Campervanning in Italy: Your Ultimate Guide (Updated 2024)

Lured to Italy by the romantic visions of Tuscany, ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance architecture, and its famous fine arts, we set off on our campervanning adventure in Italy.

Of course, the promise of a slice (or ten) of authentic pizza, lashings of pasta carbonara, and several scoops of gelato weren’t on our minds at all!

Having explored Italy several times, first with young children and more recently just as a couple, we’ve experienced the diverse joys and challenges these journeys can bring.

Now, we’re gradually road-tripping around the world, learning a thing or two about the process of planning a great road trip.

Join us as we share these insights and the freedom that comes with exploring Italy at your own pace

Italy by Campervan Map

Plan your journey with our interactive map of Italy by campervan, designed to guide you through each step

How to Use This Campervanning in Italy Map

To use this map, expand it using the square symbol at the top right. The key is on the left. By clicking each location, you will find extra information. 

Each campervan overnight spot on the map has a web link to Camper Contact to see the facilities available, price, opening times, and useful user reviews on each campsite.

The campervan/motorhome overnight stops are marked with an orange circle with a motorhome icon, and the places we visited are marked with purple icons.

To save the map and use it in Google Maps:

1. Click the star on the top right in the key
2. Open Google Maps
3. Go to the menu on the right-hand side (three horizontal lines)
4. In the drop-down menu click Your Places
5. A menu will appear under the blue header section. Click Maps
6. Click on the saved Italy Road Trip map

Planning Your Italy Campervanning and Motorhome Road Trip

If you’re new to campervanning or motorhoming, explore our Motorhome Tips for Beginners and delve into Essential Campervan Accessories.

Italy offers countless places worth exploring on a road trip. However, you won’t be able to see everything unless you plan on touring Italy for years!

Where to Visit on Your Campervan Holiday in Italy

Our Italy itinerary serves as a guide to what you can experience during your campervan trip, helping you to plan your own adventure.

Feel free to skip some sights, explore different towns, or adjust the visiting order. The beauty of campervanning is the freedom it offers—our own trip was planned, but a spontaneous detour took us to Croatia!

After Rome, we journeyed to Ancona, catching a ferry to Croatia. After a few months, we detoured back to Venice following our Slovenia road trip. Finally, we returned to Italy, arriving in Bari from beautiful Greece to complete our southern Italy tour.

But planning your motorhome journey isn’t just about choosing your destinations; there are other important aspects to consider.

Ideas for Your Italy Motorhome and Camper Itinerary

We were in Italy for about a month, but if you are shorter on time, here are some ways to break a campervanning or motorhome itinerary that would fit into a shorter time.

These also give you an idea of the distances and driving times between these Italian cities and towns.

Northern Italy Campervanning Itinerary: Lake Maggiore to Rome

Embark on a scenic campervan journey through Northern Italy, starting from the tranquil Lake Maggiore, the charm of Portofino, and the stunning landscapes of Cinque Terre. If time allows, include Lake Como and Lake Garda.

Discover the historic cities of Lucca, Florence, and Certaldo before delving into Siena’s rich heritage. Explore the renowned wine town of Montalcino and the historic Orvieto before culminating your adventure in Rome.

• Total Distance: Approximately 900 km
• Average Driving Time: 13 hours
• Suggested Stops: 10

Southern Italy Campervanning Journey: Rome to Palermo

Continue your Italian adventure from Rome to the vibrant streets of Palermo in Sicily. Venture to the iconic Mt. Vesuvius, explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii and enjoy the coastal beauty of Positano and Sorrento.

Experience the unique cave dwellings of Matera and the charming trulli in Alberobello. Finish your journey by exploring the rich culture and history of Sicily with stops in Taormina, Isola Bella, Castelmola, Cavagrande, Modica, Enna, and Palermo.

• Total Distance: Approximately 1100 km
• Average Driving Time: 15 hours
• Suggested Overnight Stops: 8

Essential Preparations for Your Italy Campervanning Adventure

Before diving into all the beautiful places to explore Italy by motorhome, let’s outline some essential planning tips to ensure a smooth journey.

Best Times to Visit Italy in a Motorhome

• High Season (May to August): Travelling during these months means you’ll experience the best weather and vibrant local culture. However, expect large crowds in popular cities and tourist spots.
• Shoulder Season (April, September, October): These months offer the sweet spot for campervanning and motorhoming —less crowded than the high season, and you’ll still enjoy pleasant weather.

Choosing Your Motorhome Pickup Location

• Hiring Locally vs. Internationally: Weigh the benefits of renting a motorhome directly in Italy against picking it up from nearby countries, which might be cheaper. (For us, hiring our motorhome from Germany worked out cheaper.)
• Motorhome Republic Services: This platform helps you find the best motorhome rental deals based on your travel plans. Due to the recent demand, early booking is advised.

Booking Tips

Book Early: Essential tip given the surge in motorhome travel popularity. Early reservations ensure better rates and availability.

Travel and Medical Insurance

• Importance of Being Insured: Ensure you have organised your travel and medical insurance for peace of mind on the road.
• Recommended Providers: We have found that World Nomads insurance is the best for us. You can check them out here and get a quote.

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Where Can You Camp When Campervanning and Motorhoming in Italy?

We used the Camper Contact app (€4.99 a month or more for Pro+) when travelling through Italy to find our campervan overnight spots. They have over 5650 campervan parking and motorhome service areas listed.

Italy also has lots of ‘Area di Sosta’, which are dedicated motorhome parking areas. Some are free, while others charge a fee for a 24-hour stay. Most of them have facilities for emptying waste water, toilet cassettes, freshwater, and rubbish.

To help with your planning, we’ve included all of our overnight stops for our Italy Motorhome trip below, with each stop on our interactive map.

Can I Wild Camp in a Camper or Motorhome in Italy?

Wild camping is largely prohibited in Italy, particularly in environmentally protected areas like national parks and coastal regions.

Regional laws vary, and while it’s illegal in many places, some rural areas might allow it with prior permission from local authorities or landowners.

To ensure compliance and avoid hefty fines (€100 to €500), consider using designated camping sites that offer the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay.

Additionally, exploring agritourism farms could be a viable alternative, offering a unique experience close to nature while respecting local laws.

Campervan Rental in Italy

We recommend Motorhome Republic because they can search for the best deals from various pick-up points and countries.

When we used them, they were incredibly helpful, and we saved more money going directly to them rather than to individual rental companies.

⭐️ To find a great deal, we recommend requesting a quote from Motorhome Republic.

Places to Visit When Motorhoming and Campervanning in Italy

Our Italian motorhome adventure covers some of the country’s most incredible sights. Here’s our handpicked itinerary, perfect for fellow campervanners seeking an unforgettable journey.

First up on our list is the serene Lake Maggiore, a must-visit for its breathtaking views and tranquil surroundings.

1. Lake Maggiore

The first stop on our road trip in Italy was Lake Maggiore in Lombardy, one of the three main lakes in the Italian Lake District and the second largest after Lake Garda. Lake Como is the third main lake in the area.

I visited Lake Como and Garda many years ago and would definitely recommend a visit there if you have time on your motorhome trip in Italy. You can see on the Map that they fit nicely into an itinerary if you decide to go east towards Venice.

⭐️ There are several tours and day trips that operate from Lake Como, the closest to Lake Maggiore, such as a 👣 funicular, walk and boat ride or relax and 🛥 enjoy a private boat tour around the lake.

All of the lakes are beautiful, and there are many pretty towns along with stunning mountain scenery. Lake Como and Lake Guarda are very popular destinations, so be aware that if you are travelling in peak season, they will be busy.

🚐 Overnight Motorhome Stop: MACCAGNO

2. Venice

I doubt Venice needs much of an introduction, but do be mindful that it can be mayhem in summer.

Our Venice campsite was in the perfect location, quiet and away from the hustle and bustle on the opposite shoreline. But was still within easy access of a passenger ferry across to Venice.

While in Venice, we did something I regretted not doing on my previous visit ten years before. We took a ride on a gondola. On my previous visit, I had decided it was too expensive, but I had regretted that decision.

This time, I made sure it happened.

We budget carefully for our travels, but we have also learnt that if it is something we have always wanted to see or experience, it is often worth paying, to avoid regret later.

To be honest, though, the gondolier was a little grumpy, and the experience wasn’t as dreamy and romantic as I had envisioned. Maybe it was the lack of romantic background music or perhaps the distracting clamour of motorboats noisily chugging alongside!

Even though my fanciful romantic visions didn’t materialise, I’m glad I had the experience, but next time, I’ll book one of the tours below, which sound much more up my alley.

💝 If you’d like a romantic gondola ride, you can book a serenaded gondola ride | ⭐️ 5/5

Here’s what others had to say about these serenaded gondola rides:

“It was from a movie, I booked it with a serenade for my future wife and I alone and right there between the narrow canals and to the sound of the serenade I declared her marriage, … it was like a movie! People applauded from windows and bridges… ” — Traveller from Spain Nov 2022

“Our gondolier and the man who sang were both awesome! Highly recommended! — Janet, USA August 2022

“This was the pinnacle of our visit to Venice, the gondola and the maestro singer and guitar player were simply spectacular. This is a MUST during your trip to Venice” — Traveller from Mexico July 2022

—Read more reviews or check availability here

Overnight Motorhome Stop: AL BATEO CAMPSITE

3. Portofino

The San Rocco Parking overlooks the beautiful Liguria Coastline and the pretty port of Portofino is just around the corner. You can walk there along cobbled lanes and woodland.

The walk takes about two hours, and just near the end, you get a breathtaking view of Portofino Harbour.

In Portofino, we had our first sampling of Spaghetti Carbonara (a lovely treat as we normally buy our own food and cook in the motorhome). We also learnt that the restaurants in Italy charge a ‘pane e coperto‘  and a ‘Servizio‘ on top of your food bill.

The coperto is basically a cover charge per person for sitting at the restaurant and using the cutlery, and for the bread the waiter brings. It’s still payable even if you don’t want bread.

The service charge is also added on top of your food and coperto. For an interesting read on more dos and don’t when eating in Italy check out how not to get ripped off eating in Italy.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: SAN ROCCO CAMPERVAN PARKING

🇮🇹 Italy has hundreds of food workshops, cooking classes, farm tours, and the like. So whether you want to try your hand at making 🍝 pasta and tiramisu, or 🍕 pizza and gelato, you’ll find something to whet your appetite and up your culinary skills as you campervan in Italy.

4. Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a stunning coastal area in Italy, famed for its picturesque villages, rugged cliffs, and vibrant, multicoloured houses that cascade down to the Ligurian Sea.

Getting to Cinque Terre from La Spezia campsite was easy.

We caught the “S” bus to Stazione Centrale ( Central Train station), and there you can buy your ‘Cinque Terre’ card, which gives you multiple trips on the La Specia to Levanto train line. This means you can get the train to each of the five centuries-old towns in Cinque Terre.

There is also a coastal path between the towns, and depending on weather conditions and renovations at the time, you can walk between them. We used the train and walking to get between towns to enjoy the full experience.

You are able to walk the trails for free in the off-season, from 04th November to March 14. Otherwise, a fee will need to be paid. Find out more from the Cinque Terre website.

Just a heads up, the trails do cross some pretty steep terrain, so rest when you need to and make sure you have drinking water with you.

There are plenty of interesting and pretty sights along the way, and we managed to stop at most towns we came across for the obligatory gelato.

Below are the five towns of Cinque Terre that are connected by train or can be walked:

• Monterosso al Mare
• Vernazza
• Corniglia
• Manarola
• Riomaggiore

🤎 If you want to visit here easily, you can book a full-day tour to explore the Cinque Terre villages from Florence.

The towns were beautiful despite their commercialisation, which was to be expected given their popularity. Although it did detract a little from their charm, the stunning views on the walk between the towns easily offset this.

Locals advised us to avoid Cinque Terre on the weekend, which is an excellent tip for your Italy road trip. 

⛵️ Rather than walking around the towns, you may like to take a boat tour. We like this Cinque Terre Sailing Tour by Speedboat, which has awesome ratings and conveniently departs from La Spezia

Overnight Motorhome Stop: LA SPEZIA CAMPSITE

5. Lucca

Lucca is a beautiful walled city in Tuscany, best enjoyed by walking or cycling, taking advantage of the town’s wide footpaths. Since we had our own bikes, we chose to cycle the 4km perimeter along the 16th—and 17th-century ramparts.

If you don’t have your own, bikes are available for hire (see below for options).

This city is also known as the City of a Hundred Churches, the most famous of which is St. Martin Church (San Martino) in the old city centre. We visited several churches in Lucca and were amazed at the sheer elegance of the structures.

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Overnight Motorhome Stop: LUCCA PARKING

6. Florence

Florence was our favourite large city while campervanning in Italy. The ambience was upbeat, and the setting and beauty matched everything we had heard and seen of this renowned city.

That itself speaks volumes for Florence because in general, I am not a lover of cities.

Our first stop was the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore — a huge cathedral that dominates Florence with its enormous iconic red dome. Beside it is the Campanile Bell Tower, with a 444-step climb to the top.

Although you’re likely to be a little breathless, the views from the top are fabulous. 

Another famous Florence landmark that is not to be missed is the Ponte Vecchio medieval stone bridge. This now pedestrian-only bridge is lined with jewellers and goldsmiths, with butchers having been banned way back in 1565 A.D.

It is a very popular bridge, and when we visited, it was wall-to-wall with people bumping and pushing their way past us. Mind you, our arrival time in the middle of the day was likely the culprit here.

Whilst in Florence, why not wander the magnificent and lavish 111-acre Boboli Renaissance gardens? These symmetrically designed gardens date back to the 16th century, typify Italian landscape styling, and certainly warrant at least a few hours of your time.

We spent two days exploring Florence but could have easily spent more time there.

The Florence (Firenze) Campervan parking is only about 1km from the centre of Florence but is not within the ZTL Driving Zone. It’s, therefore, the perfect place to park and walk into Florence.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: FLORENCE AREE DI SOSTA

7. Certaldo

About 35km from Florence, this small, photogenic, traditional hilltop Tuscan town has gothic 14th-century arches marking its entrance. Actually, if you look around the town, you will see many interesting and different-styled arches.

At the end of the main street is an impressive Palazzo del Pretorio.

This palace is decorated with many terracotta and stone coats of arms representing the vicariate families that ruled until the late 18th century. You can see the building from the road.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: CERTALDO 

8. Siena

We’d heard that Siena was a spectacular medieval town so our expectations were high before we arrived.

However, even though Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage town, its main square, Piazza del Campo, failed to impress. Perhaps we didn’t see it in its best light, but it was full of tourists, and we found it drab and uninteresting.

In our opinion, there are plenty of far nicer hilltop Tuscan towns to visit. You may feel differently, though, as many tourists travel here and sing Siena’s praises.

The one thing that impressed us the most was Siena’s Cathedral and its façade, which was completed in 1380. 

🥂 TOUR: If you don’t want to stop off in Siena but still want to explore the gems of Tuscany- you might like the full-day tour from Florence, which takes you to Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa — with a Tuscan lunch served with local wines.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: SIENA AREA DI SOSTA

9. Montalcino

Continuing your Italy road trip, this drive to Montalcino takes you through gorgeous Tuscan scenery. The picturesque town of Montalcino is known for its Brunello di Montalcino wine.

Unfortunately, as with many of Italy’s pretty, well-known towns, it is quite touristic.

If you are a wine lover, though, there are plenty of wine cellars to sample local wines and a wander around the medieval, cobbled streets transport you back to medieval times. 

Top Montalcino Tour: Guided winery tour and Gourmet Testing |⭐️ 4.7/5 | ⏰ 2.5 hours

The views across the Val d’Orcia are magnificent, and you can certainly see why Montalcino and the surrounding area are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.  

Overnight Motorhome Stop: MONTALCINO CAMPER STOP

10. Orvieto

Orvieto is another hilltop town, this time in Umbria, with the iconic Cyprus trees dotted around the classic landscape.

There is a large car park at the foot of the hill in Orvieto, and access to the town is via an elevator that takes you up to the old town on the hilltop.

Certainly, the showpiece of Orvieto is its Orvieto Cathedral. This Gothic masterpiece took nearly 300 years to build and is truly a work of art.

👣 Book an Orvieto Private Walking Tour with a local | ⭐️ 4.8/5 | ⏰ 2 hours | Book Here

11. Rome

Rome is often on an Italian itinerary. If you are travelling there in a motorhome, we recommend avoiding driving into the city and finding a campsite on the outskirts.

We found a camper stop, Rome LGP campsite, only 5km from the centre of Rome, which was quiet and grassed.

Getting to Rome from the campsite was easy. You can take a tram (near to the campsite), to the train station and then take the metro to the Vatican or whichever stop you want to explore first.

We booked our entrance ticket to the Vatican online to save time queuing. As it was nearing the end of May, the tourist season was already well underway.

Once near the Vatican, we were stopped by several very persistent hawkers trying to get us to upgrade our tickets to a guided tour, which we didn’t want.

The experience of walking shoulder to shoulder through the museum with groups of guided tours wasn’t exactly pleasurable.

The experience, especially in the Sistine Chapel, wasn’t at all how we had envisaged our visit. Hundreds of visitors were packed into the chapel while loudspeakers blared out the rule that it was forbidden to take photos.

To be honest, it was a relief to leave and to catch a breath of fresh air as we headed to St. Peter’s Square. All the while hawkers pestered us and our romanticised image of Rome diminished with each step.

The Spanish Steps did little to save the day, but the Trevi Fountain did wow and amaze, allowing Rome to recoup a small sliver of its reputation in our eyes.

If you want to avoid the queues at the Colosseum, consider buying a skip-the-line ticket and guided tour of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.  

We suggest visiting this renowned city outside peak tourist season to fully enjoy all it has to offer because there are many beautiful reasons to visit Rome.

[It was at this point in our campervan Italy road trip that we left Italy and headed to Croatia and Bosnia – coming back to Italy to continue our Campervanning Italy trip in the winter in early January.] 

Overnight Motorhome Stop : ROME LGP CAMPSITE

12. Mount Vesuvius

Another place, often high on an itinerary wish list while on an Italy road trip, is Naples.  

We arrived in the city, full of excitement, with planned stops at Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii. Fire and brimstone lay ahead. Visiting the top of Mt Vesuvius at 1280m above the Bay of Naples had been on our bucket list for some time.

Even though the volcano last erupted in 1944, it is still considered an active volcano. If you visit in winter, factor in that it is likely to be very cold at that altitude — even if it is warm in the bay below.

We hadn’t considered that, and we were freezing up there.

We had envisaged lava spurts, bubbling mud and drifts of sulphurous fumes.

However, we soon saw that we had none of that. It was a dry, inactive crater and the closest thing to sulphurous fumes were the low clouds hovering in and out of the crater.

Nevertheless, it was still impressive, with a diameter of 700m and a depth of 200m.

Getting to Mount Vesuvius

We decided to take public transport to Mount Vesuvius as it isn’t too easy navigating the narrow windy road in an 8-metre motorhome.

We left the camper at  Estatico Campsite and walked 15 minutes to the Portici Bellavista train stop. There, we caught the Circumvesuviana train to Ercolano Scavi at a cost of €1.30 per person, one-way.

On arrival at Ercolano Scavi, look for the Travel kiosk to buy tickets for the bus and volcano entrance.

The bus trip from here took about 45 mins to arrive at Mount Vesuvius.

⭐️ If you want to make your trip even easier, arrange to be picked up and dropped off and enjoy this combined Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: ESTATICO CAMPSITE 

13. Pompeii

The next stop on this Italian road trip was Pompei. Driving south from Naples towards ancient Pompeii, we found a camper stop at Camping Spartacus. It was perfectly situated right opposite the ruins.

After locking up the campervan, we were at the ruin entrance within a few minutes, parting with a €13 entrance fee each.

We walked through Pompeii, having it more or less to ourselves, devoid of tourists as it was January. If you are interested in finding out more, you can book a two-hour small group tour with an archeologist.

In AD79, after the eruption of Mt Vesuvius, the town of Pompei was buried, and the remaining inhabitants perished under tonnes of ash and mud (4 to 6 metres deep).

Most of the town’s inhabitants (estimated at 18,000 people) had already fled at the first sign of eruption, leaving about 2000 people still in Pompeii when Mount Vesuvius blanketed it with ash.

The House of the Vettii in Pompeii, known for its first-century frescoes, has recently reopened after two decades of restoration work. Additionally, excavations in Pompeii’s Regio IX section in 2023 uncovered various artefacts, including jewellery, human remains, and a fresco depicting a still-life scene.

These recent finds and new direct train lines from Rome have helped Pompeii to become one of National Geographic’s top 30 exciting destinations recommendations in 2024.

 After walking around this ruined city, you are left with a real sense of what life must have been like in early Roman times. Ancient Pompeii ranks as one of the must-see places in Italy; visiting here is a remarkable and memorable experience.

⭐️ If you are looking for more things to do in and around Pompeii, such as a horse ride through the Mt. Vesuvius National Park vineyards, and a winery lunch, then check out the Pompeii tours and tickets on Viator.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: Pompeii > SPARTACUS CAMPING SITE

14. Positano

When we were in Positano, it was illegal to drive motorhomes on the Amalfi Coast until after 10 pm at night. The roads are just too narrow and winding. Therefore, only experienced licensed bus drivers are able to take this route.

Therefore, we left the campervan at Spartacus Camping in Pompei and took a train from Pompeii’s Savi-Villa dei Misteri station south to Sorrento’s Stazione Ferroviaria di Sorrento station (on the Circumvesuviana route) at a one-way cost per person of €2.40.

Once at Sorrento, at a kiosk outside the train station, we bought two all-day return Sorrento-Positano-Amalfi bus tickets at €8 per person.

The bus ride to Positano was nothing short of spectacular. Make sure you get the window seats closest to the coastline. The winding roads offered magnificent views of the coast.

The Amalfi Coast bus drivers are true professionals — shaving the stone walls at the turns with just centimetres to spare was no mean feat.

Although we could have bussed all the way to the town of Amalfi, we decided to break the journey at Positano and enjoy the town whilst the sun was out. The bus dropped us at a stop on the main road above the town, which was also the return pick-up point.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: Pompeii > SPARTACUS CAMPING SITE

15. Sorrento

You can continue on to Amalfi from Positano, but we returned to Sorrento. The return bus trip provided breathtaking views of the coastline from a different perspective, and again, it was just amazing.

Disembarking at Sorrento, we walked through to the ‘old town’ along the pedestrian-only access walkways. Just be aware that you do get to share these with the odd motorbike zipping alongside. Sorrento’s old town did have that ‘old town’ vibe to it, with an expected touch of Sorrento chic. 

Our wanderings took us past the Queens Chips Amsterdam, and with mouths watering, we parted with a handful of euros in exchange for chips and curry sauce. The perfect sustenance for a cold afternoon.

We also sampled some free Limoncello and Meloncello, both of which were tasty and packed a pretty punch.

As evening was fast approaching, we returned to the Stazione Ferroviaria di Sorrento train station and headed towards Pompeii.

Within the hour, we were back in the campervan, reliving the fantastic day spent along the picturesque Amalfi coast. 

It was also good to leave navigating the narrow winding streets to the experts and to have a break from driving the motorhome. We would highly recommend not driving a motorhome on this part of your Italy campervan road trip.

It’s much more relaxing to appreciate the views when you aren’t worried about heading off the side of a cliff. 

Overnight Motorhome Stop: Pompeii > SPARTACUS CAMPING SITE

16. Matera

Matera and its network of caves and Alberobello and its unique trulli were two of our favourite Italian towns we visited while motorhoming in Italy.

Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage site built on the side of the vast Matera Gravine. The old town is full of ancient Sassi (caves) built into the side of the vast Matera Gravine.

It is an incredibly interesting city and one that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: MATERA CAMPSITE

17. Alberobello

Alberobello, just an hour or so drive from Matera, is another town not to be missed on your Italy road trip.

If Matera leaves you with a sombre feel, then Alberobello will lift you with its enchanting and unique Alberobello Trulli.

These tiny dwellings, with their cone-shaped roofs, look like something straight out of a fairytale.

Overnight Motorhome Stop: ALBEROBELLO CAMPSITE

18 . Sicily

The final stop on our campervanning in Italy road trip was the island of Sicily, just off the ‘toe’ of Southern Italy. 

We were there for a week and visited a wide variety of places, with some perfect for hiking and others for soaking up the Sicilian atmosphere.

Driving to Italy in a Motorhome

If you are driving to Italy in a motorhome or campervan and arriving by road, then the main routes into Italy are:

Driving to Italy from France

• E80 along the Gulf of Genoa,
• Fréjus Tunnel (the E70) towards Turin,
• Mont-Blanc Tunnel between Chamonix and Courmayeur/Aosta Valley

Driving to Italy from Switzerland

• E27 via the Great St Bernard Tunnel
• E62 (Brin to Lake Maggiore),
• E35, via the San Gottardo Pass
• E43 towards Lugano

Driving to Italy from Austria

• E45 via the Brenner Pass
• E55 from Villach to Venice

Driving to Italy from Slovenia

• E751 towards Trieste

If you are arriving by car ferry, you may arrive at Ancona, Bari, Brindisi or Venice on the east coast of Italy or Genoa, Savona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Napoli, and Salerno on the North and Western coasts.

As mentioned, we began our motorhome trip in Germany – as that was the cheapest place for us to hire the motorhome – and drove into Italy from Switzerland via the E43 towards Lugano.

Driving Tips for Campervanning and Motorhoming in Italy

Here are some practical tips to help you navigate the roads of Italy safely and efficiently in your campervan or motorhome:

• Driving Side: In Italy, traffic moves on the right-hand side of the road.
• Seatbelt Usage: Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants in the vehicle.
• Essential Documents: Keep these documents readily available:
  • Driver’s licence (No international driver’s licence required for EU licence holders)
  • Vehicle insurance
  • Vehicle registration document
  • Passport
• Onboard Equipment: Ensure these items are in your vehicle:
  • Reflective Vest — Required when exiting the vehicle due to an accident or breakdown.
  • Warning Triangle — Used to alert oncoming traffic in the event of an emergency.
• Speed Limits: Follow these speed limits unless signposted otherwise:
• 130 km/h (80 mph) on motorways
• 110 km/h (68 mph) on major out-of-town roads
• 90 km/h (56 mph) on minor out-of-town roads
• 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas
• Reduced limits during adverse weather conditions
• For camper vans over 3.5 tonnes and under 12 tonnes:
  • 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas
  • 80 km/h (50 mph) on both minor and major out-of-town roads
  • 100 km/h (62 mph) on motorways
• Tolls: Most motorways (autostrada) are toll roads. Collect a ticket when entering and pay the toll when exiting, based on the distance traveled. Payment can be made by cash, credit card, or electronic tag.
• Limited Traffic Zones (ZTL): Be aware of ZTLs in cities like Rome and Florence, which restrict traffic to protect historical centres. Cameras monitor these zones, and violations result in fines. Note that all rented vehicles cannot enter the zones regardless of the timing shown on the signs.

• Dipped Headlights: Dipped headlights must be used on two-lane motorways.
• Use of Horn: When driving through towns and villages, the horn may be sounded only in the event of an emergency.
• Right of Way: Buses, trams, and trains have the right of way.
• Avoiding Tolls on Motorways: The main motorways have tolls. You can program your navigator to avoid tolls.
• Emergency Numbers: Keep these important numbers handy:
  • Police: 113
  • Fire Brigade: 115
  • Ambulance: 118
• Further Information: For more detailed information, check out Italy’s Highway Code.

Campervanning in Italy… That’s a Wrap

Your campervanning in Italy road trip will take you through stunning scenery and tantalising hilltop towns. It will offer plenty of opportunities for delving deep into Italy’s historical past and admiring the famed artistic work of its artisans.

This is also a useful guide to help you plan your motorhome road trip to Italy. Please contact us or if you have any questions or any further suggestions on taking a campervan trip in this diverse and beautiful country.

Do you have a favourite destination in Italy?  We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences — drop a comment below.

READ MORE: For road trip inspiration and for a fun read, take a look at our post on Road Trip Quotes.

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