Campervan hire in Bologna — Modena, Parma, Ravenna, the Romagna hills and tips for 2027

Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, is a red-brick university city with almost forty kilometres of porticoes and one of Italy's best food cultures, and the best way to see it is on foot. As a base for a campervan trip it sits right in the middle of things: the A1, A13 and A14 motorways meet here, the towns of the Food Valley line the old Via Emilia to the west, and the hills, mosaics and beaches of Romagna lie to the east. This guide covers routes, places to stay and the rules travellers run into most often.

Bologna itself

Leave the campervan at a campsite or motorhome area on the outskirts and go into the centre by bus. The historic centre is a camera-controlled limited traffic zone (ZTL), and since 2024 most of the city's streets have a 30 km/h speed limit. Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers and the market streets of the Quadrilatero are all within walking distance, and the longest portico in the world climbs almost four kilometres to the sanctuary of San Luca on the hill above the city.

The Food Valley

• Modena (about 40 km): the cathedral and Piazza Grande, traditional balsamic vinegar producers and the Enzo Ferrari museum; the Ferrari museum in Maranello is a short drive further.
• Parma (about 95 km): Romanesque cathedral and baptistery, and around the city the dairies of Parmigiano Reggiano and the ham producers of Langhirano, many of which offer tours.
• Ferrara (about 50 km): a Renaissance city with the Este castle and nine kilometres of walls that you can walk or cycle around.

Romagna and the coast

• Dozza (about 35 km): a small hilltop village whose walls are covered with murals, with a regional wine shop in the castle.
• Brisighella (about 60 km): a medieval village above Faenza with a fortress, a clock tower and the covered Via degli Asini.
• Ravenna (about 75 km): early Christian and Byzantine mosaics in eight UNESCO-listed monuments, including San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. See the Ravenna campervan page.
• Comacchio and the Po Delta (about 100 km): a lagoon town of canals and bridges, and a regional park with flamingos and wetland roads.
• Rimini and San Marino (about 120–135 km): Rimini's Roman bridge and long beaches, and the hilltop republic of San Marino, which you reach by steep, winding roads. See the Rimini campervan page.

Heading on? Bologna is on the A1 between Milan and Rome: see our Milan campervan guide and Rome campervan guide.

Where to stay

• Campsites. There are only a few campsites near Bologna, but dozens along the Adriatic coast and some in the Apennine valleys. In July and August, when the coast is full, book ahead.
• Motorhome areas. Emilia-Romagna has many an area di sosta camper, sometimes free, more often for a small fee, with water and waste disposal, often close to historic centres. Camping apps show the current list and reviews.
• Parking versus camping. In Italy a campervan may generally park like any other vehicle unless it is locally prohibited, but chairs, an awning or levelling blocks count as camping and are only allowed at campsites and designated areas.

Driving tips

• ZTL zones. Almost every historic centre in the region, including Modena, Parma, Ferrara and Ravenna, has a camera-controlled limited traffic zone. Watch for "Zona a traffico limitato" signs and never follow the satnav through the gate.
• Tolls. The A1, A13 and A14 have tolls, and campervans often pay a higher class than cars because of their height. On summer weekends the A14 towards the coast is often congested.
• Speed limits. Generally 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on main roads outside built-up areas and 50 km/h in town (30 km/h on most streets in Bologna); heavier motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits.
• Fog and winter. In autumn and winter the Po valley is often foggy, so slow down and keep your distance. On Apennine roads winter tyres or chains on board are compulsory from 15 November to 15 April.

When to go

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are the best seasons, with mild weather and food festivals (sagre) in the towns. July and August are hot inland and the coast is at its busiest, especially around Ferragosto in mid-August. Winters are cold and damp in the plain, and some campsites close.

A campervan in Bologna with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our campervan offer in Bologna. Send us your dates and number of travellers through the contact page and we will look for a vehicle for you, and keep an eye on the campervans in Bologna page for new listings. Do you rent out a campervan in or around Bologna? List it with us.