The Best Water Parks in Italy

The Italian summer can often be very hot and humid, sometimes the heat is truly relentless. And what better way to spend a day filled with fun and find a bit of coolness than at a water park? In our beautiful country, the options are certainly abundant, with numerous parks scattered throughout each region, from the smaller ones to those large and rich with slides, pools, and activities to enjoy.Let's discover together what are the best water parks in Italy.

We begin this ranking of the best water parks in Italy with Aqualand del Vasto, located in Vasto, Abruzzo. A true paradise of fun for both adults and children: in the park, you will find 3,000 sqm of pools and 50,000 sqm of greenery, plus over 1 km of slides. Inside, there are thrilling slides such as the Kamikaze or the Twister, along with attractions designed for the little ones like the Baby Pool, Mini Slide, and Mini Taboga. But Aqualand del Vasto also offers a wide range of activities: from the Aqualand Show with musicals and performances to fitness activities like aquagym, Brazilian rhythm lessons, spinning, fitbox, and step. A true paradise for everyone!

Next, we move to Calabria, not far from the wonderful Sila National Park. Here, in the Calabrian locality of Rossano, you will find AcquaPark Odissea 2000, just a short walk from the sea. It is one of the largest water parks in Southern Italy. With its 80,000 sqm area, there are truly attractions for all tastes. Adrenaline lovers and steep descents cannot miss slides such as Titano Roller (318 m long), the water roller coaster Big Olimpo, or the free fall slide Skyron Rocket. But there are also attractions designed for the little ones, like the slide Mikro Splash, the Castle of Hermes, and the Island of Galatea. There are also refreshment areas and numerous services, such as ATMs, a first aid station, and even a nursery.

Mirabeach, as the name suggests, is the water park of Mirabilandia, one of Italy's most famous amusement parks. To access it, you can choose to purchase a ticket for the water park only or buy the 2-day combo ticket for access to both parks. Mirabeach is a true water city: inside you will find beaches, pools, attractions, several services, green areas, and palm trees. Upon stepping here, you'll be immediately enveloped by its Caribbean atmosphere, reminiscent of a tropical island: the tall Brazilian palm trees and white sand certainly add to that feeling. Also, fun is guaranteed for everyone: the 11 attractions are divided among calm, moderate, and intense experiences. You will find adrenaline-pumping slides like Vuelta Vertigo and El Cobra, but also calm and relaxing activities like Baia de Ondas or Laguna del Sol. See also: Visit Mirabilandia Amusement Park: info, prices, and useful tips

Acquatica Park is the water park in Milan, located 10 km from the city center and easily reachable by public transport. A true refuge to escape the scorching Milanese heat. Covering 40,000 sqm with 18 attractions, the fun is guaranteed for everyone, from families with children to groups of friends. Among the must-try adrenaline slides are the Kamizake and the Rafting Pipe, while the little ones can enjoy sliding down the Rainbow slide or in the Baby Lagoon. In addition to water attractions, you can also find soccer and beach volleyball fields, along with places to drink or eat something.

Acqua Village Follonica, just a short walk from the Tuscan coast, is a true tropical paradise, and that's not just a saying: the theme of the water park is Hawaii. With over 3,000 sqm of pools and hundreds of meters of slides, here fun is guaranteed for the whole family. If you love adrenaline, don't miss the snake slide Naheka, the musical slide Ukulele, or the Kamikaze. For those who want to relax and feel like they are on a tropical island, there is the wellness island Makai, where you will find 900 sqm of pool with hydromassages and waterfalls. The little ones can enjoy Moku, with small slides and water games, all themed Hawaiian. Finally, the park features a refreshment point called Aloha, which also hosts show cooking.

Etnaland Acquapark is part of the larger Etnaland amusement park, which includes rides and attractions, consisting of the amusement park, the water park, and the prehistoric park. We are less than 20 km from Catania. The entire complex represents the largest amusement park in Southern Italy. But back to the Acquapark, here you will find fun for all. Among the attractions are the Dragon River, Jungle Splash, and Crocodile Rapids, while among the must-try slides are the Devil Race, Titania, or Kamikaze. But the options are truly vast. There is also an area just for the little ones, called Miniland: here you will find the Mini Track, Children's Lagoon, and the water castle.

Caribe Bay in Jesolo is definitely one of the most famous water parks in Italy. It is located less than 50 km from Venice and is the perfect place to escape the humidity of the Venetian coast. With a tropical theme, Caribe Bay offers coral white sand, crystal clear water, music, and fun for everyone! The park is also divided into zones: you will find the wonderful Shark Bay with banana palm trees and umbrellas; Pirates' Bay for small pirates and their adventures; Laguna de Oro, the perfect place to relax among palm trees and sun rays; and Playa Paradiso, the exclusive terrace of Caribe Bay. Adrenaline slides, performances, and numerous activities are obviously not lacking. For example, you can go bungee jumping, cross the Tibetan bridge, and try free climbing. See also: Where to go Bungee Jumping in Italy

And while in Milan we find Acquatica Park, in Rome, we have Hydromania, the water park on the outskirts of the capital, easily reachable by public transport. With its 90,000 sqm and an average attendance of 220,000 people per season, you can spend a whole day filled with fun, sports, and relaxation. Little ones can enjoy the Children's Lagoon or spend some hours at the Miniclub, while those seeking adrenaline cannot miss going down slides like the Black Hole (152 m long), K2 (20 m high), or the Dual Spin Bowl (15 m high). Relaxation and sports areas are also available, such as soccer and beach volleyball fields. Finally, the park organizes countless events for all ages, from group dances to aquagym, water games to small performances.

We now move to Piedmont, just 20 km from Novara: here you will find Ondaland, the largest water park in Italy. With over 120,000 sqm, the park is mainly divided into three thematic areas: Water Adventure, Kids Area, and Sport & Wellness. In the Water Adventure area, you will find pools, slides, and fun, with not-to-miss attractions like Space Boat, Invertigo, Blade Runner, and Dual Loop. The Kids Area is dedicated to the little ones, with slower slides and themed play zones. Finally, the Sport & Wellness area features green spaces, crystal clear water, and pristine white beaches. Here you can relax under the sun or participate in fitness activities.

Aquafan in Riccione is one of the most famous water parks in Europe, an absolute must-visit while traveling to the Romagna locality. Between a day at the beach, a trip to Rimini, and a few nights out, you must absolutely spend an entire day here, where fun is guaranteed. Inside, there are 3 areas entirely dedicated to children, with small slides, shallow pools, and water games. Of course, there are also slides and games for teenagers and adults! Among the most famous are the Kamikaze, 90 m long (allowing speeds of nearly 70 km/h) or the Black Hole, added in 2017, which is a slide 208 m long that is entirely in the dark! There are also themed events and evening parties, including the unforgettable foam party and nights with international DJs. See also: Riccione: what to see, where to eat, and what to do at night

In the heart of the Trebbia Valley, River Park is a water park for the whole family. Here you will find a relaxation area where you can unwind under the sun, among pools and water splashes, and a family area dedicated to the little ones. Here they can play safely in deep water pools and on small slides. Finally, there is also a sports area with fields and the possibility to play beach volleyball.

Sibling to the Acqua Village Follonica, Acqua Village Cecina is also a tropical-themed water park. Also nominated as the "Best Water Park in Italy" at the 2018 ParksMania Awards, here you will find fun for everyone's tastes, starting with the newest attraction open in summer 2022: we're talking about Pohaku, a multi-lane slide with 6 wavy descents and standing 11 m tall. You will also find Loko, the fire slide, and Waho, the flying slide. There are also pools with hydromassages, water jets, and areas with shallow water for the little ones, providing a total of 3,000 sqm of pools. And if hunger strikes, you can take a regenerating break at Aloha Drink&Food, which also organizes show cooking.

Just steps away from the famous Gardaland amusement park and set against the beautiful backdrop of Lake Garda, Caneva Aquapark is part of the CanevaWorld Resort: in addition to the water park, the complex also includes the famous Movieland and 3 themed restaurants. Back to the park, Caneva Aquapark is a true Caribbean island just steps away from the lake. For those who enjoy relaxation, the most recommended areas are Cabanas Club, King Cabana, Shark Bay, and Coral Bay, with pools, umbrellas, and palm trees. If you love adrenaline, you can't miss a ride on the big slides of the park, like the Crazy River, Twin Peaks, Stukas Boom, or the Volcan Kamika.

On the beautiful Tuscan coast, in the province of Pisa and just steps away from Livorno, we find Sunlight Park, the water park by the sea. The ideal place to spend a day filled with fun and relaxation thanks to the various areas available. You will find numerous pools for adults and children, along with inflatable games and bouncing mats. There are, of course, various slides like the Black Cannon, the Toboga, the multi-lane Foam, and the Black Hole. The water park also organizes countless activities thanks to the entertainers on site, from games for the little ones to group dances, and even fitness activities. And, between a dive and a dance, you can recharge your energy at the restaurant and lounge bar.

Along the Lazio coast, in the province of Rome, we find the famous Zoomarine. Initially created as a marine amusement park, over the years it has developed to include, today, a marine-themed park and a water park open during the summer season. The latter, inaugurated in 2010, spans an area of 12,000 sqm and features several pools, slides, a park with water games, and an area with sand and umbrellas. Among the slides are Malibu, Harakiri, and Flow Rider, while the little ones can enjoy Pirates' Lagoon. Being a marine-themed park, you can also witness wonderful shows, like the dolphin show at the Dolphin Stadium, the diver's galleon, and the performances featuring seals and sea lions at the Pinniped Bay.

Acquafantasy, located in the province of Foggia, is the first water park in Gargano, situated in a truly splendid setting near Lesina Marina, on the outskirts of Gargano just steps from the sea. Family-oriented, here you can spend a day filled with music, sports, entertainment, relaxation, and lots of fun. The little ones can enjoy the Baby Play Castle, while adrenaline lovers can tackle the slides of Kamikaze and The Giant. If you primarily want to relax, the right area for you is the Wellness Island. Lastly, there is also the Aquatic Disco, an area with water splashes and music where you can dance and have fun with friends.

We move to Campania, along the Salerno coast: here you will find the wonderful Acqua Park Isola Verde, the perfect place for a day of fun and relaxation with family. With its 70,000 sqm, you will find everything and more: pools for children and adults, hydromassage pools, areas with water games, inflatable play areas, and food areas, as well as services such as a first aid station, a shopping area with tobacco and newspapers, and safe deposit boxes. Of course, there are also thrilling experiences: don't miss the Kamikaze, the fastest slide in the park, the Blackhole which is completely dark, or the Multipista, with 4 parallel descents.

Located on the border between Veneto and Lombardy, just over 10 km from Peschiera del Garda, you will find one of the most famous water parks in all of Italy, the spectacular Parco Cavour. A fairy tale place, where you will feel truly far from Veneto. For relaxation lovers, there are stunning Palm Beach, with white sand from Egypt, and Paradise Island, almost a tropical oasis, also designed for the little ones. Of course, there are slides, and adrenaline lovers can find fun at Adventure Rock among waterfalls and slides or by descending from the Kamikaze. Finally, there are also numerous activities, like games designed for the little ones, entertainment, and fitness activities including soccer and beach volleyball. The perfect place for a day of family fun!