Study Abroad in Italy in These 6 Lesser-Known Cities

When you think about studying abroad in Italy, your first thoughts likely go to major cities like Rome or Florence. We get it! After seeing photos all over Instagram of your friends who went abroad posing outside of the Colosseum or the Uffizi Gallery, you’re now anxiously awaiting your turn.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that just because a city is among the “most popular” destinations for study abroad students, doesn’t mean it’s the “perfect fit” for you and your major. Wondering where to study abroad in Italy now?

Wondering where to study abroad in Italy? Consider passing up the big, popular places for something a little more intimate.

Why go small?

Studying abroad in Italy in a popular, big city means you’ll likely be spending more time with international students and less time with locals. English-speakers will be easy to find and chances are higher you’ll feel a little more comfortable in your own circle of friends. You’ll ride the metro every day and have ample gelato and pizza options (sounds good to us!).

These are all big benefits of studying abroad in a big city, but choosing a smaller location for Italy study abroad is a great choice too! If you’re wanting to study abroad in a place where you’ll meet local students and community members, speak Italian more often, and stretch outside your comfort zone, then a smaller, more intimate study abroad program in Italy might be a better fit.

This is where things can get intimidating as you begin your search for programs. There. are. so. many. options. in. Italy! So how do you know where to study abroad in Italy and how to begin researching? Well, you’ve come to the right place. This article has got you covered with the best “lesser known” cities for study abroad in Italy!

Where to study abroad in Italy for small town charm

1. Syracuse

Don’t count out Syracuse for Italy study abroad!

At one point, Syracuse was actually one of the largest and most powerful cities in the world, even bigger than Athens! That was centuries ago, while Syracuse was under Greek rule. Today, this gorgeous city on the east coast of Sicily is home to more than 120,000 residents, mostly Italian families and students.

Syracuse is a phenomenal choice for history or philosophy majors (did you know it was once home to mathematician and philosopher Archimedes?). It’s also a picturesque Italian city. Walking through Syracuse is like stepping back in time. Founded in 734 BCE by a Greek colony, the people of Syracuse have withstood wars, famine, poverty, and unrest, all while maintaining and preserving the history of their culture and ancestors.

From the Roman Amphitheater remains to the Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi, there will be no shortage of things to do here if you’re interested in Roman and Greek history. As one of the best places to study abroad in Italy, Syracuse is truly a window to the past.

2. Taormina

Taormina is perhaps the best place to study abroad in Italy for students who want full cultural immersion during Italy study abroad. With a population of just about 10,000, Taormina is a quaint medieval town on the northeast corner of Sicily. Taormina is a great option for history buffs, but it’s a PERFECT fit for anyone studying geology or other earth sciences, because it’s perched on the summit of Europe’s largest active volcano!

Mt. Tauro dominates the landscape of northeastern Sicily and the volcano is notable for its wide variety of eruption styles. Mt. Tauro and Taormina provide real life applications for those studying volcanology, oceanography, marine biology, and more. When you’re not busy studying the unique natural wonders of Taormina, you can relax in the warm, clear Ionian Sea.

One of the best places to study abroad in Italy for a little sand and surf on the regs is Taormina.

Taormina is also a great option for students who want to learn to speak Italian fluently. Because it is such a small town, it has a very tight-knit feel, with friendly locals who will help you navigate your way through the city’s cobbled streets. In addition, Taormina is home to the Babilonia Center for Italian Language and Culture, which is widely considered to be one of the top Italian language institutes in Italy.

As you pursue study abroad programs in Taormina, pay attention to the excursions included with your program cost. Some providers will take you to beautiful cities across Sicily, giving you a closer look at what Sicilian life and culture is like. Amazing towns to add to your bucket list while studying abroad in Italy include Modica, Agrigento, and Ragusa, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

3. Turin

Home to several multi-million dollar European companies, Turin is the place to be for students studying economics, international business, or communications. The city also has a rich political history dating back to 218 BCE. It fell under Roman, Frankish, French, and Lombard rule before becoming the capital of the kingdom of Sardinia in 1720. The remains of the Palatine Gate and the Palatine Wall are still visible from Turin’s streets. For political science, diplomacy, and international business majors, Turin may be the best place to study abroad in Italy.

Turin is also a sensible choice for religious studies students, as it is rich in ecclesiastical architecture. From the San Giovanni Battista cathedral built in 1498 to the Santa Sindone Chapel built in 1694, the style and beauty of churches in Turin provide a comforting background to your semester studying abroad in Italy.

An added bonus: Turin is also one of those centrally-located cities within Italy, making it easy to travel across the country and across Europe. Nice is just three hours away, Genoa is two hours away, and you’re only four hours from the beautiful city of Bern, Switzerland. Traveling within Europe (once you’re there!) is incredibly affordable.

4. Tuscania

In the hunt for where to study abroad in Italy, we’re sure Tuscania will be a top contender.

Tuscania is one of the best places for study abroad in Italy for students who want to be among just a handful of foreigners in an authentic, small town. With a population of just 8,000 or so, Tuscania provides a tight-knit community feel with exceptional opportunities for cultural immersion. The city is also surrounded by medieval walls and cobblestone streets, which may have you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time! Just 20 minutes from the ocean, Tuscania is a small sliver of paradise on the border of Lazio and Tuscany.

Tuscania’s convenient location also means that if you ever want a break from that small town vibe, Rome is just a 90-minute train ride away. Other beautiful places easily accessible by train from Tuscania are Florence, Pompeii, Viterbo, Lucca, Arezzo, Capri, and more!

Archaeology students will find a perfect program in Tuscania in Lorenzo de’Medici’s Archaeology Field School. This program is a unique, one-of-a-kind opportunity to participate in an archaeological excavation and to explore the major features of Etruscan culture and classical archaeology.

Some programs in Tuscania also provide service-learning options. Service-learning is a fantastic way to give back to your host city during your time abroad. From language exchange programs with high schoolers to working with women, children, the elderly, or residents with disabilities, you can go out of your way to engage in socially meaningful tasks and return home knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life during Italy study abroad.

5. Siena

No matter where you end up studying abroad in Italy, the architecture is sure to stun.

If you’re still wondering where to study abroad in Italy, look no further. Just a 90 minute train ride from Florence, Siena is a picture-perfect depiction of Tuscany. It’s home to the Piazza del Campo, one of the biggest medieval squares in the world, as well as the Church of San Domenico, known for its stunningly massive architecture and gorgeous St. Catherine Chapel.

Italy study abroad programs in Siena provide options for students interested in anthropology, European studies, international relations, art history, and more. There are also coursework options in Italian or English, depending on your comfort level with speaking, reading, and writing in the native language.

Like many other study abroad destinations in Italy, students who study abroad in Siena can choose to live with a host family or homestay. If you’ve ever been interested to see what the day-to-day life of an Italian family is like, a homestay is something big to consider as you compare and contrast programs.

Siena is also a great place for foodies, as it provides many traditional Tuscan dishes. From wild boar to pappardelle pasta to vegan spaghetti, students with a wide variety of dietary preferences and restrictions will find ample dining options during their time here.

6. Bologna

Speaking of foodies, if you’re a fan of salami and ham, you might consider heading to Bologna, the salami and ham capital of Italy! Makes sense, considering the city’s name of Bologna is awfully similar to the cooked sausage of the same name (however, the meat you often put on sandwiches is pronounced buh-loan-ee, while this Italian city is more like boh-LOAN-yuh).

If you love to eat, this is where to study abroad in Italy—the food scene in Bologna is incomparable! Trying new foods is easy to do in a place with such a wide variety of options. In addition, some programs provide activities like cooking classes, which means you can take the taste of Italy home with you after your study abroad program.

How does studying abroad in Italy at one of the oldest universities in the world sound? That dream can come true if you choose to study abroad at the University of Bologna. Founded in 1088, the research campus has built a strong reputation and has provided an educational home for students since the Middle Ages.

Study in Italy…off the beaten path!

Go big by going small while studying abroad in Italy!

Nothing truly exemplifies how big and beautiful our world is quite like studying abroad in a lesser-known city. Of course, it’s awe-inspiring to see the big crowds at the Trevi Fountain or to mingle with hundreds of international students in Florence. But spending time in a community completely unlike your own is a different kind of experience when you study in Italy.

If you prefer quiet mornings on a patio with a cup of coffee instead of heading to the busy corner cafe; if you prefer walking on cobblestoned streets with the quiet sounds of nature around you instead of catching the metro for a few stops; if you prefer diving into a new language so you can truly become fluent...then there’s nothing quite like finding a smaller study abroad city in Italy!

View ALL the Best Places to Study Abroad in Italy

Academic Programs International (API) delivers international experiences that inspire learning and enrich students, partners, and communities. API’s portfolio has expanded beyond college study abroad to include international internship programs, volunteer, and international programs for high school and gap year students.