The Best Natural Parks in Italy

Introduction

Italy's natural wonders extend far beyond its celebrated cities and cultural treasures, encompassing some of Europe's most diverse and spectacular protected landscapes. From the soaring peaks of the Alps to the sun-drenched Mediterranean coastline, the country's national parks showcase an extraordinary tapestry of ecosystems, wildlife, and geological marvels. These protected areas serve as sanctuaries for rare species, preserve ancient forests, and protect pristine wilderness that has captivated visitors for generations. Whether you're an avid hiker seeking challenging mountain trails, a wildlife enthusiast hoping to spot the elusive Apennine wolf, or simply someone looking to escape into nature's embrace, Italy's national parks offer unforgettable experiences in settings where natural splendour often intertwines with centuries of human history.

Established through decades of conservation efforts, Italy's network of protected areas represents a remarkable commitment to preserving the country's natural heritage for future generations. These parks, managed under the vigilant care of dedicated rangers and environmental scientists, span from the glacier-carved valleys of the Dolomites to the volcanic landscapes of Sicily. Each protected area tells its own unique story of geological formation, ecological evolution, and human interaction with the land. Visitors can discover ancient pilgrim routes, traditional farming practices that have shaped the landscape for millennia, and remarkable biodiversity hotspots that showcase Italy's position as one of Europe's most environmentally diverse nations. As sustainable tourism continues to grow in importance, these parks stand as beacons of conservation, offering responsible travellers the opportunity to explore Italy's wild heart while contributing to its preservation.

In the Alps

Gran Paradiso National Park

Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy's first national park established in 1922, spans 70,000 hectares of stunning Alpine terrain featuring 59 glaciers and 183 lakes. The park's fascinating history dates back to Roman times, with ancient bridges and roads still visible today. Originally a royal hunting reserve created in 1856 by King Vittorio Emanuele II to save the Alpine ibex from extinction, the area now boasts a thriving population of these majestic creatures, known for their spectacular backswept horns measuring nearly a yard long. The park's landscape is a testament to its rich heritage, featuring Roman rock engravings, medieval castles, and former royal hunting lodges situated above 2,000 metres that once accommodated the king and his court. Today, the park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to 168 species of fauna and 1,124 species of flora, with urban areas comprising merely 0.2% of its territory. The park's centrepiece, Mount Gran Paradiso, stands proudly at 4,061 metres, making it the highest peak entirely within Italian territory.

Stelvio National Park

Stelvio National Park, established in 1935, stands as the largest protected area in the entire Alpine region, spanning an impressive 134,620 hectares (505 sq mi) across four Italian provinces. This remarkable park showcases diverse landscapes ranging from glaciers and alpine pastures to dense forests and waterfalls, stretching from 650 metres to a staggering 3,905 metres above sea level at the mighty King Ortles peak. Visitors can spot abundant wildlife including golden eagles, rock partridges, ibexes, chamois, badgers, mountain hares, marmots, stoats, and rare flora such as the glacier buttercup that thrives above 3,500 metres. The park offers year-round activities, from family-friendly hikes along ancient water irrigation channels called "waalwege" to challenging mountain tours, whilst history enthusiasts can explore old Venetian sawmills, traditional cheese dairies, and WWI military ruins. The park's extensive network of marked hiking trails, spanning approximately 250 kilometres, provides access to breathtaking vistas and is frequently featured in the prestigious Giro d'Italia cycling race.

Dolomites

The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Italy, stand as one of Europe's most spectacular mountain ranges. These dramatic limestone peaks, with their distinctive pale grey hue and jagged spires, create an otherworldly landscape that has captivated travellers for centuries. Spanning across three regions of northern Italy—Trentino, Alto Adige, and Veneto—the Dolomites offer year-round adventures, from world-class skiing in winter to remarkable hiking and climbing in summer. The area is also steeped in fascinating cultural heritage, where Italian, German, and ancient Ladin influences merge to create a unique blend of traditions, cuisine, and architecture. Picture-perfect alpine meadows, crystalline lakes, and charming mountain villages dot the landscape, making the Dolomites an unmissable destination for both outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking the authentic charm of the Italian Alps.

Adamello Brenta Nature Park

The Adamello Brenta Nature Park, established in 1967 as Italy's first park of its kind, is the largest protected area in Trentino, spanning an impressive 620 square kilometres. This UNESCO Geopark showcases a remarkable contrast between the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello-Presanella massif, featuring 41 glaciers and 48 lakes across elevations from 477 to 3,558 metres above sea level. The park is a wildlife haven, home to a successfully reintroduced brown bear population that grew from near extinction to over ninety specimens, alongside 8,000 chamois, golden eagles, and 1,300 plant species. Visitors can explore more than 700 kilometres of hiking trails, including challenging via ferratas, and discover seven visitor centres themed around different aspects of the park's natural heritage. The park's diverse landscape encompasses everything from fir, beech and larch forests to alpine meadows, with spectacular geological formations that took shape when the Southern Alps emerged from the sea 20 million years ago.

In Tuscany

Tuscan Archipelago National Park

The Tuscan Archipelago National Park encompasses seven enchanting islands born, according to legend, from Venus's necklace gems falling into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Covering over 600 square kilometres of sea between Livorno and Argentario, the park features remarkably diverse geology: Capraia emerged from a submarine volcano nine million years ago, while Elba and Giglio boast granite formations, and Giannutri and Pianosa are limestone-based. The Etruscans and Romans mined iron ore here in antiquity. The archipelago teems with wildlife, including dolphins, sperm whales, and rare monk seals in its waters, whilst the local cuisine reflects this marine heritage through distinctive dishes like Elba cacciucco (a unique seafood soup) and sburrita (cod soup). The park's rich history is evident in archaeological sites such as the Roman Villa on Giannutri, whilst Pianosa served as a prison until 1998. Nature enthusiasts can explore Mount Capanne's trails on Elba, visit the Butterfly Sanctuary with 50 butterfly species, or discover Capraia's natural laboratory featuring 650 plant species and an endemic cornflower.

Tuscan-Emilian Apennines Regional Park

The Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park, established in 2001, is a remarkable natural bridge between the Mediterranean and European worlds, spanning 24,000 hectares across four Italian provinces. The park boasts extraordinary biodiversity with more than 2,000 plant and animal species, including golden eagles and wolves, representing 70% of Italy's total biodiversity. From its highest peaks over 2,000 metres, visitors can marvel at both the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps on clear days, while exploring diverse landscapes from beech forests to mountain lakes, with opportunities for year-round activities including hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The park received two UNESCO recognitions: as a MAB Reserve in 2015 and the Upper Secchia Valley as a World Heritage Site in 2023, featuring fascinating karst formations including the iconic Pietra di Bismantova rock formation. Ancient trade routes like the Via del Sale still cross the park today, testament to centuries of cultural exchange between different regions, while the area's rich culinary traditions reflect the unique meeting of mountain, sea, and plains influence.

In Central Italy

Monti Sibillini National Park

Monti Sibillini National Park, established in 1993, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and ancient history. The park's limestone mountains, formed over 100 million years ago, showcase stunning geological features like chevron folds and U-shaped valleys. The park is steeped in legend, with tales of a prophetic sibyl living in a now-collapsed cave atop Monte Sibilla, a belief rooted in Roman mythology and later embraced by medieval lore. Visitors can explore diverse hiking trails, observe unique wildlife like the endemic crustacean Chirocephalus marchesonii in Lago di Pilato, and marvel at the park's rich biodiversity, including beech forests and subalpine meadows. The park is home to rare species such as the Apennine wolf and golden eagle, making it a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Abruzzo National Park

Abruzzo National Park, established in 1922 and officially recognised in 1923, is Italy's second-oldest national park and the oldest in the Apennine Mountains. This stunning protected area spans three regions: Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise, covering approximately 50,000 hectares with an additional 80,000 hectares of buffer zone. The park's history dates back to 1860, when the idea of a royal hunting reserve was first proposed. It plays a crucial role in preserving endangered species such as the Marsican brown bear and the Italian wolf. Interestingly, the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times by Samnite shepherds, who utilised the natural mountain passages. Visitors can explore ancient beech forests, marvel at picturesque landscapes, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the park's diverse wildlife whilst learning about the region's rich cultural heritage. One notable archaeological site is the ancient town of Amiternum, which dates back to around the 5th century BCE, and was an important Roman municipium.

Gran Sasso National Park

Gran Sasso National Park, established in 1991, is a natural wonder in central Italy spanning 2,014 square kilometres across three regions. The park boasts the highest peak in the Apennines, Corno Grande, standing at 2,912 metres, and is home to Europe's southernmost glacier, the Calderone. Visitors can explore ancient Roman ruins, including the Caecilia Metella road built in 116 BCE, which once traversed the park's territory. The park's rugged terrain served as a refuge for Italian partisans and Allied escapees during World War II. With over 200 kilometres of horse trails, hikers can discover diverse landscapes, from alpine plains to beech forests, and spot endemic flora like the Viola della Majella and the once-thought-extinct Yellow Adonis. Wildlife enthusiasts might glimpse the reintroduced Apennine chamois, golden eagles, or even the elusive Apennine wolf.

Majella National Park

Majella National Park is a remarkable wilderness area dominated by the Majella massif, whose highest peak, Mount Amaro, soars to 2,793 metres. Named after Maia, daughter of Atlas and mother of Hermes in Greek mythology, this UNESCO Global Geopark boasts an extraordinary biodiversity with over 2,100 plant species and houses 78% of Abruzzo's mammal species. The park's limestone mountains were formed from a tropical seabed 100 million years ago, making it rich in fossils. Human history here stretches back 600,000 years to the Early Palaeolithic age, and the area includes a magnificent Roman sanctuary dedicated to Hercules Curinus from the 4th-3rd centuries BCE, where archaeologists discovered a bronze statuette and graffiti verses attributed to the poet Ovid. The park's unique position just 30 kilometres from the Adriatic Sea makes it one of the few mountain ranges with such proximity to the coast, whilst its diverse landscape encompasses deep valleys, caves with prehistoric paintings, and pristine wilderness areas where wolves, Marsican bears, and golden eagles roam freely. Visitors can explore hermitages carved into cliffs, trek through pristine valleys like Orfento, or marvel at Romanesque churches in medieval villages such as Caramanico Terme.

In Southern Italy

Vesuvius National Park

Vesuvius National Park in Italy is home to Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano on mainland Europe, famous for its catastrophic eruption in 79 CE that buried the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under ash and pumice. This event has given its name to the 'Vesuvian' type of volcanic eruption. The area has been settled since at least 1800 BCE, with ancient Romans praising its fertile volcanic soil for agriculture. The volcano's fertile slopes, enriched by its volcanic soil, have supported vineyards and orchards for centuries, producing renowned wines like Lacryma Christi. Today, visitors can hike along 54 km of trails, observing 612 plant and 227 animal species. The park's main attraction is the 'Gran Cono' trail, which leads to the crater rim, offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples.

Cilento & Vallo di Diano National Park ※

Cilento & Vallo di Diano National Park, established in 1991, spans over 180,000 hectares, boasting diverse landscapes from rugged mountains and rolling hills to pristine beaches along the Tyrrhenian Sea. The park is home to ancient Roman ruins, such as the well-preserved archaeological site of Paestum. Nature lovers can explore the park's unique biodiversity, home to endangered species like the European otter, the Apennine wolf, and the Corsican hare, while hiking enthusiasts can traverse the numerous trails that wind through its varied terrain.

Aspromonte National Park ※

Established in 1989, Aspromonte National Park covers over 76,000 hectares, making it one of Italy's largest national parks. The park boasts remarkable biodiversity, with over 1,500 plant species and a rich variety of fauna, including wolves, golden eagles, and the rare Bonelli's eagle. Its highest peak, Montalto, stands at 1,955 meters and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Calabria and the Sicilian coast. Aspromonte National Park is not only a haven for nature enthusiasts but also a site of significant geological interest. In 2021, it was recognized as part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, highlighting its unique geological features. The park is also home to the fascinating "Valle delle Grandi Pietre" (Valley of the Great Stones), known for its large, weather-shaped rocky boulders that form impressive natural monuments.

Gargano National Park

The Gargano National Park, in northern Apulia, offers some of the most fantastic coastal views in Italy, a landscape of turquoise and deep-blue sea and white limestone rocks. Covering an area of approximately 121,118 hectares, the park is home to the Umbra Forest, one of the last remaining ancient forests in Italy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With over 2,000 plant species, including 87 varieties of spontaneous orchids, Gargano National Park boasts one-third of Italy's total plant species. Interestingly, Monte Sant'Angelo, located in the heart of the park, is the highest inhabited center in all of Apulia.

Pollino National Park

Pollino National Park, established in 1992, is Italy's largest national park, covering 1,925 square kilometers across the regions of Basilicata and Calabria. It's home to Europe's oldest tree, a 1,230-year-old Heldreich's pine, and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The park boasts impressive biodiversity, including golden eagles, Italian wolves, and the rare Bosnian pine, which is the symbol of the park. From its highest peaks, which exceed 2,000 meters above sea level, visitors can see both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts on clear days. The park also features several Albanian-speaking communities, adding cultural diversity to its natural wonders. Pollino National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. Its cultural richness adds another layer, with charming villages, historic monasteries, and local culinary delights, such as pasta made with the region's famous chili peppers.

In Sardinia

Asinara National Park ※

Asinara National Park, located off the northwest coast of Sardinia, is home to the unique Albino donkey, a symbol of the island, which roams freely alongside other wildlife such as mouflon, wild boar, and various bird species. Established in 1997, the park has a complex past, having served as a quarantine station during pandemics and later as a high-security prison, earning it the nickname "Italian Alcatraz". The island boasts pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, and crystal-clear waters that are part of a Marine Protected Area, making it a haven for diverse marine life and a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. With nearly 700 plant species, including 30 endemic ones, Asinara's flora is of great biogeographical interest. The park's transformation from a prison island to a protected natural area reflects Italy's commitment to preserving its environmental heritage.

Maddalena Archipelago

The Maddalena Archipelago, located in the Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica, is a stunning collection of seven main island's La Maddalena, Caprera, Spargi, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Budelli, and Razzoli - along with numerous smaller islets. Established as a national park in 1994, it spans over 20,000 hectares of land and sea, featuring pristine beaches and rich marine biodiversity, including rare species like sperm whales and Caretta turtles. Historically significant, the archipelago has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was known to the Romans as Cunicularia. It has served as a strategic naval base for figures such as Admiral Nelson and Giuseppe Garibaldi, who spent his last years on Caprera. The islands are renowned for their unique natural beauty, particularly the pink sands of Budelli's Spiaggia Rosa and the crystal-clear waters that attract boaters and divers alike.

In Sicily

Aeolian Islands ※

Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea composed of the islands of Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea and Basiluzzo. Stromboli and Vulcano are active volcanoes. The former has been in almost one continuous eruption for the past 2000 years and earned the nickname of "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean". The islands have been continuously inhabited since the 6th millennium BCE, with the first settlers exploiting obsidian stone. The seven islands are actually the peaks of underwater volcanic mountains, with Stromboli rising 924 meters above sea level but extending over 2000 meters below the sea surface. These islands are known for their unique volcanic activity, diverse landscapes, and rich agricultural production, particularly famous for producing Malvasia wine and capers. Each island has its own distinctive character, from the untouched Alicudi, where no cars exist and movement is only possible on foot, to Stromboli, which features an active volcano that provides spectacular lava displays, especially at night.

Mount Etna ※

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, standing at approximately 3,329 meters above sea level. It is one of the world's most active stratovolcanoes, with a continuous eruptive history spanning over 500,000 years and documented activity for at least 2,700 years. UNESCO designated Mount Etna a World Heritage Site in 2013, recognising its extraordinary geological significance, unique biodiversity, and importance as a natural laboratory for scientific research. The volcano is not only a geological marvel but also deeply embedded in Sicilian culture, with ancient Greek myths describing it as the workshop of Hephaestus, the god of fire, and home to the Cyclops