Wild camping and free overnight stays in Italy

Yes, as sosta: under Art. 185 of the Highway Code, parking a motorhome is not camping as long as it rests only on its wheels, discharges nothing and does not take excessive space. Municipalities may restrict parking by ordinance – watch the signs.

Sosta is parking: only on the wheels, no discharge, no excessive space. As soon as levelling jacks, discharge or more space come into play, it is campeggio – regulated by municipalities and regions, in Sardinia with a ban outside designated areas.

Throughout Sardinia, camping with a tent, caravan or motorhome is prohibited outside campsites, equipped stopover areas, rest areas at service stations and farm stays, and areas designated by municipalities (Art. 22 Regional Law 16/2017). Mere parking under Art. 185 of the Highway Code remains allowed.

Municipalities may restrict parking (Art. 185 Highway Code). Whether a particular restriction is lawful, our sources do not say – on site, signage applies.

Our sources (Art. 185 Highway Code, Regional Law Sardinia 16/2017) give no fine amounts. What matters is to park rather than camp – and to check whether a municipal ordinance restricts parking.

On the Place me map: official stopovers (aree di sosta) and campsites are always allowed; car parks get the national rule or, in Sardinia, the regional rule. The “Legal” filter hides red places.