Italy Campervan Road Trip Planner

Where can I camp in Italy?

Camping in Italy for Campervans and Motorhomes – There are about 1870 camping rest stops and parking grounds for campervans and motorhomes. They are referred to as:

• “equipped”
• “camper services”
• “parking lots (not equipped)”
• integrated areas

Free Areas to camp in Italy: The right protocol:

Italians call campground either Campeggi or campings

Campervans and motorhomes can camp overnight in Italy at the rest stops on the Autostrada or other roads but are not allowed to leave any waste water or rubbish.

You are not allowed to put up a tent or use any other space other than the space the motorhome uses.

Stepping-stools, awnings, tables or chairs are not permitted. As long as these rules are followed you can stay here for free for one night.

The Autostrada: In service areas and parking lots on the Autostrada, you can stay for one night only or for 24 hours.

Discharge of Water Waste: You must dispose of waste water and any other rubbish responsibly and use specified dump stations for emptying the wc cartridge.

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Categories of Camper Zones in Italy

• Pit-Stops: in these zones only brief stops or stops overnight are allowed. No services.
• Camper Services: this is just a service area and is not equipped for any other kind of stop. There is drinking water, drainage facilities, water nozzles and electrical outlets.
• Equipped Zones: this type of area is for longer stays and offers fresh water, drainage, picnic areas, showers, toilets, electrical outlets, tourist information.
• Integrated Zones: These can be in hotel carparks, campsites, farms (agritourism) and even shopping centres.

Useful Links for camping in Italy:

• National and Regional Parks – Federparchi
• Campsites at Agritourisms
• Camping in Italy advice from Camperstop

Top National Parks in Italy:

Some of the following National Parks in Italy have campsites. Check out their websites below for more information. Parking regulations and facilities for campervans in National and Regional Parks can vary depending on the specific park and its rules.

Please note that camping regulations and parking facilities can vary from park to park. Before planning your trip and parking your campervan in any National or Regional Park, make sure to visit the official websites for the most current and specific information regarding camping, parking, permits, and any other relevant guidelines. It's important to respect the rules and preserve the natural beauty of these protected areas.

• Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise (Abruzzo, Lazio, and Molise National Park)
• Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre (Cinque Terre National Park)
• Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Gran Paradiso National Park
• Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio (Vesuvius National Park)
• Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio (Stelvio National Park)
• Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini (Sibillini Mountains National Park)
• Parco Nazionale del Gargano (Gargano National Park)
• Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni (Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Alburni National Park)
• Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago Toscano (Tuscan Archipelago National Park)

Documents required to drive in Italy

Driving licences issued by any of the EU member states are valid throughout the European Union, including Italy.

Drivers in possession of a licence issued by any EU country do not require an international driving permit or a sworn translation of their own licence.

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General rules for driving

Driving licences issued by any of the EU Member States are valid throughout the European Union, including Italy.

Drivers with a licence issued by any EU country do not require an international driving permit or a legal translation of their own licence.

To drive in Italy, you must be over 18. Keep right and overtake on the left. Dipped headlights must be used on two-lane motorways. When driving through towns and villages, the horn may be sounded only in the event of an emergency. Trams and trains have right of way.

The use of seatbelts in both the front and rear seats is compulsory, and failure to keep them fastened may result in fines for both drivers and passengers. On three-lane motorways, the lane on the right is reserved for slow vehicles and vehicles that are not overtaking. At crossings, vehicles approaching from the right always have right of way. Seatbelts must be fastened both in the front and the rear (provided the vehicle is fitted with them). Fines may be issued on-the-spot to drivers and passengers stopped by the police and found travelling without their seatbelt fastened.

Mopeds below 150cc may not be driven on motorways under any circumstances. Helmets are compulsory to drive all motorcycles and mopeds, whatever the engine size.

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What are the speed limits in Italy?

• Cars and motorbikes (vehicles with engine size over 150 cc):
• urban areas 50 km/h (31 mph);
• minor out-of-town roads 90 km/h (56 mph);
• major out-of-town roads 110 km/h (68 mph);
• motorways 130 km/h (81 mph).
• In the event of rain on snow, the limit is lowered to 110 k/h on motorways and 90 k/h on trunk roads.

In order to ensure that these limits are complied with, numerous speed cameras have been installed throughout the road and motorway network to keep electronic checks on speed.

Cars with trailers or caravans: in urban areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph); on minor out-of-town roads 70 km/h (44 mph); on major out-of-town roads 70 km/h (44 mph); on motorways 80 km/h (50 mph).

Camper vans weighing over 3.5 tonnes and under 12 tonnes: in urban areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph); on minor out-of-town roads 80 km/h (50 mph); on major out-of-town roads 80 km/h (50 mph); on motorways 100 km/h (62 mph).

Compulsory equipment on board : triangle; spare tyre; extinguisher (recommended) and reflective safety jacket, which must be used outside towns and villages in the event of a stop during the night or in poor visibility conditions, or when stopping on emergency lanes or lay-bys.

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Insurance : Civil Liability insurance is compulsory. For visitors arriving from abroad, the best option is the Green Card, an insurance policy that can even be taken out at the border and is valid for 15, 30 or 45 days.

Drinking and driving : in Italy, driving is not permitted with a blood alcohol content superior to 0.5 grammes per litre, in line with the European average.

Useful numbers and emergency numbers :

• Police 113
• Fire Brigade 115
• Ambulance 118.

Italian words for fuel:

• Translate Petrol into Italian: Benzina
• Translate Diesel into Italian: Diesel

• Eurocampings in Italy
• Camping.it
• Italian tourist board
• Italy Driving Route Suggestions
• Know before you go to Italy. British Foreign Office up to date advice about Italy.

We have chosen these websites for you to use to help plan your Italian road trip:

• Wiki-Travel Italy highlights
• Italy's Tourist Info
• Italy Driving Itineraries
• Italy World Heritage Sites

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Italy's Top Destinations to add to your road trip

• Rome Guide for Visitors
• The Amalfi Coast
• Venice, Italy guide
• Lake Como Tourist Information
• Lake Maggiore Tourist Information
• Siena Tourist Information
• Pompei Tourist Information
• Toll Roads in Italy
• Campervans.tv Italy road trip ideas
• Campsites in Italy
• More Campsites in Italy
• Stopping Sites in Italy for one-night stop-overs

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When is the best time to visit Italy?

Best time to visit Italy: Italy is a perfect destination all year around. It is very hot in the summer and quite busy during the school holidays in July and August. Here is a link to Italy weather forecasts:

• Italy Weather Forecasts
• Traffic News in Italy
• Know Before You Go: Italy

Stay safe – emergency phone numbers in Italy:

For emergencies, call:

• 113 (Polizia di Stato – State Police)
• 112 (Carabinieri – Gendarmerie)
• 117 (Guardia di Finanza – Financial police force)
• 115 (Pompieri – Fire Department)
• 118 (Medical Rescue)
• 1515 (State Forestry Department)
• 1530 (Coast Guard),
• 1528 (Traffic reports)