The 12 best campsites in Liguria

Liguria is the region of northwest Italy, which has one of the most scenic pieces of coastline in Europe and is home to the stunning Cinque Terre villages as well as amazing towns like Sanremo and Portofino . Despite being the third-smallest region in Italy, Liguria is a place of many historical and natural treasures that need to be explored. 

But what about the campsites? The region has more than 100 campsites. The majority of them are located on or near the beaches, have outdoor swimming pools and are pet-friendly. Sounds good? Continue reading because it is just the beginning! These top 12 campsites mentioned below are just perfect for family vacations, travelling with pets, searching for the best Italian restaurants, going to explore Ligurian treasures or practising sports. So, if you are planning a camping holiday in Liguria, check out these 12 best-rated campsites.

Camping Delle Rose is a family-run campsite where hospitality is the most important thing. The pleasant family campsite is located on the Italian Flower Riviera (Flower Riviera) in the green Nervia valley, just a fifteen-minute drive from the Mediterranean Sea. The Riviera dei Fiori is the western part of the Riviera di Ponente. It is such a beautiful stretch of coast that the famous Italian poet Eugenio Montale sang its praises in his poems. It offers unique views and panoramas: the sea, nature, and many medieval villages that dot both the coast and the hinterland make this stretch of the Riviera an ideal holiday destination.

The terraced campsite has beautiful apartments, camping pitches, glamping safari tents and mobile homes for rent. Mountains and sea, medieval villages, culinary specialities, and breathtaking views are all within easy reach of Camping Delle Rose. Moreover, this campsite is a true animal lover and has its own cats. Pets are always welcome everywhere on the campsite, so do not leave your furry friend at home.

This campsite is the closest to the city of Sanremo (20 kilometres away). Although this town is no longer the popular resort for the wealthy that it once was, it is still a charming place to visit, offering the elegance of the belle epoque villas, many green spaces, and a small but charming historic centre. Sanremo is well-known worldwide because of the Sanremo music festival (the Italian Song Festival) and the flower festival. The flower festival is traditionally held in March, with a parade of flower floats and marching bands. So, if you are planning your camping holidays in March, do not forget this amazing, fragrant event!

Camping Calvisio, located in Finale Ligure, offers access to many amenities like the solarium, the semi-Olympic and children's pools with water activities and hydromassage, the café, and the pizzeria with a wood oven. There are various recreational activities available for maintaining physical and mental well-being, including soccer and volleyball competitions and the option to work out in the outdoor gym. Thus, do not pass up the enjoyable excursions to the adjacent riding centre, "Le Perle Nere di GiuEle," where you can meet the horses and ponies of the riding school and sample the farm's wine and oil. 

Camping Calvisio is a pet-friendly campsite where you can enjoy your holidays with your four-legged friends. The structure, immersed in the greenery of the Calvisio Valley, welcomes dogs and cats and offers them the right space and the necessary tranquillity in the large pitches and green spaces. The campsite strongly believes in the therapeutic power of rediscovering precious contact with nature and animals. Regular guests of the campsite are a dog, three cats, and sixteen turtles. A few steps from the campsite is the riding school, Le Perle Nere di GIuEle, where eleven horses and ten ponies await you. The structure also has an agreement with several pet-friendly beaches in Finale Ligure that offer an area dedicated to pets. 

Camping Dei Fiori is a small and pleasant campsite, located in Pietra Ligure, in the province of Savona, where you and your family will find both entertainment and relaxation. It is a good starting point to discover Liguria, its history, culture, and amazing nature.

You will find comfortable and modern mobile homes, divided into 4 types: Alloro, Charme, Next, and Ulivi. Choose the one that best suits your needs. They are all equipped with all the amenities to make you feel at home. Mobile homes can accommodate groups and families from 4 to 6 people. They are all equipped with a covered veranda, double rooms, a living room, a kitchenette, television, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with a shower. Moreover, you can rent an Airlodge, which can accommodate up to 4 people. It has 2 bedrooms and a wooden terrace with garden furniture. It has a fully equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet. For holidays in close contact with nature, you can rent pitches. There are 232 pitches in all, to stay in complete freedom, in a tent, camper or caravan, depending on your needs and your desires. Or, you can try glamping! It is a modern way of camping. You will be in direct contact with nature while staying in a safari tent and will have all the amenities you may need. Thus, for your convenience, while at Camping dei Fiori, you will find lots of services: free hot showers, laundry service with washing machines, coin-operated dishwashers, a baby area, free WiFi, and others. 

This family-oriented vacation village in Pietra Ligure awaits your children, to bring them into a world of fun and games. At your disposal, there will be a playground, a swimming pool for children, and numerous fun games to be discovered. Your children will be engaged in great, interesting activities, playful and recreational areas, dancing events, entertaining shows; and many other activities.

The campsite is divided into 140 emplacements, tree-lined walkways, and common areas. There are two swimming pools, hot showers, a car park, a bar, a mini-market, a laundry, and free Wi-Fi. Performances and dancing parties are organised during the busiest months.

There is a free shuttle service to get you to the beach on the weekends in July and every day in August. Only 5 kilometres separate the Mare Monti Camping from Sestri Levante's centre, allowing the campers to take advantage of the town's many amenities, including two train stations, a good starting point for trips to Genoa, Cinque Terre, Portofino, and numerous other tourist destinations along the Tigullio and Poets' Gulfs.

Thus, almost all of these gorgeous cities or towns have what you are looking for when shopping in their authentic market stalls. If you are interested in markets in Liguria, check out this blog: Markets in Liguria, Italy.

Sestri Levante is undoubtedly one of the seaside resorts in Liguria with the largest and most numerous beaches. Unlike many other places in the region, here you will find spacious beaches where you can spend days at the beach in comfort without necessarily having to share your space with people-crowds. The sea here is clean and transparent. Here you will find private beaches equipped with excellent services, but also free beaches where you can relax in total freedom. Take advantage of the perfect location and enjoy the amazing Sestri Levante beaches!

Camping pian dei Boschi is situated in a peaceful setting surrounded by greenery, just 700 metres from the sea. The campsite provides a variety of lodging options, including comfortable apartments in the residence, two-room apartments and studios with a balcony, terrace, or garden, and modern mobile homes with a veranda, air conditioning, and TV. There are two swimming pools, kids' entertainment, a mini club, a supervised beach, a tennis court, a laundry, a bar, a supermarket, and a restaurant/pizzeria. The Ristorante Pizzeria Pian dei Boschi da Alban, in a cosy setting, has earned a lot of appreciation for the raw resources utilised to generate the freshest meals and the experience. The chef is enthusiastic about cuisine and values traditional recipes while also concentrating on sustainability and seasonal ingredients. Read more about the Top 10 campings with best restaurant.

Camping Bella Vista was established in 1961 on the beautiful Italian Flower Riviera in Liguria. The campsite was taken over by the Kox family from the Dutch province of Brabant in 1976. In 2022, the campsite was purchased by family friends and managed by Tijs van Dorenmalen and Kim Duis. It did not take long for this enthusiastic and welcoming Brabant couple to accept the offer and make their long-held dream a reality. 

Camping Bella Vista is a flower-filled oasis located between the mountains and the sea, offering the ideal combination of the liveliness of the coast and the calm of the beautiful inland area. The camping's small size and quiet location make it ideal for families with children. The campsite is equipped with free sun loungers, showers, a small playground, and a swimming pool area. 

The campsite is on the outskirts of Albenga which is definitely worth a visit. It is a small but great tourist destination and has a beautiful historical town, full of medieval buildings and plenty of quaint shops, restaurants and bars. 

Alassio is another beautiful town that needs to be explored. It is one of the most popular seaside towns in western Liguria and is considered the queen of the Riviera delle Palme. One of the top attractions here is Giardini di Villa della Pergola. The Historical Botanical Gardens, which have been restored by architect Paolo Pejrone, cover a surface area of 22.000 m2 and are known for their abundance of evergreen Mediterranean and exotic flora. The park is considered one of the botanical wonders of the Riviera and the Mediterranean.

Finally, do not miss Savona . It could be a perfect one-day trip. In the heart of the city, Savona has the Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel). In fact, Savona is known as "la città dei Papi" (the city of Popes) because it is the birthplace of two Popes, Sisto IV and Giulio II. Sisto IV, who promoted the Sistine Chapel in Rome, had another chapel built in Savona as a mausoleum for its parents, and this chapel has incredible rococo-style frescoes.

* Camping Pian dei Boschi and Camping Bella Vista are located near one of the most beautiful Italian waterparks, Aquatic Park Le Caravelle, completely fitting into the Mediterranean vegetation. The waterpark has various attractions such as slides, a pool with waves, a wild water slide, a few infant pools, a wellness area, and a lot more. There is an entertainment show every day. The park has a bar and a self-service restaurant, and also a picnic area in case you want to bring your own food. Go for some water fun attractions! 

The Camping Village Smeraldo is a family-run campsite. It is situated in a beautiful location overlooking the sea, surrounded by pure nature and lush Mediterranean vegetation, overlooking the Gulf of Moneglia, which offers a beautiful and unique view with its crystal clear waters. The campsite offers well-equipped bungalows that are made of wood and have a sea view terrace, a fully equipped kitchenette, a bathroom, a TV, and Wi-Fi. Thus, you can enjoy the campsite’s private beach and numerous activities without leaving the property, including canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Within the campsite, all services are at your disposal: grocery store, bar, pizzeria with wood oven, restaurant, solarium, etc. 

Camping Smeraldo has long been a favourite destination for those looking to go on underwater excursions in the area between the two marine reserves of Portofino and Cinque Terre. For divers, Camping Smeraldo offers a scuba tank charge service, and visitors can depart by boat from the beach to explore one of Italy's most stunning natural heritages. The Diving Center Punta Rospo in Moneglia also offers vehicles and equipment, as well as the chance to enrol in diving and snorkelling classes. The fishing lovers and everyone who wants to sail to explore the Ligurian coast are also not forgotten.

Camping La Sfinge is in a wonderful location just a few steps from the sea. Thus, it is some 50 km away from Portofino and 40 km away from the wonderful Cinque Terre villages. There are several lodging options: camping pitches, tents, mobile homes, and bungalows. Choose your favourite accommodation and enjoy the best camping holidays. There is a free shuttle bus service all year round going to the beach and the train station, a minimarket with groceries and camping equipment; and a laundry room with washing machines and dryers. 

Camping means nature! It is a pet-friendly and eco-aware campsite. Dogs must be kept on a leash at the campsite, but in the village, they can run freely everywhere. The campsite attempts to preserve the local vegetation and respects the environment. You will discover boxes for glass, cans/aluminium, paper, and plastic at the campsite (each in a different colour). 

Tigullio Camping and Resort is located in the captivating Liguria coastal area in Sestri Levante, in the province of Genoa. It is a family-friendly campsite where you and your family will find both entertainment and relaxation. The beach is approximately 900 metres from the campsite and can be reached on foot or by mini-train service. 

For holidays in a tent, campervan or caravan, there are comfortable pitches in the shade and amidst the olive groves. If you are looking for different options, the campsite offers bungalows and chalets that are furnished and fully equipped. It is an alternative idea for families with children, but also for couples and groups of friends that want to camp with all the comforts. 

During the summer, the campsite offers a variety of entertainment options. During the months of July and August, qualified entertainment staff organises dance nights, games, sports tournaments, and theme events. Miniclub services are available at both the beach and the campsite for young children, as well as shows with jugglers and clowns. Aquagym and swimming lessons are two other activities. Electronic games, ping pong, and table soccer are also available. 

At the Camping Resort Tigullio's pizzeria-restaurant, you can sample traditional Ligurian dishes, Italian specialities, and a variety of Italian pizzas that will satisfy everyone. The chefs' regional and international theme nights delight all guests. On request, the restaurant can prepare gluten-free dishes.

The campsite is located among the old railway tunnels dating back to the 19th century, which over time became a carriage road with alternating one-way traffic regulated by traffic lights. The most particular location you can imagine. Surrounded by unspoiled nature, it is located just 600 metres from the centre of Moneglia. Moneglia is a quiet, family-friendly town with lots of shops and great authentic restaurants. Like all the other Italian regions, Liguria is also known for its culinary highlights, and in Moneglia you can even find two Michelin-rated restaurants. 

One of them is "Orto by Jorg Giubbani". The Orto outdoors is spread over three levels of the Ligurian hillside, surrounded by lush vegetation. A few steps down, a part of our culinary garden full of fragrant herbs and citrus, fruit and vegetables, is a precious source of inspiration for Jorg and his crew when creating a new dish.

Another one is "La Ruota" restaurant. It offers you a menu with fresh fish right from the sea, seasonal vegetables, and a wide range of wines. The dinner begins at sunset, about 8.30 p.m., with a glass of wine and several starters, such as seppie con i funghi (squids and mushrooms), piatto mediterraneo (baby squids, tomatoes, potatoes, parsley and olive oil), ombrina in maionese (croaker fish served with mayonnaise), and goes on with pasta and a big fish cooked in the oven. Then you decide whether to try our vanilla ice-cream crepe suzette or to conclude with our shellfish triumph (scampi, prawns or langoustine). 

The campsite is located between Liguria and Tuscany and covers an area of 90,000 square metres, surrounded by pine forest or silver poplar, it overlooks the banks of the Magra river and is inserted in the heart of the park of Montemarcello-Magra. Thus, it is located just 3 km from Sarzana. Take a walk around this charming small Italian town, nestled between the Apuan Alps and the sea, and enjoy sightseeing around. Although many do not know about it, Sarzana is on the Via Francigena, one of the most important pilgrimage routes in Europe. There is a Medici fortress, the house of Napoleon’s ancestors, and it was the birthplace of Pope Nicolas the V, the Pope who founded the Vatican Library. Its cathedral houses some relics of St. Andrew and lots more besides.

Camping La Pineta is situated on a green hill 400 metres from the sea (beach of Renà), on an area of 15,000 m2, distributed in terraces and shaded by pine trees. There is a bar-restaurant and a pizzeria with a wood-fired oven. For a relaxing dinner, you can enjoy traditional Ligurian dishes on the terrace, far away from the heat and traffic.

The campsite is located in Riva Trigoso. The hamlet of Riva Trigoso was once a fishing village and is now home to renowned shipbuilding companies. It is located in the Gulf of Tigullio, on the Riviera di Levante, about 4 km from the Sestri Levante town centre. The locality is well-known not only for its famous shipyards, where renowned pleasure boats are built but also for its delicious fish soup, the local speciality. Food lovers and affluent tasters travel to the village to experience this delicacy during the penultimate weekend of July when the Bagnun festival is held in honour of the well-known bagnun fish soup.