Camping in Italy

Italy is one of Europe's favourite destinations for campers and is a country that really has something for everyone. Those who simply want to relax by the sea will find some of the most beautiful beaches in southern Europe on the Italian Adriatic coast. Active holidaymakers can explore the fantastic mountains of Trentino or the Dolomites. Connoisseurs can spend relaxing days in the romantic landscapes of Tuscany or camping on the large lakes such as Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. But there is one thing you can rely on everywhere in Bella Italia: Friendly people, good weather and, of course, the world-famous cuisine.

Special features of camping in Italy

Italy is so diverse that it is impossible to explore the entire spectrum of this fantastic holiday destination in a single camping holiday. The country offers almost everything in abundance: great beaches, lakes, mountains, unique landscapes and probably the greatest wealth of cultural treasures in the whole of Europe. Our tip: It's better to concentrate on one or a few regions and come here several times. The range of campsites and pitches is excellent throughout the country.

The numerous campsites by the sea, for example on the Adriatic, the Tyrrhenian Sea and on the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Elba and Ischia, are particularly popular with families. Most campsites offer a wide range of leisure activities, including children's entertainment. There are often huge water parks directly on the site. A great alternative is the so-called "agriturismo" - lovingly furnished country estates or small farms, which are particularly common in the south of Italy.

Many campsites in Italy allow dogs. Dogs are only allowed on public beaches if this is expressly authorised. However, there are special dog beaches in many towns and villages. Wild camping and free standing is strictly forbidden in Italy and is also controlled - especially on the coast. Anyone travelling to Italy in the high season, i.e. in the summer months, should definitely book early. Especially in popular regions such as Tuscany, the Riviera or the northern Italian lakes, campsites are quickly fully booked.

Popular campsites in Italy

The facilities at Italian campsites are excellent, especially in regions that are popular with tourists. In addition to pitches, mobile homes and other rental accommodation such as bungalows or holiday flats are often available. Restaurants, swimming pools and a wide range of entertainment are standard in many places in Italy.

Union Lido Vacanze

One of the best campsites on the Adriatic coast is Union Lido Vacanze on the Cavallino-Treporti peninsula near Venice. The huge holiday complex is located directly on a beautiful beach and has a fantastic aqua park with several swimming pools. There are also several highly recommended restaurants, modern sanitary facilities and a wide range of leisure activities. There is a separate part of the campsite for guests with dogs.

La Rocca Camp

One of the most beautiful and popular campsites on Lake Garda is La Rocca Camp between Bardolino and Garda. The exceptionally beautifully situated, slightly sloping meadow area offers wonderful views of the lake, and the private beach is just a stone's throw away. Despite its size, the site is quite quiet. Due to its proximity to "Gardaland", the largest amusement park in Italy, the campsite is particularly popular with families. Booking in advance is therefore essential.

Camping Boschetto di Piemma

In the centre of Tuscany near Siena and very close to the famous medieval town of San Gimignano is the beautiful Boschetto di Piemma campsite. The picturesque site is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and offers great views of San Gimignano from the pitches. It is only a 30-minute walk to the centre of the town.

Sesto Caravan Park

In the heart of the Sesto Dolomites in South Tyrol, the Sesto Caravan Park is the perfect campsite for active holidaymakers and one of the most beautiful campsites in Europe. Visitors can set off on hikes into the fantastic mountain world directly from the site, but the panoramic view of the Dolomites from the pitch alone is priceless. The stay is sweetened by several top restaurants, an extensive wellness programme and a fantastic swimming pool.

Favourite places in the region

Every region in Italy has its own special charm. For beach holidaymakers, the Italian Adriatic is certainly one of the highlights. The coast stretches from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region some 800 kilometres to Apulia on the heel of the boot-shaped peninsula and combines great beaches with famous seaside resorts and a fascinating hinterland. Tuscany is one of the most famous regions in Italy. The picturesque landscape between vineyards, olive trees and avenues of cypresses is home to some of the country's most magnificent towns. If you would like to spend a relaxing camping holiday by the lake, you should pay a visit to Lake Garda or Lake Maggiore.

Italian Adriatic

The Adriatic coast is the most popular region in Italy for a classic beach holiday with the whole family. It ranges from the golden, child-friendly beaches of Veneto and well-known holiday resorts such as Bibione, Caorle and Lido di Jesolo to famous seaside resorts such as Rimini in Emilia-Romagna. Further south, Italy's greenest region, Abruzzo, offers some of the country's most beautiful natural landscapes and national parks. This is followed by Puglia - a real insider tip with dreamy harbour towns, endless sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.

Tuscany

The rolling hills of Chianti, picturesque avenues of cypress trees and magnificent Renaissance towns: Tuscany is the perfect example of the classic Italian picture-book landscape and is one of the most visited regions in the country for good reason. Culture lovers in particular will enjoy the historic cities: Florence, with its Uffizi Gallery, Renaissance palaces and museums, is considered the art capital of the world. Siena, with its semi-circular Piazza del Campo lined with palaces, is perhaps the most beautiful city in Tuscany. And Pisa impresses with more than just its famous Leaning Tower. Lovers of wild nature and secluded beaches will get their money's worth on the Etruscan Riviera and the "Parco Naturale della Maremma".

Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore

Lake Garda in South Tyrol combines the Mediterranean lifestyle with the breathtaking mountains of the Southern Alps in the most beautiful way. After exciting hiking and climbing tours in the Dolomites, you can relax on the beach under palm trees and enjoy the sun while an impressive mountain panorama rises up in the background. Italy's second largest lake, Lake Maggiore, is particularly popular with water sports enthusiasts and active holidaymakers. However, there are also a number of beautiful holiday resorts on the shores of the "long lake", such as the sophisticated Stresa, which exudes the slightly yellowed charm of the turn of the century with its luxurious hotel complexes.

Sights and excursion tips

• Rome: St Peter's Basilica, Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum: the Eternal City has so many sights to offer that you could easily spend an entire holiday there. But Rome is also one of the most beautiful destinations in Italy for shorter excursions.
• Cinque Terre: The famous 5 villages on the cliffs of Liguria are among the most photographed motifs in the world. In real life, however, the colourful houses surrounded by vineyards and olive trees look even more beautiful.
• Pompeii: The well-preserved ruined city at the foot of Mount Vesuvius in the Gulf of Naples is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Some of the houses still have wall paintings from ancient times.
• Three Peaks: With its striking three peaks, the mountain range in the Sesto Dolomites is one of the most famous landscapes in the Alps and is considered the symbol of the Dolomites. The tour around the Three Peaks is one of the most popular hiking routes in Italy.
• Venice: The famous lagoon city is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a paradise for culture lovers. The Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica and Rialto Bridge are just some of the highlights, along with the numerous magnificent churches.

Tour tip

If you have several weeks to spare and don't want to limit yourself to just one region, you can also explore Italy by motorhome. A great route for an extended road trip leads from the capital Rome along the coast to the beautiful Amalfi Coast on the Sorrento Peninsula opposite the Gulf of Naples. The programme includes charming little villages, miles of sandy beaches, visits to the volcano Vesuvius and Pompeii and, to top it all off, the stunningly beautiful Amalfi Coast, along which one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world runs, the famous SS163 Amalfitana.

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