This Is Italy
The May holidays have long been our favorite time to travel to Italy. The sun often shines, it is not yet too hot to do anything and the prices are relatively low (because it is still low season in Italy).
Book a May holiday in Italy!
Especially if the children have 2 weeks of May holiday, an alternative 'summer holiday' at the end of April or the beginning of May is actually the best choice you can make. Most campsites in Italy have been open since the beginning of April and they are happy to welcome tourists from the Netherlands.
Of course you go to a campsite that is fun for the children. You want to make sure they can get in the pool (some pools don't open until later in the season), whiz down the slides and have plenty of fun with peers.
In this article we give you 13 campsites that we can especially recommend for families with children. With plenty of facilities for a fun May holiday – also for the parents.
We have divided them into 3 popular regions that the Dutch like to visit during the May holiday: the Lake Garda. Then Lake Maggiore, Adriatic Coast en Tuscany.
Campsites on Lake Garda
Lake Garda has been one of the most popular places in Italy for a holiday for many years. Logical: the Mediterranean climate with the location of the largest lake in Italy at your feet.
Add to this the proximity of historic and atmospheric cities such as fishpond, Bardolino, Salò, Limone sul Garda, Verona and Brescia and you are in the right place here.
Another advantage of Lake Garda is that you don't have to drive too far for it. From Utrecht you can reach the lake in Northern Italy in less than 1.200 km.
First of all, here are 3 campsites that are an ideal destination for families during the May holidays.
1. Camping Weekend – Lake Garda
The cozy Camping Weekend can be found in San Felice del Benaco, on the bay of Salò, on the west side of Lake Garda. The campsite is close to the shore of the lake, but there is also a lot of water fun on the campsite itself.
Take, for example, the beautifully landscaped swimming pool complex with several pools, also for the little ones. In addition, there are hot tubs, slides and a water theme park.
Of course you can also have a bite to eat at the campsite and there is continuous entertainment provided by the animation team.
The pleasant town of Salò is not far from the campsite and the city of Brescia is also easily accessible from here.
View Camping Weekend on Lake Garda
2. Camping Bella Italia – Lake Garda
Camping Bella Italia is probably the most famous campsite on Lake Garda. The complex is within walking distance of Peschiera del Garda on the southeastern side of the lake.
If you really want all the facilities you can expect from a luxury campsite, then you've come to the right place. Here you will find an extensive water paradise with lagoon-like pools and water slides.
The campsite is located directly on the shore of Lake Garda and has its own beach. Various water sports can be practiced in the lake.
In the evenings you can enjoy live shows with entertainment and music.
Camping Bella Italia is already open from mid-March and will remain so until the first week of November.
View Camping Bella Italia on Lake Garda
3. Camping Butterfly – Lake Garda
The third campsite on Lake Garda that we would like to recommend is Camping Butterfly. This is a somewhat smaller campsite that is particularly suitable for families with small children.
The campsite is beautifully situated in the greenery in a relatively quiet area near Peschiera del Garda. The campsite has a renovated swimming pool with a separate pool for small children. Of course there are also water slides!
In the Butterfly Bistro you can enjoy delicious pasta, pizza and other Italian dishes.
There is a wide range of luxury mobile homes with air conditioning on the campsite.
View Camping Butterfly on Lake Garda
Would you like to see more campsites on Lake Garda? Here we have listed the best for you.
Campsites on Lake Maggiore
It is not without reason that Lake Maggiore is one of the most beautiful destinations for a May holiday in Northern Italy. The name says it all: Lake Maggiore is a large lake (the third largest lake in the country) and is partly located in Switzerland.
Popular lakeside resorts include Stresa, Verbania and Locarno. At the lake you will find lots of entertainment, hotels and of course a few beautiful campsites.
A big advantage of the location of Lake Maggiore: it is less than a 1.000 km drive from Utrecht. Just through Switzerland and you are already at your destination in sunny Italy.
Here are our recommendations for a sunny May holiday on Lake Maggiore.
4. Camping Isolino – Lake Maggiore
This beautiful Camping Isolino is located in one of the most beautiful spots on Lake Maggiore, in Fondotoce di Verbania. A wonderful base to explore Verbania, Stresa and all those other most beautiful places on Lake Maggiore.
There are 2 beautifully landscaped swimming pools, one of which has slides and play equipment for children. The view from the pool complex on the lake is priceless.
You can get delicious pizzas and takeaway meals at the campsite. There is also a shop for daily groceries.
You can rent a boat at the campsite to sail to the beautiful Borromean Islands.
View Camping Isolino on Lake Maggiore
5. Camping Solcio – Lake Maggiore
Isn't it all so massive for you? A smaller and quieter site is Camping Solcio, which is located directly on Lake Maggiore and has its own sandy beach.
On the beach you will find sunbeds and umbrellas that can be used free of charge. The waterfront is safe for small children because it is shallow here.
Would you like to go canoeing or pedal boating? That is excellent here! There are also cozy dance evenings with lots of music and cheerful Italian entertainment. The site also has an excellent restaurant where even locals from the area come to eat.
The campsite offers the possibility to rent mobile homes.
View Campsite Solcio on Lake Maggiore
Looking for more nice campsites in this area? View the most beautiful campsites on Lake Maggiore . here.
Campsites on the Adriatic Coast
The Adriatic coast runs all the way down the east coast of the Italian boot, so this is quite a broad designation. For the May holidays, we naturally look for the campsites that are a bit more to the north, so that you don't have to drive too far.
This part of the Adriatic coast is nevertheless about 1.300 km away, so if distance is important to you, you better look for the campsites on the northern Italian lakes.
Besides that, the Adriatic coast is of course a great place. With the blue sea so close, you immediately get a summer holiday feeling here. Certainly if the sun cooperates, but the chance is quite high during the May holiday.
You can of course also visit the Venetian lagoon from this place, with the highlight of the city that slowly but surely disappears into the water: Venice. Also inland you will find authentic Italian cities and plenty of activities to develop with the whole family.
Here are our recommendations for a May holiday on the Adriatic coast.
6. Camping Union Lido – Adriatic Coast
The large-scale Camping Union Lido is a 5-star, fun-filled campsite in Cavallino-Treporti, close to the Venetian lagoon. There are several swimming pools and an extensive water paradise with many slides.
The location on the coast is idyllic: with lots of greenery and a wide sandy beach. The children can enjoy a swim in the blue sea or build a sand castle.
Of course, many water sports activities can be practiced here and the animation team provides continuous entertainment.
On the campsite itself you will find a bakery, greengrocer and an ice cream parlor and of course there is also good food. You don't really have to leave the campsite here!
View Campsite Union Lido on the Adriatic coast
7. Camping Marina di Venezia – Adriatic Coast
Not far from Camping Union Lido, in the same municipality, you will find Camping Marina di Venezia (5 stars). This campsite is also located directly on the beach of the Adriatic Sea.
You don't have to be afraid that your children will be bored here. There are no fewer than 6 swimming pools and numerous attractions at this campsite. In the meantime, you can enjoy a good book on the sun terrace or completely relax in the hot tub.
The golden sandy beach directly at the campsite is of course a big plus. Do your kids like to swim? Then you can hardly find a better campsite than this Marina di Venezia.
If you've had enough of all the water fun, just head into Venice or any of the other historical or cultural sites.
View Camping Marina di Venezia on the Adriatic coast
8. Camping Vigna sul Mar – Adriatic coast
Just south of the Po river basin, right on the beautiful beach of the Adriatic coast, you will find Camping Vigna sul Mar.
This is a site that is particularly suitable for families with small children. The wide beach slopes gently into the sea. The campsite has 2 larger swimming pools (one with a few small slides) and 1 wading pool for the little ones.
The village of Lido di Pomposa is attractive, has a beautiful promenade and offers cozy restaurants. The surrounding nature with its recognizable polder landscape in the Po Delta is also special.
Please note that this campsite will not open until after the Dutch May holiday in 2022!
View Campsite Vigna sul Mar on the Adriatic coast
Tuscany Campsites
Does Tuscany need an introduction? Cypresses, an undulating landscape, medieval towns, art, culture, the best food… For Italians too, Tuscany is one of the most popular destinations in the country.
Yes, Tuscany is easily about 1.400 km away. Not everyone will have that for one week, but if your May holiday lasts 2 weeks, it is definitely worth it. We even did it for a week.
In Tuscany the sun shines even more often than in the northern regions and you also have a greater chance of higher temperatures. Even at the end of April, beginning of May it can be a wonderful place to stay.
We have listed a few of the best campsites for a wonderful Tuscan May holiday below.
9. Camping Etruria – Tuscany
Camping Etruria is a popular campsite among the Dutch in a pine forest, right on the coast of Tuscany. Here you can enjoy the sea and a lovely sandy beach.
In terms of accommodation, you can choose from glamping facilities, a mobile home or camping pitch if you come with your own tent, camper or caravan. The water park with slides, waterfalls and fountains is not to be missed.
Enjoy the Tuscan tranquility, the beach and the green surroundings. Make trips to the island of Elba or to beautiful Florence.
View Camping Etruria in Tuscany
10. Camping Norcenni Girasole Club – Tuscany
Not on the coast, but in a beautiful spot in the Florentine hills near Figline Valdarno you will find the 4-star campsite Norcenni Girasole Club. This campsite will open at the end of April, just in time for the May holiday.
At the campsite you will actually find everything you need for a carefree May holiday that is over much too quickly. Restaurant, bar, bakery, supermarket and of course many water slides, rapids and other water fun in the lagoon-style water park.
Norcenni Girasole Club is a beautifully landscaped, green site in the heart of the Chianti area. Visit cities such as Florence, Siena and Arezzo.
View Camping Norcenni Girasole Club in Tuscany
11. Camping Le Pianacce – Tuscany
Not far from the Tyrrhenian coast, Camping Le Pianacce is located in the green Tuscan hills near Castagneto Carducci. It is almost a cliché, between the pine trees, cypresses and vines. If you want to experience Tuscany as it should be, this campsite is the place for you.
The campsite has a beautiful swimming pool with separate children's pool and a water playground, where the children will have a great time. Do you want to go to sea? Then you can take the shuttle bus. It will drop you off at the beautiful sandy beach.
You can also enjoy culture here. Not far are places like Pisa, Grosseto and Volterra. Indeed, it doesn't get more Tuscan.
View Camping Le Pianacce in Tuscany
12. Camping Park Albatros – Tuscany
One of the top rated campsites on the Tuscan coast is Camping Park Albatros Village. The campsite is located in Livorno, a stone's throw from the beach.
The campsite is located in the middle of a pine forest with amenities such as shops, restaurants and a large and child-friendly swimming paradise with lagoon pools.
There are several mobile homes for 2 to 6 people for rent. Spacious pitches are available for campers, caravans and tents. The holiday park has an entertainment team with disco and children's activities.
The inner man has also been thought of – how could it be otherwise in Italy: enjoy a delicious Italian pizza or tasty cocktail.
View Camping Park Albatros in Tuscany
13. Camping Village La Capanne – Tuscany
In Bibbona (Livorno) we find Camping Village Le Capanne. A well-maintained campsite with a large swimming pool, a great entertainment team and handy shops. Camping Le Capanne with its luxury mobile homes is a real glamping.
It also offers sufficient space for tents and caravans. Feel free to bring your dog: a playground has been created especially for these four-legged friends! From your holiday home you can quickly reach well-known cities such as Siena and Lucca.
View Camping Le Capanne in Tuscany
Looking for more attractive campsites on the Tuscan coast? We have listed 15 of the most beautiful here for you.
Where are we going ourselves?
Are we going on a trip to This is Italy itself during the May holiday? Yes, and the weather promises to be beautiful.
We ourselves will travel to Campsite Del Garda on Lake Garda (more on that later). The children only have one week of May holidays and Peschiera is then easily accessible by car.
By car to Italy during the May holiday
In most cases, families travel to Italy by car during the May holidays. Lake Garda and the northern part of the Adriatic coast are also doable in one day.
If you choose to drive in one piece, get up early so that you are still in the south of Germany in the morning and you avoid the main traffic.
Don't forget to exchange your winter tires for summer tires. And a holiday check of your car is also recommended if you are going to drive it for a long time.
If you don't like that rush, book one overnight in a hotel en route to Italy.
You can read more tips for a car holiday to Italy here.
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