North East Italy Road Trip: A Campervan Itinerary for Northern Italy

Difficulty

480 km

Distance

9+

Recom. Days

General

Trip type

Hannah is a frequent traveller and road trip enthusiast from the UK that works as a freelance journalist at Indie Campers.
Hannah Hilton

Freelance travel writer and road trip enthusiast based in York, UK. When Hannah isn’t climbing mountains or hopping overseas on an adventure, you can find her at home with her crazy puppy Red.

North East Italy Road Trip Itinerary: Venice Round-Trip

North East Italy Road Trip map itinerary

Google Maps

This North East Italy road trip is a sure ticket to sweeping landscapes, charming hillside towns, and delightful restaurants serving homemade pasta dishes using age-old recipes at every turn. 

On this itinerary from Venice, you’ll be exposed to all that and more as you explore the island city of Venice, the medieval old town of Verona, the historical Bologna (the birth region of Bolognese sauce), and the Renaissance town of Ferrara.

Get ready to drive your campervan along dreamy winding roads as the Mediterranean sun beats down, soaking up the sights, sounds, and tastes of Northern Italy as you go.

forest road
Pick-up in
Venice depot
1

Float down Venetian Canals in Venice

Your North East Italy road trip itinerary begins (and ends) in the fantastic city of Venice, a sinking city famously known for its islands and canals and one bursting with class, history, and style.

Between the marble palaces and historical buildings boasting Venetian architecture, you’ll find a number of art museums, busy bacaros (bars) and romantic eateries to keep you entertained for the full three days you’ll spend here.

Man riding a Gondola in Venice

The Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs are two of Venice’s must-see landmarks. While the first is an incredibly ornate mansion, the latter is a historical monument and one of the most viewed structures in the city.

After, hop on a gondola and explore the canals at your leisure. If you need a break from the bustling cobblestone streets and busy waterways make a beeline for the Venice Lido, a quiet island home to an idyllic soft-sand beach.

Visiting

Venice

3

Recom. Days

Main route

12.5 miles

from Venice pick-up center

30min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Saint Mark’s Basilica

Iconic monument, cathedral, cultural site.

Canal Grande

Largest canal, photo opportunity, must-see site.

Signal

Eat at

Enoteca Al Volto

$$$$

Wine bar, Venetian cuisine, quaint.

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Parking

Venezia Tronchetto Parking

$$

Large car park, outdoor parking.

Signal

Stay at

San Giuliano Venice

$$

10-min bus to centre, city views, spacious.

2

Step back in Time in Romantic Verona

Continue your North East Italy road trip further west to the smaller and lesser-known city of Verona, a town nestled between the Adige River and famous for its ties to William Shakespeare.

This medieval town makes for a great road trip stop and is home to a number of quaint cafes, cultural museums, and green spaces to enjoy a little adventure.

Ponte Pietra Bridge in Verona on a East Italy road trip

Once you’ve parked the campervan, head straight to Piazza delle Erbe, Verona’s largest town square and the perfect starting point for an inner-city adventure. From here you can scale the 12th-century Torre dei Lamberti and enjoy fantastic views over Verona, embark on a food and wine tour, or hire a bike and explore on two wheels.

If you have a spare afternoon, continue your road trip north-west out of the city to Lake Garda for a change of scenery.

Visiting

Verona

2

Recom. Days

Main route

72 miles

from Venice

1h30min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Casa di Giulietta Museum

Shakespeare exhibits, performances, culture.

Teatro Romano

Amphitheatre, 100BC, historic ruins.

Signal

Eat at

Salumeria Gironda

$$$$

River-side dining, meats, cheeses.

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Parking

Area Comunale Porta Palio

$$$

1km from centre, bus access, quiet location.

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Stay at

Area Sosta Camper Verona

$$

Basic site, usual facilities, close to center.

3

Tuck into ‘Tagliatelle al Ragù’ in Bologna

Your North East Italy road trip continues south into the Emilia-Romagna region to visit the medieval town of Bologna. Home to the oldest university in the western world, iconic red terracotta roofs, and a rich foodie culture this little town provides the opportunity to soak up authentic Italy.

When you’re not climbing medieval towers, you’ll likely be sampling cured meats and fine cheese at the market.

Square in Bologna on a North East Italy road trip

No road trip to Bologna is complete without enjoying some of the region’s finest products first hand, and the best way to do so is to join a food tour.

Get ready to visit local markets to shop for and sample fresh produce or watch pasta being made first hand. After, head to Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s town square and pay a visit to the 16th century Neptune Fountain.

Visiting

Bologna

2

Recom. Days

Main route

87 miles

from Verona

1h30min

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Mercato Delle Erbe

Fruit and veg market, fresh produce, weekly.

Asinelli Tower

City views, tower climb, terracotta roofs.

Signal

Eat at

Osteria Dell’Orse

$$$

Tagliatelle al ragu, daily specials, cured meats.

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Parking

Osteria Ca’Vecchia Parking (South)

$$

Year-round, train links, green area.

Campsite Citta di Bologna (North)

$$$

Shaded pitches, green area.

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Stay at

Campsite Citta di Bologna

$$$

Shaded pitches, swimming pool, pizzeria.

4

Go off the Beaten Track in Ferrara

End your North East Italy road trip in the small city of Ferrara, a real hidden gem of northern Italy and the perfect destination for a campervan itinerary.

Home to renaissance buildings, a number of art museums, and a 14th-century castle to boot, this little town is a culture vulture’s dream. There’s also an authentic feel to Ferrara, like you’ve escaped the crowds and stepped into everyday life in Italy.

Alleyway in Ferrara, the last stop on this trip to northeast Italy

The Ferrara Botanical Gardens, the Museum of Archaeology, and Palazzo Schifanoia should all be on your Ferrara to-do list. Make sure you swing by L’Emporio della Piazza café for an old school espresso too.

Spend day two here visiting Parco Regionale Veneto del Delta del Po, a wetland nature reserve located en-route back to Venice. The park is filled with a variety of flora and fauna and is ideal for an adventure-filled day of hiking, boating, and biking.

Visiting

Ferrara

2

Recom. Days

Main route

31 miles

from Bologna

1h

drive

You can find Indie Campers RV rentals in more than 40 different cities and destinations across Europe.

Visit

Castle Estense

14th century, moat, historic structure.

Museo dell Catterdrale

Cultural exhibits, religious artwork, pristine gardens.

Signal

Eat at

Trattoria le Nuvole

$$$$

Italian seafood, rustic, romantic dining.

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Parking

Camper Parking Area Ferrara

$$$$

Central (overnight) parking, book online, electricity.

Signal

Stay at

Campsite Estense

$$$

Shaded pitches, Wi-Fi, 30-min walk to centre.

Drop-off in
Venice depot

75 Miles/120 km

from Ferrara

1h15min

drive