Be amazed by the 10 most beautiful natural wonders of Italy
Italy is not only famous for its ancient historical buildings but also has many beautiful natural wonders.
1. Dolomite Mountains:Formed from rocks dating back hundreds of millions of years, the Dolomite Mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area includes Italy's Dolomiti Bellunesi and Dolomiti d'Ampezzo national parks.
The highest peak of the Dolomites is Marmolada (around 3,350m), but the best view of the range is Tre Cime de Lavaredo. Visitors can enjoy many exciting outdoor activities here such as hiking, cycling and skiing in winter.
2. Val d'Orcia Valley, Tuscany:The valley is filled with vineyards, olive groves and stunning scenery that has remained unchanged for centuries. This natural wonder is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A road trip through the Val d'Orcia valley in autumn is like driving through a kaleidoscope. The leaves turn a range of colours from red to yellow. It is a favourite spot for artists and photographers from all over the world.
3. Maddalena Archipelago, Sardinia:This archipelago consists of 50 small islands located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Sardinia. It is famous for its extremely clear water and many beautiful, unspoiled beaches.
On the largest island, Isola Maddalena, visitors can enjoy a scenic 20km-long drive around the coast. You can also explore secluded bays and beaches. The second largest island, Caprera, has many pristine beaches surrounded by pine forests.
4. Mount Etna, Sicily:Located on the island of Sicily, Mount Etna is Italy's most active volcano. It's hot even in winter, when its summit is covered in icy snow. Its most recent major eruption was in 2017.
Mount Etna is one of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world and even though it is active, visitors can still reach the top by cable car or car. Getting up close to an active volcano is an experience you will never forget.
5. Cascate del Mulino, Saturnia:It is famous for its hot springs that flow down steps, creating natural swimming pools. The water stays at 37 degrees Celsius in the highest pools and gradually cools as it flows down to the pools below.
Most other thermal baths in the world charge visitors, but Cascate del Mulino is free. The downside is that you don't get to enjoy facilities like changing rooms or restrooms near the springs. For more professional service, you can rent a hotel called Terme di Saturnia.
6. Lake Garda:This is the largest freshwater lake in Italy with an area of up to hundreds of square kilometers.2The lake has very clear water and is surrounded by high mountains, small villages and towns and pristine beaches.
The Lake Garda area has a constant wind, so it is an ideal place for boating, windsurfing, etc. You can also relax by fishing and take some of the fish you catch to prepare your own dinner.
7. Grotta Azzurra, Capri:The sea cave on the island of Capri is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. The natural light in the cave ranges from bright blue to emerald green, depending on the lighting conditions and location in the cave.
The Grotta Azzurra cave has been famous since Roman times and was used by Emperor Tiberius during his vacations in Capri. Statues of the Roman emperor have also been found in the cave. During peak tourist season, there can be long lines of boats waiting to enter the cave.
8. Gran Paradiso National Park:This is the ideal place to explore the natural beauty of Italy. The landscape here includes majestic mountains, lakes and endless fields of flowers.
You’ve probably seen four-legged animals standing on the side of a steep cliff, and that’s the longhorned ibex in Gran Paradiso National Park. This reserve is also a great place for hikers and winter sports enthusiasts.
9. Scala dei Turchi, Sicily:Located between two beaches, the Scala dei Turchi cliffs are a true holiday paradise. The name of this place in Italian means “Stair of the Turks”, and it is a white limestone cliff, “sculpted” by nature to look like a staircase.
The white cliffs of Scala dei Turchi have eroded into terraces, allowing visitors to walk down to the beach below. The bright sunlight shines down on the white cliffs, shining like stars in the sea sky, creating a space that looks like heaven.
10. Lago di Braies, South Tyrol:Nestled in the mountains of South Tyrol, Lago di Braies is the most photogenic spot in the world. Post a photo of yourself here to Instagram and you’ll be the envy of your followers and likely to get thousands of likes.
The water at Lago di Braies is crystal clear and the same blue as the sky above. Visitors can hike through the pine forests around the lake, relax on secluded beaches or tackle the challenge of rock climbing.
