Motorhome pitches in Tuscany: Your guide to cheap and free pitches (Aree di Sosta)
Content
If you're traveling through Tuscany in a motorhome or campervan, you don't need a campsite every night. Italy has a dense network of official motorhome pitches, the aree di sosta . Here you'll find out what types of pitches are available, what the rules are, how water and waste disposal work, and which sites near Pisa , San Gimignano, and Lucca have proven to be reliable.
Short answer
- Legal overnight stays: on pitches, campsites and in Agricamping. Wild camping is not allowed in Italy.
- Length of stay: According to the Tuscan Tourism Law (LR 86/2016), pitches are intended for a maximum of 72 hours; many sites limit stays to 24 or 48 hours.
- Parking instead of camping: In basic parking spaces, the vehicle rests only on its wheels – without an awning, chairs or leveling jacks.
- Cost: Municipal parking spaces are often free or inexpensive, while well-equipped spaces in cities usually cost between 15 and 25 euros per 24 hours (as of 2026).
- Find: Apps like Park4Night or Campercontact show current prices and ratings.
What is an area di sosta? Parking space types
In Italy, motorhome pitches are called area di sosta (plural aree di sosta ) or area attrezzata . Tuscan tourism law describes them as sites with 5 to 50 pitches for travelers with their own overnight vehicles. There are no pools or entertainment – but they are significantly cheaper than campsites and are often located right on the edge of historic city centers.
Municipal parking spaces
Many municipalities set up their own parking areas on the outskirts of town. These are either free or metered; electricity and water sometimes cost extra. Reservations are generally not possible.
Private parking spaces
Privately run campsites are often fenced and offer more amenities, such as toilets, showers, electricity, Wi-Fi, or washing machines. They are a good choice if you want to park your vehicle safely while sightseeing in a city. Camping-style activities like setting up chairs in front of your vehicle are often permitted – the campsite rules will determine the specifics.
Camper Service (CS)
A camper service station is simply a service point for emptying and refilling waste tanks without overnight accommodation. These stations can be found at some petrol stations, rest stops, or on the outskirts of towns. For a small fee, or sometimes free of charge, you can empty your grey water tank and toilet cassette and refill your fresh water tank.
Parking or camping? The legal situation
According to Article 185 of the Italian Highway Code, a motorhome may park anywhere cars are allowed to park – even overnight, as long as it remains on its wheels, nothing is extended, and no fluids leak. However, many coastal municipalities prohibit motorhomes from using parking spaces, indicated by signs. Discharging wastewater can result in fines of approximately €84 to €335; violations of municipal regulations typically cost between €25 and €500. Further details can be found in our guide to wild camping in Italy.
Water and waste disposal in Tuscany
Discharging wastewater into nature or down drains is prohibited. You will find these terms at campsites and camper service stations:
- Carico Acqua: Fresh water station (Note: This is not always the case) Drinking waterPay attention to signs like Drinking water for drinking water or Non-potable water (not for drinking water).
- Scarico Acqua Grigie / Pozzetto: The floor drain or floor inlet through which you drain your greywater (shower and washing-up water).
- Toilet cassette: The separate basin or pipe into which the chemical toilet cassette is emptied and flushed.
| feature | Municipal parking space | Private parking space |
|---|---|---|
| Price per 24 hours | free up to approximately €15 | usually around €15–25 |
| Electricity | sometimes, often by coin | usually present |
| Toilets/Showers | rarely | frequently |
| Safety | open, partially illuminated | often fenced in |
| Reservation | usually not possible | partially possible |
Proven campsites in Tuscany (as of 2026)
These campsites will be open in 2026 and are conveniently located for sightseeing. Prices and rules are subject to change – please check the latest information on Campercontact or Park4Night before traveling.
Pisa: Area camper Via di Pratale
The municipal campsite at Via di Pratale 78 is about a 20-minute walk from the city center and offers water and waste disposal facilities as well as electricity for a fee. According to Campercontact, a night costs €15 (€18 from May to September); the stay is limited to 24 hours, and the vehicle length to 8 meters. Please note: The former motorhome parking area on Via Pietrasantina near the cathedral square is no longer available for motorhomes. More information about the region can be found in the guide " Camping near Pisa".
San Gimignano: Area di sosta Santa Lucia
This quiet campsite with around 1,8 pitches is located approximately 30 km below the towers of San Gimignano . Parking is charged by the hour (1 euro, maximum 15 euros per day); according to Campercontact, the parking ticket also serves as a bus ticket to the town center. Camping is not permitted.
Lucca: Area camper Il Serchio
The private camper area Il Serchio, located on Via del Tiro a Segno, is about 800 meters from the city walls, is open year-round, and offers water and waste disposal facilities, toilets, and a swimming pool. From here, you can easily reach Lucca on foot or by bicycle.
The best campsite regions
Art cities and hilly inland landscape
Inland, many campsites are located on the outskirts of historic towns – ideal for Siena , Volterra, or the Elsa Valley with Colle di Val d'Elsa . For Florence , we recommend a campsite near the city with bus connections instead of a dedicated campsite; see Camping in Florence . In the evening, a glass of local Tuscan wine is the perfect accompaniment.
Coast: Etruscan Coast and Maremma
Free parking spaces are scarce on the coast in summer, and many beach parking lots are closed to motorhomes. However, there are private rest areas near the beach that are cheaper than the large campsites. Those who want to be right on the beach are better off choosing one of the campsites directly by the sea . A great day trip from the coast: whale and dolphin watching.
Traffic: ZTL and tolls with a motorhome
Many mountain villages have narrow streets – don't blindly follow your GPS. Historic centers are almost always ZTL zones (Zona a Traffico Limitato) with camera surveillance; unauthorized entry usually costs between €83 and €332. More information can be found in our overview of traffic regulations in Italy.
On motorways, tolls are based on the number of axles and the height of the front axle: Two-axle vehicles with a front axle height exceeding 1,30 m – which includes most motorhomes – pay category B. Information on how to get there can be found in the article "Vehicle Toll".
The best apps for finding parking spaces
- Park4Night: Probably the most well-known app in Europe. Here you can find everything from simple parking spaces to municipal parking. Rest Areas Everything from local insider tips to personal recommendations. Be sure to read recent comments from other campers to see if the waste disposal station is working properly.
- campercontact: A very reliable app with a clear focus on official motorhome pitches. The GPS data is extremely precise.
- Agricamper Italia: The Italian equivalent to German «Landvergnügen»For an annual membership fee, you can park your self-sufficient motorhome for free for 24 hours at participating wineries, farms and cheese dairies in the countryside.
Tip for foodies: If you're staying at a campsite inland and want to cook for yourself, you should definitely visit the local markets. At a traditional weekly market in Tuscany, you'll find fresh vegetables, aromatic ham, olive oil, and regional cheeses directly from the producers – perfect for campervan cooking!
All camping-related topics – from campsites by the sea to pitches and rules – can be found in our guide Camping Holiday in Tuscany.
Frequently asked questions about motorhome pitches in Tuscany
How long am I allowed to stay in a parking space in Tuscany?
The Tuscan tourism law (LR 86/2016) stipulates a maximum stay of 72 hours for parking spaces. Many sites set shorter limits – in Pisa (Via di Pratale), for example, 24 hours.
Am I allowed to extend the awning and put out chairs at a parking space?
In public squares and parking lots, this is usually not allowed: there, the vehicle is considered parked, and awnings, tables, chairs, and leveling jacks are considered camping. Private sites often permit this – the site rules are the determining factor.
Am I allowed to spend the night in my campervan in a regular parking space in Tuscany?
Generally, yes, if parking is permitted and there's no sign excluding motorhomes. However, the vehicle must be parked on its wheels only; nothing may be extended, and no wastewater may leak. Many coastal communities prohibit motorhomes from parking in designated areas.
How much does a parking space cost in Tuscany?
Municipal parking areas are sometimes free or cost only a few euros, while well-equipped areas near cities usually cost between 15 and 25 euros per 24 hours (as of 2026). In San Gimignano, for example, you pay a maximum of 15 euros per day, and in Pisa, 15 to 18 euros.
Are caravans allowed on campsites?
Many municipal parking spaces are only intended for motorhomes (autocaravans). If you're traveling with a caravan, you're better off using private sites that explicitly allow caravans, or a campsite.
