Page last updated: 13 May 2025
The camping sector is a key part of the Italian tourism industry and is ranked as the second most popular form of tourist accommodation (after hotels).
How many campsites are there in Italy?
- Italy has 2,661 campsites and tourist villages (as of 2023).
What is the total capacity of campsites in Italy?
- Campsites in Italy had a total capacity of 1,289,000 bed places in 2023.
How popular is camping in Italy?
Italy recorded 68.6 million nights spent at campsites and tourist villages in 2023, which was an increase of 3% compared to 66.8 million nights in 2019.
- International visitors spent 37.1 million nights in 2023, an 11.9% increase from 33.1 million in 2019.
- Domestic tourism recorded 31.5 million nights in 2023, a 6.6% decrease from 33.7 million in 2019.
- The share of international visitors increased from 50% in 2019 to 54% in 2023.
How much does camping cost in Italy?
The cost of camping in Italy varies by season, location and accommodation type. Recent years have seen noticeable price increases.
- The average cost for a basic pitch during the high season increased 24% from €24.11 per day in 2023 to €29.86 per day in 2024.
- A 4-person bungalow averaged €174.27 per day during the high season in 2024, up 8% from €161 per day in 2023.
- Lodge tents cost approximately €140 per day in the high season in 2024, a 10% increase from €127 per day in 2023.
- Additional charges typically include per-person fees (€13.15 per adult and €6.64 per child in 2024), tourist tax (€0.50-€3.00 per person per night), electricity (€3-€6 per day if not included) and pet fees (€2-€7 per day).
Which regions have the most campsites?
- Toscana had the highest number of campsites in 2022 with 209 campsites, making up 10.4% of the national total.
- Lombardia followed with 193 campsites (9.6%), Veneto had 178 (8.9%) and Piemonte had 155 (7.8%).
- These four regions collectively account for over a third of all campsites listed in the 2022 regional data.
Distribution of Campsites Across Italian Regions. 2022
| Region | Number of Campsites | Percentage |
| Toscana | 209 | 10.4% |
| Lombardia | 193 | 9.6% |
| Veneto | 178 | 8.9% |
| Piemonte | 155 | 7.8% |
| Liguria | 134 | 6.7% |
| Puglia | 127 | 6.4% |
| Marche | 111 | 5.6% |
| Lazio | 104 | 5.2% |
| Calabria | 100 | 5.0% |
| Emilia-Romagna | 97 | 4.8% |
| Campania | 91 | 4.5% |
| Sicilia | 91 | 4.5% |
| Abruzzo | 85 | 4.2% |
| Sardegna | 73 | 3.6% |
| Trentino | 73 | 3.6% |
| Alto Adige | 52 | 2.6% |
| Valle d’Aosta | 42 | 2.1% |
| Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 40 | 2.0% |
| Umbria | 30 | 1.5% |
| Molise | 12 | 0.6% |
| Basilicata | 9 | 0.4% |
How many people stay at campsites each year?
- Approximately 11 million arrivals were recorded in the open-air tourism sector (including campsites and tourist villages) in 2023.
- Before the pandemic, the Italian open-air tourism sector recorded an annual average of over 10 million arrivals.
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How long do people stay at Italian campsites?
The average length of stay at Italian campsites was approximately 6.2 nights in 2023.
- In 2023, international tourists stayed an average of 8.2 nights at seaside campsites but only 2.7-2.8 nights in mountain or city locations.
- Domestic visitors averaged 6 nights at seaside and spa campsites and 3.7 nights in city locations.
- The overall average stay has slightly decreased from approximately 6.7 nights in 2019 to 6.2 nights in 2023.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the camping sector in Italy?
- By 2023, the sector achieved full recovery with 68.6 million nights, 3% higher than the 66.8 million recorded in 2019.
- The recovery was primarily driven by international visitors, whose numbers in 2023 (37.1 million nights) exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 11.9%.
- Domestic tourism remained below pre-pandemic figures in 2023, with 31.5 million nights representing a 6.6% decrease from 2019.
When is the peak season for campsites in Italy?
- August is usually the peak month for campsite visits. In 2023, the month recorded a 94.1% occupancy rate nationwide.
- July is also a popular month with high occupancy rates (82.3% in 2023).
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What is the economic impact of campsites?
- The sector’s annual turnover is estimated at €5 billion on average, generating an additional induced economic impact of over €3 billion.
- The industry supports significant employment, estimated at around 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.
- Camping on average accounts for over 10% of total tourist arrivals and around 16% of total nights spent in Italy.