20 best parks in Italy – photo, description, reviews, map
There are many theme parks in Italy. Most of them are concentrated in small and large tourist cities. The peculiarity lies in the fact that they are often located at botanical gardens or are part of children's entertainment complexes, while playing an educational role. Families with children are recommended to visit the theme parks in Italy, such a trip will be interesting for the whole family.
Italy in miniature
In order to have an idea of the numerous Italian architectural monuments, it is not necessary to travel all over the country, just visit the Italy in Miniature park, which is located in the city of Rimini. More than 270 sights of Italy, made in 1:25 scale, are presented on the territory. In order to get acquainted with all the miniatures, you need to spend the entire excursion day. Separately, it is worth noting that the total area is 85 square meters.
So, what can a tourist see here. First of all, it is the famous Italian Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Milan Cathedral, the Turin Tower and many other interesting monuments of the country, no less famous in the world. In addition to miniature replicas of the great Italian monuments, children will be able to ride the attractions absolutely free of charge, which are in abundance here. While the parents will have a rest in the summer cafe.
Between April and October it is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm. In winter, you can only visit on weekends. Address: Via Popilia, 239.
Mirabilandia
Forty kilometers from the city of Rimini is Mirabilandia. It should be noted that the amusement park is one of the largest in Europe, the largest in the country. Recently, forty attractions have been operating, which are located in seven thematic zones. There are shady gardens around, where adults with children can relax and have a small picnic. In the summer, two beach areas open: Movieland and Gardaland, both located on the shores of Lake Garda.
The most interesting attractions that deserve special attention:
Open every day during the summer from 10 am to 6 pm. In the off-season (spring-autumn), open on Saturdays and Sundays. In July, the largest influx of people is observed on weekends. Address: Statale Adriatica SS16, Km.162.
The cost of an entrance ticket, which is valid for two days: for adults – 34 EUR, for children and pensioners – 28 EUR, for children whose height does not exceed one meter and the disabled, admission is free. Evening admission ticket: for adults – 27 euros (valid for two hours in the evening for two days). Summer subscription price: for an adult – 85 EUR, for a child – 58 EUR.
Fiabilandia
The first theme park to appear in Italy was Fiabilandia, which is geographically located in Rimini, close to Lake Bernardo. About thirty modern attractions are located on an area of 150 square meters. Attractions will be interesting for children aged five to ten years. The most popular children's attractions are: “Sea of Frogs”, “Dream Lake”, “Magic Village”. In order to see the whole territory, it is worth taking a ride on a mobile train.
In addition to entertainment attractions, there are educational programs for children that introduce kids to natural phenomena, flora and fauna, and general concepts of space in a cognitive form. In Fiabilandia, there are several summer children's cafes, a restaurant with a European menu. It works during the warm season – from April to October. Visiting times: 10 am to 7 pm daily. Address: Fiabilandia Via G. Cardano, 15.
Terra Magica
Forty kilometers from the capital, a children's entertainment park “Terra Magica” was built. Note to tourists: the park is considered the largest on the entire Mediterranean coast, it includes not only children's entertainment areas, but also a golf course, various historical expositions, and a botanical garden.
There are about fifty attractions for children and adults on the territory of the Terra-Majika complex, the most popular are water and extreme types of attractions. Open daily during the season – from April to October from 10 am to 6 pm, in the off-season it works on Saturdays and Sundays.
Gulliverland
Gulliverlandia is located in the Italian city of Lignano. It was designed in such a way that both adults and children will be interested here. The park is divided into zones. “Aquarium” – a zone in which you can go through the tunnel, which is located on the bottom of the sea, during the tour, everyone will consider the inhabitants of the deep sea in their natural habitat.
“Vulcano Rapids” is a themed area with artificial waterfalls, volcanoes, and tropical jungles. In addition, there is a panoramic tower, which is 60 meters high, offering amazing views of the surroundings.
Opening hours: open only during the warm season of the year – from May to September from 10 am to 18 pm. Address: Via San Giuliano 13.
Gardaland
Location: Lake Garda, Italy. “Gardaland” is in many ways similar to the American “Disneyland”, on an area of five hundred square meters there are more than 40 attractions for children and their parents. There are also a large number of recreation areas, with summer cafes, restaurants, and has its own hotel complex. The park is surrounded by dense vegetation, which in places makes it look like a botanical garden.
There is a place to hide from the scorching sun, there are many shadows in the park, the air is clean, saturated with the smells of flowering shrubs and other vegetation. At the entrance, it will not be superfluous to take a map with you, it will be much easier to navigate the area, since all entertainment zones are numbered and signed. The map shows the best driving routes. Address: Via Derna 4.
Aquafan water park
Located in the Italian city of Riccione on the Adriatic coast. It is considered the largest water park in Europe and the most popular in Italy. Guests are presented with a variety of entertainment in the form of water and extreme attractions, pools with sun loungers, jacuzzis and relaxation areas.
At Aquafan alone, visitors can slide down the Kamikaze water slide at a speed of 70 km/h, ride the Twist ride inside rubber tubes, the total length of which is 130 meters.
Of course, extreme attractions are presented in the park for the adult public. But children also have something to do here – spend time on the cartoon beach among their favorite characters, frolic in the water of the Elephant pool, ride children's attractions.
On the territory there is a cafe where vacationers can have a snack, picnic and barbecue areas, equipped with all necessary accessories. Address: Via Ascoli Piceno, 6. Open daily from June to September inclusive from 10 am to half past six in the evening.
Natura Viva Safari Park
It is an interesting spectacle for lovers and connoisseurs of wildlife; more than one and a half thousand representatives of the fauna of the entire globe live on its territory. Every year, millions of tourists from different countries visit the Natura Viva natural park, where excursions are conducted for schoolchildren and students.
It is geographically divided into two parts – tourists can ride around the safari park in their own vehicles and see local attractions, while the second zone is intended exclusively for pedestrians. Visitors will be able to see representatives of the animal world of the five continents of our planet, wander around the tropical greenhouse. Address: Localita Figara, 40.
It is open at any time of the year, on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:30, on weekends and holidays, the opening time increases by half an hour. The entrance ticket for an adult is 20 EUR, for children from three to twelve years old – 15 EUR, children under two years old are given free admission.
Amusement park Edenlandia
The first amusement park Edenlandia appeared on the territory of Southern Italy, it is located in the city of Naples. The total area is about fifty thousand square meters, which is much larger than the area of similar parks in Italy.
Today, many attractions are outdated, but in the coming years a project will be launched, thanks to which large-scale restoration work will take place and a world-class park will open to visitors. It is planned to spend about 16 million dollars for the reconstruction. In addition to attractions, there is a theater on the territory where musical groups perform and films are broadcast in 3D format. You can visit a restaurant, summer cafes, kiosks with sweets and ice cream are open.
Адрес: 76 Viale John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Fuorigrotta.
Opening hours during the summer season: from Tuesday to Friday – from 14:00 to 24:00, Saturday and Sunday – from 10:30 to 24:00, Monday is a day off. In winter, it works in the same way, except for weekdays – from Tuesday to Friday, it is open from 17:00 to 24:00.
Parents will definitely find where to go with their children in Italy. In every resort town there are amusement parks where both adults and children can relax!
Sempione
The largest park in Milan is located in its historic center. Walking along the shady plane tree alleys of Sempione, one can endlessly admire the beauty of his landscape sketches. There is a pond with ducks and turtles, a stadium and a cafe where you can slowly drink a cup of coffee. The tracks are named after famous European writers and poets. There is also a track named after A.S. Pushkin, it rests directly on the bridge of the little mermaids, a recognized landmark of Sempione.
Museums, the famous Wedding Cake Fountain, mysterious historical ruins and the first aquarium in Europe, which appeared back in 1906, are located on the territory. Our compatriots, walking along Sempione, pay special attention to the Sforza Castle. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 15th century, and outwardly it is very reminiscent of our Moscow Kremlin (and this is not surprising, because it was built by invited Milanese architects).
Amusement Park Leolandia
Located 16 kilometers from Bergamo, this is a unique place of entertainment: it is created for young and middle-aged children. Therefore, here you will not see the rollercoasters rising up, terrifying with their very appearance. But this does not mean that you can get bored in Leolandia: there are more than 40 attractions, including carousels, water rides, theater performances, animation programs for every age group. There is a farm where young visitors can watch the animals, stroke or feed them.
The territory is divided into 6 thematic zones in which famous cartoon characters “live”. There are even world-famous Masha and the Bear here, only they speak Italian. Adults also have something to do while they are waiting for the children. In the area called “Mini Italy” in the form of the Apennine Peninsula, models of the main attractions of the country were erected.
Leolandia has created comfortable conditions for people with disabilities. Particular attention is paid to the youngest guests: bottle warmers and changing tables are installed.
Amusement park “Oltremare”
An amazing place in Rimini, to visit which you must definitely set aside a whole day. The park is relatively young, it was opened in 2004. The theme to which it is dedicated is the conservation of nature and respect for it. It demonstrates the beauty and uniqueness of the flora and fauna of our planet. “Oltremare” consists of several thematic areas, among which is the “Dolphin Lagoon”, where these amazingly intelligent and sensitive mammals show their abilities and make contact with visitors. On the “Island of Nature” you can watch how birds, including predators, soar in free flight.
In the Hippocampus zone there is an opportunity to see a variety of seahorses: completely different in size and color, they win the hearts of guests. “Planet of the Sea” is inhabited by the inhabitants of the depths: sharks, rays, moray eels and many other species. And this is not all areas. Oltremar has the largest IMAX cinema in Europe (with a capacity of 500 people). In it, guests will watch popular science films about the history of the planet Earth, its inhabitants, natural treasures and mysteries.
Safari Zoo Fazanolandia
The southern Italian city of Fasano is home to one of the largest zoos in Europe. Although Pheasanolandia zoo can hardly be called. This is a zoosafari. It has a dolphinarium, a serpentarium, an ornithological hall, a sector with large mammals and even an amusement park with more than 20 different attractions. There are no animals in cages here, they roam freely across a vast area among olive trees, palm trees and lakes. In the first zone, you need to drive your car and, without leaving it, you can pet or feed the friendly inhabitants (this does not apply to predators).
In the second zone, visitors enjoy walking. Tigers, bears, ostriches, horses, llamas, deer, lions, elephants, giraffes – these are just a small part of the animals that live in Pheasanolandia. A Metrozoo trailer drives around the territory, on which you can move from one part of it to another. Open to visitors from April to October.
Circeo National Park
Not far from Rome and Naples, the national park of Italy is located, which shows an example of how harmony looks like in the relationship between nature and man. In this unique preserved nature reserve, the territory of which is 85 square kilometers, there are historical and architectural monuments, for example, the oldest amazing building – the villa of Emperor Dominian (built around 81-96 AD).
Conventionally, “Circeo” can be divided into 5 zones:
Grand Paradise
The name corresponds to the cavity, because it translates as “Big Paradise”. This is the oldest Italian national park, which is located on the border with France and one of the longest nature reserves in the world. Here you can see any landscapes and landscape panoramas from alpine meadows to eternal glaciers. Elevation differences from 800 m to 4061 m. The highest point of “Gran Paradiso” is one of the highest mountains in Italy with the same name. The reserve became a saving haven for mountain goats when they were on the verge of extinction.
The formation of a reserve of national importance protected the population from hunters and poachers. There are few places where you can find such a variety of flora and fauna as in the “Gran Paradiso”. Maples, lindens, spruces, Swiss pines, larches, oaks, chestnuts, firs – and these are not all the trees growing in the park. Dozens of species of animals and birds also live here. Tourists prefer unity with nature from April to October, because the weather during this period allows you to enjoy a comfortable stay in Gran Paradiso.
Pollino National Park
One of the largest nature reserves in the world and the largest in Europe. Its size is 1820 sq km. Mount Pollino of the same name is recognized as the highest mountain peak in the country (2267 m). The natural wealth of the reserve is incalculable: there is an amazingly diverse flora that fascinates and enchants tourists. Landscape views at every step are so majestic and beautiful that you want to capture them in your memory forever.
In addition, unique historical monuments have been preserved on the territory: for example, in the Romito cave you can see rock paintings made by ancient people back in the Stone Age. “Pollino” is a place of finds of traces of antiquity: in the Valle del Mercure, the remains of an ancient hippopotamus and an elephant were discovered, which lived here 700 thousand years ago. Attract visitors to the reserve and architectural monuments. Such as the church of the Madonna delle Arme or the monastery of Colloreto. This unique place is ideal for visiting lovers of nature, history and sports.
Monti-Sibillini
A visit gives a unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the mountain peaks, of which there are more than 20 on the territory of the reserve. “Monti Sibillini” is a special place where an atmosphere of mystery reigns, the extraordinary beauty of nature and the awareness of how eternal and powerful the ancient peaks are. The local places are filled with legends: according to one of them, the soothsayer Svilla lived here, and her presence is still felt. Lake Pilato has a reddish hue, belief says: this is because the body of Pilate of Pontus was thrown into it.
On the territory there are special houses in which ecological training centers operate, where you can get all the information about the reserve. In “Monti Sibillini” you can go horseback riding, mountain biking, skiing, explore the history of the cities that are spread over the territory. You can also go on routes dedicated to the products that are grown here.
Vesuvius National Park
The whole world knows that the only active volcano in Europe is Vesuvius. And although seismologists can now predict its behavior, in the past it destroyed entire cities. Scientists believe that the volcano has erupted at least 80 times in its history. In the vicinity of Vesuvius there is a large nature reserve, which is located between Naples and Pompeii. 9 hiking trails have been developed that pass through gardens and places with lush vegetation. This surprises tourists, because they assumed that they would see the soil scorched by lava.
But few people know that volcanic lava is an excellent fertilizer for the soil, on which the flora of the area subsequently grows intensively. But you can also see traces of annihilating lava where vegetation has not yet recovered. The vent can be reached on foot, as the funicular was damaged by the last eruption and has not yet been restored. Transportation is provided for tourists with disabilities. The mouth itself is covered with soil, but the panorama of Naples is perfectly visible from there.
Gargano National Park
Is it often possible to visit a national park, the size of which is a peninsula? Gargano is such a one of a kind place. On the territory of the peninsula there are cities that amaze with their history and originality. White houses nestled between sprawling green hills. It was Gargano that was the residence of the bishop for almost 900 years. The incredible aroma of orange flowers will turn heads in Rodi Garganico. Centuries-old olive trees surround the resort town of Mattinato. The vegetation of the peninsula is very rich and colorful.
But the main attraction is the crystal clear sea, which is framed by sheer cliffs. Foamy waves splash at their foot and fascinate. Tourists remember many coastal ruined castles, architecturally significant objects and “trabukki” – ancient wooden structures of fishermen. A special pleasure is to go on a boat trip and see Gargano from the sea.
Pinocchio park
This is one of the first theme parks for children in Europe. It is dedicated to the character of the fairy tale of the same name and has been hosting guests for more than sixty years, improving and keeping up with the times. The best sculptors and artists of their time worked to bring the pages of a fairy tale to life in the park. The Pinocchio Museum operates here, which contains illustrations, paintings, ceramic figurines of the heroes of the work, theatrical scenery and many other attributes associated with a fairy tale.
The museum's virtual library makes it possible to look through hundreds of editions of the fairy tale that have been published since 1883 in all languages. There is also a greenhouse in which several thousand butterflies live. In the restaurant-pizzeria “Red Cancer” you can try traditional Italian pizza. And if you want to bring a memorable souvenir, then you can make it yourself here: in the workshop for making wooden dolls, master classes are regularly held for those who wish.