The best waterfalls in Italy

After visiting many of Italy’s famous landmarks, I’ve started to enjoy exploring lesser-known spots that aren’t as popular among tourists. This time, since family is based in the small city of Terni near Rome, we discovered an especially interesting place—Cascata delle Marmore, the largest man-made waterfall in Europe.

About Cascata delle Marmore You can hear the roar of the water from a distance long before you see it. This is the largest artificial waterfall in Europe, originally built during the Roman era over 2,000 years ago. The waterfall has a total drop of 165 metres, cascading in three main tiers.

In the mist, you can often see rainbows suspended in the air. What makes it even more unique is that it doesn’t flow all day—water is released on a schedule, usually between 11am and 1pm. During this time, the gentle trickle suddenly transforms into a powerful wall of white water, creating an incredibly dramatic scene.

Hiking to Lake Kastel is an unforgettable journey, especially ideal for enjoying with family.

We started from the small village of Riale, a peaceful and beautiful settlement made up of just a few houses and a small church, located at an altitude of 1,700 metres in the mountains. Along the winding trail, you can also enjoy the stunning views of Cascata del Toce.

After reaching Lake Kastel, if you follow the path to the right, you’ll find a trail leading further to a more remote Black Lake. Continuing on, you’ll discover even more natural beauty. This hike is not only suitable for younger hikers but also for older visitors, as the route is not complicated and the scenery is picturesque throughout.

We set off from Genova early, before it was properly light, and by the time we hit the mountains it was snowing hard enough that the wipers couldn't quite keep up. That's the drive to Cogne in winter, really — you leave the coast behind and within a couple of hours you're somewhere else entirely, climbing through switchbacks with everything turning white around you.

Cogne itself is small. A church, a cluster of hotels, a few shops that all seem to sell the same wool socks. We didn't linger there on the way in, because Lillaz was the plan, a few kilometres further up the valley, and that's where the ice actually is.

The Drive In, and Why It's Slower Than the Map Says

**Parco Cascata di Varone (Varone Waterfall Park)**

Cascata Varone is located near Limone del Garda, so you can easily visit both in one trip. It’s a beautiful and refreshing spot, but if you plan to go inside the cave to see the waterfall, it’s recommended to bring a raincoat—or you can buy one at the shop on-site.

There’s also a small bakery at the ticket entrance selling bread (around €7 each), but you can absolutely bring your own food as there are plenty of picnic tables available. Restroom facilities are convenient, and the whole area isn’t very large—you can comfortably explore it in about an hour.