Italy | 5 Lesser-Known Sunny Towns with Direct Train Access (Personally Tested)
I absolutely love visiting Southern Italy in winter ⛱️! Temperatures are in the teens (Celsius), the sun is gentle, and there are fewer crowds and beautiful scenery. There's no tourist hustle and bustle, just stone walls, sea breeze, and a perpetually slow pace of life.
I've compiled 5 lesser-known towns in Southern Italy perfect for a "winter escape," all accessible by train without needing a car. Save this now!
1️⃣ Lecce | Southern Italian Baroque City
📍Direct train from Rome or Naples
🌤️In winter, daytime temperatures can reach 15℃ (59°F), and the sunlight on the golden stone walls looks like a filter. Sitting at an outdoor cafe, sunbathing and chatting, that 'slow living' is the soul of Southern Italy.
2️⃣ Matera | Sunny Stone City
📍Accessible by train from Bari in 1.5 hours.
🏛️A UNESCO World Heritage town, its cave dwellings appear even more mysterious in the winter mist. When the lights come on at night, the entire city looks like a starlit valley floating in the clouds, unrealistically beautiful.
3️⃣ Siracusa | Sicilian Coastal Ancient City
📍Direct train from Catania in 1 hour.
🌊Temperatures of 20℃ (68°F) are common in winter, you can truly walk along the coast in short sleeves! I recommend staying on Ortigia Island; listen to the waves in the morning, watch the sunset in the evening, and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner at night. The happiness of Southern Italy is that simple.
4️⃣ Salerno | Naples' Winter Harbor
📍Direct train from Naples, only 40 minutes.
🎄Every winter, the "Luci d’Artista" Christmas light festival is held here, and when the city lights up, it feels like entering a fairy tale. During the day, you can also take a boat to Amalfi or Positano, easily visiting two places in one day.
5️⃣ Trani | The Pink Harbor of the Adriatic Sea
📍Direct train from Bari in 30 minutes.
🏖️There are fewer tourists in winter, the old town is quiet, the sun is soft, and photos have a natural film-like quality. Enjoy a seafood lunch at a small restaurant by the harbor, watching the shimmering reflections on the sea—that's winter in Southern Italy.