Bears in Italy: Where They Live & Are They Dangerous?

Yes, there are wild bears in Italy. However, they are not found throughout the country. The two main bear populations live in very different parts of Italy: one in the Alps of northern Italy, particularly in and around Trentino, and the other in the central Apennines, especially in Abruzzo.

For most tourists, seeing a wild bear in Italy is very unlikely. Even in areas where bears live, many visitors spend days hiking without ever seeing one. Bears generally avoid people and often move through forests and mountain areas without being noticed.

Nevertheless, brown bears are large wild animals and should be taken seriously. Italy has recorded attacks on people, including a fatal attack in Trentino in 2023. Hikers visiting bear areas should therefore know where bears occur and how to behave if they encounter one.

This guide focuses on the questions that matter most to travelers: Where are there bears in Italy? Are there bears in the Dolomites and Alps? Are there bears in Tuscany? How dangerous are they? And what should you do if you see one?

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Bears in Italy at a Glance

Question	Answer
Are there wild bears in Italy?	Yes
Which species?	Brown bear (Ursus arctos), including the rare Marsican brown bear
Main bear areas	Trentino and surrounding Alpine areas; central Apennines, especially Abruzzo
Are there bears in the Dolomites?	Yes, especially in the western and central Alpine area around Trentino; distribution is not uniform across the Dolomites
Are there bears in Abruzzo?	Yes. Abruzzo is the main area for the Marsican brown bear
Are there bears in Tuscany?	There is no established bear population comparable with Trentino or Abruzzo
Are bears dangerous?	Potentially yes, but encounters and attacks are rare
Should you run from a bear?	No
Emergency number	112

Where Are There Bears in Italy?

Italy’s bears are concentrated in two main areas. This is important for tourists because the risk of encountering a bear varies enormously depending on where you travel.

A beach holiday in Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia or on the Adriatic coast does not normally involve any realistic concern about wild bears. The situation is different if you are hiking in parts of Trentino, the Alps or the central Apennines.

Bears in Trentino

Trentino is the most important bear area in northern Italy. The population developed after a reintroduction project that brought brown bears from Slovenia to the region around the turn of the millennium.

Today bears occupy a considerably larger area than during the early years of the project. According to the 2025 monitoring results published by the Autonomous Province of Trento in 2026, the estimated population in Trentino and adjacent areas was 118 bears, excluding cubs born during the year. The statistical estimate ranged from 99 to 141 animals.

A further 25 cubs were detected in 2025. The monitoring area also includes neighboring territories outside the Province of Trento, reflecting the fact that bears do not respect administrative borders and can travel considerable distances.

For tourists, this means that bear awareness is sensible when hiking in suitable habitat in Trentino. It does not mean that visitors are likely to meet one. Most encounters never happen because bears detect people first and move away.

Bears in the Dolomites

One of the most common questions among mountain tourists is whether there are bears in the Dolomites.

The answer is yes, but the chance of encountering one depends greatly on the area. Bear distribution in northern Italy is centered primarily on Trentino and surrounding Alpine territory rather than being evenly spread across the entire Dolomite mountain range.

Visitors hiking in the western parts of the Dolomites and areas connected with Trentino’s bear range should therefore be more bear-aware than tourists in areas far from the main distribution zone.

There is no reason to avoid hiking in the Dolomites because of bears. Millions of tourist activities take place in northern Italian mountain areas, while close encounters remain uncommon. Following local information and basic wildlife precautions is normally sufficient.

Bears in the Italian Alps

Brown bears occur in the Italian Alps, but their distribution is patchy. The core population is associated with Trentino, while individual bears can travel into neighboring Alpine areas.

Male bears in particular can cover large distances. This is why an occasional confirmed bear far from the main population does not necessarily mean that a permanent breeding population has become established there.

If you are planning a hiking holiday in the Italian Alps, local conditions matter much more than the broad label “Alps.” Information for Trentino may be very different from the situation hundreds of kilometers away in another Alpine valley.

Bears in South Tyrol

Bears can occur in South Tyrol (Alto Adige), particularly as animals move through the wider Alpine region. However, South Tyrol should not simply be described as having the same concentration of bears as the core areas of neighboring Trentino.

For ordinary tourists visiting Bolzano, Merano or the main resort areas, a bear encounter is unlikely. Hikers in remote forest and mountain terrain should nevertheless pay attention to any current local wildlife notices.

Bears in Lombardy and Veneto

Individual bears can also move into parts of Lombardy and Veneto. The 2025 Trentino population assessment deliberately covered a wider monitoring area including neighboring territories because the occupied range has expanded.

This does not mean that bears are common throughout either region. Milan, Venice and the heavily populated lowlands are not typical bear habitat. The relevant areas are primarily mountainous and connected to Alpine wildlife corridors.

Bears in Abruzzo

Abruzzo is Italy’s other major bear destination and is particularly important because it is home to the Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus).

The heart of its range is the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and surrounding parts of the central Apennines. Bears also use areas beyond the national park, including other protected and connecting landscapes.

A major new genetic assessment published by ISPRA in July 2026 estimated 81 Marsican brown bears across the entire surveyed range, with an uncertainty interval of 73 to 88 animals. Of these, an estimated 65 lived within the central core area.

This is substantially different from older figures of around 50–60 animals that are still frequently quoted in travel articles. The difference is partly important because the 2025 research covered a much larger area than earlier population studies.

Abruzzo is probably the best-known destination in Italy for travelers specifically interested in the Marsican brown bear. Even here, however, seeing one is never guaranteed.

Bears in the Apennines

The central Apennines form the range of the Marsican brown bear. The population is associated particularly with Abruzzo and neighboring parts of Lazio and Molise.

The 2025 genetic survey covered approximately 6,500 square kilometers, extending from the Province of Rieti in the north toward Frosinone and Isernia in the south. This illustrates why describing the bears as living only inside one national park is too simplistic.

They use a broader landscape of forests, mountains and protected areas, although the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park remains the best-known core area.

Are There Bears in Lazio?

Yes. The range of the Marsican brown bear extends into Lazio. However, this should not be confused with saying that bears are common around Rome.

The relevant habitat is in the mountainous eastern and southeastern parts of the region connected with the central Apennines.

Are There Bears Near Rome?

There is no established population of wild bears in the city of Rome or its immediate urban surroundings. Travelers do not need to consider bears when sightseeing in central Rome.

However, Lazio extends far beyond Rome. Marsican bears occur in mountainous areas of the region associated with the central Apennine population.

Therefore, the answers to “Are there bears in Lazio?” and “Are there bears in Rome?” are very different: yes in parts of Lazio, but not as a normal concern for tourists in Rome.

Are There Bears in Tuscany?

Tuscany is not one of Italy’s main established bear areas. Travelers hiking in the Tuscan countryside should not expect bears in the way they might consider their presence in parts of Trentino or Abruzzo.

Wild animals can travel, and isolated observations outside established ranges are always possible, but this is different from having a resident population. For the average tourist, bears are not a significant wildlife concern in Tuscany.

Are There Bears in Sicily or Sardinia?

No wild brown bear populations live on Sicily or Sardinia. Tourists visiting these islands do not need to take bear precautions.

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How Many Bears Live in Italy?

Giving one simple number for all bears in Italy is difficult because Italy has two separate populations that are monitored using different methods and cover different geographic areas.

For northern Italy, the latest Trentino assessment estimates 118 bears excluding cubs born in 2025 within Trentino and the surrounding monitored area. Twenty-five cubs were recorded during 2025.

For the Marsican brown bear, the new nationwide-range assessment based on genetic sampling in summer 2025 estimates 81 individuals across approximately 6,500 square kilometers of the central Apennines.

These numbers should not simply be added together and presented as an exact Italian bear census. Population estimates have statistical uncertainty, use different survey areas and refer to distinct populations.

For tourists, the more useful conclusion is simple: Italy has a significant Alpine brown bear population centered on Trentino and a much smaller, exceptionally important Marsican population in the central Apennines.

Which Bears Live in Italy?

All wild bears in Italy are brown bears (Ursus arctos), but the two populations have different histories.

Alpine Brown Bears

The bears of Trentino belong to the wider European brown bear population. Brown bears had become extremely rare in the central Alps by the late 20th century.

The LIFE Ursus project reinforced the remaining population by releasing bears originating from Slovenia between 1999 and 2002. The population subsequently reproduced and expanded beyond the original release area.

These are the bears tourists are most likely to hear about when traveling in Trentino and parts of the Italian Alps.

Marsican Brown Bear

The Marsican brown bear is the rare bear population of the central Apennines. It is generally classified as a subspecies of the brown bear and is one of Italy’s most important large mammals from a conservation perspective.

Its main range includes the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park and surrounding landscapes. Unlike the Alpine population, the Marsican bear survived in central Italy rather than being restored through the Slovenian reintroduction project.

Although the latest population estimate is higher than many older figures still found online, the population remains small and vulnerable.

Are Bears in Italy Dangerous?

Brown bears are potentially dangerous wild animals. They are large, powerful and capable of seriously injuring or killing a person. It would therefore be incorrect to describe Italian bears as harmless.

At the same time, the practical risk to the average tourist is low. Bears generally avoid people, and most visitors to Italian bear regions never encounter one.

The greatest concern is a close, unexpected encounter, particularly when a bear is surprised at short distance. A female accompanied by cubs requires particular caution. Dogs can also complicate encounters if they approach or chase a bear and then return toward their owner.

The sensible approach is neither panic nor complacency: bear attacks are rare, but hikers in bear country should know the basic safety rules.

Have Bears Attacked People in Italy?

Yes. Bear attacks on people have occurred in Italy.

The best-known recent case happened in Trentino in April 2023. A 26-year-old runner, Andrea Papi, was killed by a bear near Caldes in Val di Sole. It was the first fatal bear attack recorded in Trentino since bears were reintroduced there.

There have also been non-fatal incidents. In July 2024, for example, a foreign tourist was injured by a bear near Dro in Trentino and required hospital treatment.

These incidents demonstrate why official bear-safety advice should be taken seriously. They do not mean that attacks are common. Considering the amount of hiking and outdoor tourism in the Italian Alps, encounters resulting in injury remain unusual.

How Likely Is It to See a Bear While Hiking in Italy?

Even in bear areas, the probability of an ordinary tourist seeing a wild bear is relatively low.

Bears have excellent senses and usually detect people before people detect them. They can then leave the area without the hiker ever realizing that a bear was nearby.

Your chances of encountering one are higher in suitable bear habitat than in busy towns or heavily visited attractions. Quiet forest tracks, remote mountain terrain and areas with fewer people naturally offer more opportunities for wildlife encounters.

However, there is no simple percentage that can be given to a tourist. Bear presence changes over time, individual animals travel and conditions vary considerably from one valley to another.

What Should You Do If You See a Bear in Italy?

The Autonomous Province of Trento publishes specific rules for encounters with brown bears. These are particularly useful for visitors hiking in northern Italian bear country.

If the bear has not noticed you

Do not approach it. Quietly move away and give the animal plenty of space. Do not remain nearby simply to take photographs or video.

If the bear has seen you

Stay calm. Move back slowly and allow the bear an escape route. Do not run.

Running can make the situation less predictable and is unnecessary in most encounters.

If a bear stands on its hind legs

This sight can look threatening, but according to the official Trentino guidance, standing upright is not in itself an aggressive action. The bear may simply be trying to see, smell and understand what is in front of it.

Remain still and let it identify you as a person. Speak without shouting.

If a bear approaches you

Remain calm and avoid sudden movements. If it follows you, official guidance recommends backing away slowly without turning your back on the animal and speaking in a firm voice.

If the bear behaves aggressively

Signs can include vocalizations, snorting or striking the ground. Continue to move away slowly without running.

If a bear makes an aggressive charge, the Trentino authorities advise remaining still rather than running or shouting.

If physical contact occurs

Physical attacks are highly unusual. If you are knocked to the ground, official guidance recommends lying face down and protecting the back of your neck with your hands. Do not get up until you are sure the bear has moved away.

After a serious encounter or attack, contact the authorities. The general emergency number in Italy is 112.

Never Approach a Bear for a Photo

A bear sighting can be an exceptional travel experience, but it is important not to turn it into a close encounter.

Do not follow a bear on foot or by vehicle. Do not move closer for a photograph and never approach cubs. If you see young bears without immediately seeing their mother, do not assume that they are alone.

Wildlife photography should always be done from a safe distance. Binoculars and telephoto lenses are much more appropriate than approaching the animal.

Hiking in Bear Country in Italy

There is generally no reason to avoid hiking simply because bears live in an area. Trentino and Abruzzo are major hiking destinations, and bear habitat overlaps with areas used for outdoor recreation.

A few simple habits reduce the chance of surprising a bear:

• Make your presence known: Normal conversation while walking can alert wildlife to your approach.
• Pay attention to local signs: Temporary notices may provide information about recent bear activity or restrictions.
• Do not leave food or rubbish: Food can attract bears and encourage unwanted behavior.
• Keep your distance from wildlife: Never deliberately approach a bear.
• Be particularly careful with cubs: Do not move toward them.
• Keep dogs under control: In bear areas, keeping a dog on a leash is an important precaution.

Bears and Dogs: An Important Risk for Hikers

Travelers hiking with a dog should be particularly careful in bear country.

Official Trentino bear-safety advice recommends keeping dogs on a leash. A loose dog may notice a bear before its owner does, approach or chase it, become frightened and then run back toward the owner with the bear following.

This can turn an encounter that might otherwise have ended with the bear moving away into a much more difficult situation.

Follow local rules regarding dogs in national parks and protected areas even where no recent bear activity has been reported.

When Are Bears Active in Italy?

Brown bears can be active during much of the year, although their behavior changes with season, food availability and weather.

They are often most difficult to observe because they avoid people and may be more active during quieter periods of the day. A tourist should not assume that bears only move at night.

Bears in spring

After the winter period, bears become increasingly active and search for food. Females may be accompanied by young cubs.

Bears in summer

Summer coincides with the main hiking season in the Italian mountains. Bears remain active, but the large number of people on popular trails also means that many bears avoid busy areas.

Bears in autumn

Food becomes particularly important as bears build reserves before winter. Depending on the region and available food, they may spend substantial time feeding.

Bears in winter

Brown bears generally reduce their activity considerably and spend extended periods in winter dens. However, “hibernation” should not be understood to mean that every bear disappears on a fixed date and remains completely inactive until spring.

Weather, sex, reproductive status and individual behavior all influence winter activity.

Do Bears Live Near Hotels, Villages or Campsites?

Bears primarily use natural habitat, but they can occasionally approach human settlements when searching for food. This is one reason why waste management is taken seriously in bear areas.

Tourists should never leave food waste accessible outside mountain accommodation or campsites. Follow the instructions provided by campsites, refuges, national parks and local authorities.

If you stay in an established hotel in a bear region, there is no reason to expect bears around the building simply because the surrounding mountains contain a bear population.

Where Can Tourists See Bears in Italy?

Seeing a bear in the wild is never guaranteed, and tourists should not try to locate bears on their own by following tracks or reports of recent sightings.

For travelers specifically interested in bears, Abruzzo is one of the best-known wildlife destinations in Italy. The Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park protects extensive habitat used by the Marsican brown bear.

Guided wildlife excursions are a more responsible option than searching independently. Experienced local guides understand wildlife behavior, viewing distances and park regulations. Even on a guided excursion, however, a bear sighting cannot be promised.

Trentino also offers visitor information about brown bears and coexistence with large carnivores. Here, the emphasis for most tourists is less on deliberately finding bears and more on understanding how to behave safely while enjoying the mountains.

Bears in Abruzzo vs. Bears in Trentino

	Abruzzo / Central Apennines	Trentino / Alps
Bear population	Marsican brown bear	Alpine brown bear population
Main tourist area	Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park	Trentino and surrounding Alpine areas
Latest population information	81 estimated across the wider range in 2025 survey	118 estimated in Trentino and adjacent areas, excluding 2025 cubs
Origin	Native surviving population	Population reinforced through reintroduction
Chance for tourists to see one	Low, but specialist guided wildlife watching is available	Low during normal hiking
Bear awareness while hiking	Recommended in bear habitat	Recommended in bear habitat

Why Are There Bears in Trentino Again?

Brown bears once occurred across large parts of the Alps, but persecution and habitat changes reduced the population dramatically. By the end of the 20th century, the remaining bear population in the central Alps was close to disappearing.

The LIFE Ursus project was established to restore a viable population. Bears from Slovenia were released in Trentino between 1999 and 2002.

The project succeeded in establishing a reproducing population. Over time, bears expanded beyond the original release area, which is why monitoring now includes territory outside Trentino itself.

The return of bears has also created difficult debates about coexistence, livestock protection, public safety and the management of individual bears considered dangerous.

Are Bears Protected in Italy?

Brown bears are a protected species. Conservation is particularly important for the Marsican brown bear because of its small population and restricted range.

Protection does not mean that authorities ignore dangerous behavior. In Trentino, individual bears considered problematic or dangerous can become subject to specific management measures under the applicable wildlife-management framework.

For tourists, the rule is straightforward: never feed, disturb, pursue or deliberately approach a wild bear.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bears in Italy

Are there bears in Italy?

Yes. Italy has wild brown bears in parts of the Alps, particularly around Trentino, and Marsican brown bears in the central Apennines, particularly around Abruzzo.

Are there bears in the Dolomites?

Yes. Bears occur in parts of the Dolomite and wider Alpine region, particularly in areas connected with the Trentino population. They are not equally common throughout the Dolomites.

Are there bears in the Italian Alps?

Yes. The main northern Italian population is centered on Trentino, with bears also moving into neighboring Alpine territories.

Are there bears in South Tyrol?

Bears can occur in South Tyrol, particularly individual animals moving through the Alpine region. The main concentration in northern Italy remains associated with Trentino and surrounding areas.

Are there bears in Abruzzo?

Yes. Abruzzo is the core tourist region for the rare Marsican brown bear and contains much of its most important habitat.

Are there bears in Tuscany?

Tuscany does not have an established bear population comparable with Trentino or the central Apennines. Bears are not a normal concern for tourists hiking in Tuscany.

Are there bears near Rome?

Not in Rome itself or as a normal feature of its immediate surroundings. Marsican bears do, however, occur in mountainous parts of Lazio farther east in the central Apennines.

Are there bears in Sicily?

No. Sicily has no wild brown bear population.

Are there bears in Sardinia?

No. Sardinia has no wild brown bear population.

How many bears are there in Italy?

There is no single simple census figure. The latest estimates include 118 bears in Trentino and adjacent monitored areas, excluding cubs born in 2025, and an estimated 81 Marsican brown bears across their wider central Apennine range.

Do bears attack people in Italy?

Attacks are rare but have occurred. A fatal attack took place in Trentino in 2023, and non-fatal attacks have also been recorded. Brown bears should therefore always be treated as potentially dangerous wild animals.

What should I do if I see a bear in Italy?

Stay calm, do not run and do not approach the animal. Give it space and move away slowly. Never approach cubs or follow a bear to take photographs.

Should I be worried about bears when visiting Italy?

For the overwhelming majority of Italian holidays, no. Bears occur only in limited parts of the country. Even in Trentino and Abruzzo, most tourists will never see one. Hikers in known bear habitat should simply follow local guidance and basic bear-safety rules.

Conclusion: Bears Are Rare but Part of Italy’s Wildlife

Italy is one of the countries in Western and Southern Europe where travelers can still find wild brown bears. The two main populations are concentrated in Trentino and neighboring Alpine areas and in the central Apennines around Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise.

The risk to an ordinary tourist is low. Bears normally avoid humans, and a sighting is unusual even in regions where they are present. Nevertheless, they are large wild animals capable of causing serious injuries, and Italy has experienced both non-fatal and fatal attacks.

For hikers, the most useful approach is simple: know whether you are in bear country, make your presence known on quiet trails, keep dogs under control, never leave food or rubbish behind, never approach a bear for a photograph and do not run if you encounter one.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the presence of brown bears adds another dimension to Italy’s mountain landscapes. For most visitors, however, bears will remain something they know is somewhere in the surrounding forests rather than an animal they actually encounter.

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