Italy or Spain for Hiking? Our Expert Helps You Choose
Are the Mediterranean’s coastal trails calling? Hankering to hike the lofty peaks of Europe’s mountains? Then you might well be asking yourself, is Italy or Spain better for hiking?
Both are blessed with astonishing landscapes, rich culture and trails to suit every level of hiker, so it’s not a question easily answered.
To help, Danny Bell, our expert on the best hiking in Europe, shares his insight on both, so you can choose the right trip for your next getaway.
Italy or Spain for Hiking: At a Glance
| Consideration | Italy | Spain |
| Best for | Iconic scenery and food-led trips | Varied trails and quieter regions |
| Mountain hiking | Dolomites and Apennines | Picos de Europa and Sierra de Aitana |
| Coastal hikes | Amalfi Coast and Puglia | Catalunya and Mediterranean ranges |
| Budget | Generally more expensive | Generally more affordable |
| Cooler summer options | Dolomites and higher mountains | Picos de Europa and northern Spain |
| Shoulder season | Amalfi, Puglia and central Italy | Andalucia and Mediterranean Spain |
Which has the better scenery?
When it comes to landscapes, you’re spoiled for choice. Classic Italian scenery ranges from the sky-piercing Dolomites in the northeast to the rolling vineyards of Tuscany and Umbria and the beautiful bays of the Amalfi Coast.
In Spain, the rugged Sierra de Aitana and Picos de Europa offer spectacular mountain trails, while the sunflower fields and olive groves of Andalucia provide the backdrop for an away-from-it-all hiking adventure. When it’s time to relax, the golden beaches of Catalunya beckon.
The verdict: Choose Italy for instantly recognisable alpine and coastal scenery. Choose Spain for greater contrasts and less familiar landscapes.
Where Are the Best Places to Hike in Italy?
The Dolomites
- Best for: Dramatic mountain scenery
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Best time: June to September
- Don’t miss: Tre Cime di Lavaredo
- Choose it if: You want a classic high-mountain hiking holiday
In the northern Italian Alps, the Dolomites comprise a cinematic mix of vertical walls, cliffs, sweeping valleys and flower-filled meadows. The trails lead between limestone peaks and through landscapes shaped by centuries of history, with First World War tunnels now acting as open-air museums.
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Hiking the Dolomites
Beautiful trekking in the Western Dolomites
The Amalfi Coast
- Best for: Coastal scenery and famous hiking routes
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Best time: April to June and September to October
- Don’t miss: The Path of the Gods
- Choose it if: You want to combine hiking , food and historic towns
It’s no surprise that our Walking the Amalfi Coast adventure consistently ranks among our most popular trips. Lemon groves and delicious food combine with spectacular clifftop walks above colorful fishing towns.
The region is also home to the Path of the Gods, one of the world’s most beautiful coastal walks. Nearby attractions such as Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii complete the recipe for a memorable hiking adventure.
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Walking the Amalfi Coast
Discover the highlights of Europe’s most dramatic coastline on foot with true experts of the region
Puglia and Matera
- Best for: Gentle hiking and cultural discoveries
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Best time: April to June and September to October
- Don’t miss: Matera’s ancient cave dwellings
- Choose it if: You want quieter trails and a slower pace
In the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia and the nearby cave town of Matera offer picturesque walks through whitewashed villages, seemingly endless olive groves and along coastal trails.
Along the way, explore Matera’s cave dwellings, sip espresso at a seaside café and finish the day with a glass of local Primitivo wine.
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Walking in Puglia & Matera
Fairytale trulli houses, picturesque farmland, and quaint villages
Tuscany
- Best for: Food, wine and varied countryside
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Best time: April to June and September to October
- Don’t miss: The mountain landscapes of Garfagnana
- Choose it if: Food and wine matter as much as the hiking
The classic image of Tuscany—rolling vineyards and cypress trees—has inspired artists and walkers for centuries. But there is also a lesser-known side to the region in Garfagnana, northern Tuscany.
Here, rolling hills are replaced by dramatic peaks, beautiful lakes and alpine flower meadows.
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Walking Northern Tuscany
Walk through Italy across Tuscany's idyllic mountains
Where Are the Best Places to Hike in Spain?
Picos de Europa
- Best for: Wild mountain scenery
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Best time: June to September
- Don’t miss: The views from Peña Main
- Choose it if: You want dramatic mountains and fewer crowds
The Picos de Europa dominates Spain’s oldest national park with its distinctive limestone peaks. From Peña Main, panoramic views stretch across rocky summits, green meadows and the Atlantic Ocean.
The wildlife is equally impressive, with golden eagles and griffon vultures often seen soaring overhead.
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Hike Spain’s Picos de Europa
Enjoy varied walks in beautiful Spanish mountains
Camino de Santiago
- Best for: History, community and long-distance hiking
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the section
- Best time: April to June and September to October
- Don’t miss: Arriving in Santiago de Compostela
- Choose it if: You want the people you meet to be part of the experience
One of the world’s oldest pilgrimage routes, the Camino de Santiago attracts walkers from across the globe.
Along the way, you pass ancient oak forests, medieval monasteries and Roman bridges before climbing Monte do Gozo for views of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. For many hikers, the highlight is life on the road and the experience of sharing stories with fellow pilgrims.
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Trekking the Camino de Santiago
Follow Spain's most celebrated pilgrimage route
Sierra de Aitana
- Best for: Challenging Mediterranean hiking
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Best time: October to May
- Don’t miss: The summit views from Puig Campana
- Choose it if: You want mountain trails close to the Mediterranean
The Sierra de Aitana may be only a few miles from the Mediterranean, but it feels worlds apart from the resorts of the Costa Blanca.
Follow shepherds’ paths and ridgelines into tranquil valleys, where mountain landscapes and coastal views stretch into the distance. The panoramas from Puig Campana, Aitana Peak and Serrella Peak make the challenging climbs worthwhile.
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Hike Spain's Sierra de Aitana
Beautiful off-season walking through rugged Spanish mountain landscapes
Andalucia
- Best for: Rural landscapes, traditional villages and winter sun
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Best time: October to May
- Don’t miss: El Caminito del Rey
- Choose it if: You want to combine country hiking with a city break
Made up of fertile farmland, olive groves, rugged peaks and sleepy villages, the Andalucian countryside is ideal for a remote hiking adventure.
You can also walk El Caminito del Rey, a narrow cliffside path high above the Guadalhorce River, before exploring Seville and tucking into traditional Spanish tapas.
Book the trip:
Walking in Andalucia
Romantic countryside, rugged hills and villages of Andalucia on foot
Which Is Better for Mountain Hiking?
Italy has the advantage if you want the instantly recognisable peaks and high-altitude drama of the Dolomites. Spain’s Picos de Europa and Sierra de Aitana offer an alternative for hikers who prefer wilder landscapes and quieter trails.
The verdict: Choose Italy for the Dolomites’ visual drama. Choose Spain for mountains that feel quieter and less familiar.
Which Is Better for Coastal hiking ?
Italy’s Amalfi Coast combines famous trails with colorful villages, historic attractions and celebrated regional food. Spain offers rugged Mediterranean hiking in Catalunya and Sierra de Aitana, often without the same concentration of headline sights.
The verdict: Choose Italy for iconic routes and villages. Choose Spain for Mediterranean views and a quieter experience.
When Is the Best Time to Hike in Italy and Spain?
Both countries, broadly speaking, share a Mediterranean climate, meaning hot, dry summers (May to October) and fairly mild, wet winters (late October to March).
The most popular time for hiking in Italy and Spain is May to September, hitting its peak in July and August. However, savvy hikers are increasingly looking at traveling during shoulder season, the months either side of summer, when tourism (and the temperatures) are lower.
Though there may be a bit more rain during this time, the trails tend to be relatively crowd-free, while the cloud cover and cooler temperatures can make hiking a little more comfortable.
Is Italy or Spain Better for Food and Wine?
If the post-hike restaurant is more important to you than the trail itself, there are few places better in the world than Spain and Italy. In both, each region has its own delicacies and local flavors, more often than not, a reflection of the climate and historical influences of the region.
For true foodies, though, it’s hard to look past a hiking adventure in either Tuscany or Umbria. On our Tuscany Walks & Chianti Wines adventure, for example, you’ll experience the Garden of Italy as a local would, hiking through beautiful vineyards and tasting several varieties of the local chianti together. In the evenings, dine at the hotel bar-restaurant, where they serve delicious Tuscan cuisine and, of course, excellent local wines.
Is Italy or Spain Cheaper for a Hiking Holiday?
When it comes to budgeting, Spain is, generally, more affordable than Italy. For example, a mid-range two-course meal costs, on average, around 10 percent less in Spain, according to numbeo.com, though you’ll be paying slightly more for your daily coffee and bottle of water. Both Spain and Italy are more affordable than the UK and US when it comes to food and drink, so both will feel reasonable if you’re coming from those countries.
If you’re joining a small-group adventure like the ones we run, other considerations may push you towards one or the other. Obviously, the overall trip price is important. But don’t forget to look at the inclusions. How many meals are included? What activities will you be doing? What is the quality of the hotels? What level of service will you get before and after your trip? All these will impact your spending on your Spain or Italy hiking trip.
Is Italy or Spain Better for Sustainable Travel?
When it comes to making your trip more sustainable, hiking in Spain may be the better option. It has the longest high-speed rail network in Europe (second only in the world to China), allowing you to whizz between destinations in relative ease (and speed) without resorting to more carbon-intensive flights.
Whichever you choose, there are plenty of ways to make your hiking trip more friendly to the environment. Stick to the trails, pick up litter as you go, avoid chain restaurants and choose dishes and drinks filled with local produce.
For a hiking trip with a focus on conservation, consider joining our Italian Apennines: Walks & Wildlife adventure. Over six days in the remote Abruzzo mountains, you’ll join expert nature guides from our partners Rewilding Apennines to learn, from them, about the essential conservation work they do and the intimate relationship between humans and animals in the area.
So, Should You Choose Italy or Spain for Hiking?
Whether you choose Spain or Italy for your hiking adventure, Exodus has an exciting range to explore. Or, if you’d like a little more help deciding, contact us and we’ll find the perfect trip for you.
