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Complete list of 26 national parks in Italy

Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise

Alta Murgia

Asinara

Aspromonte

Belluno Dolomites

Casentine Forests

Cilento and Vallo di Diano

Cinque Terre

Circeo

Gargano

Gennargentu

Gran Paradiso

Gran Sasso and Laga Mountains

La Maddalena Archipelago

Lucanian Apennines-Val d'Agri-Lagonegrese

Majella

Pantelleria Island

Pollino

Sibillini Mountains

Sila

Stelvio

Tuscan Archipelago

Tuscan-Emilian Apennines

Val Grande

Vesuvius

Italy National Parks

One of Italy's oldest national parks, established to protect the Italian wolf and Marsican brown bear. The park features stunning beech forests, rugged mountains, and diverse wildlife including chamois and golden eagles. Its territory spans three regions and includes numerous medieval villages and historic sites.

A protected area characterized by its limestone plateau and unique karst formations. The park is home to the famous Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and features extensive pseudosteppe habitat. It contains important archaeological sites and traditional masserie (farmhouses) that reflect the area's agricultural heritage.

Asinara National Park is located on an island off the northwestern tip of Sardinia. The park is known for its unique white donkeys, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Previously used as a quarantine site and high-security prison, the island was converted to a national park in 1997, preserving its rich biodiversity and historical heritage.

Aspromonte National Park encompasses the southern tip of the Apennine mountain range in Calabria. The park features dramatic landscapes ranging from high mountains to deep valleys, with views of both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. It is home to ancient Greek ruins, rare plant species, and diverse wildlife including the Italian wolf.

Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park protects a dramatic section of the Dolomites mountain range, known for its distinctive pale limestone peaks. The park features high-altitude meadows, dense forests, and deep valleys with rich biodiversity. It is home to numerous endemic plant species and alpine wildlife including chamois and golden eagles.

The Foreste Casentinesi National Park is known for its ancient forests and pristine wilderness areas. It contains one of Italy's most important spiritual sites, the Sanctuary of La Verna. The park features a rich biodiversity with old-growth beech forests and is home to wolves, golden eagles, and numerous species of wild orchids.

Cilento e Vallo di Diano National Park is the second largest national park in Italy, featuring a diverse landscape from coastline to mountains. The park includes important archaeological sites like Paestum and Velia, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known for its rich biodiversity, traditional villages, and Mediterranean diet heritage.

Cinque Terre National Park encompasses five historic coastal villages along the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. The area is famous for its colorful houses, steep terraced vineyards, and dramatic seaside cliffs. The park includes a network of ancient footpaths connecting the five villages, offering spectacular Mediterranean views.

Circeo National Park protects a unique combination of Mediterranean ecosystems including coastal dunes, wetlands, and ancient forests. The park features the prominent Monte Circeo promontory and includes the Pontine Islands. It is home to diverse wildlife and contains significant archaeological sites dating back to prehistoric times.

Gargano National Park encompasses the Gargano Peninsula, featuring dramatic limestone cliffs, ancient forests, and pristine beaches. The park includes the Umbra Forest, one of the largest remaining old-growth beech forests in Europe. Its diverse landscape includes coastal lagoons, Mediterranean maquis, and numerous caves.

Gennargentu National Park is located in central Sardinia and includes the island's highest mountain range. The park features diverse landscapes from limestone formations to dense forests and Mediterranean scrubland. It is home to unique wildlife including the Sardinian wildcat and golden eagle.

Gran Paradiso is Italy's oldest national park, established to protect the Alpine ibex from extinction. The park features dramatic Alpine landscapes with glaciers, high-altitude lakes, and extensive networks of hiking trails. It is home to numerous Alpine species including chamois, marmots, and golden eagles.

Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park is one of Italy's largest protected areas, featuring the highest peak in the Apennines, Corno Grande. The park is characterized by dramatic limestone mountains, deep valleys, and extensive high-altitude plateaus. It hosts diverse ecosystems including ancient beech forests and is home to rare species like the Abruzzo chamois and golden eagle.

The La Maddalena Archipelago National Park consists of seven main islands and numerous smaller islets between Sardinia and Corsica. The park is known for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and unique granite rock formations shaped by wind and sea. It protects important marine ecosystems and serves as a sanctuary for Mediterranean marine life.

One of Italy's newest national parks, protecting a significant portion of the southern Apennine mountains. The park encompasses the Val d'Agri valley and features diverse ecosystems including mountain peaks, forests, and river valleys. It is known for its rich biodiversity and important archaeological sites from various historical periods.

Majella National Park is dominated by the massive Majella massif, the second-highest mountain in the Apennines. The park features deep gorges, vast plateaus, and more than 500 caves throughout its limestone terrain. It is known for its rich biodiversity, including rare plant species and wildlife such as the Marsican brown bear and Italian wolf.

Isola di Pantelleria National Park is located on a volcanic island between Sicily and Tunisia. The park features unique agricultural landscapes including ancient vine cultivation practices recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is characterized by its volcanic features, thermal springs, and distinctive dammusi stone buildings, along with Mediterranean scrub vegetation and coastal environments.

Pollino National Park is the largest protected area in Italy, straddling the regions of Basilicata and Calabria. The park is known for its ancient Bosnian Pines and rich biodiversity, including rare species like the Italian Wolf and Golden Eagle. Its landscape features dramatic limestone mountains, deep valleys, and numerous archaeological sites dating back to prehistoric times.

Monti Sibillini National Park encompasses a stunning mountain range with peaks reaching over 2,000 meters. The park is known for its mystical legends, including stories of the Sibyl, a prophetess said to live in these mountains. The area features diverse landscapes from high alpine meadows to deep gorges, and hosts numerous endemic plant species and wildlife.

Sila National Park encompasses a vast plateau in Calabria known for its extensive forests of pine and beech trees. The park features three artificial lakes - Arvo, Ampollino, and Cecita - which are popular for recreational activities. The area is characterized by its unique microclimate and is home to rare wildlife including the Italian Wolf and Black Woodpecker.

Stelvio National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Alps, featuring dramatic mountain landscapes and glaciers. The park is home to diverse alpine wildlife including ibex, chamois, and golden eagles. It's renowned for the famous Stelvio Pass, one of the highest paved mountain passes in the Eastern Alps.

The Tuscan Archipelago National Park is the largest marine park in Europe, encompassing seven main islands including Elba and numerous smaller islets. The park features diverse Mediterranean ecosystems, from coastal areas to mountain environments. It is renowned for its rich biodiversity, historical sites, and the unique blend of natural and cultural heritage.

The Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park spans the mountainous region between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. It features diverse landscapes including beech forests, alpine meadows, and rocky peaks reaching heights over 2,000 meters. The park is home to rare species like the golden eagle and wolf, while also preserving traditional agricultural practices and local culture.

Val Grande National Park is Italy's largest wilderness area, located in the Lepontine Alps. The park features deep valleys, dense forests, and rugged mountain landscapes that were largely abandoned after World War II. It represents one of the most significant examples of wilderness regeneration in the Western Alps.

Vesuvio National Park centers around Mount Vesuvius, the active volcano that famously destroyed Pompeii in 79 AD. The park encompasses both the volcano and surrounding areas, featuring unique volcanic landscapes and Mediterranean vegetation. The area supports diverse wildlife and offers spectacular views of the Gulf of Naples.