TOP 5: Hidden Gem Towns in South Italy for Your Wedding Photos (Beyond the Obvious)
Ciao!
While the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and the trulli of Alberobello are famous for a reason, there’s a whole other layer of magic in South Italy waiting to be discovered. As a photographer, I have a soft spot for the places that aren’t on every postcard—the towns where life moves slower, the streets are quieter, and the beauty feels like a secret shared just with you.
If you’re a couple looking for unique backdrops without the tourist crowds, let me introduce you to five of my favourite hidden gems. These are places where you can wander freely, where locals will smile and congratulate you, and where your photos will have an authentic, undiscovered charm.
1. Ostuni (The “White City”), Puglia – But Not the Main Piazza
Why it’s a Gem: Everyone knows Ostuni’s famous white skyline. The hidden gem is getting lost in its upper-level labyrinth. While tourists cluster in the main piazza, the real magic is in the silent, steep staircases (scalinate), the tiny arches connecting blindingly white houses, and the sudden, breathtaking glimpses of the olive sea from a hidden terrace.
Perfect For: Ethereal, bright, and architectural photos. The reflected light in these alleys is a photographer’s dream. You’ll feel like you have the entire white city to yourselves.
My Photo Tip: Go in the late afternoon. The sun casts long, beautiful shadows that define the unique shapes of the staircase, creating dramatic black-and-white style shots even in colour.
2. Scicli, Sicily (Baroque Beauty)
Why it’s a Gem: While Noto and Ragusa get the Baroque glory, Scicli (pronounced Shee-klee) is their quieter, equally stunning cousin. Its valley setting gives it a unique, almost theatrical atmosphere. The Palazzo Beneventano is a masterpiece of carved balconies and grotesques, and the wide, elegant streets feel like an open-air museum… without the crowds.
Perfect For: Couples who love architecture and a touch of grandeur. It offers a more “urban elegant” feel compared to rustic settings.
My Photo Tip: The soft, golden stone of the buildings glows warmly at sunset. Using the long, straight streets for leading lines creates incredibly powerful and classic compositions.
3. Vietri sul Mare, Amalfi Coast (The Ceramic Haven)
Why it’s a Gem: It’s the first town on the Amalfi Coast, often rushed past by people heading to Positano. But Vietri is the heart of the coast’s ceramic tradition. Its streets are adorned with vibrant, hand-painted tiles and ceramic signs. The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista has a magnificent ceramic dome. It’s colourful, artistic, and deeply authentic.
Perfect For: Playful, colourful, and detail-filled photos. It adds a unique, handcrafted Italian flair to your album that’s different from the classic cliffside shots.
My Photo Tip: We’ll hunt for the best ceramic backdrops—a brilliant blue doorway, a staircase lined with patterned tiles. These make for fantastic detail shots and fun, interactive portraits.
4. Locorotondo, Puglia (The “Round Place”)
Why it’s a Gem: In the heart of the Valle d’Itria, it’s often overshadowed by Alberobello. But Locorotondo is arguably more picturesque for wandering. Its historic centre is a circular maze of immaculate white streets (cummerse) with pointed roofs, adorned with geraniums. It’s quieter, more lived-in, and offers panoramic views over the valley dotted with trulli.
Perfect For: Rustic romance with a pristine, manicured feel. It’s the essence of Puglian countryside charm.
My Photo Tip: The viewpoints at the edge of town are perfect for golden hour portraits with the rolling Puglian landscape as your backdrop. The contrast of your elegant attire against the simple, white architecture is stunning.
5. Maratea, Basilicata (The “Amalfi of the Tyrrhenian”)
Why it’s a Gem: Dubbed the “Amalfi of the South,” Maratea offers the same dramatic cliffs and sparkling sea but with a fraction of the visitors. It’s wilder, greener, and crowned by the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer (like Rio’s). It has secluded coves, a charming old town, and an air of undiscovered majesty.
Perfect For: Adventurous couples who want dramatic coastal photos without the logistical hassles of the more famous coast. It feels exclusive and wild.
My Photo Tip: The road up to the statue offers incredible, ever-changing vistas. We can stop at various pull-offs for a series of portraits that show off the breathtaking, varied coastline.
How to Incorporate a Hidden Gem Into Your Day:
You don’t have to get married there to enjoy them!
“Day After” Session: Spend a morning after your wedding exploring one of these towns in your wedding attire. It’s relaxed, fun, and gives you a completely different set of photos.
Pre-Wedding Adventure: If you’re having a welcome dinner, consider doing a portrait session in a nearby gem town earlier that day.
Simply Ask Your Photographer: A local photographer will have their own secret spots. Tell them you want something off the beaten path, and they’ll be thrilled to share their favourites.
Choosing a hidden gem is about more than a photo op; it’s about an experience. It’s the joy of discovery, the warmth of a place that feels real, and the privilege of having its unique beauty all to yourselves, even if just for an hour. And that feeling? It shines through in every single image.
Happy exploring,