages of Southern Italy and the Islands, which attract the greatest number of individual visitors compared to all other areas. Although Central Italy has the highest number of overall searches, the South stands out for the attractiveness of its villagesincluding Puglia with Alberobello and Locorotondoand Calabria with Tropea, which keep users’ attention high. Lazio, on the other hand, stands out for some much loved historical destinations, such as Subiaco and Ronciglione.
Research on the villages also reveals seasonal trends. In the summer, Tropea and Alberobello are the protagonists of the research, with Maratea and Otranto they record peaks in the hottest months, between July and August. In winter, destinations like Subiaco, Vipiteno and Locorotondo they awaken interest thanks to their Christmas charm and their unique beauty even during the cold months.
Among the emerging villages, Ronciglione has seen a surge in searches in recent years, thanks to the victory of the Borgo dei Borghi competition and its renowned Carnivalwhich caught a lot of attention on social media. Finally, the study highlights how some destinations are also very loved by people foreign tourists.
Alberobello is particularly sought after by France, the United Kingdom and Spain, while Tropea has conquered the Swiss public. In the United States, Vernazza in the Cinque Terre is successful, while Malcesineon Lake Garda, is a popular destination for German tourists, attracted by the mix of natural landscapes and local culture.
