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Campsites in Tuscany with a Pool: Coast, Hills and Swimming Season
Camping in Tuscany with a pool combines culture, landscape and refreshment: mornings are for cities such as Florence or Siena, and in the afternoon the campsite pool cools you down. Especially in summer, when it is hot and dry, many guests appreciate this combination, and families with children benefit too.
This page explains how the coast and the hinterland differ, when the sea and the pool are pleasant to use and how to deal with the heat. Below, you will find the campsites in Tuscany that offer a pool, to compare and choose from.
Coast, hills or island: where should the campsite be?
Tuscany has a Mediterranean climate. According to travel portals, campsites are found roughly in three kinds of places: on the coast, for example around Bibbona and Cecina, in the hilly interior, for example near Arezzo and Castiglion Fiorentino, and on the island of Elba.
On the coast, you can combine beach and pool. Here the pool is often the alternative when the sea is rough or small children prefer to splash about in calm water. In the south, in the Maremma, the coast is considered quieter than the busier beaches further north, according to guidebooks.
In the interior, hills, vineyards and olive groves dominate. There the pool replaces the beach; the sea is far away, but you are closer to towns such as Siena, Arezzo or Montepulciano. If you want both, plan a trip to the coast.
Planning for the summer heat
Summers are hot and dry. According to TUI Camper, temperatures in cities such as Florence and Pisa often rise above 40 degrees in July and August. In the interior, temperature differences are also greater than on the coast, where the climate is more balanced.
Urlaubsguru gives an average of around 31 degrees for July to September and describes these months as the hottest time. Sightseeing and hiking are then hardly pleasant at midday.
A daily rhythm has proved its worth: a city visit in the early morning, a long midday break at the pool and beach time in the late afternoon. Shady pitches, plenty of drinking water and sun protection are a must, especially for children.
Swimming season: when the sea and the pool are pleasant
For a swimming holiday, travel portals consistently name the period from June to September. Urlaubsguru gives the sea temperature in these months as 20 to 23 degrees, and until mid-October it is still about 19 degrees.
Mid-May to June: TUI Camper gives 25 to 27 degrees and water above 20 degrees, so you can swim without extreme heat.
July and August: peak season with lots of sunshine, but also busy campsites and sights.
September to mid-October: many experts see this as the best time to go, with pleasant warmth and little rain.
Whether a pool is open outside the peak season and whether it is heated varies from campsite to campsite and should be checked in advance.
Places to visit and getting there
Tuscany offers plenty of culture: Florence with the Uffizi, Pisa with its famous tower, Lucca, Siena and San Gimignano are among the best-known destinations. Wine lovers visit Chianti or Montalcino, nature lovers the Val d'Orcia or the Maremma coastal park.
Many people travel by car via the Brenner Pass. According to travel portals, it is around 670 kilometres by motorway from Munich to Florence. If you travel in summer, allow for weekend traffic jams and split the journey over two days if necessary.
Alternatively, you can fly to Florence or Pisa and use a mobile home, provided the campsite offers this type of accommodation.
What to do: ideas and a day-by-day plan
Tuscany divides neatly into days of city sightseeing, wine country, coast and thermal spas. The ideas are sorted by interest, and the three day plans bundle places that are a short distance apart. If your campsite has a pool, deliberately plan swimming days between excursions. Inland, a hire car is recommended.
Nature & beaches
Versilia: Viareggio and Forte dei Marmifull dayThe stretch of coast in the north has well-kept beaches. Forte dei Marmi is considered elegant, while family-friendly Viareggio is a straightforward seaside resort.
Maremmafull dayThe southern coast is described as more romantic and wilder, with hidden coves and less development. It suits a quieter beach day.
Chianti countrysidehalf a dayBetween Florence and Siena, vineyards, olive groves and cypresses line up one after another. The area is easy to explore along gentle hills and gravel roads.
Bagni San Filippo in the Val d'Orciahalf a dayThe thermal water has shaped white limestone formations. The village of Bagno Vignoni in the Val d'Orcia is also known for its thermal pools.
Culture & sights
Florencefull dayThe Renaissance city offers Michelangelo's David, the Palazzo Vecchio and the Ponte Vecchio. Given the abundance of sights, a full day is worthwhile.
Pisahalf a dayThe Piazza dei Miracoli holds the cathedral, Leaning Tower, baptistery and Camposanto, along with the Cathedral Museum and the Sinopie Museum.
Siena and San Gimignanofull daySiena is an important medieval city. San Gimignano is known for its tower houses and is also called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages.
Luccahalf a dayThe city walls of Lucca are among the well-known sights of Tuscany and are ideal for a walk.
Active & sports
Cycling in Chiantihalf a dayThe area has gentle hills and gravel roads, where both relaxed and demanding routes are possible.
Wine estates in Chiantihalf a dayWell-known wine estates include Castello di Brolio, Badia a Coltibuono, Badia a Passignano and Castello di Ama. Chianti Classico can be tasted on the spot.
Hiking in the Maremmahalf a dayThe coastal landscape in the south with its hidden coves offers hikes and so a change from a pure beach day.
Etruscan siteshalf a dayEtruscan sites can be explored along the coast, a complement for a day of culture and nature.
With kids
Beach day in Viareggiofull dayViareggio is a family-friendly seaside resort with a long beach, where bathing establishments provide umbrellas, sun loungers and sanitary facilities.
Leaning Tower of Pisa1-2 hoursThe tower is a well-known landmark on the Piazza dei Miracoli. The square is easy to see in half a day.
Cascate del Mulino near Saturniahalf a dayThe free natural pools with travertine steps have water at a constant 37.5 degrees or so all year round, making for a special bathing experience.
When it rains
Museums in Florencehalf a dayThe David and the Palazzo Vecchio are sights in Florence that suit indoor visits on a rainy day.
Thermal spas of Tuscanyhalf a dayThe choices include Terme di Saturnia, Bagno Vignoni, Chianciano, Rapolano and Montecatini Terme. Many spas combine thermal water with wellness.
Wine cellars in Chianti1-2 hoursCellars and tastings are under cover. Castello di Brolio is considered Italy's oldest winery and has Renaissance gardens.
Sample day plans
Day 1: Florence
Morning
Start early in Florence and see Michelangelo's David and the Palazzo Vecchio. Afterwards, walk to the Ponte Vecchio.
Afternoon
Continue exploring the old town on foot and plan breaks, as distances in Florence are long.
Evening
Back to the campsite, and let the day end with a dip in the pool.
Day 2: Chianti and Siena
Morning
Drive through Chianti between Florence and Siena and stop at a wine estate such as Castello di Brolio.
Afternoon
On to Siena and its medieval old town. Alternatively, San Gimignano with its tower houses is on the programme.
Evening
Dinner of Tuscan cuisine, such as ribollita, at a country inn.
Day 3: Coast and Pisa
Morning
Drive to the Versilia coast and spend the morning on the beach at Viareggio, with an umbrella and sun lounger.
Afternoon
If it clouds over, or after your swim, visit the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa with the Leaning Tower. If it is warm, stay at the beach.
Evening
Eat at the beach, or return to the campsite and let the evening end by the pool.
Campsites that match
38 matching campsites in our database, grouped by location.
When is the best time for camping in Tuscany with a pool?
For beach and pool, travel portals name June to September. If you want less heat and fewer crowds, May, June or September also offer good conditions. Check the pool's opening times with the campsite in advance.
How hot does it get in Tuscany in summer?
According to TUI Camper, temperatures in Florence and Pisa often rise above 40 degrees in July and August. Urlaubsguru gives an average of around 31 degrees for July to September. On the coast, the sea makes for a more balanced climate.
How warm is the sea in Tuscany?
According to Urlaubsguru, the water temperature is about 20 to 23 degrees from June to September. Until mid-October the sea, at around 19 degrees, is still suitable for swimming.
Do I need a pool if the campsite is by the sea?
It is not essential, but it is handy: when the sea is rough, for small children or after a hot day out, the pool offers convenient cooling right at your pitch, without having to drive to the beach.
Is Tuscany also suitable for camping in autumn?
Yes. Travel portals name September to mid-October as pleasantly warm and low in rainfall, and the wine and olive harvests take place too. However, not all campsites and pools stay open until late autumn.
