Nestled In Italy's Dolomites Mountains Are The Country's Most Breathtaking Natural Swimming Pools

While many travel to Italy for its wonderful old towns — like this underrated city that boasts exquisite food and awe-inspiring historic sites — Europe's largest peninsula is also a terrific destination for those seeking natural splendor. Italy is full of outdoor gems, including rocky islands, hidden beaches, sparkling lakes, and a beautiful coastline with hiking trails. 

While you could spend a lifetime exploring the arresting landscapes the country has to offer, Italy probably delivers its biggest blast of outdoor wonder in its mountainous north, where you'll come up against the southern rise of the mighty Alps. It's here where you'll find the Dolomites, the crown jewels of Italian mountains that are so fairytale perfect that they may seem unreal. Not only is the area a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also a national park with incredible mountain views. And for those willing to get a bit off the beaten track, you'll also find the Emerald Pools (Pozze Smeraldine), one of the country's best natural swimming basins.

Situated along a stretch of the Meduna River in the adjacent Friulian Dolomites Nature Park, the Emerald Pools are a series of idyllic, crystal clear pools with a brilliant greenish hue. The pools vary in size and depth and are surrounded not only by lush, verdant forest, but also large white boulders that make the perfect platforms for lounging and sunbathing.

The Emerald Pools are the perfect destination on a hot summer day in the Friulian Dolomites, though you should get there early during those scorching days as they can draw crowds. A jump into the rejuvenating, pristine mountain water will have you deeply refreshed, just be warned that — given their mountainous location — the pools stay chilly year-round.

The pools are located two and a half hours north of Venice near the village of Tramonti di Sopra in the scenic Val di Tramontina region, and are about a 20-minute walk from the hamlet. The trail is well marked, and make sure to stop along the way at the natural spring of Sgurlina. This idyllic spot is the perfect place to take a deep drink of the pure mountain water before topping off your bottle and carrying on to the pools.

While the regular Dolomites are well worth checking out, the Friulian Dolomites, where the Emerald Pools can be found, are a great alternative where you can experience the best of Italy's eastern Alps without the crowds. Established in 1996, the Friulian Dolomites Nature Park is a 91,400-acre reserve crisscrossed by a network of hiking trails and is also renowned for its mountaineering opportunities. Like their famous sisters to the west, the Friulian Dolomites are also a UNESCO Heritage Site that's home to sheer rock peaks, meadows, rivers, alpine lakes, and plenty of wildlife, including deer, marmots, golden eagles, Alpine ibex, and chamois, a species of goat-antelope native to the Alps. The park includes four separate mountain groups and is known for its raw beauty and remoteness, which makes it one of Europe's rare patches of real wilderness.

Not all of the wonders of the Friulian Dolomites lie above ground. The region is also home to subterranean attractions such as the Pradis Caves — a number of karst caverns open to visitors. Aside from their otherworldly beauty, the caves were also home to Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens, and the accompanying museum carries a number of artifacts, providing modern humans a glimpse into how our ancestors once lived.

While you're in the park, check out Campanile di Val Montanaia, a 919-foot stone spire accessed by a steep — but incredibly scenic — mountain path. And for those up to the challenge, try climbing Cima dei Preti, which, at 8,878 feet, is the Friulian Dolomites' highest peak. For more of Italy's natural charms, check out this Mediterranean Island for thrilling outdoor adventures.