Top 6 most beautiful nature parks in Italy2026 ranking

The Abruzzo National Park is famous for housing a variety of wildlife in the heart of untouched landscapes. I loved hiking on the tracks of bears and wolves! I have to admit that they are well hidden, and to maximize your chances of spotting them, it is always better to be accompanied by a local guide. Among my favorite discoveries, I was really blown away by the hikes to Lake Vivo and Val di Rose.

This protected area is worth the trip, especially if you love nature and animals. In that case, head toward the beautiful Val Facina trail. I loved getting lost on the wilder routes where I was lucky enough to see chamois and marmots in abundance! Even in the middle of summer, you can find spots away from the crowds...

For those passionate about the history of Pompeii, or for anyone who loves volcanoes, Naples is a must-see destination! The hike up Vesuvius is pretty nice and relatively short. You do most of the climb via a shuttle, then hike up to the crater. It is always impressive to see the fumaroles of a volcano that is still active, even if only slightly. And the highlight of the trip: the view over the entire Bay of Naples!

Gargano National Park is a must-do if you are in the Puglia region. It offers stunning, perfectly preserved natural landscapes. You can go on some really beautiful hikes and admire the view of the sea. In the summer, just be careful with the heat, which can be tough to handle.

North of the Serenissima, but in a totally different spirit, this national park welcomes you for some hiking in the heart of nature, between mountains (the Dolomites), lakes, streams, forests, cows, and marmots. For my part, I did a loop around a lake, a half day for about thirty euros, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Not too difficult, and not too crowded when we were there in April. Pretty views, and we spotted marmots several times!

Pollino National Park is the largest in Italy. Covering almost 2,000 square kilometers, it contains completely natural areas but also a few villages. It is therefore entirely possible to spend several days there by staying in guesthouses or hotels and eating on site. That can be a good idea, because there is really a lot of ground to cover, and you won't be able to do everything on foot, even in several days. Of what I saw, I particularly enjoyed the area around the village of Orsomarso. Impressive mountains, rocky peaks, lush green nature, rare plants, birds of prey, animals of all kinds, charming little streams...

I visited Vesuvius during a long weekend in Naples. I am glad I did it, but it is almost disappointing when you have seen more beautiful ones (in my case, Poas in Costa Rica). Since public transit was on strike, I took the tour for 22 euros, which included transportation from the Pompeii train station to the volcano, where you still have to hike up to reach the summit. The crater seemed a bit bleak to me (no water, no smoke, just rock), but the view toward the sea is pretty. Anyway, nice, but not mind-blowing for me!