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🌋 Italy's most beautiful natural wonders

100 places ordered by editorial score

  1. 1 Aerial view of Etna – versante sud erupting with a large ash plume. Mount Etna – Southern Slope Nicolosi · Sicily Silvestri craters, cable car and Monti Rossi: Etna as climbed from Nicolosi. 93
  2. 2 Stone cairns on the pebble beach of Lago di Braies with turquoise water and majestic peaks. Lake Braies Braies · Trentino-South Tyrol Green water under the Croda del Becco, and a hotel the SS used as a prison in 1945. 90
  3. 3 Silhouette of a person looking out at misty mountain peaks near Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Tre Cime di Lavaredo Auronzo di Cadore · Veneto Three dolomite towers on the old Austrian border, and the north face that made climbing history. 89
  4. 4 Spectacular stalagmites and columns reflected in an underground lake inside the Frasassi Caves in Genga. Frasassi Caves Genga · Marche The Abisso Ancona could swallow Milan Cathedral: 200 metres from floor to ceiling. 88
  5. 5 Aerial view of Stromboli island and Sciara del Fuoco in the Aeolian Islands. Stromboli and the Sciara del Fuoco Lipari · Sicily The islanders call it Iddu: it has exploded for millennia, and the Sciara runs down to the sea. 87
  6. 6 Winter landscape of the Alpe di Siusi alpine meadow plateau with Sassolungo peaks in the Dolomites. Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) Castelrotto · Trentino-South Tyrol Europe's largest alpine meadow, a 52-square-kilometer Dolomite plateau offering 360-degree views of the Sciliar massif. 86
  7. 7 Illuminated stalactites and stalagmites inside the Castellana Caves Castellana Caves Castellana Grotte · Puglia A 3,348-meter karst cave system mapped in 1938, noted for its 60-meter-deep skylight and dazzling white formations. 85
  8. 8 View of the Cascata delle Marmore waterfall in Terni surrounded by lush vegetation. Marmore Falls Terni · Umbria Plunging 165 meters, this Roman engineering marvel from 271 BC is the tallest man-made waterfall in the world. 85
  9. 9 Rocky cliffs overlooking the sea along the Sentiero degli Dei in Agerola Path of the Gods Agerola · Campania A 7.8-kilometer hiking trail across the Monti Lattari, historically the only overland route between coastal villages. 85
  10. 10 Spectacular stalactites and stalagmites reflected in the underground lake at Grotta di Nettuno, Alghero. Neptune's Grotto Alghero · Sardinia Discovered in the 18th century, this karst cave features a subterranean saltwater lake and a 654-step cliff stairway. 84
  11. 11 Campo Imperatore Astronomical Observatory in front of the Gran Sasso mountain range. Campo Imperatore L'Aquila · Abruzzo Known as "Little Tibet," this vast Apennine plateau features Europe's southernmost glacier and a rich cinematic history. 83
  12. 12 Via dell'Amore pedestrian path along coastal cliffs in Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre. Via dell'Amore Riomaggiore · Liguria A one-kilometer pedestrian path overlooking the sea, linking Riomaggiore and Manarola in the Cinque Terre National Park. 80
  13. 13 Panoramic view of rolling hills from Colle dell'Infinito in Recanati. Hill of the Infinite Recanati · Marche The hedge that cuts off the horizon, the plaque with the opening line, the nuns' old garden. 76
  14. 14 laguna di Venezia — Venice laguna di Venezia Venice · Veneto The largest lagoon in the Mediterranean: salt marshes, bricole, silent islands and the tides that make Venice. 75
  15. 15 Parco naturale Fanes - Sennes - Braies — Braies Parco naturale Fanes - Sennes - Braies Braies · Trentino-South Tyrol Above Lake Braies lie three plateaus at two thousand metres, and almost nobody climbs up. 64
  16. 16 Strade Nuove e complesso dei Palazzi dei Rolli di Genova — Genoa Strade Nuove e complesso dei Palazzi dei Rolli di Genova Genoa · Liguria The streets of the palaces that a public lottery obliged to lodge popes and emperors. 64
  17. 17 Stazione zoologica Anton Dohrn — Naples Stazione zoologica Anton Dohrn Naples · Campania Dohrn's marine laboratory in Naples, with Italy's oldest aquarium on the seafront. 62
  18. 18 caverna delle Arene Candide — Finale Ligure caverna delle Arene Candide Finale Ligure · Liguria The cave of the Prince: 19 Palaeolithic burials, 90 metres above the sea at Finale Ligure. 61
  19. 19 grotte di Toirano — Toirano grotte di Toirano Toirano · Liguria Footprints 12,000 years old, a cemetery of cave bears and a column eight metres high. 60
  20. 20 Orecchio di Dionisio — Syracuse Orecchio di Dionisio Syracuse · Sicily The cave Caravaggio named in 1608: 23 metres of limestone and an echo that answers. 59
  21. 21 Riserva naturale orientata Saline di Trapani e Paceco — Trapani Riserva naturale orientata Saline di Trapani e Paceco Trapani · Sicily The salt basins with windmills and flamingos, between Trapani and Marsala. 59
  22. 22 lago di Campotosto — L'Aquila lago di Campotosto L'Aquila · Abruzzo The lake built for power stations where a peat bog was, under the Gran Sasso. 58
  23. 23 lago di Piediluco — Terni lago di Piediluco Terni · Umbria The lake that regulates the Marmore falls, with the village and boats on its shore. 58
  24. 24 Villa Gregoriana — Tivoli Villa Gregoriana Tivoli · Lazio The park in the Aniene gorge, born of a tunnel dug to stop the floods. 58
  25. 25 lago Pergusa — Enna lago Pergusa Enna · Sicily The lake of Persephone's myth, now nearly dry, with a race track around it. 57
  26. 26 Mirabilandia — Ravenna Mirabilandia Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna Italy's largest amusement park, in the pine woods between Ravenna and Cervia. 56
  27. 27 Riserva naturale marina di Miramare — Trieste Riserva naturale marina di Miramare Trieste · Friuli Venezia Giulia Italy's first marine protected area, below the castle of Miramare. 56
  28. 28 Valli di Comacchio — Ravenna Valli di Comacchio Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna The brackish lagoons born from a broken embankment, now a kingdom of birds. 56
  29. 29 Panoramic view of Albano Laziale with Monte Cavo and Alban Hills in the background Castelli Romani Albano Laziale · Lazio The protected area of the Alban Hills: Lakes Albano and Nemi, Tusculum and chestnut woods on the old volcano. 55
  30. 30 Eremo di Sant'Egidio — Bojano Eremo di Sant'Egidio Bojano · Molise The Matese hermitage in the beech wood, a stop for travellers crossing the range. 55
  31. 31 Panoramic view of the city of Alghero and its gulf with hills in the background. Grotta dei Cervi Alghero · Sardinia Alghero's submerged cave with the bones of the Sardinian dwarf deer. 55
  32. 32 Grotta dei Fantasmi — Alghero Grotta dei Fantasmi Alghero · Sardinia Punta Giglio's submerged cave, cut by fresh water before the sea arrived. 55
  33. 33 Porta Matera, historic gateway to the old town center of Altamura, Puglia Grotta di Lamalunga Altamura · Puglia Karst cave near Altamura where the Altamura Man, a Neanderthal skeleton, was found in 1993. 55
  34. 34 Grotta di Nereo — Alghero Grotta di Nereo Alghero · Sardinia The Mediterranean's largest submerged cave, beneath capo Caccia. 55
  35. 35 View of the Nettuno coastline from the sea with mountains in the background Laghetto Granieri Nettuno · Lazio An artificial lake in the Foglino wood at Nettuno, a haven for herons, amphibians and sport fishing. 55
  36. 36 Lago di Alviano — Alviano Lago di Alviano Alviano · Umbria The Tiber reservoir at Alviano, turned into an oasis by hydraulic accident. 55
  37. 37 Modern and vintage ATM trams at the terminus in Rozzano, Lombardy. Parco agricolo Sud Milano Rozzano · Lombardy The large protected farming area south of Milan, with canals, springs, abbeys and castles such as Rozzano's. 55
  38. 38 The public swimming pool in Cesano Maderno with retractable roof and lawn. Parco Borromeo Cesano Maderno · Lombardy The park of Palazzo Arese Borromeo in Cesano Maderno: Italian garden, rose beds and the dromedary fountain. 55
  39. 39 Snowy view of Piazza Aurelio Saffi with statue in Forlì, Italy Parco della Resistenza Forlì · Emilia-Romagna Forlì's Italian-style public garden of 1816, with a pond, a statue of Carnera and a memorial to camp victims. 55
  40. 40 Piazza Indipendenza in San Donà di Piave featuring the town hall and war memorial. Parco della Scultura in Architettura San Donà di Piave · Veneto The park in San Donà di Piave with works by Munari, Aldo Rossi, Sol LeWitt, Sottsass and Mendini among the trees. 55
  41. 41 Parco GruBrìa — Seregno Parco GruBrìa Seregno · Lombardy The farmland and woodland park between Seregno and northern Milan, along the Villoresi canal, created in 2019. 55
  42. 42 Interior of a church with wooden pews and dark columns in Paderno Dugnano Parco Lago Nord Paderno Dugnano · Lombardy The park created from an old quarry in Paderno Dugnano, with two small lakes and a waterfall fed by the Villoresi canal. 55
  43. 43 Parco naturale del Mont Avic — Issogne Parco naturale del Mont Avic Issogne · Aosta Valley The Aosta Valley park with the region's largest mountain pine forest. 55
  44. 44 parco naturale regionale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo — Cortina d'Ampezzo parco naturale regionale delle Dolomiti d'Ampezzo Cortina d'Ampezzo · Veneto A 112-square-kilometre nature reserve protecting the iconic peaks and alpine valleys north of Cortina d'Ampezzo. 55
  45. 45 Panoramic view of the hilltop town of Monterotondo with mountains in the background. Riserva naturale della Marcigliana Monterotondo · Lazio The large farming reserve between the Salaria and Nomentana, with old farmhouses and Crustumerium's necropolis. 55
  46. 46 Riserva naturale integrale Macalube di Aragona — Aragona Riserva naturale integrale Macalube di Aragona Aragona · Sicily Aragona's mud volcanoes, known since antiquity and now closed to the public. 55
  47. 47 Entrance to the Stadio Comunale Franco Ossola and Velodromo Luigi Ganna in Varese. Sacro Monte di Varese Varese · Lombardy Sacred Way of fourteen chapels up Monte Orona to the sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte, a UNESCO site. 55
  48. 48 High-angle view of the town of Nocera Inferiore and the surrounding valley in Campania. Villa Comunale Nocera Inferiore · Campania The park born from the Carafa dukes' garden in Nocera Inferiore, with neo-Gothic features and old trees. 55
  49. 49 Collage of views of Catanzaro, including the Bisantis Bridge and Cavatore fountain Villa Margherita Catanzaro · Calabria Catanzaro's oldest public garden, of 1881, with an archaeological museum, a library and a view over the gulf. 55
  50. 50 Panoramic view of Campi Bisenzio and the Florentine plain through olive trees Villa Montalvo Campi Bisenzio · Tuscany Campi Bisenzio's large park with the Ragnaia, an eighteenth-century wood planted for catching birds in nets. 55
  51. 51 Panoramic view of fields and the town of Capannori with a brick bell tower and distant hills Villa Torrigiani Capannori · Tuscany The Baroque villa of the Santini and Torrigiani at Camigliano, with a colourful front and the Nymphaeum of the Winds. 55
  52. 52 Panoramic view of Cosenza from above with mountains in the background at twilight Villa Vecchia Cosenza · Calabria Historic park in Cosenza born from a seventeenth-century garden, with the monument to the 1844 uprisings. 55
  53. 53 parco Ferrari — Modena parco Ferrari Modena · Emilia-Romagna Enzo Ferrari Park in Modena, a former racetrack active from 1950 to 1976, inaugurated as a park in 1991. 52
  54. 54 Riserva naturale orientata Cavagrande del Cassibile — Noto Riserva naturale orientata Cavagrande del Cassibile Noto · Sicily A canyon 507 metres deep, green pools at the bottom, houses cut into the rock. 52
  55. 55 Zona naturale di salvaguardia dei Boschi e delle Rocche del Roero — Sommariva del Bosco Zona naturale di salvaguardia dei Boschi e delle Rocche del Roero Sommariva del Bosco · Piedmont The Rocche del Roero: cliff faces carved by erosion after the Tanaro changed course. 52
  56. 56 Panoramic aerial view of the coastal town of Rimini showing the beach and Adriatic Sea. Italia in miniatura Rimini · Emilia-Romagna Italia in Miniatura in Rimini, founded in 1970, with over 270 models of Italian monuments. 51
  57. 57 Parco Pitagora — Crotone Parco Pitagora Crotone · Calabria Hilltop public park in Crotone, formerly the garden of the Pignera, with the Museo e Giardini di Pitagora. 51
  58. 58 Courtyard in the historic center of Mazara del Vallo with decorative ceramic vases and a mosaic Riserva naturale integrale Lago Preola e Gorghi Tondi Mazara del Vallo · Sicily Lakes and karst ponds near Mazara del Vallo, a Ramsar wetland with herons, coots and Sicilian pond turtles. 51
  59. 59 Villa Cavallotti — Marsala Villa Cavallotti Marsala · Sicily Public garden of Marsala, laid out in 1895 over the moat of the San Francesco bastion. 51
  60. 60 Monte Galero — Nasino Monte Galero Nasino · Liguria A 3194-hectare protected site on the Tanaro-Centa watershed: woods, rock spires and ice-age plants. 50
  61. 61 Oasi Zegna — Valdilana Oasi Zegna Valdilana · Piedmont A hundred square kilometres of open access, born of Ermenegildo Zegna's reforestation. 50
  62. 62 parco della Favorita — Palermo parco della Favorita Palermo · Sicily Palermo's great royal park, born of a king's flight from Naples. 50
  63. 63 Parco naturale dei laghi di Avigliana — Avigliana Parco naturale dei laghi di Avigliana Avigliana · Piedmont Two lakes, Italy's westernmost marshland and two disused factories inside the park. 50
  64. 64 Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe in Ravenna with its round bell tower. pineta di Classe Ravenna · Emilia-Romagna Pineta di Classe near Ravenna, mentioned by Dante and Boccaccio, hit by a fire in 2010. 50
  65. 65 Riserva naturale orientata Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari — Noto Riserva naturale orientata Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari Noto · Sicily Salt marshes, a ruined tuna fishery and five beaches between Noto and Marzamemi. 50
  66. 66 Historic mill house perched on the rocks above the Greek Theatre of Siracusa. Area marina protetta Plemmirio Syracuse · Sicily Marine reserve on Siracusa's Maddalena peninsula, to Capo Murro di Porco: wildlife and finds of every age. 49
  67. 67 giardino Garibaldi — Palermo giardino Garibaldi Palermo · Sicily The garden in piazza Marina, with the largest tree in Europe. 49
  68. 68 lago di Giacopiane — Borzonasca lago di Giacopiane Borzonasca · Liguria A reservoir at 1015 metres, with an Art Nouveau tempietto on the dam and feral horses on the shore. 49
  69. 69 Panoramic view of Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superiore nestled in the hills of Sicily. lago Santa Rosalia Ragusa · Sicily Artificial reservoir on the Irminio between Ragusa and Giarratana, in an Iblean quarry, with ravens, kestrels and kites. 49
  70. 70 Detail of the bronze relief on the Dante Monument in Trento Torbiera delle Viote Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol Small Alpine peat bog at the Viote, below the Palon: birches, amphibians, raptors and, at times, wolf and bear. 49
  71. 71 Tuppo dei sassi — Filiano Tuppo dei sassi Filiano · Basilicata Red ochre paintings under a sandstone overhang, entry by booking only 49
  72. 72 Elevated view of the historic center of Terracina showing its Romanesque bell tower and medieval towers. Monumento naturale Campo Soriano Terracina · Lazio The karst basin between Terracina and Sonnino, with limestone monoliths and the eighteen-metre Cathedral. 48
  73. 73 The Royal Palace of Caserta with the front courtyard and main facade. Oasi Bosco di San Silvestro Caserta · Campania WWF oasis of 1993 on the hills of Montemaiulo and Montebriano, a former Bourbon royal estate of 76 hectares. 48
  74. 74 Oasi naturale di Guardiaregia-Campochiaro — Guardiaregia Oasi naturale di Guardiaregia-Campochiaro Guardiaregia · Molise A WWF-run protected area on the Molise side of the Matese massif. 48
  75. 75 Elevated view of the historic center of Terracina showing its Romanesque bell tower and medieval towers. parco naturale regionale monti Ausoni e lago di Fondi Terracina · Lazio The regional park between the Monti Ausoni and Lake Fondi, from limestone crags to Mediterranean scrub. 48
  76. 76 Satellite view of the western coast of Sicily, Marsala, and the Egadi Islands Riserva naturale regionale delle Isole dello Stagnone di Marsala Marsala · Sicily Nature reserve of 1984 in the Stagnone lagoon, with Mozia, salt pans and rare flora. 48
  77. 77 riserva speciale del Sacro Monte di Varallo — Varallo riserva speciale del Sacro Monte di Varallo Varallo · Piedmont The wood on the crag that carries the Sacro Monte, protected since 1990 and replanted as a garden. 48
  78. 78 Zoom Torino — Cumiana Zoom Torino Cumiana · Piedmont Eighty-four species in eleven habitats, where a small lakeside family park used to be 48
  79. 79 Bosco Magnano — San Severino Lucano Bosco Magnano San Severino Lucano · Basilicata The Peschiera runs through it, and the otter is said to be there still. 47
  80. 80 Foro Italico — Palermo Foro Italico Palermo · Sicily Palermo's seafront, built on the rubble of the bombing. 47
  81. 81 Golden sand beach with a view of the skyline of the coastal town of Gela, Sicily. Geloi Wetland Gela · Sicily Protected wetland created in 2017 on the Gela plain, a refuge for migratory birds and storks. 47
  82. 82 Golden sand beach with a view of the skyline of the coastal town of Gela, Sicily. Riserva naturale orientata Biviere di Gela Gela · Sicily Reserve of 1997 around Sicily's largest coastal lake, a stopover for migratory birds. 47
  83. 83 Riserva naturale orientata Capo Gallo — Palermo Riserva naturale orientata Capo Gallo Palermo · Sicily The Monte Gallo reserve, with a cave that was Neolithic and then Punic. 47
  84. 84 Street view in the historic center of Acireale featuring a scenic archway. Riserva naturale orientata La Timpa Acireale · Sicily The volcanic escarpment behind the Acireale coast, with scrub, lemon groves, raptors and fishing villages. 47
  85. 85 Panoramic view of the town of Augusta in Sicily with the coastline and bay. Saline di Augusta Augusta · Sicily Augusta's old salt pans, now a protected wetland where flamingos, avocets and black-winged stilts stop. 47
  86. 86 Satellite view of the western coast of Sicily, Marsala, and the Egadi Islands Saline di Marsala Marsala · Sicily Salt pans of the Stagnone lagoon, with windmills and IGP Trapani sea salt. 47
  87. 87 cascata della Donnaiola — Quiliano cascata della Donnaiola Quiliano · Liguria Six or seven metres of water out of a crack in the rock, an hour's walk above Quiliano. 46
  88. 88 Detail of the bronze relief on the Dante Monument in Trento parco di Melta Trento · Trentino-South Tyrol Large urban park in Melta di Gardolo with sports pitches, three play areas and a dog area. 46
  89. 89 Parco naturale del Bosco della Partecipanza e delle Grange Vercellesi — Trino Parco naturale del Bosco della Partecipanza e delle Grange Vercellesi Trino · Piedmont A lowland wood surviving among the paddy fields, run by the same families since 1202. 45
  90. 90 Historic mill house perched on the rocks above the Greek Theatre of Siracusa. riserva naturale Fiume Ciane e Saline di Siracusa Syracuse · Sicily Reserve of the Ciane river and Siracusa's salt pans: wild papyrus, migratory birds and a ring path. 45
  91. 91 Riserva naturale Les Îles — Quart Riserva naturale Les Îles Quart · Aosta Valley Two lakes on the Dora Baltea, one of the valley's last riparian habitats: forty nesting bird species. 45
  92. 92 Historic building in Rovereto with large arched windows on its facade. Biotopo Lavini di Marco Rovereto · Trentino-South Tyrol The landslide from Monte Zugna, with dinosaur trackways discovered in 1990 and two small lakes. 44
  93. 93 Panoramic night view of Piazza Castromediano in Lecce with outdoor cafe seating. parco naturale regionale Bosco e paludi di Rauccio Lecce · Puglia Regional park of 1593 hectares since 2002: remnant holm-oak wood of the «forest of Lecce», marshes, coastal towers. 44
  94. 94 parco naturale regionale Lama Balice — Bari parco naturale regionale Lama Balice Bari · Puglia The Lama Balice park, the dry valley by which one reached Bari. 44
  95. 95 Panoramic view of the countryside around Alcamo from Monte Bonifato, Sicily Riserva naturale Bosco di Alcamo Alcamo · Sicily The pine wood on top of Monte Bonifato above Alcamo, with rare orchids, three trails and the ruins of Bùnifat. 44
  96. 96 Riserva naturale Côte de Gargantua — Gressan Riserva naturale Côte de Gargantua Gressan · Aosta Valley The moraine ridge that legend says covers Gargantua's little toe, a nature reserve since 1995. 44
  97. 97 Panoramic view of the Gulf of Vasto and beach from a hillside path Riserva naturale guidata Punta Aderci Vasto · Abruzzo The first reserve on the Abruzzo coast: 285 hectares of beaches, dunes and cliffs north of the port of Vasto. 44
  98. 98 Riserva naturale Marais — La Salle Riserva naturale Marais La Salle · Aosta Valley The Valdigne wetland, established in 1992, where the regional natural science museum does its research. 44
  99. 99 riserva naturale Oasi del Simeto — Catania riserva naturale Oasi del Simeto Catania · Sicily What is left of a drained marsh, still a fixed stop for migrants. 44
  100. 100 View of the historic center of Caltagirone in Sicily with a church dome in the background. riserva naturale orientata Bosco di Santo Pietro Caltagirone · Sicily Cork oaks, holm oaks and garrigue on a sandy plateau twenty kilometres from Caltagirone, a reserve since 1999. 44