Italian theme parks to visit in one day
Cavallino Matto
In the beautiful Tuscan hills is Cavallino Matto. This holiday park provides a whole host of family-friendly attractions, including the widely celebrated Safari Adventures, which focus on the much-loved wonder of Disney.
Check out the Topozorro and Speedy Gonzales roller coasters - two of the tamer rides which still go high up over the park. The brave should head to the Air Max Drop or Project 1 – which provide faster, higher and more dizzying experiences. For group or family tickets, reservations must be made in advance by contacting the park directly.
Open from March to October each year.
Getting there
The holiday park is best reached from either Florence or Pisa. From either station grab a regional train to Castagneto Carducci-Donoratico and then hop on a Tiemme bus service to Marina Di Castagneto for Cavallino Matto. Search trains to Castagneto Carducci-Donoratico.
Mirabilandia
For theme park lovers that struggle to choose between adventure, thrill-seeking and water rides, Mirabilandia ticks all the boxes. With 30 rides to choose from and a variety of themed areas, this family adventure park has plenty on offer for first-timers and those returning for more.
Thrill seekers should head straight to the Oil Towers – the tallest Space Shot and Turbo Drop towers in Italy – for a terrifying 60 m drop or an exhilarating 80 kpm launch to the top. Those that like a fright should take a walk through the Legends of Dead Town – Europe’s biggest horror house. Don’t leave without a family ride on Divertical either – the highest water roller coaster in the world.
When you’re ready to cool down, head over to Mirabilandia Beach – their very own 25-acre water park. Take a daring dip on the Vuelta Vertigo, then try the Salto Tropical and Salto Del Caribe water chutes.
Open from April to September each year.
https://www.mirabilandia.it/en
Getting there
The nearest railway stations are Ravenna, Rimini and Cesena. For example, you can get from Milan to Ravenna in under three hours if you take a Frecciarossa train to Bologna and then change for a regional train to Ravenna. On Frecciarossa trains you can enjoy free WiFi, large leather armchairs, plenty of legroom and space for your luggage, as well as a welcome service with complimentary snacks and drinks – is there any better way to travel through Italy?
If you’re arriving into Ravenna, there are shuttle buses that go from Lido di Classe or Lido di Savio (the seaside exits of the station) to Mirabilandia.
Italian theme parks for the weekend
Rainbow Magicland
Located on the outskirts of Rome is Rainbow Magicland – a relatively new theme park in Italy. Rainbow Magicland shows its colours and variety in the shape of 38 attractions and live shows across six themed “lands” or zones.
If you want to get the heart pulsating, look no further than the Mystika – a 230-foot drop tower that the faint-hearted should think twice about before attempting! Speed junkies should give the Steam Machine a go – this ride jolts riders from zero to 62 mph in a whopping two and a half seconds with an array of twists and turns.
For families looking to stay for the weekend, Rainbow Magicland has partnerships with nearby hotels that sometimes include ‘Hotel + Park’ discounted offers for stays longer than one night.
Open April to November every year.
Getting there
If you’re coming from Roma Termini, take Trenitalia's regional train to Valmontone station and then hop on the free shuttle bus from the station to the adventure park.
Etnaland
Located near Belpasso in Sicily, Etnaland is divided into a theme park, Acquapark, and Parco Della Preistoria, the Prehistoric Park. Great fun for kids, adults and everyone in between, Etnaland has activities in bucket loads. The park offers guests two-day passes at reduced prices – perfect for weekend getaways with the family. Etnaland doesn’t have its own hotel but there are numerous other options less than a mile away.
Etnaland’s attractions fall into the following categories – Dreaming, Spinning, Flying, Exploring or Challenging. Some of the best rides include the Drifting Karts and Dragon River, there’s even an immersive 4D Cinema and Laser Show. Don’t forget the Cableway cable car for panoramic views over the park. It’s just as popular as the rides!
Little ones will want to stop by Miniland – complete with a toboggan, lazy river, lagoon, castle and a variety of exciting water slides.
Open April to September every year.
Getting there
The closest train stations to Etnaland are Bicocca and Catania Centrale.
Italian theme parks for the whole week
Gardaland
Close to the shores of the famous Lake Garda, the Gardaland Resort is a first-of-its-kind theme park in Italy. With six roller coasters to choose from including the thrill-seeking Raptor and Space Vertigo, visitors of all ages are sure to get an adrenaline rush.
Often mentioned as one of Europe’s top ten parks, Gardaland has a total of 32 family-friendly and gravity-defying rides that sit on the stunning Lake Garda landscape.
With a fairy-inspired hotel and a Sea-Life aquarium brimming with animals and plants, Gardaland is an exciting adventure park with more than enough to keep the whole family locked-on for the week.
Gardaland is closed from the second week in January until the last week of March every year.
Getting there
Gardaland Park is located 2 km from Peschiera del Garda train station, and there’s a free shuttle bus running every 30 minutes from the station to Gardaland Park.
Movieland Studios
Set in the idyllic spot of Lake Garda sits Movieland Studios and its nearby Aquapark, created to celebrate the magical wonder of the silver screen and all things film. Italy’s first movie-themed amusement park contains attractions such as the John Rambo Stunt Show and the Police Academy roller coaster.
Interactive shows take place throughout the day and special events like their Star Wars Celebration highlight the brilliance of some of film’s best-loved franchises. Tickets are available by the day, two-day or 7-day basis if you’re lucky enough to be staying at one of the hotels in the nearby municipality of Lazise.
Open from May to September every year.
Getting there
The nearest train station to the park is Peschiera del Garda and there’s a free transfer bus available to customers of Movieland Studios.
Whether your heart is set on flume-filled water parks or rocking roller coasters, it’s easy to reach some of the best theme parks in Italy by train – why not check out where else the trains in Italy can take you during your holiday?