Italy has around 25 national parks; the oldest is Gran Paradiso (1922). The easiest for a first trip are the ones next to places you’re already visiting: Cinque Terre (trains between the villages), Vesuvius (from Naples or Pompeii), the Tuscan Archipelago (Elba), La Maddalena (Sardinia, by boat) and the Dolomiti Bellunesi and Stelvio in the Alps. The big Apennine parks — Abruzzo, Gran Sasso, Majella — are wild and beautiful but hard by public transport: rent a car or book a guide, and check snow conditions by altitude into May.
Checked 2026-09-24 · Italy · Nature
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Number | Around 25 national parks |
| Oldest | Gran Paradiso · 1922 |
| Easy by train or boat | Cinque Terre · Vesuvius · Tuscan Archipelago · La Maddalena |
| Wild & remote | Abruzzo · Gran Sasso · Majella |
| Spring | Snow above ~2,000 m into May — check webcams |
Parks by trip
| Park | Near | How to get there |
|---|---|---|
| Cinque Terre | Liguria | Train between the villages |
| Vesuvius | Naples · Pompeii | Bus to the crater path · book ahead |
| Tuscan Archipelago | Elba | Ferry from Piombino |
| La Maddalena Archipelago | Northern Sardinia | Ferry from Palau · boat trips |
| Gran Paradiso | Aosta Valley | Car or local buses from Aosta |
| Stelvio · Dolomiti Bellunesi | Alps | Mountain bases and lifts — see Mountains |
| Abruzzo · Gran Sasso · Majella | Central Apennines | Car or guide recommended |
Park list: Wikipedia / Parks.it · access notes from EmweGo guides and traveller research
Plan it
Abruzzo by bus
Snow by altitude
Dolomites without a car
Quick answers
How many national parks does Italy have?
Around 25.
What is Italy’s oldest national park?
Gran Paradiso, established in 1922.
Can you visit Abruzzo National Park without a car?
Partly, but buses are infrequent; a car or a guide is much easier.
Go deeper in our guides
Related answers
Sources: Wikipedia · national parks of Italy ↗ · Parks.it · national parks ↗