Italy has 2,500+ campsites โ from basic tent pitches on Sardinian beaches (โฌ15/night) to luxury glamping in Tuscan olive groves (โฌ200-400/night). The camping tradition is huge (Italians LOVE campeggio) and the infrastructure is excellent. Wild camping is technically illegal but tolerated in mountains above treeline. This guide covers the best sites, the legal reality, and where glamping has turned a tent into a hotel.
Sardinia: Italy's best beach camping โ Cala Gonone, La Pelosa area, Costa Smeralda periphery. โฌ15-30/night for pitch + car. Dolomites: Mountain campsites with peak views โ Camping Sass Dlacia (near Braies), Camping Vidor (Pozza di Fassa). โฌ20-35/night. Lake Garda: Lakefront sites with pools and beaches โ Camping Butterfly, Camping San Francesco. โฌ25-45/night (high season). Tuscany: Farm-style camping (agriturismo + pitch) โ wake up to olive trees and vineyard views. Cinque Terre: Camping Acqua Dolce (Levanto) โ the nearest campsite to the 5 villages, โฌ20-30/night.
What it is: Canvas tents, yurts, treehouses, or pods with real beds, electricity, private bathrooms. โฌ100-400/night. Best glamping: Podere di Maggio (Umbria โ yurts in oak woodland, pool, yoga). Orlando in Chianti (Tuscany โ treehouses, geodesic domes, vineyard views). Canonici di San Marco (Veneto โ luxury tents near Venice). Book on Booking.com (filter: "glamping" or "unique stays").
Technically illegal in Italy (Law 765/1967 + regional regulations). Reality: Tolerated above treeline in mountains (Dolomites, Apennines) with a bivouac tent + leave-no-trace. NOT tolerated: Beaches, national parks, near towns, anywhere visible. Fines: โฌ100-500 if caught. Van/camper: "Sosta" (parking overnight) is legal in designated areas; "campeggio" (setting up camp โ chairs, awning, table) is illegal outside campsites.