Winter camping in Tuscany: active holidays and culture away from the main season
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When you think of a camping holiday in Tuscany , you probably picture summer, beaches, and pine forests. But a trip with a motorhome or campervan is also worthwhile between November and March: the art cities are empty, the hot springs steam in the cold air, and there's snow in the Apennines. Here you'll find out which campsites are open in winter, what technical considerations you need to keep in mind, and which destinations are worth visiting.
Winter camping in Tuscany: Short answer
- Open spaces: Many coastal campsites close in autumn until around Easter. For example, Firenze Camping in Town is open year-round. Florence, the Campeggio Bocca di Cecina on the coast and the Area camper Il Serchio in Lucca, plus many pitches.
- Winter tyres: From 15 November to 15 April, winter tyres or snow chains are mandatory on signposted routes.
- Winter tires: From November 15th to April 15th, winter tires or snow chains are mandatory on signposted routes.
- Gas: German gas cylinders are neither exchanged nor refilled in Italy – plan ahead for heating days.
Why camping in Tuscany is worthwhile in winter
- Culture without queues: Florence, Siena, Lucca and Pisa are significantly quieter in winter than in summer.
- Mild climate in the lowlands: Along the coast and in the valleys, it's usually mild during the day, ideal for hiking and cycling. In the hills and mountains, you should expect frost at night.
- Lower prices: Off-season rates at campsites, hardly any booking pressure.
- Real Tuscany: The villages are almost exclusively inhabited by locals.
Ideas for the winter months beyond camping can be found in our article Winter Holiday in Tuscany.
Find places that are open all year round
Many large camping resorts on the coast close in autumn and don't reopen until Easter. The following have proven successful in winter:
- Florence: According to the operator, the Firenze camping in town is open all year round; bus line 14 runs from the entrance to the city center. More information in the guide. Camping in Florence.
- Etruscan Coast: Campeggio Bocca di Cecina in Marina di Cecina is open all year round in 2026 and is located directly on the beach.
- Lucca: The Il Serchio camper area, located about 800 meters from the city walls, is open all year round.
- plots: Many Motorhome pitches in Tuscany They are accessible all year round – check in apps like Campercontact whether water and waste disposal are operational in winter.
Our booking tip for winter: To avoid arriving at closed gates after a long day's drive, you should plan your campsite search online. On our partner Camping.info's portal , you'll find a detailed list of all campsites, including their exact season dates. Simply use the "Open all year" filter and search for sites that you can book directly online . Check out the comprehensive overview of campsites in Tuscany on Camping.info – this way, you can be absolutely sure of your route, even in winter.
Snow and hot springs: The winter highlights
Skiing at Abetone
In the Apennines north of Pistoia lies the Abetone ski resort, the largest in Tuscany. In the 2025/26 season, the lifts opened as early as the end of November. With a campervan, you can ski in the morning and return to the milder lowlands in the evening. Read more in the report "Skiing Holiday in Tuscany".
Free thermal springs
After a cold day, there's hardly anything more pleasant than the thermal baths of Tuscany . The Cascate del Mulino near Saturnia (around 37°C), the pools of Bagni San Filippo , the Petriolo springs, and the public pool in San Casciano dei Bagni are all freely accessible. When steam rises from the limestone terraces, the winter experience is perfect. However, bathing in the village pool in Bagno Vignoni is prohibited.
Preparation: Getting safely through the Tuscan winter
Winter tires and snow chains are mandatory.
From 15 November to 15 April, winter tyres or carried snow chains are mandatory on many motorways and country roads in Italy – wherever a sign indicates it, regardless of whether there is snow on the ground. More in our guide to the Italian road traffic regulations.
Gas and heating in the camper
With continuous heating, a gas cylinder empties quickly. German exchange cylinders are neither accepted in Italy nor refilled at LPG filling stations. Solutions include an Italian 10 kg cylinder with a G.12 adapter or a permanently installed refillable cylinder with an 80% fill stop, which you can fill at LPG filling stations. Details: Camping gas in Italy.
Technical checklist
| Equipment | Why it's important in winter |
|---|---|
| Antifreeze for wastewater | Prevents an external grey water tank from freezing during nighttime frost. |
| Suitable power adapter | Some rural areas still have individual type L sockets. See Electrical outlets in Tuscany. |
| Insulating mats for the driver's cab | Reduce cold and condensation on the large windows. |
| Flashlight | In December, it gets dark before 17 pm. |
Frequently asked questions about winter camping in Tuscany
Which campsites in Tuscany are open in winter?
Many coastal campsites close from autumn until Easter. Open year-round are, for example, Firenze camping in town in Florence, Campeggio Bocca di Cecina in Marina di Cecina, and Area camper Il Serchio in Lucca, as well as many motorhome pitches.
Do I need winter tires in Italy?
From 15 November to 15 April, winter tyres or carried snow chains are mandatory on signposted motorway and road sections. In the Apennines, you should definitely carry chains with you.
How cold does it get in Tuscany in winter?
Along the coast and in the valleys, it is usually mild during the day, and night frosts are rare. In the hilly areas and the Apennines, for example around Abetone, there is frost and snow.
Are the free thermal springs accessible in winter?
Yes, freely accessible springs like the Cascate del Mulino near Saturnia or Bagni San Filippo can also be visited free of charge in winter. The contrast between the cold air and the warm water is particularly beautiful then.
Is it possible to camp on Elba in winter?
Only a few campsites are open on Elba during the winter. However, the ferry from Piombino to Portoferraio runs year-round – check in advance which campsites are open, or stay overnight on the mainland.
