Sports in Italy

If you know by heart the unforgettable exploits of cycling champion Marco Pantani, you've probably already heard of Campo Imperatore. Just in Abruzzo, “il Pirata” flew in 1999 towards the first of his four stage victories of that Giro d 'Italia. Campo Imperatore is mainly known for its ski area, among the best known and equipped in central Italy. The town of Abruzzo is today a point of reference also for bicycle tourists. In addition to having cable cars, chairlifts and cranks, in fact, Campo Imperatore has a long tradition as a stage venue for the main cycling stage races, which have always attracted a festive crowd of cycling enthusiasts and which still today, in spring and summer, welcomes a constant flow of cyclists and bikepackers, arriving from Italy and abroad.

An ideal territory for cyclists, who between one ride and another can refresh themselves between crescentines with the "cunza", borlengo and a glass of Lambrusco.

What does it take to soar through the blue sky aboard a hang glider? Naturally, a hill or a slope where to launch and then take off from with favourable currents, suitable weather conditions, a good dose of courage and the irrepressible desire, which man has cradled since the dawn of time, to observe the world from above. If you are looking for the place where all these conditions come together to create the perfect free flight experience, welcome to Umbria, where you will also have the opportunity to explore one of Italy's sweetest and most prized natural and artistic landscapes from a different point of view (from above). Umbria offers several flight centres for beginners and experts where you can experience the thrill of tandem flying with an experienced pilot for the first time, or get personally involved if you are already good, surrounded by enchanting natural scenery.

Visiting Campania by paraglider or hang-glider is like nothing you could have imagined and yet harbours unforgettable emotions. In fact, for free-flying enthusiasts, who love to take to the skies and explore the Italian landscapes from above, exclusively aboard unpowered aircraft such as hang-gliders or paragliders, the varied territory of Campania is an air park that offers formidable panoramas, whether maritime or mountainous. Those who are new to the sport can find an opportunity here to indulge in a baptism of the air in a two-seater aircraft, driven by the expert hands of a professional pilot.

Soar through the sky surrounded by nature, enjoying breathtaking views of mountains and valleys, seas and lakes, quaint villages and islands, as you glide along steel cables in complete safety, all harnessed up and protected: six spectacular zip lines for an unforgettable, adrenaline-filled experience.

Practised on a roller board of various sizes, skateboarding is not just an extreme sporting activity, but a real lifestyle. It makes use of benches, steps and handrails, as well as specially designed spaces such as skateparks. Rome, between one archaeological site and another, is home to numerous spots, but two locations deserve special attention: the Bunker Skatepark and The Spot Skatepark Ostia. Let's find out together.

In the heart of the Gran Sasso National Park, between the Laga Mountains, immersed in the wild beauty of the Salinello Gorgehow about some canyoning through narrow gorges between 200 meters high walls, waterfalls and pools of water? If we have caught your attention, read on here.

In the Monti Sibillini National Park, the natural scenery for this sport is practically perfect, and this is thanks to the meeting of the Velino and Nera rivers, which myth has it were two lovers, from whose tormented and endless love the Marmore Falls, among the highest in Europe, would be created. Fun is guaranteed by the natural springboards that invite you to dive in.

A fun activity for everyone, suitable for all levels of athletic ability and all ages: nowadays, many see kayaking as an alternative way to discover an area, on a par with walking or going for a bike ride. Routes often overlap, so it may also be an option to pick up your kayak after cycling or walking along one of Italy's many uniquely stunning trails. Natural, wild landscapes, or rivers running through cities: Italy offers plenty of routes that are suitable for everyone, with excursions lasting for a few hours or - for real enthusiasts - several days.

The popularity of this sport has grown exponentially in recent years, from those who decide to practice it regularly, attending courses and obtaining certifications, to those who consider it a holiday activity along with other watersports. Fitting yourself out with a wetsuit, board and sail and following the wind - literally - along the Italian coasts or lakes in search of the best kitesurfing beaches is guaranteed fun. If you are wondering where to go kitesurfing in Italy, by the sea or a lake, we have great news: the wide beaches and climate make the Italian landscape from north to south very conducive to this sport, all in breathtaking locations.

Who said that rafting is a sport reserved for athletic types and trained experts? In Umbria between the Monti Sibillini National Park and Marmore Waterfall, anyone can experience the thrill of going down a river, safely. The stretch of river along where the Corno river and the Nera river converge, is an ideal spot to practice rafting, even for beginners. On one condition: you can swim.

Perhaps you had never thought about it, but the River Dora Baltea, which flows through the Aosta Valley , touching many of the best known locations, is a paradise for rafting enthusiasts thanks to its sudden changes in current. Between rapids, jumps and waterfalls, practising this discipline along its course is both challenging and exhilarating.

Flying over the mountainous landscape of the Veneto Pre-Alps is a spectacular sight, to then glide over the hills of the Veneto foothills, with its hilltop villages, cities of art, and the valleys of the Brenta and Piave rivers. Thanks to its natural updrafts, the climate, the accessibility of the take-off and landing areas and the still scarcely urbanised nature, the area lends itself very well to this pursuit. The Grappa massif, a mecca for free flight, located between the provinces of Vicenza, Belluno and Treviso, is the ideal place for hang-gliding and paragliding.

Visiting Campania by paraglider or hang-glider is like nothing you could have imagined and yet harbours unforgettable emotions. In fact, for free-flying enthusiasts, who love to take to the skies and explore the Italian landscapes from above, exclusively aboard unpowered aircraft such as hang-gliders or paragliders, the varied territory of Campania is an air park that offers formidable panoramas, whether maritime or mountainous. Those who are new to the sport can find an opportunity here to indulge in a baptism of the air in a two-seater aircraft, driven by the expert hands of a professional pilot.

The undisputed star is the River Noce, which flows through the valley and is, according to the authoritative National Geographic, among the 10 best in the world for the practice of this discipline. It is beautiful, and everyone can have a go. Rafting in Val di Sole does not require any special skills, as long as you use an experienced guide for the descent, who will adapt the difficulty of the route to the experience of the participants. In short, if you are on holiday in these parts and want to have fun surrounded by a breathtaking natural environment, rafting is an option not to be underestimated.

Rafting originated in the United States and was brought to Italy in 1984. A few years later, in 1987, the Italian Rafting Federation (F.I.Raft.) was founded and in 2010 rafting was recognised by CONI as a sport. There are two rivers in Abruzzo where this sport can be practised, the Aventino River, which flows through the province of Chieti, and the Sagittario River, which rises from Lake Scanno and flows into the Aterno-Pescara. The torrential stretches of these rivers, especially when water is plentiful, make them ideal for rafting and enjoy the scenery from a privileged viewpoint.

Who said that rafting is a sport reserved for athletic types and trained experts? In Umbria between the Monti Sibillini National Park and Marmore Waterfall, anyone can experience the thrill of going down a river, safely. The stretch of river along where the Corno river and the Nera river converge, is an ideal spot to practice rafting, even for beginners. On one condition: you can swim.

Perhaps you had never thought about it, but the River Dora Baltea, which flows through the Aosta Valley , touching many of the best known locations, is a paradise for rafting enthusiasts thanks to its sudden changes in current. Between rapids, jumps and waterfalls, practising this discipline along its course is both challenging and exhilarating.

Surrounded by the extraordinary landscape of the Dolomites, with 450 ski lifts and 1,200 kilometers of ski slopes in twelve different ski areas where you can ski with just one single ski pass, Dolomiti Superski is one of the largest and most exciting ski areas in the world. Each of the twelve Dolomiti Superski areas boasts a number of one-of-a-kind features that are worth knowing about. Let's find out about them.

In the Upper Tagliamento Valley, the Forni di Sopra ski resort is the perfect ski holiday for those seeking fun, sports and relaxation, far from the crowds, in the enchanting scenery of the Friulian Dolomites Natural Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. The ski resort of Forni di Sopra, which rises up from 900 to 2,500 metres above sea level, offers activities to suit everyone, with downhill slopes, cross-country trails, a well-equipped snow park, ski mountaineering and hiking routes, ice climbing, an ice rink and a sports centre with facilities dedicated to wellness and indoor activities.

Val di Fiemme , has 50 ski facilities serving 100km of slopes, 3 snow parks and 2 slopes for sledding. This haven for winter sports is in the wonderful setting of the Latemar massif. You can even ski at night on the Cemis and Obereggen slopes. Val di Fiemme is also an area with great mountain culture and traditions, and an ancient institution that presides over its development.

While it is true that there is no shortage of ski slopes in Italy, it is equally true that nowadays the mountains cater for everyone, including snowboard enthusiasts. Indeed, in the main ski resorts you will find designated areas where you can ride with a board on your feet and adrenaline through your blood. Here are five of the most famous and enjoyable Italian snowparks, ready to satisfy your freestyler spirit with jumps, rails, kickers and boxes.

It was once also renowned for a spring of iron-rich water of various qualities, which has since been lost. It rises in a basin, between Bormio, the Stelvio Pass and the Passa Gavia, at the foot of the mountains of the Ortles Cevedale group and there is no season when mountain lovers cannot appreciate it. Of course, skiing is the reigning discipline here. Santa Caterina Valfurva hosted the Women's Alpine Skiing World Championships and several Alpine and Nordic Skiing World Cup races in 1985. Its real attraction is the slope dedicated to Deborah Compagnoni, a three-time Alpine skiing gold medallist, inaugurated for the World Championships in 2005 and illuminated at night to allow moonlight skiing. It is over three kilometres long, reaches a gradient of 75 per cent (only in some places) and is one of the most varied and exciting slopes in the entire Alpine region. In the heart of the Stelvio National Park, the ski area is a true jewel of nature and snow-capped peaks. An oasis where you can find tranquillity amidst the mountain scenery.

The Milan - Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics is scheduled for February 6th to the 22nd 2026: two electrifying weeks of pure competition, showcasing the best athletes in the world involved in 16 different disciplines. In the meantime, why not explore the places that will host this unmissable international event and learn about the activities and events scheduled? Here are the places and activities so that you can already start to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Milan - Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

Indeed the itinerary starts with a hellish carousel of ascents and descenta, more than 120 kilometres through the Bergamasque Pre-Alps. It continues with a long flat stretch, strenuous but not overly so, which sounds like a temporary pain for the legs. Finally, it heads into biking Eden, up the Ghisallo Pass, where a painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary honours the Madonna who was proclaimed Patroness of Cyclists in 1949, complete with a papal bull from Pius XII. But two wheels are not the only thread running through this enterprise, which we suggest you ‘spread’ over two or three days: along the 253 kilometers, from Bergamo to Como, you will encounter breathtakingly beautiful passes, art cities, inns that are the guardians of ancient gastronomic traditions, lush gardens and sunsets that are reflected in sheets of blue water. The professionals will have to play dumb, busy as they are with the battle. Lucky you who have won at the start because you can enjoy everything: the sporting challenge and the riches of the territory.

There, everyone can make a tailor-made bike experience, either following the wake of the great champions, or choosing a not too testing ride, even with the whole family. The grand finale of Tirreno-Adriatico, the cycling race that runs across the Italian peninsula from sea to sea, unfolds in a scenery imbued with blooming and salty scents. The itinerary begins on the hills overlooking the sea and ends along the coast. A slower-running course in the first half, owning to the ups and downs that can test your quadriceps and lungs a faster-running route in the second half along the straight stretches that favour an upping pace. Here is a short guide to pick the fittest one for you.

The second stage of the Giro di Sicilia Eolo 2022 has a romantic and bucolic feel to it. But do not be fooled by the wide roads and sun-kissed countryside. The 152 kilometres risk putting a strain on the legs of those not yet sufficiently fit. This is the fault, or merit, of an undulating course that gives you no respite. So, the advice for you amateurs is to ‘break up’ the route and choose the stretch that suits you best, planning stops at the points of greatest interest. These are numerous, as we tell you in what follows here.

With its winding roads that thread their way through the Mediterranean scrub and scenic ups and downs, the road along the north coast of the island (known as Settentrionale Sicula) is the perfect route for cyclists tackling this stage of the Giro di Sicilia. In total, there are 199 kilometres without great difficulty, to the delight of the sprinters who pedal it all at once. But for simple bike enthusiasts, the route we are talking about in this article is an invitation to slow down, to enjoy the lush nature and important traces of history. Be careful, however, not to become too distracted by the panorama: you are on a State Road (number 113), so look at the road and, if you are with others, proceed in single file.

The itinerary of the third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico – starting from Murlo, the Etruscan town, and ending in the city of Terni – implies two paces. High tempo in your saddle, given the slightly undulated course, and a leisurely pace after the shower. After all, here the name of the game is “get lost” in nature, in the art cities or while reading menus that celebrate the local produces, such as truffles, cheese and cold cuts. Ready to set off?

Magic is the word flowing invisibly along the 202 kilometres of the fourth stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. We are talking about the charm the waterfalls envelop you with, being the tallest ones in Europe, an emotion that all riders – both professional and amateur – experience when they ‘attack’ a mountain chain, as well as the spells that – as the legend goes – hide amidst the peaks of the Sibillini Mountains. You just have to sit in the saddle and let yourself be enchanted by this itinerary.