(THE LATEST ADDITIONS ARE FOR TUSCANY IN SEPT 2007).
INTRODUCTION
Italy has a wide choice of motorcaravan stopovers - there's a
good selection in the French Guide Officiel des Etapes, and I was also given a good
booklet called Portolano '99 while we were parked in Turin (the local club's chairman
knocked the door while we were having lunch and gave us a copy. We thought we were parking
incorrectly!). The booklet is produced by Pleinair, who also have a web site (click here).
Campsites are numerous in Italy, but we didn't find them cheap,
particularly in the Dolomites, and pitch sizes are quite often smaller than the UK.
_________________________________________________________________
INDEX
EMILIA ROMAGNIA/BOLOGNA
SUVIANA
EMILIA ROMAGNIA/MODENA
MONTALE SERRAMAZZONI
LIGURIA/IMPERIA
DIANO MARINA COLLE DI NAVA PORTO MAURIZIO
SAN BARTOLOMEO AL MARE
LIGURIA/SAVONA
ANDORA VADO
LIGURE
LOMBARDIA/BERGAMO
LOVERE STEZZANO
LOMBARDIA/BRESCIA
ISEO PISOGNE
LOMBARDIA/COMO
MENAGGIO
LOMBARDIA/MANTOVA
MONZAMBANO 
PIEMONTE/ALESSANDRIA
ACQUI TERME CASALE MONFERRATO OVADA
PIEMONTE/CUNEO
BORGO SAN DALMAZZO CHERASCO
COL DE MADDALENA LURISIA
MONDOVI
PAESANA SAN DAMIANO MACRA
VINADIO
PIEMONTE/NOVARA
ARONA
PIEMONTE/TORINO
FENESTRELLE PINEROLO
PIEMONTE/VERBANIA
BAVENO
TOSCANA/FIRENZE
CERTALDO
TOSCANA/GROSSETO
CASTEL DEL PIANO
TOSCANA/LIVORNO
TORRE MOZZA
TOSCANA/LUCCA
CASTELNUOVO DE GARFAGNANA
GHIVIZZANO
TOSCANA/SIENA
BAGNO VIGNONI CASTELLINA
CASTIGLIONE D'ORCIA COLLE DI VAL D'ELSA RADDA IN
CHIANTI
TRENTINO/BOLZANO
CASTELROTTO
PASSO PORDOI
TRENTINO/TRENTO
CALCERINICA CAMPITELLO MOLVENO
PASSO DI COSTALUNGA ZIANO DI FIEMME
VAL D'AOSTA
ANTEY ST ANDRE CERVINIA COGNES
COURMAYEUR FENIS
GRESSONEY ST JEAN MORGEX
TESTA D'ARPY VALGRISENCHE VERRES
VENETO/BELLUNO
CORTINA
PASSO FALZAREGO
VENETO/PADOVA
MONTAGNANA
VENETO/ROVIGO
CASTELMASSA
VENETO/VERONA
BRENTINO BELLUNO SOAVE
VENETO/VICENZA
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA MAROSTICA MONTEBELLO
VICENTINO SCHIO VALLI
DI VASUBIO
__________________________________________________________
ACQUI TERME (PIEMONTE/ALESSANDRIA) - Free parking
by old Battisti barracks. Free water/Chem disp. Very busy, and noisy in night (A brass
band was rehearsing next door to us! - bad choice for a Friday). Lovely town, but we
obviously only stayed one night. (May 2004).
New parking over the river bridge, about 10 minutes from
the centre. Excellent facilities, free water waste, and some electrical points. Level,
hardstanding, shaded by trees. No signpost, perhaps because it was quite new. Lovely old
town, Roman aqueduct remains by bridge. Very popular. Sited opposite a large spa facility.
We talked to some Italian OAP's who stayed there for a fortnight to take the waters. (free
to OAP's). Well worth a visit. (Sept 2006). Index
ANDORA (LIGURIA/SAVONA) - Free parking
for 8 - 10 vans just off main road, at the end of Via A Fontana. Illuminated, asphalt,
level. No services. There's not much free parking for motorcaravans in this area, so this
was a lucky find. Short walk down to the seafront of this pleasant seaside town. (Sept
2006). Index
ANTEY ST ANDRE (VAL
D'AOSTA) - free parking in the Vista del Corvino piazza. No services, but quiet at night.
OK for night stop. (Sept 2006). Index
ARONA (PIEMONTE/NOVARA) - Camp Rose, DORMELETTO (0322 497083). One of several
sites situated at south end of Lake Maggiore. Good access, reasonable value (though
cheaper next door!). No English spoken. Nice situation right on the lake. Modern Toilet
block - some English toilets, but several closed late in the season. 28000L, inc. shaver
point, showers 500L (Sept, 1999). Index
BAGNO VIGNONI (TOSCANA/SIENA) -
free parking for 15 - 20 vans at entrance to village. There was supposed to be a water
point, but we couldn't find it. Lovely old village with spa water pool in square. Hardcore
surface, quiet at night. Very popular. (Oct 2007). Index
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA
(VENETO/VICENZA) - Free parking in walled carpark with security gates. (No problem with
being locked in!) Very quiet. No facilities. Lovely old town by river, covered wooden
bridge. (June 2004). Index
BAVENO (PIEMONTE/VERBANIA) - Camping Stresa - LAKE MAGGIORE - situated
within the town - difficult entrance for larger vans, enclosed by buildings (reminded me
of Steptoes’ yard). Small plots (usual for Italy). Sanitary facilities old but clean
(English toilets). Small bar/restaurant on site. Lady manager spoke English, but could be
temperamental. Well situated as base for Lake Maggiore. 23000L, Showers 1800L, Hot water
100L (Sept 1999). Index
BORGO SAN DALMAZZO (PIEMONTE/CUNEO) -
Via Giovanni XXIII - free parking next to sportsfield. local signposting. Free services.
Next to railway line, so we didn't stay overnight, but the town looked quite nice. (May
2004). Index
BRENTINO BELLUNO
(VENETO/VERONA) - Free parking in Albergo Olivo carpark, beside river in commune of
Rivalta. No services. Some road noise, but quiet at night. OK for night stop. (Oct 2007). Index
CALCERINICA (TRENTINO/TRENTO) - Free parking by
church, slight sloping, no facilities. Lovely town by Lake Caldonazzo. Nice lakeside
walks. Very hot. (June 2004). Index
CAMPITELLO - Camp Miravale - TRENTO
(0462 62002). Situated within town, easy access, beautiful view of the Dolomites. Very
clean facilities, reasonable size plots. 39500L inc. showers and electricity (2A only!)
(Sept 1999). Index
CASALE MONFERRATO
(PIEMONTE/ALESSANDRIA) - free parking in square beside castle walls. Water/waste disposal
free. Illuminated. No signposting. Lovely town with historic centre. Avoid on
weekends (boy racers into the early hours, though not threatening), also Tues and Fri
markets. (May 2004). Index
CASTEL DEL
PIANO(TOSCANA/GROSSETO) - free public car park next to dancing school. Level, shaded, with
free water/waste point in adjoining car park. Nice town with good views of the surrounding
area. Too many boy scooter riders, but it quietened down in the night. Index
CASTELLINA IN CHIANTI
(TOSCANA/SIENA) - Well signposted free Aire on SS222, at edge of town, close to Etruscan
tomb. Large area for 30 vans with free water/waste point, very popular. Slight slope, with
some level places. Lovely hilltop town with beautiful views. (Sept 2007). Index
CASTELMASSA (VENETO/ROVIGO) -
Free Aire by the river Po for 4 - 5 vans, on the river embankment. Free service point,
picnic tables. Level, quiet at night, though a bit lonely in September. Good cycle/walking
path along embankment. Castelmassa is a small industrial town. (Sept 2007). Index
CASTELNUOVO
DE GARFAGNANA (TOSCANA/LUCCA) - Free parking by football stadium, free water/waste point.
Popular site for approx. 12 vans, signposted. Parking fills up with cars when football
match is in progress, but no problem afterwards. Pretty town, with excursions possible in
adjoining valleys. (Oct 2007). Index
CASTELROTTO (TRENTINO/BOLZANO) -
Free parking in public car park "P2". No services, slightly sloping.
Beautiful town in the Schlern region, just out of the main valley at Pont Gardena. Lovely
walks in surrounding meadows. Well worth a visit - we stayed for two days. Very popular
with Germans, even in October. (Oct 2007). Index
CASTIGLIONE D'ORCIA
(TOSCANA/SIENA) - Viale Marconi. Free parking behind Pro Loco tourist office , next to
tennis courts at end of town. Free water/waste facility. Beautiful views of
surrounding countryside. Lovely old medieval town on hill. (Oct 2007). Index
CERTALDO
(TOSCANA/FIRENZE) - Free public parking at Piazza del Macelli, at foot of old hilltop
town. Shaded, with free water/waste point. Quiet at night. Used by locals for parking
m/vans, but also one or two visitors. Certaldo Alto is a lovely old hilltop town. (Sept
2007). Index
CERVINIA (VAL D'AOSTA) -
Dedicated Motorcaravan parking south of town, with a fantastic view of the Matterhorn.
6E/night, but free out of season. Water/ waste disposal, illuminated, asphalt, level. Good
marked walks in surrounding mountains. Marvellous location. (Sept 2006).
Index
CHERASCO (PIEMONTE/CUNEO) - Free parking at
entrance to the town. Pretty Bastide type town on plateau. Free water and chem. disposal.
Good walk around perimeter walls. Noisy road at night. Local signposting. (May 2004). Index
COGNES (VAL D'AOSTA) - Reserved
motorcaravan parking at end of public car park next to river Urtier. River bit noisy at
night. (10E/night high season, 8E/night low season, 1E elec. - free parking in day until
8.00pm). Beautiful town - ski resort, good walking in summer. (Sept 2006).
Free parking next to cemetery by entrance to town. Quiet,
no services. (Sept 2006). Index
COL DE MADDALENA
(PIEMONTE/CUNEO) - free parking at the pass, on the border with France, on the SS21.
Beautiful scenery. (Oct 2006). Index
COLLE DI NAVA
(LIGURIA/IMPERIA) - free parking at pass, on SS28. Public WC/water. Marked walks, old
fort. (Oct 2006). Index
COLLE DI VAL D'ELSA
(TOSCANA/SIENA) - free public parking at top of town, at Via Porta Vecchia. Illuminated,
partly sloping, no services. Lovely hilltop town, good views of surrounding
countryside. Quiet at night. (Sept 2007). Index
CORTINA (VENETO/BELLUNO) - Free parking at Fiames, just
outside Cortina. Illuminated, water/waste, hardstandings. Sited on old airfield (still
used by helicopters!). Free now, but looked as though it is charged at some time (possibly
in winter?). (June 2004). Index
COURMAYEUR (VAL
D'AOSTA) - Free parking at La Palud, Entreve, just above Courmayeur. Public car park just
past the Mt Blanc tunnel exit. No services, sloping, but wonderful view of Mt Blanc. Next
to river, so don't park to close, as it's quite noisy in night. (Sept 2006). Index
DIANO MARINA
(LIGURIA/IMPERIA) - Oasi Park campsite. Large site for 100+ vans, Water/waste, showers,
laundry. 10E/night, 15E in high season; offers - 10 days/ 50E, we had 2 nights for 1 for
10E. Electricity 2E. Nice site set in olive groves with good walks around town and
surrounding countryside. Pretty seaside resort. (Oct 2006). Index
FENESTRELLE (PIEMONTE/TORINO) - Aree Sosta - Free
motorcaravan parking above village, next to cemetery. Buses park at bottom end, but not a
problem. Free water, chem disposal. 8 places, illuminated, signposted, good views. Pretty
village, shops, restaurants. (May 2004). Index
FENIS
(VAL D'AOSTA) - Free parking in dedicated area by cemetery. Free water/waste disposal. No
parking limit, quiet at night (some trains during day - not a problem). Small town with
lovely castle and church. (Sept 2006). Index
GHIVISSANO (TOSCANA/LUCCA) - Free
motorcaravan parking for 2 vans by old railway station. Free water/waste (waste a little
away from parking). Signposted (turn left at Tourist Info sign in centre). We were told it
was quite quiet at night, but as there was a fair the next day, we moved on. (Oct 2007). Index
GRESSONEY ST
JEAN (VAL D'AOSTA) - Signposted parking on public car park, about 1.5 miles from centre of
town - central parking difficult. 5E/day, 5E/night charge, but free from 3rd Sept. Fresh
water/Chem disposal,WC, rubbish bins. Illuminated, quiet, asphalt. Gressoney St Jean very
pretty town straddling river. (Sept 2006). Index
ISEO
(LOMBARDIA/BRESCIA) - Free parking in square by the port. No facilities. Lovely views of
Lake Iseo, nice walks. Quiet at night. Good Friday market. (June 2004). Index
LOVERE (LOMBARDIA/BERGAMO) - Free parking by lakeside
(not dedicated). Crowded by day, but OK at night. Free water only. Beautiful town, with
lovely views of Lake Iseo. Very hot and humid in May. (May 2004). Index
LUCCA (TUSCANY) - Viale Luporini Sant'Anna - free motorcaravan park on the
outskirts of Lucca (10 min walk to the walled city) which will accommodate 20 - 30
vehicles. free services. A nice location with some shading. Lucca is a beautiful city with
plenty to see- well worth the visit. The park was quite busy and is very popular with all
nationalities (no British while we were there!). I found this site in the Pleinair
booklet. (May 2001). Index
LURISIA (PIEMONTE/CUNEO) - Free reserved
motorcaravan park with space for 10 vans. Free water/waste disposal. A bit overgrown when
we arrived, but three workmen came and proceeded to cut the grass (perhaps we were the
first of the season!). A lovely spa town, where I believe Madame Curie originated. Nice
walks, very quiet, and well signposted. (May 2004) Index
MAROSTICA
(VENETO/VICENZA) - free public parking in Via Rimembranza, next to town walls. Level
parking, illuminated, with free water/waste point, and waste bins. Lovely walled town with
beautiful town square. Well worth a visit. Known for its "human chess" game in
the square. (Sept 2007). Index
MENAGGIO (LOMBARDIA/COMO) -
Camping Europa - LAKE COMO (0344 31187). Small shady site on the edge of town, not very
clean, awkward access. Small plots, old, dark shower block. 25000L inc. showers (Sept
1999). Index
MOLVENO (TRENTINO/TRENTO) - Camping
Spiaggia - TRENTO (0461 586978) - signposted from SS421. Beautiful setting on the edge of
the Lake Molveno. Well run, clean modern sanitary facilities, reasonable size plots and
easy access. Water outlets spaced out regularly. English spoken. Lovely town, good walks,
worth staying several days. 35000L inc. showers and electricity. (Sept 1999). Index
MONDOVI (PIEMONTE/CUNEO) - Piazza Repubblica,
near old railway station. Free motorcaravan parking, with free water, waste disposal,
quiet at night. Good stopover, very popular. Beautiful town by river, in two parts -
Piazza (old), on the hill, and Breo (new), below. Good shops, cafes etc. Very well
signposted. (May 2004). Index
MONTAGNANA (VENETO/PADOVA) - Free
signposted parking in old barracks, (also used by buses) outside town walls. Free
water/waste point. Quiet at night. Lovely old walled town. (Sept 2007). Index
MONTALE
(EMILIA/ROMAGNIA/MODENA) - free motorcaravan parking just off SS12, south
of Modena. Small town with shops etc. Free water/waste, hardstanding, level, signposted.
Looked a good quiet stopover. Room for 6 - 8 vans. (Oct 2007)Index.
MONTEBELLO
VICENTINO (VENETO/VICENZA) - Piazza del Redentore, at start of town near sports field.
Free parking and water/chem disposal. We were there on a Saturday, and it looked as though
it may be noisy, so we parked in the adjoining cemetery carpark for the night - probably
OK on weekdays. (June 2004) Index
MONZAMBANO (LOMBARDIA/MANTOVA) - Via Degli Alpini -
Dedicated Motorcaravan site, run by local M/van club. Well signposted, gravel, level,
services, quiet (even on Friday!). Illuminated. Electricity (although ours went off at
midnight). 5E weekdays, 10E/day weekends - well worth it. (June 2004). Index
MORGEX (VAL D'AOSTA) -
Free public car park across road from church. No services, recycling bins, level. Quiet at
night, noisy in morning. Good overnight stop. (Sept 2006). Index
OVADA (PIEMONTE/ALESSANDRIA) - Free
signposted motorcaravan parking, illuminated, level, hardstanding. Free water/waste, -
toilets in bad condition. We only stopped for lunch. (Sept 2006). Index
PAESANA (PIEMONTE/CUNEO) - Free parking by river
Po. No services, but pretty location. Quiet, but the river seemed quite loud during the
night, when everything else was silent. Nice town with facilities. (May 2004). Index
PASSO di COSTALUNGA (TRENTINO/TRENTO) - Free
parking at pass. Beautiful scenery and walks. No facilities, but drinking water
fountain nearby. Illuminated. Lots of traffic in day (motorbikes!), but very quiet at
night. (June 2004). Index
PASSO FALZAREGO (VENETO/BELLUNO) - free parking
by cable car. No facilities. Great walks, good base for climbing. Beautiful views. (June
2004). Index
PASSO PORDOI (TRENTINO/BOLZANO) - Free parking at
cablecar carpark. No facilities. Beautiful surroundings, walks. (Good walk to German war
cemetery). No illumination. Very quiet. (June 2004). Index
PAVULLO NEL FRIGNANO (EMILIA ROMAGNA) - small free
motorcaravan park in wooded picnic area on outskirts of town. Fresh water and waste
disposal facilities. Pleinair booklet (May 2001).
PESCANTINA (VENETO) - Public car park on main road through Pescantina.
Fresh water only. OK for overnight stop. (May 2001).
PINEROLO (PIEMONTE/TORINO) - Via Vecchia di
Buriasco - free chem. disposal, but only one water tap, so drinking water doubtful. Well
signposted. Parking possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. (May 2004). Index
PISOGNE (LOMBARDIA/BRESCIA) - Free parking outside
Camping Eden, on edge of town. No facilities, but water available in supermarket carpark
nearby. Hardstanding, no signposting. Lovely town with lakeside setting on north end of
Lake Iseo. Railway line opposite, but not a problem (no expresses, no running at night).
Nice walks by lake and behind town. (June 2004). Index
PORTO MAURIZIO
(LIGURIA/IMPERIA) - Signposted parking for 60 - 70 vans in the San Lazarro area, level
illuminated, asphalt. Close to port. 5E/ low season, 7E/high season. Water/chem disposal
at end of road (can be accessed without parking, if en route). Single water outlet
for fresh water/chem disp. - not very hygienic! Drain rather unsavoury. Lovely old town
with a beautiful church. (Oct 2006). Index
RADDA IN CHIANTI (TOSCANA/SIENA) - well
signposted, illuminated free parking below town walls. In two sections - lower section
more level, upper section prettier. Free water/waste point. Room for 12 vans. Lovely town
with beautiful surrounding scenery. (Sept 2007). Index
SAN BARTOLOMEO AL MARE
(LIGURIA/IMPERIA) - Reserved parking for 60 vans, fenced, illuminated, level, gravel.
Water/Chem disposal. 8E/night low season, 10E/high season. Pretty seaside town with good
walks. We walked to Cervo, a lovely medieval hilltown. (Sept 2006). Index
SAN DAMIANO MACRA (PIEMONTE/CUNEO) - Free
parking in the police piazza. Drinking water by the side of the church. Lovely location in
the Maira valley, up from Dronero, where there are motorcaravan facilities, though not
quiet enough for overnight parking. (May 2004). Index
S.MICHELE D’ADIGE - Hotel Moser Carmela - small campsite
at rear of hotel on main Trento road (noise from road and adjacent railway). Meals
available at hotel. Clean toilet block , but showers cold!). Overnight stop only. 25000L
inc. showers and electricity. (Sept 1999).
SCHIO (VENETO/VICENZA) - Free signposted parking for 4 vans at Palazetto dello
Sport Viale dell'Industria, 10 minutes from the historic centre. Busy in day, but very
quiet at night. Free water/waste point, but waste drain blocked, and overflowed when used.
Pretty town. (Sept 2007). Index
SELVA di VAL GARDENA (TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE) - Designated
motorcaravan free parking above Selva next to ski lifts (no facilities, overnight only).
Pleinair booklet. (Sept 1999).
SERRAMAZZONI (EMILIA
ROMAGNIA/MODENA) - Free parking in public carpark (signposted). Illuminated, free
water/waste. Quiet, but we were on our own, and felt a bit exposed - there was a "boy
racer" in the night. Pretty spa town, nice shops. (Oct 2007). Index
SOAVE (VENETO/VERONA) - Porto Bassano. Free
parking by castle wall, with free water/chem disp. Shaded, local signposting. Nice town
overlooked by castle, but road was noisy, so we didn't stay overnight. (June 2004). Index
STEZZANO (LOMBARDIA/BERGAMO) - Free
motorcaravan parking in Via Mascagni. Easy to miss signpost for street, only local
signpost for parking. Free water/chem disposal. Quiet, apart from being under Bergamo
airport flight path! Pretty sanctuary just outside town. (May 2004). Index
SUVIANA
(EMILIA/BOLOGNA) - free public parking by tennis courts, level, very quiet. No services.
Close to Lake Suviana. (Sept 2007). Index
TESTA D'ARPY (VAL D'AOSTA) -
Free parking behind hotel on road beyond the village of Arpy, up side valley from Morgex.
Next to picnic area with WC, water, waste bins, picnic tables. Good location with several
marked walks in surrounding mountains (Lake d'Arpy, Col de Croce). Beautiful sights, quiet
at night. (Sept 2006). Index
TORRE MOZZA (TOSCANA/LIVORNO) -
free parking in aire at "Carbonifera 1" (paying June - Sept, 22E/day, or
water/waste 6E). Water available in next Carbonifera park, further down road. Small
commune 2-3 miles north of Follonica. Very popular with Germans. Nice location with cycle
track by canal, leading to Follonica. Access through pine trees to beach. (Oct 2007).
Index
VADO LIGURE (LIGURIA/SAVONA) -
Free signposted parking alongside factory. Slight slope, can be noisy, but fairly quiet at
night. No services. Night stop only. (Sept 2006). Index
VALGRISENCHE (VAL D'AOSTA) -
Motorcaravan parking below dam at end of valley. Service block, 10E/night. Closed when we
were there. (Sept 2006).
Free parking opposite tennis courts ("no
motorcaravan" sign, but nobody bothered us in low season). Very quiet. (Sept 2006).
Index
VALLI DI VASUBIO
(VENETO/VICENZA) - dedicated motorcaravan parking above village, at Balasso refuge, St
Antonio del Pasubio, on SS46. 4E/night, space for 12 - 15 vans. Water/waste point,
porta-cabin toilet, picnic tables, barbeques. Beautiful views. (Sept 2007). Index
VERRES (VAL D'AOSTA) - dedicated free
motorcaravan park opposite coffee factory - lovely aroma, but noisy deliveries etc.
from 6.00AM to 10.00PM. Free water/waste disposal. Asphalt, illuminated, 10 - 12 places.
Heavy lorries use the parkplace as well, (they're not supposed to!), but not a problem at
this time of year. Lovely town with castle above river. (Sept 2006). Index
VINADIO (PIEMONTE/CUNEO) - Free
parking in small town in Stura valley. WC/water available. Signposted motorcaravan parking
at other end of village. Lovely town built around castle walls, with a pretty outlook.
(Oct 2006). Index
VIPITENO - (TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE) - "Autocamp Sidobre" (0472
721791). Overnight park for both motorcaravans and caravans. Adjacent to "Top
Stop" restaurant which has showers, laundry etc. Fresh water, waste facilities and
electricity included in price. Ideal stopover before entering Austria. ET/Pleinair.
20000L/night. (May 2001).
ZIANO DI FIEMME (TRENTINO/TRENTO)
- Free parking behind church, next to supermarket. No facilities, but village fountain
just around corner. Very quiet, illuminated. Small town by the river Avisio. (June 2004). Index
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