The Longest and Most Important Rivers in Italy

Silent canals, streams passages between the plains, streams in the mountains or near our cities: these are the rivers. For thousands of years, they have shaped and transformed our regions. While some create spectacular passages digging into the rock, others originate in the most fertile valleys of the country.

But which are the longest and most important rivers in Italy?

We’ve tried to rank them according to the data available and have compiled this list. Let’s check them out!

20. Liri-Garigliano

Length: 158 km
Regions crossed: Abruzzo, Lazio, Campania

At 20th position, we find the Liri-Garigliano river, named after its confluence with the Garigliano river. This river crosses much of central and southern Italy. At the end of the journey, after covering 158 km, it flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea.

19. Dora Baltea

Length: 160 km
Regions crossed: Valle d’Aosta, Piedmont

Dora Baltea is known for being an important tributary of the river Po. Originating on the slopes of Mont Blanc, it travels for 160 km through northern Italy. It was also originally known by the French name of Doire Baltèe.

18. Chiese

Length: 160 km
Regions crossed: Trentino-Alto Adige, Lombardy

The 18th longest Italian river is Chiese. This river originates in the Adamello Group and flows for just over 160 km. Its importance is fundamental for the functioning of the hydroelectric plants in the Trentino and Lombardy areas.

17. Ombrone

Length: 161 km
Regions crossed: Tuscany

Ombrone river is born near the town of Castelnuovo Berardenga in the vicinity of the Chianti Mountains. After 161 km and numerous tortuous movements, this river flows into the delta in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Fun fact: the Ombrone is, after the Arno, the second river in Tuscany.

16. Tagliamento

Length: 170 km
Regions crossed: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Veneto

The most important river in Friuli Venezia-Giulia is the Tagliamento. With its 170 km, it’s one of the few in Europe that maintains the morphology of intertwined canals. The flora and fauna of Tagliamento are rich in precious living species. Near this river, it’s not difficult to meet animals such as beech martens and kestrels.

15. Ofanto

Length: 170 km
Regions crossed: Campania, Basilicata, Puglia

If Puglia was identified by a river, it would certainly be Ofanto. Numerous cities of this region are bathed by this river, some of which are Melfi, San Ferdinando di Puglia, and Monteverde.

14. Secchia

Length: 172 km
Regions crossed: Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy

This northern Italian river plays a considerable role as a vital right tributary of Po. Secchia, with its 172 km, is the 14th longest river in the nation, but its importance is mostly in the production of electricity which is possible due to the various hydroelectric plants along its basin.

13. Brenta

Length: 174 km
Regions crossed: Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto

Brenta, a river originating in the province of Trento, between the lakes of Caldonazzo and Levico, is a fundamental stream that flows into the upper Adriatic. Its importance in history is because it’s considered one of the two rivers that gave rise to the Venice Lagoon.

12. Volturno

Lenght: 175 km
Regions crossed: Molise, Campania

Volturno is a river with a history. Present in many pages written by authors such as Claudiano, Stanzio, and Bartolomeo Fazio, who praised it for the speed of its waters, Volturno originates in Molise and is unanimously considered the best known and most important river in the South.

11. Sarca-Mincio

Length: 203 km
Regions crossed: Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Lombardia

This double river system, consisting of the Mincio and Sarca rivers, is the 11th longest river in Italy. The brilliance of the waters and the spectacular journey that extends for over 203 km, rank it among the other important Italian rivers.

10. Rhine

Length: 210 km
Regions crossed: Toscana, Emilia-Romagna

Our top 10 opens with the Rhine, the river with the second-most famous watercourse in Emilia-Romagna after Po.

9. Piave

Lenght: 220 km
Regions crossed: Veneto

Piave is one of the most popular Italian rivers partially because of the song Italians learn at school. The name of “Sacred river to the Fatherland” was attributed to it in the aftermath of the First World War, during which the river was a protagonist in a decisive moment. Its waters always flow within Veneto.

8. Arno

Length: 241 km
Regions crossed: Tuscany

In the 8th place, we find Arno, considered the most important river in Tuscany after the Tiber. The large number of bridges built to cross the different banks of Arno helps us understand its importance of this river for the country.

7. Ticino

Length: 248 km
Regions crossed: Piedmont, Lombardy

Ticino is not just an Italian river. It was born in Switzerland but becomes Italian and continues its journey in Italy until it becomes a tributary to Po. Its importance lies in its waters which, according to bacteriological studies, are the cleanest of all.

6. Tanaro

Length: 276 km
Regions crossed: Piedmont, Liguria

The second river in Piedmont is Tanaro. It’s the 6th longest river in Italy and certainly one of the most popular in the country. For its complex regime, it’s the subject of study by geologists who come from all over the world.

5. Oglio

Lenght: 280 km
Regions crossed: Lombardia

This fundamental river arises from the convergence of two different rivers: Frigidolfo and Narcanello. With its regular range, it’s an important tributary of Po. Its 280 km put it in 5th place in our ranking.

4. Adda

Length: 313 km
Regions crossed: Lombardy

A step below the podium is Adda, an important river in northern Italy. It originates in the Rhaetian Alps and continues its course, unstoppable, up to Po. Adda is actually the main tributary of Po when it comes to length.

3. Tiber

Length: 405 km
Regions crossed: Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio

When we mention the Tiber, we immediately think of Rome. And, it couldn’t be otherwise because it’s one of the symbols of the city. But probably not many know that this central Italian river is the third-longest in the country.

2. Adige

Length: 410 km
Regions crossed: Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto

This river is born almost on the border, precisely in the Alto Adige region. The waters of the Adriatic Sea know of Adige, and it could not be otherwise since this river ends its course precisely in these waters. The cycle path of the Adige valley runs along the banks of the river. It’s perfect for a nice bike ride.

1. Po

Length: 652 km
Regions crossed: Piedmont, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto

In the first position, we find the river Po. It’s the best-known Italian river as well as the longest of all. It crosses four regions and goes for 652 km, covering the entire Po Valley.