Sports in Italy in summer: 10 outdoors activities

If you feel like moving and having a healthier life, there are so many sports to do in Italy in the summer and in the eternal dilemma between sea and mountains, the winners are both! Kayaking among the waves of the sea, or trekking on the alpine paths, the important thing is to leave the couch, or even the seabed, for a few hours.

You have many possibilities even if you are in the city. There is no shortage of cycle paths and parks where you can run, or you can practice urban trekking, the best way to get to know the many fascinating hidden corners of the wonderful Italian cities of art. The important thing, in all cases, is to take the right precautions to protect yourself from the heat.

Urban trekking in the green in Rome❯

For those looking for inspiration, in addition to the many sports to do in Italy, in the summer there are also big competitions to watch on TV or maybe with a bit of luck even live.

If the cyclists of the Giro d'Italia enchant the whole nation, Rome, with the European athletics championships and the tennis internationals, is also the capital of sport.

The historic Mugello circuit, in the province of Florence, saw the triumphs of Valentino Rossi and still hosts an important stage of the Moto GP today. Equally iconic is the Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix which is held in Monza between 30 August and September 1st. For almost a hundred years, on this historic circuit where drivers such as Senna and Schumacher raced, the fastest cars have challenged the host, the legendary Ferrari, to which a museum is also dedicated in Maranello, Modena.

One event in particular is destined to capture the attention of sportspeople in the summer of 2024. It is the European Football Championships that take place in Germany, but in Italy football is the national sport, the atmosphere that reigns during major competitions it's unique. This time too the event will make everyone's hearts beat, starting from June 14th, for an entire month.

Visit the Ferrari Museum❯

Perhaps, when you think of sports to do in Italy in the summer, golf is not the first idea that comes to mind, yet throughout the peninsula you can find more than four hundred circuits within wonderful historical and naturalistic settings.

Among the hills and vineyards of Franciacorta, or among the extraordinary landscapes of the Alps in the surroundings of Asiago, you will find well-equipped routes that take advantage of the orography of the area.
Just ten kilometers from Rome, however, there is what is considered the oldest golf course in Italy, and for history buffs, there is also Perugia, with a fantastic circuit that is part of the territory of a medieval castle.

The largest islands are no exception. In both Sicily and Sardinia you can practice while admiring some of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy, while in Jesolo, one of the most popular seaside destinations in northern Italy, there is a fun Caribbean-themed minigolf course to get the children to know this sport.

Play minigolf among palm trees and waterfalls❯

Even in Italy, this is one of the summer sports par excellence. Surfing lovers are spoiled for choice as along the coasts of the peninsula there are dozens of beaches with waves high enough to guarantee maximum fun.

Liguria, for example, is one of the most loved spots for this sport. Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany is another place you'll want to be if you want to ride the waves. Furthermore, Santa Marinella in Lazio is considered one of the surfing best spots in Italy, but the real surfer's paradise in Italy is Sardinia.

Porto Ferro, Isola Rossa, Chio, Capo Mannu and many others. There are so many beaches in Sardinia where you can go to practice this sport at all levels that it is impossible to list them all.

Kayaking lovers are among the luckiest as this is one of the most popular sports to do in Italy in summer. Not only the sea, but also rivers, mountain lakes, streams and so on; the possibilities are practically endless.

The Lao river, among the most beautiful destinations in Calabria, for example, with its fifty kilometers in length offers the possibility of sailing through calm waters, or of doing real rafting in its liveliest sections.
Along the shores of Lake Garda there are many opportunities to go kayaking and see the beautiful villages that line the lake directly from its blue waters. Capri also acquires a whole new charm if you visit its beaches, its stacks and its sea caves aboard a kayak.
And what about the islands of the Venice Lagoon? Rowing through the canals that cross Burano, for example, but also Venice itself, is an unforgettable experience.

Capri kayak tour❯

Cala Cotticcio in the Maddalena archipelago, in Sardinia, or Punta Prosciutto near Porto Cesareo in Puglia. The seven islands of the Tuscan archipelago, or the protected marine reserve of Ustica in Sicily. Not to mention the submerged archaeological park of Baia, or the wonders of the Amalfi Coast in Campania.

In Italy there are truly countless diving paradises and summer is of course the perfect season for a dive into the depths of the Mediterranean, where there is a great variety of marine flora and fauna, seabeds that vary from the finest sand to the finest rocks. steep, and in some cases, even fascinating submerged wrecks.

This sport is not just for experts. There is so much to see without going too deep, and in any case in almost all seaside resorts you can find expert guides and instructors to organize boat tours and practice snorkeling in complete safety.

Discover the seabed of the Amalfi Coast❯

It is perhaps the most "democratic" sport, because it is truly within everyone's reach and can be practiced anywhere. Trekking in Italy is a must among summer sports because it gives you the opportunity to move through landscapes that are nothing short of magnificent.

The Alte Vie delle Dolomiti, for example, have eight different itineraries at high altitude, through locations of unique beauty. The Marmolada, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lake Braies and so on. At every step you will be surrounded by the slightly wild beauty of landscapes unique in the world, to be enjoyed little by little.

If you love the sea, in Liguria in the Portofino Natural Park there is an easy path that goes from Camogli to Portofino. Mediterranean landscapes and important historical testimonies, as in the case of the San Fruttuoso Bay, will accompany your journey. Similarly, the Path of the Gods, divine in name and in fact, winds along the Amalfi Coast among unforgettable panoramas and small villages.

An easy path, which can also be followed by disabled people, is the one that goes up the slopes of Etna. Its accessibility does not make it less fascinating, it is not for nothing that it is a UNESCO heritage site. Here too, as practically everywhere in Italy, history, nature, food and wine come together in an unmissable mix.

Conquer the Etna's summit❯

The first sport you can practice in Italy during the summer is evergreen: running.

During the summer, running becomes a pleasure especially if practiced in the cold hours of the day, early in the morning or at sunset. Running can always be practiced, whether you are a novice or an experienced runner. A light jog for just over an hour is good for your health and is an inexpensive and easy way to keep fit.

Italy offers long itineraries along the streets of its cities that will make you feel the thrill of a one-of-a-kind race. You can run by the sea or through the streets of the historical centre of one of the Italian cities. The best thing is to enjoy the possibility of a sport to be practiced freely to breathe clean air and feel good about yourself.

Among the most beautiful places, there is the long Po in Turin, inside the Valentino park, where hundreds of runners meet and enjoy the pleasure of activity, along the bank of the Po.

On the other hand, Trieste in addition to its many beauties to explore, offers one of the most beautiful views of the whole peninsula with the Barcola seafront, with a path that runs along the entire coastal stretch of Trieste, a very popular destination for those who want to run looking at the sea.

Speaking of the sea, one of the most beautiful routes in Italy and the world is the route that in Naples, from Mergellina leads to Posillipo and vice versa with the sea and Vesuvius in the background. The city's seafront is an extraordinary location for a long run in the open air, while the Royal Palace of Capodimonte has long tree-lined avenues always loved by runners.

Move around Naples esily with Naples Pass❯

Cycling is a very popular sport in Italy and is suitable for all seasons, especially in summer when it is possible to enjoy the most pleasant climate. Even for cycling, I recommend that you prefer the cooler hours of the day.

Among the most popular destinations, there is certainly Tuscany famous for its valleys and hills such as the Val d'Orcia, the Chianti hills and San Gimignano. Sicily also offers a splendid itinerary with the Val di Noto in Sicily and its baroque itinerary between Noto, Ragusa, Modica and Scicli. Finally, you cannot help but take into consideration the beautiful panoramic walk of the Cinque Terre in the park of the same name between the sea and the historic villages of Liguria.

Even the cities are no exception, jumping on a bike is a fun and healthy way to visit even the big cities, such as Rome, Milan, Florence and so on.

Cycling is great for fitness and especially for breathing capacity and joint movement. Cycling is also a sport that encourages being in a group as it is recommended to leave for long rides always in a company and to bring lots of water and some snacks with you to compensate for the huge energy expenditure of pedaling.

Visit Milan by bike❯

Padel is a combination of techniques and rules derived from tennis and squash. It is a sport that has been very popular in recent years all over the world and that in the last year has also spread a lot in Italy. Summer seems to be the best time to try this new experience.

The technical characteristics of the padel are reflected in physical activity which translates into athletic rhythm at high frequency and intensity. The entire muscular system is stressed. If you are out of practice do not force your hand too much, as they could run into some injuries carried by the fog that transmits this very addictive sport.

Among the most beautiful Italian destinations to enjoy relaxation with your favourite sport, there is Sabaudia. A beautiful coastal corner with a suggestive promenade from which you can reach the islands of Ponza and Ventotene or enjoy the beauties of Circeo Park.

Sabaudia, in addition, is among the best beaches in Italy for families and children. 

Beach volleyball is one of the most practised sports on the beaches throughout Italy during the summer season. It is a highly aerobic and dynamic sport. In addition to being a team sport with all its benefits, it also brings several health benefits. An hour of play allows you to burn almost 800 calories as it involves the whole body and the work on the sand will enable you to intensify every movement.

You too can experience the thrill of this sport, go to one of the hundreds of Italian beaches and find a field, a net and a group of friends with whom you can share some dunks and some passes to the net.

Among the best tourist destinations are the Adriatic coast, its beach volleyball fields, and Lignano Sabbiadoro, where you can play on the soft and golden sand of the Friulian coast, and the 15 km of the Rimini coast, with its well-equipped beaches.

The stand-up paddle is a water sport on board that is spreading very quickly all over the world and in particular in seaside resorts, which are scattered everywhere in Italy. In Capri, for example, it is very fashionable because it is fun, easy and perfect for a day at the beach.

SUP is a sport that can be within everyone's reach. It consists of balancing on a board that floats on the water while moving with an oar. The abdominal and leg benefits are obvious, but do you want to put the opportunity to enjoy the beauties of the Italian maritime landscapes on board a table in the middle of the sea? You can choose one of the hundreds of Italian seaside destinations to practise this sport, but also one of the must-haves of lake tourism: Lake Garda.

Try stand up padel in the waters of Capri❯

To conclude, swimming is the summer sport par excellence. You can practice it both in the swimming pool or in structures equipped as gyms, and outdoors if you are lucky enough to live in seaside areas or near a lake.

The benefits of this sport are many: it promotes a toning activity along the entire muscular system of the body, manages to counteract back pain or posture problems, prevents many health problems and, like many sports, helps relieve stress. Furthermore, during the hot Italian summer, a swim in the sea is not only a way to exercise and keep fit but also a way to cool off.

In every corner of Italy, swimming is practised, so much so that it is one of the national sports with Italian athletes who often distinguish themselves in all continental and European competitions. Suggesting just one place to practice this sport could be really difficult, but there are places that you can visit all over Italy, including the suggestive and mythological Scilla in Calabria, which overlooks the Strait of Messina. A mystical place already presents in mythology, which every year hosts the crossing of the Strait of Messina by swimming.