Italy in April

Michael Minta · Jan 20, 2026

Hello. Looking for some advice/recommendations for good campsites (with facilities) on the west coast of Italy, for about a week, so we can visit Pisa, Florence probably by train and any interesting routes to get down there? Thanks in anticipation.

RedWhiteMonkey · Wednesday at 6:24 AM

We've stayed here close to Pisa a couple of times - https://www.lagoletamerici.it/en/ - and liked it. Like a lot of Italian campsites there can be a lot of mossies, so don't pitch too close to their lake.

April shouldn't be too busy so I'd personally look to camp closer to Florence rather than get a train there.

Michael Minta · Wednesday at 6:51 AM

RedWhiteMonkey said:
We've stayed here close to Pisa a couple of times - https://www.lagoletamerici.it/en/ - and liked it. Like a lot of Italian campsites there can be a lot of mossies, so don't pitch too close to their lake.

April shouldn't be too busy so I'd personally look to camp closer to Florence rather than get a train there.

Thanks, looks good

colintfcolintf · Wednesday at 9:07 AM

mountain passes can still be snowbound in April / May. I remember being there once in May and Stelvio was still closed. that might rule out some of the Alp mountain passes getting there / back

RedWhiteMonkey · Wednesday at 9:50 AM

colintfcolintf said:
mountain passes can still be snowbound in April / May. I remember being there once in May and Stelvio was still closed. that might rule out some of the Alp mountain passes getting there / back

Through the St. Gotthard Tunnel is the obvious route, that doesn't shut for snow.

RedWhiteMonkey · Wednesday at 9:52 AM

Stelvio would be quite a detour.

colintfcolintf · Wednesday at 10:24 AM

RedWhiteMonkey said:
Stelvio would be quite a detour.

I just used that as an example. We were down around the lakes for a few days

colintfcolintf · Wednesday at 10:27 AM

Think I would want to be wearing Cross Climates or similar still in April

RedWhiteMonkey · Wednesday at 10:35 AM

colintfcolintf said:
Think I would want to be wearing Cross Climates or similar still in April

Probably wise, but if they are only transiting through the Alps the main roads are well gritted and cleared. Pisa and Florence should be pleasantly around 20c in April.

colintfcolintf · Wednesday at 10:41 AM

RedWhiteMonkey said:
Probably wise, but if they are only transiting through the Alps the main roads are well gritted and cleared. Pisa and Florence should be pleasantly around 20c in April.

I used to work in Italy on a regular basis and have seen all sorts that time of year

Betsycalifornia · Wednesday at 11:31 AM

Campsite technically in Florence, 45 minute easy flat walk to the centre. Bus also available.
Hu Firenze. Stayed there for 4 days April 24. Good facilities. Nice restaurant. Was busy though.

View attachment 1768995090936.jpeg

RedWhiteMonkey · Wednesday at 1:01 PM

Betsycalifornia said:
Campsite technically in Florence, 45 minute easy flat walk to the centre. Bus also available.
Hu Firenze. Stayed there for 4 days April 24. Good facilities. Nice restaurant. Was busy though.

View attachment 143517

That's where we've stayed for Florence before, but I couldn't remember the name of it.

Bus into Florence wasn't complicated, although I did have an altercation with a stupid American girl who refused to take her huge rucksack off and nearly wiped out my baby son (and various other passengers) by constantly moving around and seemingly not understanding she had a massive extension on her back.

Michael Minta · Wednesday at 3:00 PM

colintfcolintf said:
mountain passes can still be snowbound in April / May. I remember being there once in May and Stelvio was still closed. that might rule out some of the Alp mountain passes getting there / back

Thanks...good to know.

Michael Minta · Wednesday at 3:01 PM

RedWhiteMonkey said:
Through the St. Gotthard Tunnel is the obvious route, that doesn't shut for snow.

Thanks, sounds good

Michael Minta · Wednesday at 3:02 PM

colintfcolintf said:
Think I would want to be wearing Cross Climates or similar still in April

Hadn't thought of that....

Michael Minta · Wednesday at 3:03 PM

Betsycalifornia said:
Campsite technically in Florence, 45 minute easy flat walk to the centre. Bus also available.
Hu Firenze. Stayed there for 4 days April 24. Good facilities. Nice restaurant. Was busy though.

View attachment 143517

Great, thanks. Sounds a good location.

Michael Minta · Wednesday at 3:04 PM

RedWhiteMonkey said:
We've stayed here close to Pisa a couple of times - https://www.lagoletamerici.it/en/ - and liked it. Like a lot of Italian campsites there can be a lot of mossies, so don't pitch too close to their lake.

April shouldn't be too busy so I'd personally look to camp closer to Florence rather than get a train there.

Thanks

Perfectos · Wednesday at 10:14 PM

Route planner shows several routes, cost of tolls, fuel cost etc, if you register you can add your specific vehicle details etc

Michael Minta · Thursday at 6:48 AM

Perfectos said:
Route planner shows several routes, cost of tolls, fuel cost etc, if you register you can add your specific vehicle details etc

View attachment 143539

Thanks, will take a look.

The Fockers · 2026-01-26T12:04:08+0000

Quite a few years ago and further south than your question, I camped by car and tent on Lake Bolsena and found a station nearby to take us by train right into Rome for £2.45 return.

Calibus007belgium · 2026-01-26T20:48:05+0000

Just for visiting Florence we stayed at a camperparking, 15€ for 24 hrs (only toilets on site, some paid services), 30 minutes walking distance to the city center (or bus 11).

SCAF - Area Sosta Camper Gelsomino x Firenze

Via del Gelsomino, 11, 50125 Firenze FI, Italië
https://web.scaf.fi.it/parcheggi/

Have a nice trip!

Celia Vanchez · 2026-01-27T10:18:27+0000

Michael Minta said:
Hello. Looking for some advice/recommendations for good campsites (with facilities) on the west coast of Italy, for about a week, so we can visit Pisa, Florence probably by train and any interesting routes to get down there? Thanks in anticipation.

I can’t recommend any sites although I can recommend a visit to Lucca which is about 30 minutes drive from Pisa

Italy in April

Michael Minta

RedWhiteMonkey

Michael Minta

colintfcolintf

RedWhiteMonkey

RedWhiteMonkey

colintfcolintf

colintfcolintf

RedWhiteMonkey

colintfcolintf

Betsycalifornia

RedWhiteMonkey

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Perfectos

Michael Minta

The Fockers

Calibus007belgium

SCAF - Area Sosta Camper Gelsomino x Firenze

Celia Vanchez

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Italy in April

Michael Minta

RedWhiteMonkey

Michael Minta

colintfcolintf

RedWhiteMonkey

RedWhiteMonkey

colintfcolintf

colintfcolintf

RedWhiteMonkey

colintfcolintf

Betsycalifornia

RedWhiteMonkey

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Michael Minta

Perfectos

Michael Minta

The Fockers

Calibus007belgium

SCAF - Area Sosta Camper Gelsomino x Firenze​

Celia Vanchez

Similar threads

Useful links

VW California Club

About us

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SCAF - Area Sosta Camper Gelsomino x Firenze