Italy by interest · Outside

Nature and the Outdoors in Italy

Coasts, lakes, hills and hot springs that reward a slower route

Where to go for coast, lakes, countryside and hot springs, when a guided day is worth it, and the outdoor experiences to book.

Last updated: September 24, 2026

The short answer: choose your landscape first — coast and islands, lakes, hills and vineyards or hot springs — then pick a base with good train or ferry links and add one guided day where transport is hard without a car, such as the Cinque Terre or the Chianti hills.

Choose your landscape

Guided day or on your own?

Italian trains and ferries reach most coasts and lakes, so you can often go on your own. A guided day earns its price where transport is hard without a car or where you want to do something active: an e-bike or Vespa day in the Chianti hills, or the Cinque Terre in one day from Florence. Compare them in the best day trips from Florence, the best day trips from Rome and the best day trips from Naples.

Before you go

  • Check requirements on each experience page: active tours list age, fitness and other conditions before you book.
  • Coasts are seasonal: ferries and beach services run a reduced schedule outside summer, so check timetables for your dates.
  • Walk early: the most famous trails and viewpoints are quietest in the morning.

Get out of the city

Outdoor experiences and day trips

Ranked by number of Viator reviews, checked October 2026. Open each experience for times, inclusions and live prices.

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Chianti, Florence · Food & Wine

Florence Vespa Tour

4.8 4,329 reviews on Viator

By place

Outdoor Italy, place by place

Pick a place and see every experience we compare there, with Viator ratings checked October 2026.

All 152 experiences
Tuscany23 experiencesMost reviewed: Tuscany Day Trip from FlorenceAmalfi Coast10 experiencesMost reviewed: Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast in One Day from NaplesSicily13 experiencesMost reviewed: Palermo Street Food TourLake Como4 experiencesMost reviewed: Lake Como Day Trip from Milan ComparedNaples8 experiencesMost reviewed: Naples Pizza Making Class

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best nature in Italy?

It depends on the landscape you want: the Amalfi Coast and the islands for sea, the northern lakes for mountains and water, Tuscany and Umbria for hills and vineyards, Abruzzo for national parks.

Can you see the Italian coast without a car?

Often yes: trains and ferries reach many coastal towns and islands. A guided day helps where connections are slow, such as the Cinque Terre in one day from Florence.

When is the best time for outdoor trips in Italy?

Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable for walking and cycling. Summer is best for the sea but hot and busy; ferries and beach services run less outside the main season.

Plan a day outside

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Active days, countryside tours and coast trips, with Viator ratings and review counts side by side.

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4.7/5 - (4 votes)