Camper Van & RV Rental in Italy

Immerse yourself in the rich history, culture, art, and delicious food of Italy all from the comfort of your camper van or Class B RV rental. If you haven’t already seen them and have time for a longer road trip in Italy, take on the big three and visit Rome’s ancient ruins, Florence’s Renaissance art, and Venice’s iconic canals. Adventure in the Italian Alps and the lake country in Lombardy, soak up the sun on the Riviera or the Amalfi Coast, and go truffle hunting in Umbria. Every region has its own unique cuisine, so don’t forget to search out the hidden gems of local dining wherever you go. Wake up to a strong Italian coffee, and watch the sun go down with a bottle of wine from a nearby vineyard, when you rent a camper van in Italy you can’t help but live la dolce vita!

Italy is a dream destination to explore with a camper van, filled with beautiful scenery, historic landmarks, ancient ruins, and delicious cuisine. Explore the towns that cling to cliffs and hillsides, turquoise seas whispering across pebbled coves in the south, and snow-capped mountains in the north. There’s something for every interest and every season whether you’re hiking in the spring, sunbathing in the summer, museum hopping in the fall, or skiing in the winter. What better way to experience la dolce vita than in your camper van or Class B RV rental where the outdoors is your living room? We’ve compiled some tips to make your camping vacation in Italy the best yet!

To ensure you enjoy your camper van road trip in Italy as much as possible, we’ve compiled a list of some rules of the road in Italy.

• As with the rest of mainland Europe, drive on the right-hand side of the road.
  Drivers turning right have priority.
• On the highway, drive in the right-hand lane, the other lanes are only for passing.
• The speed limit in Italy is shown in km/h. In built-up areas the speed limit is generally 50 km/h (31 mph), on main roads it’s 90-110 km/h (55-68 mph), and on highways it’s 130 km/h (80 mph).
• Red lights at a traffic light mean stop. There is no exception, you may not turn on a red light.
• Many cities have ZTL zones where traffic may only enter with a permit at certain times of the day. Look out for white signs saying “zona traffic limitato” above a red circle, with the hours that the ZTL is enforced stated below.
• Many highways in Italy are toll roads, where you must get a ticket when you enter the highway and then pay for your journey when you exit. Follow white signs marked ‘Alt Stazione”, unless you’re planning to use an app, in which case you can follow the yellow “Telepass” signs.

There are plenty of campground options throughout Italy, with many of them selling their own produce or hosting activities during the day. Camp on eco-farms in the countryside, sleep right by the beach on the coast, or park up for the night at a convenient campground right on the edge of a city before a sunrise exploration.

• Beach Campgrounds – Often have deck chairs and umbrellas available for your use. Some have private access to the whole beach, and others have fresh fish markets each day.
• Nature Camping – That’s the best way to sum up many of Italy’s small and independent campsites. Often family-run, they make the most of the farms, forests, or hills where they’re situated, meaning you’ll be parked up with amazing views, surrounded by meadows, or snuggled into a nook in the forest. Camp on a BIO farm and you’ll often be able to purchase produce grown right there, or stay a night at a vineyard campsite and sample their wines. Plan your overnight stays and book privately owned campsites with the roadsurfer spots app, or spontaneously on the go!
• Vacation Parks or Villages – The complete opposite of calm and peaceful farm campsites, but these serve a purpose. Many of them come with extensive swimming pools, waterparks, activities, restaurants, and even wellness centers, so they’re great for families on a camping trip who just want a bit of fun and luxury for a few ways (or a whole week, why not?!). The kids will love the wide range of things to do, parents can relax knowing they don’t have to be the sole source of entertainment, and you can get a family meal without the immediate clean up that’s necessary in a camper van.
• City Campgrounds – These aren’t the idyllic pasture land that you might be envisioning when you think of camping in Italy, but there’s no denying that they’re extremely convenient when you want to make the most of your time. They can be found both on the outskirts of cities and closer to the center, and allow you to leave your camper van while you use public transit to get around for the day.

There are a wide variety of interesting activities happening year-round in Italy, but here’s some just to share a few for your road trip in Italy:

• Fair of Sant’Orso (January, Aosta Valley) – If you’re looking for somewhere to find traditional Italian craftsmanship, this is it. The Sant’Orso fair showcases everything from wood sculpting to leather working, and weaving from lace to wicker.
• Battle of the Oranges (February, Ivrea) – To commemorate a 12th-century battle, participants in the Battle of the Oranges divide into nine teams and spend three days throwing oranges at each other.
• Carnevale (February, Venice) – Although Carnevale is celebrated all over Italy, the city that people flock to is Venice, for its sumptuous costumes and celebrations. Carnevale marks the beginning of Lent and is celebrated throughout the country with parades, balls, street performances, concerts, and boat processions.
• Infiorate di Spello (June, Spello) – In this small Umbrian town, intricate patterns of flowers are arranged throughout the streets in a carpet covering around one mile. The patterns are spectacularly detailed, and are created to celebrate the religious festival of Corpus Domini.
• Feast of Saint Rosalina (July, Palermo) – See dancing, theater, and celebrations of both folklore and religion, with a procession that thousands travel to witness. Feast on traditional Sicilian delicacies heavy with fresh seafood, and stay for the fireworks that mark the end of the celebration.
• Umbria Jazz Festival (July, Perugia) – Ten days of Italian and international music, most of it free, in a beautiful Italian town. Need we say more?
• Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba (October, Alba) – For those of you with less-than-perfect Italian, this is a white truffle fair and an absolute highlight for foodies. The fair and accompanying market can be found in Alba on weekends in October and November, and includes a white truffle walk.

It can be a little overwhelming choosing where to go in Italy with your camper van or Class B RV rental. There’s not one region in the whole country that doesn’t have something special to offer! Read on for a breakdown of what you can find in some of the best spots for your road trip.

Tuscany – Soak up the art and architecture of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to the majestic Duomo, before heading to Pisa to see the famous leaning tower. Don’t miss the stripped cathedral in Sienna! Tuscany has incredible countryside, making it the perfect place for hiking as well as finding fresh and seasonal produce or wine.

Lombardy – Situated in the north of Italy, Lombardy is home to many of Italy’s lakes including Como, Garda, and Maggiore. Head here to explore the quiet lakeside towns and relax in nature. You’ll also find the Italian Alps for outdoor adventures whatever the season, as well as buzzing cities like Milan, Italy’s wealthiest city and home to Milan Fashion Week, da Vinci’s Last Supper, and an incredible food scene.
Lazio – Home to Italy’s capital, many people head to Lazio to explore Rome’s ancient ruins. Must-sees also include Tivoli, dating back to 1215 BC, and where you’ll find the nature park of Villa Gregoriana, hiking in Monte Catillo, and stunning historic villas, as well as the ancient city of Viterbo. To escape to nature, head to the Apennine Mountains.

Campania – This region in the southwest of Italy is famous for its dramatic and colorful Amalfi Coast, traditional Neapolitan pizza in Naples, and ancient Pompeii with towering Mount Vesuvius in the background.

Umbria – One of the best activities in Umbria is truffle hunting, which can be done all over the region. Once you’ve gorged on truffle-covered food, visit the Marmore Waterfalls (the tallest man-made waterfalls in the world!) and go white-water rafting on the nearby Nera River. Visit Arezzo and Medieval Orvieto, and check out quaint towns and villages like Spello, Todi, and Citerna.

Liguria – The Italian Riviera is world-famous, but it’s not just for the rich and famous! This stunning coastal region is full of colorful buildings and cobbled streets in the likes of Cinque Terre, and bursting with history in medieval Apricale and the incredible pedestrianized village of Bussana Vecchia. Slow down in Varigotti and relax on the beaches in the colorful town set between the sea and the hills, or pull on your hiking boots and hike along the many trails in the region.