Camping Cinque Terre – The FULL Guide + Best Campsites

Info & Tips About Camping in Cinque Terre National Park

Cinque Terre is one of the best landmarks in Italy, made of 5 villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare. It’s famous for the colorful houses built on top of cliffs, above the sea, and it’s truly a great destination to enjoy the outdoors.

Whether you’re planning to travel to Italy solely for the Cinque Terre, or if you’re visiting from a nearby city such as Milan or Florence, I’m sure you’ll have a blast in this part of Italy.

In this first part, we’ll answer all the questions you might have about camping in Cinque Terre National Park. To see the best campsites in the area, scroll down to the second part below.

Can you camp in Cinque Terre National Park?

No, you can’t.

Cinque Terre is a National Park, and it’s a protected area. It’s forbidden to camp in the park, and you can’t camp freely. It’s actually against Cinque Terre’s regulations to wild camp or rough camp.

However, it’s possible to book a campsite nearby, further north or south of the Cinque Terre. From the campsite, you can then reach the five villages by train or car in less than 20 minutes.

Are there campgrounds in the park?

No there isn’t any campground directly in Cinque Terre.

If you were looking for “camping Monterosso al Mare” or “Camping Riomaggiore”, sorry to disappoint. There is no campsite there nor in any of the 5 villages.

To camp in the area, you’ll have to find a campground outside of the Cinque Terre National Park. Scroll down below to see the list of the best sites for camping near Cinque Terre.

Can I get caught if I free camp in Cinque Terre?

Absolutely. Cinque Terre is a protected and popular area. So, there are frequent patrols everywhere, in the villages, but also on the trails.

Risk is lower in the off-season, but it’s very high if you’re going in summer.

What do I risk if I get caught?

You will need to pay a fine immediately, on the spot. The fine varies from 100€ to 500€, a high price to pay for a night of camping.

Pretty much anyone in the public sector security has the authority to issue the fine: Italian police, state police, local police, or state forestry corps.

Where can I go free camping near Cinque Terre?

While it’s strictly forbidden to camp in the national park, regulation is not so clear when you leave the protected area.

In fact, as Italian lawyer Claudia Cimato states, night bivouac from sunset to dawn is possible.

Make sure to be in a not too frequented area, where you won’t easily be seen, and don’t camp too close to the sea. Pitch your tent in the evening when it gets dark, and leave camp when the sun rises.

You’ll find below the map of the park: stay outside the orange area and you should be fine.

The no camping zone in Cinque Terre

Where can I stay for cheap?

If the number 1 reason you were planning to camp in Cinque Terre was money, there are other options.

While nothing beats free camping, there are a few places where you can stay in Cinque Terre for cheap. Below are some great hostels for around 30€ per night.

• Riomaggiore: Affittacamere Giovanni or Meli
• Corniglia: Ostello Corniglia
• If you don’t mind not staying inside the Cinque Terre, then you should consider staying in the town of La Spezia where you can find even more budget accommodations. It’s located less than a 10-minute train ride from Riomaggiore.

Is it possible to get around Cinque Terre in an RV?

Getting around Cinque Terre in a motorhome is a great idea. Even if you need to rent one on-site, it provides both transportation and lodging, so it’s a smart way to save money.

But to be honest, I would strongly advise against venturing into the villages themselves with your motorhome. The roads in the Cinque Terre are very narrow and winding. There’s also a lot of traffic, especially in the summer months. You’ll find it very difficult to maneuver and get around on the roads leading to the villages.

The best solution is to park your RV outside the five villages, and then get around Cinque Terre by train, which is the most affordable and convenient option in the area.

Where can I park my RV in Cinque Terre?

Here’s a list of places where you can park near the Cinque Terre if you’re traveling in an RV:

• Monterosso al Mare – Area Sosta Camper – Il Poggio: this parking lot is small, so it might be difficult to find a spot. It costs about 25€/day with an electric supply, easy drainage of wastewater, and drinking water loading facilities.
• Levanto – Area Sosta Camper: located close to Levanto train station, this parking has about 20 spots for about 24€/12 hours with the possibility to drain wastewater.
• La Spezia – Area Camper: not far from La Spezia train station, in the port area, this parking lot costs 8€/day.
• Portovenere – Parcheggio località Cavo Portovenere: this parking lot costs about 3€/hour; from there, you can access Cinque Terre by boat (the quickest) or public transport (about 1,5 hours).

The Best Cinque Terre Camping Grounds

Not feeling the illegal wild camping, or free camping right outside the national park? That’s alright.

While there aren’t any campsites directly in Cinque Terre, there are several in the close vicinity. I’ve listed below the best Cinque Terre camping grounds, where you’ll be able to pitch your tent legally (check out these camping tips before you go!), or park your RV to enjoy some camping in Italy.

1. Parco Vacanze Camping Smeraldo

This campsite is located north of Cinque Terre in the town of Moneglia, and it’s right next to the sea.

It’s actually a camping village, with many services: market, bar, and restaurant, plus table football and table tennis in the games room. You can even rent a canoe or a stand-up paddle directly from the campsite!

You’ll have the choice to choose tent pitches, bungalows, and caravans, starting from 40€ to 100€/day.

2. Camping Degli Ulivi

The Camping Degli Ulivi is in the town of Deiva Marina in the middle of an olive trees forest. It’s also only 100 meters from the sea, making it very easy to go to the beach.

This campground has 13 spots for RVs and 40 spots for tents with all the necessary facilities for a great stay. You also have the possibility to choose a bungalow.

3. Camping La Sfinge

The Camping La Sfinge is a bit further inland than the previous two, but it’s a calm place to relax. It’s located not far from Deiva Marina.

There, you can opt for pitches for campervans or tents, bungalows, or mobile homes. The campground services include a laundry room and a shuttle bus to the train station.

4. Camping Mare Monti

Located in Sestri Levante, this campsite is further from the Cinque Terre than the other campsites listed above. It’s still only 20 minutes away from Monterosso by train.

It’s a huge campsite with 140 camping spots for tents, campervans, as well as mobile homes. Services include a bar, a market, and even 2 swimming pools!

5. Acquadolce Camping Levanto Cinque Terre

This camping is in Levanto, right outside of the Cinque Terre. It’s the village just south of Monterosso, and it has great beaches, some of the best beaches in Cinque Terre.

And if you want to go to Cinque Terre, it’s very easy: simply take the train and you’ll reach the first village in 6 minutes!

6. Marina 3B Camping La Spezia Cinque Terre

Marina 3B is a holiday park located in Sarzana, right next to La Spezia, the point of entry to Cinque Terre.

It’s a big campsite, with 450 sites including 200 for RVs and tents. You’ll find everything you need there, from a restaurant and market to a playground and 2 swimming pools!

7. Villaggio Camping Valdeiva

This camping village located inland of Deiva Marina is a great place to stay, with a bar, restaurant, and pizzeria, a playground for your kids, and a swimming pool.

You can opt for a pitch either for your campervan or tent, a bungalow, or a mobile home with prices ranging from 10€ to 80€.

It also offers a free bus service to the train station, all year round. This is pretty sweet to go explore the nearby Cinque Terre.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre on a Budget

Looking for budget-friendly accommodation alternatives? Find below my best picks to stay in Cinque Terre without breaking the bank:

✅ Best Budget Pick – The Manarola Main Plaza: This guest house is located in Manarola, right inside the Cinque Terre, and provides large rooms with beautiful views of the village and the sea. Be sure you book quickly as it’s an unbeatable price!

🥈 Runner up – Lia Rooms 3: Located in La Spezia only 500 meters from the train station, this place offers the best value for money. Rooms are simple but comfy and equipped with all the essentials.

Check out this Cinque Terre hotel guides for more recommendations.

Best Things to Do in Cinque Terre

Here’s a quick list of the best things to do in Cinque Terre that suit all budgets:

Hiking Cinque Terre

One of the best ways to visit Cinque Terre and enjoy its picture-postcard landscapes is hiking. Whether you’re a novice hiker or an experienced one, the trails are suitable for all levels and promise unforgettable sights.

I recommend the Sentiero Azzurro, starting from Vernazza to Monterosso. This 3.7 km hike, which takes less than an hour and a half to complete, takes you through the typical vegetation of the region and offers breathtaking coastal views.

You have to pay a fee to access the hiking trails in the Cinque Terre National Park. Check it here.

Enjoy the beaches

Among the handful of beaches in Cinque Terre, Fegina Beach in Monterosso is certainly the best. Nestled in a beautiful setting and bordered by turquoise waters, it’s one of the few large sandy beaches in the area. There, you can rent water equipment for kayaking or paddling for example.

Explore the old towns

You’ll love wandering around the quaint old towns of the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre. The small streets lined with small shops, bars, and restaurants are unique and full of charm. They also host beautiful churches and a few monuments that are worth the look.

Take in the best views

There are a number of stunning viewpoints in the Cinque Terre offering amazing views of the region and the sea. One of the best viewpoints is the one in Manarola which provides a great panoramic view of the village and its colorful buildings.

Corniglia’s Santa Maria Belvedere and Vernazza’s Santuario di Nostra Signora di Reggio are other lookouts you shouldn’t miss.

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So there you have it, your full guide to Cinque Terre camping, and the best campgrounds in the area! I hope you have a nice trip to this part of Italy, and that you’ll find a nice spot to relax for a while and enjoy the coast.

If you have any questions left after reading this guide, ask me in the comments below and I’ll reply asap!