Camping in Tuscany

One of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Italy awaits you when camping in Tuscany. The gently rolling hills, picturesque olive groves and towns steeped in history will enchant you. At PiNCAMP you will find the most beautiful campsites in Tuscany.

Camping in Tuscany: more than just the sea

Scenic attractions, towns steeped in history, rich artistic treasures, beautiful gardens and special culinary specialities are just some of the reasons why Tuscany has always been an attractive destination. With hills, cypress avenues and olive groves, it is considered the epitome of Italian countryside and offers an extraordinary variety of "postcard motifs". Holidaymakers are usually drawn to the campsites right by the sea, but it is also worth taking a look at what is on offer in the hinterland. After all, two thirds of all campsites are not located by the sea, but in close proximity to cultural sites or in the typical and beautiful hilly countryside. There, camping guests can drive to several places and sites with their holiday home on wheels to savour the diversity of Tuscany on a round trip.

Ideal for camping: the coast of Tuscany

From Marina di Carrara, the seaside resort with wide sandy beaches that belongs to the marble town of Carrara in the north of Tuscany, to the south of the Monte Argentario peninsula, a varied coastline stretches for over 300 kilometres, along which camping directly by the sea is possible in many places. Wide, gently sloping sandy beaches with typical Italian lidos alternate with narrow bays where a short walk is required before you can enjoy a swim. In nature parks such as the Parco Naturale della Maremma or the Parco Costiero di Rimigliano on the Etruscan Coast, holidaymakers can expect to find plenty of unspoilt nature.

Favourite destinations and sights

Florence is one of the most sought-after destinations for travellers from all over the world. The city of art and science was Europe's financial and commercial metropolis in the late Middle Ages. Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and Michelangelo are just three of the famous Florentines whose footsteps art lovers follow. Hardly any other place offers so many museums, monuments and palaces in such a small space. The Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti and the Accademia di Belle Arte are just three of the special sights. On the Ponte Vecchio with its arcaded shops, visitors stroll across the oldest segmental arch bridge in the world.

Siena , built on three hills, whose sloping Piazza del Campo is the venue for a race for unsaddled horses twice a year, is one of the most beautiful and interesting towns in Tuscany. San Gimignano, the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages", which impresses with its 15 surviving noble towers that rose into the Tuscan sky as a sign of feudal power in the 12th and 13th centuries, or Pisa , famous for its leaning tower . Lucca with its tree-covered tower at Palazzo Guinigi or the Etruscan town of Pitigliano, which sits imposingly on a rock hollowed out by wine cellars. Lucca, with its tree-covered tower at Palazzo Guinigi, and the Etruscan town of Pitigliano, perched imposingly on a rock hollowed out by wine cellars, are other fascinating places to visit.

Tuscany full of flavours: more than just wine

Chianti is the first wine that comes to mind for wine drinkers. Tuscany's oldest and most famous red wine grows mainly in the provinces of Florence and Siena and is ennobled with the "Gallo Nero" seal of approval. However, the full-bodied Brunello di Montalcino, the light Vino Nobile de Montepulciano or the golden yellow Vernacchia di San Gimignano are also worth tasting locally. There are also many dishes in which the local olive oil plays a role. The most famous meat dish is the Bistecca Fiorentina, a speciality grilled over wood embers, for which you should bring plenty of appetite or a few fellow diners. Unsalted country bread, fresh fish and the oval Marzolino sheep's cheese are just some of the specialities of Tuscan cuisine.

How to get to Tuscany

Travelling to Tuscany from Germany by campervan is straightforward - but you should allow a little time. The distance from Munich to Florence is around 650 km and the journey takes around 6 hours. The route leads through Austria on the Brenner Pass over the Alps. The Brenner motorway is one of the busiest routes in the Alps and leads from Innsbruck to Modena in Italy. The route then continues via Bolzano and Verona until it finally reaches Bologna. From there, the A1 motorway leads to Florence. Good to know: In Austria and Italy, tolls are compulsory on the motorways and some Alpine passes. You can get toll stickers at petrol stations near the border or directly from the ADAC. In Italy, you pay at toll stations: In the white lane you can pay in cash, by debit or credit card, in the blue lane only by card. Yellow lanes are for drivers with a "Telepass": the toll charges are debited electronically.

Gastronomic highlights in Tuscany

When wine drinkers think of Tuscany, Chianti naturally comes to mind first. Tuscany's oldest and most famous red wine grows mainly in the provinces of Florence and Siena and is ennobled with the "Gallo Nero" seal. However, it is also worth tasting the strong, full-bodied Brunello di Montalcino, the light Vino Nobile de Montepulciano or the golden yellow Vernacchia di San Gimignano directly on site. There are also many dishes in which the local olive oil plays a role. The most famous meat dish is the bistecca fiorentina, a delicacy grilled over wood embers, for which you should bring plenty of appetite or a few fellow diners. Unsalted country bread, fresh fish or the oval sheep's milk cheese Marzolino are other specialities of Tuscan cuisine.

The most beautiful destinations in Tuscany

Impressive natural landscapes, magnificent cities, rich cultural treasures, beautiful gardens and a variety of culinary specialities are just some of the reasons why Tuscany is so popular. With its hills, cypress avenues and olive groves, it is considered the epitome of Italian countryside and offers an extraordinary variety of destinations.

Florence

Florence is a destination of longing for holidaymakers from all over the world and one of the most famous cities in Tuscany. The city of art and science was Europe's financial and commercial centre in the late Middle Ages. Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and Michelangelo are just three of the famous Florentines whose footsteps art lovers can follow. Hardly any other city offers so many museums, monuments and palaces in such a small space as Florence. The famous Uffizi Gallery, the magnificent Palazzo Pitti and the historic Accademia di Belle Arte are just three of the special sights. On the romantic Ponte Vecchio with its arcaded shops, visitors stroll across the oldest segmental arch bridge in the world.

Siena

Siena, built on three hills, is also worth a visit and is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Tuscany. The best way to start your excursion is with a stroll through the vibrant historic centre and then take a look at the famous Siena Cathedral and the Palazzo Pubblico. The sloping Piazza del Campo is the venue for a race for unsaddled horses twice a year.

San Gimignano, Pisa and Lucca

San Gimignano is also known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages". The town impresses with its 15 preserved noble towers, which rose into the Tuscan sky in the 12th and 13th centuries as a sign of feudal power. Another well-known must-see destination is Pisa, famous for its leaning tower. Anyone travelling to Tuscany should also definitely visit Lucca with its tree-covered tower at Palazzo Guinigi and plan a trip to the Etruscan town of Pitigliano, which sits imposingly on a rock hollowed out by wine cellars.

Grosseto

Grosseto is another worthwhile destination. As the centre of the Maremma region, visitors to the city can admire the historic city centre, which was decisively shaped by the Medici Grand Dukes. The Museo Archeologico e d'Arte della Maremma with its Etruscan artefacts provides an insight into an era that was of decisive importance for Tuscany and its development.

Weather and best time to travel for a camping holiday in Tuscany

The most popular season for a camping holiday in Tuscany is summer. If you want to enjoy the beach life, the best time to go is between June and September. This is the peak season, so this is when the campsites are busiest. The hottest months are July and August with temperatures of over 30 degrees, although the constant sea breeze on the coast helps to cool you down.

Spring and autumn are best for an active holiday or sightseeing tours to the cultural treasures of Tuscany. In the low season, it is not quite as hot and there are not so many other tourists in the area. It gets noticeably cooler from November onwards, but Tuscany is also suitable for winter sports activities. The best months for this are December and January.

Top 5 sights in Tuscany

• Florence: The capital of Tuscany is actually worth a trip on its own and offers so many highlights with its countless palazzi, churches and museums that you will never cease to be amazed.
• Arezzo: An insider tip for culture lovers is the romantic little town of Arezzo, which has so far been spared the crowds of tourists. Thanks to a long tradition of arts and crafts, you can buy particularly good antiques here.
• Elba Island: Beautiful beaches, crystal-clear water and great nature await you on the island of Elba in the Tuscan archipelago. The island was once Napoleon's place of exile and is now one of the most popular holiday destinations in Italy.
• Pitigliano: The small municipality of Pitigliano is one of the most beautiful municipalities in Italy and is dramatically situated on a tufa rock that rises imposingly from the landscape. The ancient tombs of the Etruscans are particularly worth seeing here.
• San Gimignano: Because of its many old towers, San Gimignano is also known as the "Medieval Manhattan". However, the town is not only a popular excursion destination because of its fantastic skyline - the well-preserved town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and exudes a very special historical flair.

Top 2 insider tips

• Chianti: In Chianti, you get exactly the picture-book Tuscany that you might recognise from the travel guide: Picturesque landscapes, ancient castles and numerous wineries. The "Strada dei Castelli", which connects a number of castles and fortresses in the region, is particularly suitable for a road trip with a campervan.
• Orcia Valley: Gently overgrown, golden hills and dreamy avenues lined with cypress trees: The romantic Orcia Valley in the province of Siena offers just such views. The landscape is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a truly unique area where nature and culture complement each other perfectly.

Activities and excursions

There is also plenty to do in Tuscany outside the campsite. Here are some tips for your leisure activities.

Amusement parks

Perfect for families with children: The leisure and amusement parks in Tuscany offer pure action. One of the best-known parks is Cavallino Matto. Roller coasters, shows and numerous rides await you here. The Parco Avventura il Gigante is also very popular. In the climbing forest south of Florence, children from the age of three can climb on 16 different routes and ride a zip wire.

Wine tasting

A camping holiday in Tuscany without wine tasting? Unimaginable - after all, some of the best red wines in the world are produced in the region. The Chianti region in the heart of Tuscany is best suited for this. In the hilly picture-book landscape, you will find vineyards and vineyards as far as the eye can see. Perfect for a road trip: the famous "Via Chiantigiana" wine route through the Chianti Classico. Here you will get to know some of the most famous wineries in Tuscany.

Beach holiday

The flat coast of the Maremma and the Etruscan Riviera are best suited for a beach holiday in Tuscany. The numerous beaches and lidos offer parasols, sunbeds and sanitary facilities. There is usually also a small restaurant or kiosk. The beach of La Rochette opposite the island of Elba and the Lido di Camaiore north-west of Lucca are particularly popular.