20 Parks in Italy: where to go with kids and where to find nature

Italy is associated with the sea and ancient cities, but its parks have long become a separate kind of vacation. In one trip you can combine rides at Lake Garda with quiet trails in the Alps. We have put together twenty parks across the country, from handcrafted miniatures in Rimini to nature reserves with mountain goats and brown bears.

Readers usually have one simple question: where to go with kids, and where to go just for nature. The answer depends on the season and your budget. Tickets to major amusement parks in summer start at around thirty euros per adult (as of 09/2026, Mirabilandia rates). National parks are usually free; you only pay for parking and lifts.

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Parks in Italy: how to choose

💡 In short:

• Amusement parks are concentrated in Rimini, at Lake Garda, and near Bergamo.
• National parks cover the Alps, the Apennines, and the south of the country.
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, checked on the official Italia in Miniatura website and the official Gardaland website.

The list is structured to make trip planning easy. First come amusement parks and water parks, then safari parks and city gardens, and the selection closes with national nature reserves. Each entry includes a short description, practical details, and photos. Opening hours and prices change from season to season, so always check the park's official website before visiting. Most places are reachable by car or train, and tickets to major amusement parks are cheaper to buy online.

1. Italia in Miniatura

This park in Rimini shows all of Italy in one day. A compact site holds scale models of the country's main landmarks, from the Colosseum to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Milan Cathedral. Seeing all the miniatures takes a full sightseeing day, so arrive at opening time.

The park has more than 270 landmarks at a 1:25 scale (as of 09/2026, Italia in Miniatura). Kids enjoy the free rides inside, while adults wait for them at the summer cafe. From April through October the park is open every day; in winter it operates only on weekends.

© Hic et nunc · CC BY-SAPhoto: Hic et nunc, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

It is more convenient to buy tickets online; in summer the ticket office gets a line. Grab a map at the entrance, otherwise you will miss the far-off models on the slope. For families with children, this is a relaxed day stop between the Rimini beach and a trip to San Marino.

2. Mirabilandia

The country's largest amusement park lies forty kilometers from Rimini. Dozens of rides operate here in themed zones, with shady picnic gardens all around. In summer, two beach areas open on the lake shore.

The park has more than 40 rides, including the tallest slides in Italy (as of 09/2026, Mirabilandia). A day ticket is valid for two consecutive days, and the evening option is cheaper and runs for a couple of hours. In July, weekends are very crowded, so you are better off coming on a weekday.

An evening ticket pays off if you are going for just a few hours. Check the calendar in advance: in the off-season the park is open only on Saturdays and Sundays.

3. Fiabilandia

Fiabilandia became Italy's first theme park. It stands in Rimini next to a lake and is aimed at children roughly five to ten years old. There are about thirty modern rides here, including "Sea of Frogs" and "Magic Village".

A mobile train helps you get around the whole area. Besides the carousels there are educational programs: children are shown natural phenomena, animals and plants, and taught the basics of astronomy. The park operates in the warm season, from April to October, and is open daily.

For parents with toddlers this is a calm option without extreme slides. In summer there are children's cafes and a restaurant with a European menu inside.

4. Terra Magica

Terra Magica is built about forty kilometers from Rome. The park is considered one of the largest on the Mediterranean coast and combines not only rides, but also a golf course, historical exhibitions and a botanical garden.

There are about fifty rides for children and adults here. The water and extreme ones are considered the most popular. In season the park is open daily from April to October, and in the off-season it welcomes you on Saturdays and Sundays.

© Eugenio Hansen, OFS · CC BY-SAPhoto: Eugenio Hansen, OFS, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Plan your visit for a full day, one carousel is not enough here. For families with children of different ages this is a good compromise, everyone will find a zone to their taste.

5. Gulliverlandia

Gulliverlandia is located in the resort town of Lignano in the northern Adriatic. The park is divided into zones, and each has its own theme. In the "Aquarium" zone you walk through a tunnel along the seabed and observe the inhabitants of the depths in their natural environment.

The "Vulcano Rapids" zone brings together artificial waterfalls, volcanoes and tropical jungle. A panoramic tower sixty meters high gives a view over the whole area. The park is open only in the warm season, from May to September, from morning to evening.

It is convenient to stop by here after the beach, Lignano is close to the resorts. If you are traveling with toddlers, start with the aquarium, it is cooler there in the heat.

6. Gardaland

Gardaland stands on Lake Garda and in scale resembles an American Disneyland. More than forty rides for children and adults operate across a large area. There is a lot of greenery around, so the park sometimes looks like a botanical garden.

The 2026 season runs from March 28 to November 1 (as of 09/2026, Gardaland). An undated ticket is valid all season, which is convenient if your plans shift. Grab a map at the entrance: the zones are numbered and labeled, and with it you will find the rides you want faster.

© Emanuela Meme Giudic… · CC BYPhoto: Emanuela Meme Giudic…, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Thick shade saves you from the scorching sun, and the air smells of flowering bushes. Arrive at opening: by midday the lines for the main rides grow noticeably.

7. Aquafan

Aquafan operates in Riccione on the Adriatic coast. It is one of the largest water parks in Europe, according to the park itself. Guests are offered water and extreme rides, pools with loungers, jacuzzis and quiet relaxation areas.

On the "Kamikaze" slide you race down at 70 km/h, and the Twist tube stretches for 130 meters (as of 09/2026, Aquafan). Children have a cartoon beach and an elephant pool. The park operates daily from June to September.

© roadmap · CC BYPhoto: roadmap, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

There are cafes, picnic areas and a barbecue zone with everything you need on site. Bring swimsuits and towels, without them the day will not work out.

8. Parco Natura Viva

Parco Natura Viva near Bussolengo showcases the animal world of five continents. More than one and a half thousand animals live on the grounds. Tourists from different countries come here, and tours are held here for schoolchildren and students.

The park is divided into two parts. In the safari zone you drive your own car and look at the animals right from the window. The second zone is pedestrian only, here you wander through a tropical greenhouse and watch birds. The park operates year-round, on weekdays until half past five, and a little longer on weekends.

© Francesca Cesa Bianchi · CC BY-SAPhoto: Francesca Cesa Bianchi, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/it/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

An adult ticket stays in the lower double-digit range, children under two enter free. Arrive in the morning: before the heat, the animals are more active and more willing to come up to cars.

9. Edenlandia

Edenlandia in Naples became the first amusement park in southern Italy. It covers tens of thousands of square meters, which is larger than many venues in the country. In 2019 the park was refreshed after a large-scale renovation.

A theater operates nearby, where musical groups perform and films are shown in 3D. There is a restaurant, summer cafes and kiosks with sweets. In summer the park is open Tuesday through Friday in the afternoon, on weekends from the morning, and Monday is a day off.

• The catch: on summer weekdays the park opens only in the afternoon, and it is closed on Mondays.

With kids, it is convenient to combine a visit with a walk around the city. Check the opening hours before your trip, as the schedule shifts in winter.

10. Parco Sempione

Parco Sempione is a large park in Milan's historic center. Shady plane tree alleys, a pond with turtles and ducks, a stadium, and cafes attract both tourists and locals. The paths are named after European writers, and there is even a Pushkin path here.

The grounds are home to museums, the "Wedding Cake" fountain, and Europe's first aquarium, opened at the beginning of the last century. Nearby stands the Sforza Castle, built in the fifteenth century. Park entry is free and it is open around the clock.

© Alessandro Perazzoli · CC BY-SAPhoto: Alessandro Perazzoli, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

From here it is convenient to walk to the castle and then on to the center. For a break between museums, this is the best spot in the city.

11. Leolandia

Leolandia lies sixteen kilometers from Bergamo and is designed for younger and middle-aged children. There are no intimidating roller coasters here, but more than 40 attractions are in operation (as of 09/2026, Leolandia). The carousels are joined by water slides, theatrical performances, and entertainment for every age group.

At the farm, children pet and feed the animals. The grounds are divided into six themed zones featuring cartoon characters. Comfortable conditions are provided for guests with health limitations, and for toddlers there are bottle warmers and changing tables.

© Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A. · CC BY-SAPhoto: Martin Lewison from Forest Hills, NY, U.S.A., CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Adults also have plenty to do while the kids ride. In the "Mini Italy" zone you will see scale models of the country's main landmarks.

12. Oltremare

Oltremare in Rimini is dedicated to nature conservation. The park opened in the early 2000s, and you should set aside a full day for a visit. Several themed zones showcase the planet's flora and fauna.

In the "Dolphin Lagoon," the animals interact with visitors. On "Nature Island," birds, including birds of prey, soar in free flight. The "Hippocampus" zone houses seahorses of various sizes and colors, while "Planet of the Sea" is inhabited by sharks, rays, and moray eels.

© Terragio67 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Terragio67, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

A large IMAX cinema with five hundred seats also operates here. In the evening you can watch educational films about the planet and its inhabitants.

13. Fasanolandia

In the town of Fasano in southern Italy lies one of Europe's largest zoos. More precisely, it is a safari park with wild animals roaming almost without restrictions. There is a dolphinarium, a serpentarium, a bird hall, a large mammal section, and an amusement park with two dozen attractions.

The animals live without cages, roaming freely among olive trees, palm trees, and lakes. In the first zone, you drive your own car and feed the friendly animals right from the window. In the second zone, a walking tour begins past tigers, elephants, giraffes, and ostriches.

© Martin Lewison · CC BY-SAPhoto: Martin Lewison, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

A "Metrozoo" shuttle runs between the park sections. The park is open from April to October; in the heat, bring water and hats.

14. Circeo National Park

Circeo National Park lies between Rome and Naples. It is an example of harmony between nature and humanity: the reserve has preserved historical and architectural monuments. The villa of Emperor Domitian, built in the first century AD, stands here.

The territory covers about eighty-five square kilometers. The park is roughly divided into five zones with forests, cliffs, and coves. For walks you need comfortable shoes; the trails are rocky in places.

© Anglisani Alessandro · CC BY-SAPhoto: Anglisani Alessandro, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

You can get there by car or by train with a transfer. In summer the coast is crowded, so come on a weekday.

15. Gran Paradiso National Park

Gran Paradiso translates as "Great Paradise." It is Italy's oldest national park, on the border with France, and one of the world's most extensive reserves. Here you will encounter every kind of landscape, from alpine meadows to permanent glaciers.

The elevation change is enormous, and the park's highest point is the mountain of the same name. The reserve saved the ibex population from extinction and protected it from hunters. The forests are home to maples, lindens, spruces, larches, and chestnuts, and dozens of animal and bird species live here.

© Paolo Panero · CC BY-SAPhoto: Paolo Panero, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Tourists come from April to October, when the weather allows comfortable walking. Choose routes that match your fitness level; the trails here are high-altitude.

16. Pollino National Park

Pollino is one of Europe's largest reserves. It spreads across a vast territory, and the mountain of the same name is considered the highest peak in the country's south. The flora here is so diverse that you will want to admire the scenery for hours.

The park preserves traces of antiquity. In the Romito Cave, Stone Age rock paintings have survived, and in the valley the remains of an ancient hippopotamus and elephant were found. On the trails you will come across the Church of Madonna delle Arme and the Colloreto Monastery.

© Potito m. petrone · CC BY-SAPhoto: Potito m. petrone, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

This place suits both history lovers and those who want a calm day of walking. Check the routes on site; there is little mobile coverage in the mountains.

17. Monti Sibillini National Park

Monti Sibillini is known for dozens of mountain peaks and an atmosphere of mystery. The area is linked to legends about the prophetess Sibyl. Lake Pilato has a reddish tint, and an old legend is also associated with it.

Environmental education centers operate on the grounds, where you can get all the information about the reserve. In summer people mountain bike and ride horses here; in winter they ski. Some routes are dedicated to local products.

Bring warm clothing even in July; the weather in the mountains changes quickly. For families with children, there are gentle trails along the valleys.

18. Vesuvius National Park

Vesuvius is one of Europe's active volcanoes, along with Etna and Stromboli. Scientists believe it has erupted more than eighty times over its history. In the past it destroyed entire cities, although today seismologists monitor its behavior.

The reserve between Naples and Pompeii surprises with its vegetation. Volcanic lava turned out to be an excellent fertilizer, so gardens grow lushly at the foot. Nine hiking routes run through the park, leading you across green slopes to the crater.

© Lobufalo · CC BY-SAPhoto: Lobufalo, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The funicular was damaged in the last eruption and has not been restored, so you need to climb on foot. Transportation is arranged for visitors with limited mobility; the crater itself is covered with soil.

19. Gargano National Park

Gargano occupies an entire peninsula, which is rare for national parks. Towns with rich history and distinctive architecture stand on its territory. White houses cling to green hills, and gardens smell of orange blossom.

For almost nine centuries, Gargano was a bishop's residence. Centuries-old olive trees surround Mattinata, and in Rodi Garganico the scent of flowers is joined by sea air. The park's main treasure is the crystal-clear sea at the foot of sheer cliffs.

Ruined castles, ancient fishermen's "trabucchi," and other monuments stand along the shore. From the sea, the peninsula looks especially impressive, so take a boat tour.

20. Pinocchio Park

Pinocchio Park in Collodi is one of Europe's first theme parks. It is dedicated to the fairy-tale hero and has welcomed guests for more than sixty years, during which time the park has been noticeably renovated. The best artists of their time worked on the sculptures of the characters.

The Pinocchio Museum is open here, with illustrations, ceramics, and theatrical sets. A virtual library has collected hundreds of editions of the fairy tale in different languages. Nearby there is a greenhouse with thousands of butterflies and the "Red Crab" restaurant-pizzeria.

Wooden puppet workshops offer master classes where you can make a souvenir with your own hands. For families with children, this is a great way to end a route through Tuscany.

The park welcomes guests almost year-round; in cold weather some areas are closed. The easiest way to reach Collodi is by car, and a local bus runs from the train station. Between attractions you can rest on benches in the shade of the alleys, with cafes nearby. If you are traveling with toddlers, bring a change of clothes.

Amusement parks are easy to combine with city sightseeing.

Italy's parks on the map

The map below shows all twenty parks from this selection. Zoom in to focus on the region you need, and click a marker to see its name. This way you can plan your route without unnecessary detours.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many parks are in this list and where should I start?

The article covers twenty parks in Italy: amusement parks, water parks, safari parks, and national reserves. Start with whatever is closest to your route: near Rome it is Terra Magica, near Rimini there are several parks at once, near Bergamo Leolandia, and on Lake Garda Gardaland.

How much time should I allow for one park?

Give large amusement parks a full day starting in the morning, otherwise you will not cover all the zones. Explore national parks in sections, choosing short routes that match your fitness level. A water park is easy to combine with the beach if you are staying in Riccione.

At what age do kids enjoy these parks?

Toddlers will like Fiabilandia, Leolandia, and the Pinocchio park: they have gentle rides, a farm, and a fairy-tale world. Teenagers will find the slides at Mirabilandia and Gardaland more exciting. Check height and age restrictions for extreme rides on the parks' official websites.

Where should I buy tickets and do I need them in advance?

In summer, buy tickets online: ticket offices get long lines. Online prices are usually lower than at the gate, and you can choose the date later. National parks usually have free entry; you pay only for parking and guide services.

How much does a day at a park cost for a family?

A ticket to a major amusement park in summer starts at thirty euros per adult; budget for food separately. Online tickets are cheaper than gate tickets, and evening options are a better deal than daytime ones. Check exact prices on official websites before your trip.

In short: what is worth booking

For families with toddlers, choose Leolandia and Fiabilandia. For adrenaline, head to Mirabilandia or Gardaland. For nature, look to Gran Paradiso, Pollino, and Gargano, and for a one-day overview of all of Italy, Italia in Miniatura delivers.

If you have three days in the north of the country, go for Gardaland, Leolandia, and Parco Sempione. If you are heading south, add Vesuvius, Edenlandia, and Circeo.

Buy theme park tickets in advance: in high season the ticket offices are overwhelmed. GetYourGuide can help you find tours around the country.