Camping Emilia-Romagna

A land of a thousand discoveries, breathtaking panoramic views, and ancient historical and natural landmarks, the region of Emilia-Romagna in Italy should be on everyone's camping enthusiast's list of places to visit. Emilia Romagna offers up a fantastic mix of culinary, architectural, and art-based treats wrapped up in one. It is a region with a lot of places, interests, events, itineraries, and experiences to discover. Plan your vacation now to explore the wonderful Emilia-Romagna! 

Emilia-Romagna is situated in northern Italy and borders the regions of Lombardy and Veneto to the north, Liguria and Piedmont to the west, and Tuscany, Marche, and the Republic of San Marino to the south. Emilia-Romagna on the east side is washed by the Adriatic Sea, into which the country’s longest river Po flows.

Emilia-Romagna on the east side is washed by the Adriatic Sea, into which the country’s longest river Po flows. 

Emilia-Romagna is well-known for popular coastal resorts such as Cesenatico, Rimini, and Riccione. Tourism is well catered for, with the Adriatic coastline providing plenty of warming sun, sea, and loads of entertainment. Do not miss the Romagna Riviera, with its long sandy beaches and clear waters, perfect for family vacations. 

The geology of Emilia-Romagna varies, with lagoons and saline areas in the north and many thermal springs throughout the rest of the region. And, in 2018, Emilia-Romagna was named the best place to see in Europe! 

The region became officially part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860 and since then it met a restructuring of the agriculture. This restructuring resulted in the rise of an agricultural proletariat and a general accentuation of the class conflicts. In this climate spread the cooperatives, the mutual relief organizations and the workforce chambers, institutions that created the basis of the modern Emilia-Romagna. Now Emilia-Romagna is one of the wealthiest and most developed regions in Europe, with the third highest gross domestic product per capita in Italy.

Every city and every village in Emilia-Romagna has something special to offer. But, these are the top ones that cannot be missed:

Bologna - a world-famous city for its wrongly named bolognese sauce (the correct name is al ragù). It is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and has a lot to offer. Among many touristic places in the city, you can visit the oldest university in the world, founded in the 11th century. Besides plenty of unique sites, Bologna is also known as a foodie’s paradise. It is the city where well-known pasta dishes, meats, cheeses, and wines come from.  

Brisighella - an amazing hidden gem if you want a dreamy Italian village without tourist crowds. It is a small village flanked by three hills, surrounded by lush nature. It has a lot of routes between hills and colourful villages with cosy restaurants, gelato shops, and guesthouses to offer. And, it is important to mention that nearby mountains provide camping. Go explore the amazing views of the Brisighella and spend the evening listening to a concert in the old quarry, which now hosts live music events!

Modena - a city known for its wonderful cuisine, history, and culture. Lots of food lovers often come to this medieval city to sample flavors that simply cannot be replicated in other parts of the world. Besides food, its classy historic center packs a cultural punch with its monuments, museums, art, and entertainment. If you are looking for experiences related to food and art in one city, Modena is the right fit for you. 

Piacenza - embraced by the hills and situated on the banks of the river Po, the city is rich in history and culture. The old town center features several beautiful palaces and churches such as the Palazzo Farnese and the Palazzo Gotico. Piacenza is also known for its fine food and wine culture and offers fantastic dining experiences.

Ferrara - one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites and culturally most important Italian Renaissance cities. Ferrara is one of the European capitals of culture, arts, politics and gastronomy. It is known for the buildings erected by its Renaissance rulers, the Este family, which includes the moated Este Castle. The historic center of Ferrara is well preserved and easy to visit, giving a nice view of the evolution from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. 

Parma - a university city, famed for its Romanesque buildings, including the frescoed Parma Cathedral and the pink marble Baptistery. Parma is also well-known for Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), and Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham) which you must have to taste while visiting Parma. 

Ravenna - a city known for its colourful mosaics adorning many of its central buildings, like the octagonal Basilica di San Vitale, the 6th-century Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia. The city offers well-preserved late Roman and Byzantine architecture with 8 buildings comprising the UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are interested in history, Ravenna is just for you.

1. Romagna Riviera.

It is one of the most popular beach vacation destinations in all of Italy. Every summer, the beaches of Romagna gets crowded by tourists who come from Italy and all over Europe to enjoy a vacation full of relaxation and fun. The beaches of Romagna Riviera are wide in length and depth, they have super fine golden sand, calm and clean waters and shallow sandy seafloors. On the Romagna Riviera, you will find both public beaches and beach clubs.

2. The Po Delta Nature Park.

Forests and green pinewoods, abundant flora and fauna population, valleys of freshwater and rivers that flow into the Adriatic: these are some of the pieces that make up the extraordinary mosaic of the Po Delta, a magnificent example of biodiversity. The Po Delta Nature Park is so unique as to have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Anyone would be amazed at the wide variety of environments and cultural attractions that this area can offer. On foot, by boat, by bike, or on horseback: there are many ways to experience this unique natural ecosystem depending on the season.

3. Rimini and the places of Federico Fellini.

Sandy beaches, nightlife and amusement parks have long made Rimini a widely popular resort on the Adriatic coast. Roman and medieval landmarks shape the historic center, while the castle-topped villages of the hinterland called for a trip out of town. Another way to experience the city is through the eyes of Federico Fellini (a famous Italian film director and screenwriter), starting from the brand-new museum celebrating the 100th anniversary of his birth. 

4. Bagno di Romagna.

The local thermal baths are the perfect spot to stretch your legs and unwind in warm and natural thermal baths. It has been a renowned thermal town since Roman times. The outdoor attractions include mountain lakes and a gnome village for the youngest visitors, while winter days can be spent looking at snowy slopes from the heated pools. 

5. San Marino.

The Republic of San Marino is not part of Emilia-Romagna nor part of Italy, it is a different country, which happened to be surrounded by this Italian region. But, while you are in Emilia-Romagna why not take a day trip to the world’s fifth smallest country? Among the world’s oldest republics, it retains much of its historic architecture. On the slopes of Monte Titano sits the capital, also called San Marino, known for its mediaeval walled old town and narrow cobblestone streets.

1. Visit The Parma Cathedral (The Parma Cathedral).

It is one of the finest Romanesque Cathedrals in Italy. Its nave, with its impressive columns and frescoes, is breathtaking, but it is the Cathedral dome that will leave you speechless as you look up. This spectacular cathedral is a must-visit!

2. Be amazed by the King of Cheeses.

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is often called the ‘King of Cheeses’. Go to Parmigiano cheese Tour in Parma or in other cities, where you can experience the real Parmigiano cheese production in a very traditional factory. 

3. Visit the Casa Enzo Ferrari Museum with its stunning collection of cars in Modena.

If you can not get enough, head to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. Emilia-Romagna is home to the world-famous Motor Valley where automotive fans can feast one's eyes on Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati. 

4. Go to the beaches. Emilia-Romagna has a 90 km coastline along the Adriatic Sea with sandy beaches and countless beach clubs. The coastline, known as Riviera Romagnola, is dotted with numerous towns, the largest of which is Rimini. 

5. Stroll along canals designed by Leonardo da Vinci. The ancient port town of Cesenatico has canals which were designed by Leonardo da Vinci! The town is also home to a fascinating Maritime Museum as well as colourful sailboats in the harbor. And, the nearby beaches are a popular summer destination.

Emilia-Romagna is a leading agricultural region, growing maize, wheat, sugar beet, vegetables, and grapes on the slopes of the Apennine mountains. Emilia-Romagna is often touted as ‘the home of food’, due to being the birthplace of Ragù. The capital Bologna is often called ‘la grassa’ (the fat), but this nickname can be extended to the whole region, which is full of typical delicious food that has become a symbol of Italian cuisine abroad. So let’s see the top foods of Emilia-Romagna:

Mortadella. Starting with appetizers, you can find mortadella. It is a big sausage, prepared with pork meat mixed with fat cubes, pepper and pistachio. Mortadella is a very old food, whose roots originated in the Ancient Roman Empire.

Prosciutto. Still talking about appetizers, you can find prosciutto. In particular, prosciutto crudo is a cold cut realized with the dry salting of the pig’s leg, when it has become very fat. Moreover, prosciutto is another very old recipe, whose origins can be found in Etruscan cuisine.

Parmigiano Reggiano. It is a typical cheese of Emilia-Romagna, in particular of the area of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna. It is prepared with cow’s milk, partially skimmed and then seasoned. You can use Parmigiano in different ways, but you can also eat it alone as an appetizer.

Tortelli. It is a typical dish of Emilia-Romagna’s culinary tradition. Tortelli is a kind of fresh pasta, which is stretched by hand and then filled with meat, herbs, pumpkin, or cheese. Usually, in Bologna people eat it in broth, with a unique taste.

Lasagne al ragù. This dish is a classic of Emilian cuisine. It is a dish realized with egg pasta sheets, which are overlapped and split with ragù sauce and sometimes cheese. Lasagna is cooked in the oven and then served, ready to be eaten. Fun fact: did you know that lasagna is the oldest kind of pasta? Its first evidence of cooking dates back to the Roman era.

Emilia-Romagna has two National Parks, one of them is the Foreste Casentinesi National Park (the Foreste Casentinesi National Park), which is an ideal getaway from the chaos of the city. There is an array of activities you can do in the park, such as hiking through the forest, hunting for mushrooms, or going for guided excursions. Up amongst the mountains of the Casentinesi Forest National Park, you will find Bagno di Romagna, a charming and small town that is famed for the many thermal spa hotels and resorts. Second one is the Appennine Tosco-Emiliano National Park. The diversity of the villages, attractions, forests, and mountains may surprise you and their proximity allows you to see a little bit of everything in a short amount of time. Enjoy the natural surroundings, explore beautiful churches, medieval castles, unique culture, taste authentic food and wine, find a range of activities to enjoy with the whole family here, in the Apennine Tosco-Emiliano National Park! 

Need more fun? Emilia-Romagna has amusement parks too. One of them is Italy’s largest amusement and water park Mirabilandia in Savio, a few miles from Ravenna. The park provides plenty of exciting sensations as well as relaxation. Here every family member will find something to treasure as Mirabilandia means “Land of wonders”. Another amazing park for the whole family is Italia in Miniatura (Miniature Italy) Park in Rimini. The park has a 3D reverie that celebrates Italy’s historical, architectural and cultural heritage by representing it in very realistic details. The area has 10,000 plants and 5,000 miniature trees that create an amazing natural atmosphere. 

Want to get a taste of the real Italian everyday life? Go street shopping! As the region is a major tourist destination, visitors would be able to find many outdoor shopping spots throughout the region to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, plenty of antiques, handicrafts and even some bizarre and unique items. 

In Bologna. In the Montagnola Park and Piazza VIII Agosto every Friday and Saturday there is a weekly market declared the Historical Market of Emilia-Romagna: it is the Piazzola. Another popular market in Mercato delle Erbe in Via Ugo Bassi 23, opened from Monday till Saturday.

In Modena. Mercato storico Albinelli in Via Luigi Albinelli 13, a covered marketplace with a restaurant. 

In Ferrara. At Piazza Municipale or Piazza Castello every first and third Sunday of the month. 

In Ravenna. At piazza Zaccagnini - Wednesday and Saturday morning; piazza A. Costa - Wednesday and Saturday morning; piazza Medaglie d'Oro - Friday morning.

1. Notte Rosa (the Pink Night): during the first weekend of July the whole Riviera, from Ravenna to Rimini, is painted in pink. Shows, events, exhibitions and fireworks are held in every city, creating a truly unique atmosphere where you’ll have a lot of fun, for sure!
2. The Palio in Ferrara: a mediaeval themed horse race that runs every year on the last Sunday in May. 
3. Ferrara Balloons Festival: a 10-day event held in September and is the top hot air ballooning festival in Europe. 
4. Gola Gola Food Festival in Piacenza: 5-7 June the city of Piacenza transforms into a village of themed areas dedicated to traditional Italian cuisine. There is probably no other festival in Italy that combines the best tastings, cooking shows, kid’s labs, interactive performances, music, and other activities. 
5. P.Assaggi di Vino in Rimini. If on the weekend of July 15th you are in Rimini, go to P.Assaggi di Vino, the event dedicated to the local wine, which takes place between the typical streets of Borgo San Giuliano in Rimini. Get a taste of the fine Italian wine! 

Emilia-Romagna offers everything for camping enthusiasts: amazing landscapes including sea, mountains, plains, good weather, which has a significant compact on a camping experience, and of course, amazing food. There is a huge variety of camping types in Emilia-Romagna: farm, motor home, naturist, glamping, mini camping, and city campgrounds. But, the most popular ones are family-friendly campgrounds which are well-equipped for both adults and kids. Do not want to leave your four-legged friend at home? Bring them along! Most of the campgrounds are pet-friendly but check it before going. 

These RV spots are solely designed for RV's. In Emilia-Romagna RV campgrounds are well-equipped, usually, come with electricity connection and water drainage. Sanitary facilities and RV service are always at your disposal in the campground’s area. Go enjoy the best camping experience in Emilia-Romagna’s natural surroundings! 

Glamping in Emilia-Romagna offers different kinds of accommodations, from the most popular to the most unusual ones: tended cabins, safari tents, cottages, yurts, villas, domes, tree houses, bell tents, and many others. There are a lot of unique tourist opportunities as well, from some of the more unusual offerings like trailer glamping or even glamping in caves. It all depends on what kind of camping you prefer the most. You can enjoy the culture of Italy without getting crammed into a city full of tourists! 

Choose the ideal camping type with fantastic facilities, comfortable accommodation, many activities and much more to ensure a super sun-kissed escape - vacation resorts. Vacation resorts are the best choice for quality camping. Many Emilia-Romagna vacation resorts welcome you with a combination of bathing resorts, comfortable accommodation, many shops, a wide choice of restaurants/bars and a variety of activities blending harmoniously with the beauty of nature. Thus, vacation resorts are often pet-friendly, where you can walk your dog everywhere on the campground and access all areas, where you can find pet showers, off-leash areas, and even pet beaches. Vacation resorts are the best choice if you are planning vacations with your friends or family, it is the place, where you will find both relaxation and entertainment. Do not wait and book your vacations now!