Campervan hire in Milan — Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda and tips for 2027

Milan is Italy's business and fashion capital, and the best way to see it is on foot and by metro. As a starting point for a campervan trip, though, it is excellent: within an hour or two you can be on the shores of Lake Como, Maggiore, Orta, Iseo or Garda, in the old upper town of Bergamo or in the wine country of Franciacorta, and the Alps start just beyond the lakes. This guide covers routes, places to stay and the rules travellers run into most often.

Milan itself

Leave the campervan at a campsite on the outskirts and go into the centre by metro, tram or train. The centre is Area C, a camera-controlled zone where you pay to enter on weekdays and where many vehicles are banned altogether, and almost the whole city lies inside Area B, a low-emission zone that restricts older and more polluting vehicles on weekdays. Most rental campervans are recent, but check with the rental company which emission class yours is. The Duomo, the Galleria, Brera and the Navigli canals are best on foot anyway.

The lakes

• Lake Como (about 50 km to Como): the town of Como with its cathedral and the funicular to Brunate, then by ferry to Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzo. The lakeside roads on both shores are narrow and busy in summer, so with a campervan it is easiest to park in Como or stay at the northern end of the lake and use the ferries.
• Lake Maggiore (about 90 km to Stresa): Stresa and the Borromean Islands by boat, gardens such as Villa Taranto, and many campsites along the shore. From the northern end you can continue into Switzerland at Locarno.
• Lake Orta (about 90 km): small and quiet, with the village of Orta San Giulio and the island of San Giulio opposite.
• Lake Iseo (about 100 km): Monte Isola, a car-free island reached by ferry, and the Franciacorta wine region on the southern shore.
• Lake Garda (about 130 km to Sirmione): Sirmione and its castle, Peschiera, Bardolino and Malcesine with the cable car to Monte Baldo, plus the largest choice of campsites in northern Italy. See also our campervan location in Peschiera del Garda.

Other trips from Milan

• Bergamo (about 50 km): the walled Città Alta on its hill, reached by funicular from the lower town. See the Bergamo campervan page.
• Pavia and the Certosa (about 35 km): a university town and one of Italy's most lavish monasteries.
• Piedmont (about 150 km to Alba): the vineyards of the Langhe and Roero, truffle season in autumn.
• The Alps: Valtellina and the Stelvio Pass (about 200 km to Bormio, open only in summer), or a longer loop to the Dolomites. If you are heading for the coast, see our guide to boat rental in Genoa.

Where to stay

• Campsites. There are only a few campsites close to Milan, but those that exist have a bus or metro connection to the centre. Around the lakes the choice is much larger; in July and August and around big events book ahead.
• Motorhome areas. Many Italian municipalities have an area di sosta camper, sometimes free, more often for a small fee, with water and waste disposal. 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 Italian historic centre, including those of the lake towns, has a camera-controlled limited traffic zone. Watch for "Zona a traffico limitato" signs and never follow the satnav through the gate.
• Tolls. Motorways such as the A4, A8 and A9 have tolls, and parts of the Milan ring roads (tangenziali) have toll barriers too; campervans often pay a higher class than cars because of their height. Pay by card or cash at the booths.
• Speed limits. Generally 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on main roads outside built-up areas and 50 km/h in town; heavier motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits.
• Winter equipment. On many roads in northern Italy winter tyres or chains on board are compulsory from 15 November to 15 April, and in the mountains this matters. In winter the Po valley is often foggy.

When to go

Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September and October) are the best seasons: the lakes are green, the ferries run, and the campsites are open but not full. July and August are hot in Milan and busy at the lakes, especially at weekends. Many lakeside campsites close from around October to March.

A campervan in Milan with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our campervan offer in Milan. 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 Milan page for new listings. Do you rent out a campervan in or around Milan? List it with us.