Posted by very large areas. These largest provinces in Italy are
geographically diverse and include mountains, coastlines, islands and vast
rural regions.Below you’ll find a clear ranking of the biggest Italian provinces by area,
with explanations, regional context and internal links for further reading.
What is a province in Italy?
A province (provincia) is an administrative unit between the region
and the municipality. Provinces vary greatly in size:
some are compact and urban, while others cover huge rural or mountainous areas.
The ranking below is based purely on surface area (km²),
not population.
Top 10 largest provinces in Italy
| # | Province | Area | Region | Main city |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Tyrol (Bolzano) | 7,400 km² | Trentino–South Tyrol | Bolzano |
| 2 | Foggia | 7,007 km² | Apulia | Foggia |
| 3 | Sassari | 7,692 km² | Sardinia | Sassari |
| 4 | Cuneo | 6,903 km² | Piedmont | Cuneo |
| 5 | Rome | 5,352 km² | Lazio | Rome |
| 6 | Turin | 6,829 km² | Piedmont | Turin |
| 7 | Nuoro | 5,638 km² | Sardinia | Nuoro |
| 8 | Perugia | 6,334 km² | Umbria | Perugia |
| 9 | Salerno | 4,954 km² | Campania | Salerno |
| 10 | L’Aquila | 5,034 km² | Abruzzo | L’Aquila |
South Tyrol (Bolzano) – largest province in Italy
The Province of Bolzano, also known as South Tyrol,
is the largest province in Italy by area.
It is dominated by Alpine landscapes, including parts of the Dolomites.
Sassari – the largest province on an island
The Province of Sassari is the largest province on an Italian island.
It covers a large part of northern Sardinia, including coastline, mountains
and rural interior areas.
Cuneo and Turin – large provinces in Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the regions with the largest provinces in Italy.
Both Cuneo and Turin cover vast alpine and
foothill landscapes.
Rome – a large province centered on a metropolis
The Province of Rome is one of the largest provinces in central Italy.
Unlike many others, it combines a huge metropolitan area with countryside,
coastline and archaeological sites.
Guided tours across Italian regions
Large provinces often include very different landscapes.
Guided tours help explore cities, nature and cultural highlights efficiently.
Accommodation in Italy’s largest provinces
From Alpine villages to coastal towns,
large provinces offer a wide range of accommodation options.
FAQ: Largest provinces in Italy
What is the largest province in Italy?
The Province of Bolzano (South Tyrol) is the largest by area.
Which island has the largest province?
The Province of Sassari in Sardinia is the largest island province.
Are the largest provinces also the most populated?
No. Large provinces are often rural or mountainous.
Population density is usually higher in smaller, urban provinces.