- Molise is small, rural and rarely visited by foreign tourists
- Termoli's walled old town and beaches are the main draw on the coast
- Inland are Samnite and Roman sites, bell foundries and mountain villages
- Fly to Pescara or Naples and hire a car
- Airports
- Pescara (PSR), Naples (NAP), Rome Fiumicino (FCO)
- Best time to go
- May-June and September
- Type
- Region
Molise is so little known that Italians joke it does not exist. It was part of a joint region with Abruzzo until the 1960s and is now Italy's second-smallest region, squeezed between Abruzzo, Lazio, Campania and Apulia. It has a short sandy coastline around Termoli and, inland, green hills, the Matese mountains and villages where life still follows the farming year.
That obscurity is the reason to go. Molise suits travellers who want an Italy without souvenir shops, with low prices, ancient ruins and warm hospitality. See our Italy guide for more of the country.
Things to do
- Termoli – a compact walled old town on a headland, with a Swabian castle, a Romanesque cathedral and sandy beaches either side.
- Saepinum – the remains of a Roman town at Altilia, with walls, gates and a forum in open countryside near Campobasso.
- Pietrabbondante – a Samnite theatre and temple on a hillside with sweeping views, in Isernia province.
- Agnone – a mountain town known for its historic bell foundry, which has cast bells for centuries.
- Campobasso – the regional capital, with Castello Monforte and the Misteri procession at Corpus Domini.
- Isernia – with a museum devoted to one of Europe's oldest known human settlement sites.
- San Vincenzo al Volturno – the excavated remains of an early medieval abbey near Castel San Vincenzo.
- The Matese mountains – walking in summer and skiing at Campitello Matese in winter.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Termoli | Beaches, seafood and the most choice of accommodation |
| Campobasso | Central base for Saepinum and the hill villages |
| Isernia and the Alto Molise | Mountain scenery, Agnone and the Samnite sites |
| Countryside agriturismi | Farm stays with home cooking, all over the region |
Getting there
There are no airports in Molise. Pescara is the most convenient for the coast, roughly an hour and a quarter by car to Termoli; Naples is around two hours from Campobasso and Isernia; Rome is roughly three hours. Trains run along the Adriatic coast through Termoli, and there are rail and bus links inland, but services are thin, so hire a car.
Best time to visit
Late spring and September are ideal, with mild weather and green countryside. July and August are the time for the beach at Termoli and for village festivals. Winter is cold inland, and the Alto Molise often sees heavy snow.
Look out for "pampanella", a spicy pork dish from the area around San Martino in Pensilis, and caciocavallo cheese from the hills.
Top attractions in Molise
LandmarkColosseum
Rome's great amphitheatre, where up to 50,000 spectators once watched gladiator fights, is the city's most iconic sight.
LandmarkFlorence Duomo
Florence's cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi's record-breaking dome, is the symbol of the city, with the bell tower…
NatureMount Etna
Europe's tallest active volcano, with lava fields, craters and sweeping views over eastern Sicily.
NaturePath of the Gods
A spectacular cliff-top trail high above the Amalfi Coast, with views over Positano and out to Capri, that is free to…
LandmarkPompeii
The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii is the most complete ancient city in the world and an unforgettable…
ViewpointSeceda
A grassy ridge above Val Gardena that drops away in a dramatic wall of jagged peaks, reached by cable car from Ortisei.
Molise on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Molise worth visiting?
If you have already seen Italy's famous sights and want somewhere authentic and quiet, yes. Do not expect much tourist infrastructure or English.
What is the best town to visit in Molise?
Termoli is the easiest introduction, with its old town and beaches. Inland, Agnone and Campobasso are good bases.
Can you combine Molise with other regions?
Easily. Abruzzo lies to the north, Apulia to the south-east, and Naples is around two hours away.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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