Central Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Difficulty

582 km

Distance

7

Recom. Days

Culture

Trip type

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Cora Harrison

Freelance writer for Indie Campers, currently trying to find herself in Indonesia but without much luck. Enjoys exploring weird and wonderful world cuisine — the less identifiable, the better.

Central Italy Road Trip Itinerary

Central Italy Road Trip map Itinerary

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When in Rome...how about seeing something other than Rome on a Central Italy road trip? 

Sure, the ancient Italian capital is exceptionally beautiful, unequalled in historical intrigue, and boasts a wealth of fabulous culinary traditions. But spectacular treats await those travellers who venture beyond the city, as this one-week itinerary through Lazio, Abruzzo, and Umbria, makes clear.

Save the best for last — because, yes, whatever anyone says, Rome is undeniably the best. Instead head first into the untamed wilds of mysterious Abruzzo for breathtaking vistas and fresh mountain air. Then rejoin the beaten path in famously picturesque Orvieto, before returning to nature with beautiful lake Bracciano.

Only then will you be ready for the ultimate road trip finale: ravishing Rome.

View of the Colosseum

Pick-up in
Rome depot
1

Discover Italy's wild side in atmospheric Abruzzo

After picking up your campervan, get off the beaten path by driving east into the enigmatic region of Abruzzo. Dramatic mountains, vast valleys, and atmospheric abandoned hilltop hamlets await, forming what locals call “Italy’s last wilderness.”

Surely such a region deserves special attention on your Central Italy road trip! Stay at Sulmona, a little town in the Morrone massif, famous for its sugared almonds, and a perfect base for exploring the area. 

Top view of Abruzzo a must destination on a Central Italy Road Trip

Steeped in myth, Abruzzo is believed to a land of ancient magic. Head to Scanno to see women in traditional costumes make lace by hand, and a lake that local legend claims was formed in a battle between a white witch and a sorcerer.

Or there’s Cocullo, with its bizarre snake festival. Spend a day or so hiking through the alpine meadows of the Majella National Park. Or maybe amp up the adrenaline with some moonlight whitewater rafting on the River Aventino.

Visiting

Abruzzo

3

Recom. Days

Main route

101 miles

from Rome

1h55min

drive

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

Visit

Rocca Calascio

highest fortress in Italy with 10th-century watchtower

Cantelmo Castle

Middle Ages castle in Pettorano sul Gizio

Eremo di Sant’Onofrio al Morrone

cliffside hermitage with spectacular views

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Eat at

Ristorante Gino

$$

impeccable local cuisine

Ristorante Clemente

$$

family-run restaurant using seasonal products

Il Carro

$$

try the Abruzzese speciality, arrosticini

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Stay at

Camping Orsa Minore

$$$

peaceful camping with stunning natural scenery

2

Onwards to the historic beauty of Orvieto

From Abruzzo, head west on your Central Italy road trip to the more well-known Orvieto. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, Orvieto is easy to fall in love with.

Winding streets, pretty piazzas, and a glittering cathedral, it perches high above the plain, captivating and compelling. And, with its illusion of rising mysteriously out of the volcanic rock from which it was built, it’s also wonderfully creepy.

The Orvieto Duomo is a stop during your Central Italy Road Trip

Visit the cathedral first. Then further back in time with a trip to the Museo Claudio Faina e Civico with its ancient Etruscan artefacts. Escape the Mediterranean sun with an exploration of subterranean Orvieto. 440 caves sit below the city’s streets, once used for everything from WWII bomb shelters to wine cellars.

And when you’re done with sightseeing, relax with a glass of Orvieto Classico, a wine famous since Roman times. Luca Signorelli, who painted the frescoes of the cathedral, was paid in Orvieto’s wine — maybe you’ll be inspired to paint a masterpiece after a few glasses too. 

Visiting

Orvieto

1

Recom. Days

Main route

160 miles

from Abruzzo

2h38min

drive

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

Visit

Chiesa di Sant’Andrea

gorgeous 12th century church

Torre del Moro

tower with spectacular views

Pozzo di San Patrizio

historic well full of character

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Eat at

Al Pozzo Etrusco

$$

local food and rustic vibe

Trattoria del Moro Aronne

$$

local food and rustic vibe

Ristorante La Badia

$$$$

medieval courtyard setting

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Stay at

Area Sosta Camper, Battistelli Renzo

$$

take the funicular into centre

3

Take a break in beautiful Lake Bracciano

Where do Romans go on holiday? There’s no punchline, sorry. The answer is actually your third Central Italy road trip itinerary destination, Lake Bracciano.

The second largest of Lazio’s volcanic lakes sits just under an hour north of Rome, a natural paradise perfect for luring city dwellers to the countryside. Sitting in an enormous volcanic crater, this isn’t a lake for adrenaline junkies — power boats are banned, for one thing. This is a lake for some serious kicking back and relaxing. 

Lake Bracciano during sunset time, a must-see on your Central Italy Road Trip itinerary

Enjoy a peaceful canoe in the lake’s clear waters or take a lesson in sailing. For swimming and picnicking, head to Lungolago Argenti. And it’s not just the lake that’s charming. The town of Bracciano is just gorgeous.

Pay a visit to its impressive castle, Orsini Odescalchi, where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes got married. Even if you couldn’t care less about celebrity gossip, this place still makes an impression.

Visiting

Lake Bracciano

1

Recom. Days

Main route

72 miles

from Orvieto

1h45min

drive

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

Visit

Anguillara Sabazia

picturesque medieval town with a small beach

San Liberato Church

ancient church with botanic gardens

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Eat at

L’Acqua Delle Donne

$$$

varied seasonal menu including homemade pasta

Nepitella

$$

smaller menu, opportunity to try fish freshly caught from lake

RV icon

Parking

Bracciano Parcheggio, Via Este, 5A

$

cheap parking close to town

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Stay at

Camping Porticciolo

$$$

charming campsite close to the lake

4

Final destination: the unrivalled glories of Rome

Finales don’t come more fabulous than Rome. In history, art, architecture, food, and atmosphere, Rome goes above and beyond.

Iconic ancient ruins whose names — the Colosseum or Pantheon — are familiar to all of us occupy a city brimming with world-famous art by the likes of Michelangelo and Caravaggio. Each corner you turn reveals new wonders. To say it’s a cultural cornucopia would be an understatement.

RV rental Rome

Begin with a heady hit of religious magnificence at St Paul’s Basilica or the Sistine Chapel. Then explore some museums, perhaps changing it up with some contemporary art at the MAXXI exhibition space. Stroll streets thronging with vespas.

Perhaps enjoy a picnic in Villa Borghese. Then, when evening comes, wander bohemian Trastevere before enjoying an aperitivo in a streetside trattoria. Food is just as exceptional as you’d expect for Italy’s capital so be sure to try specialities like cacio e pepe, or artichokes cooked alla Romana.

Visiting

Rome

2

Recom. Days

Main route

28 miles

from Lake Bracciano

1h10min

drive

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

Visit

The Colosseum

Iconic Roman amphitheatre.

The Appian Way

Walk in the footsteps of emperors and popes on this early Roman road.

The Spanish Steps

Iconic meeting point.

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Eat at

Ristorante la Veranda

$$$

Fine dining in a building dating from 1480.

La Ciambella

$$$

Roman specialities made with the highest quality ingredients.

Roscioli

$$$

Fresh and creative food including a mozzarella tasting menu.

RV icon

Parking

RoscioliCamper Parking Area, Park Colombo

$$$

30 minute walk or 15 minute taxi ride from centre.

Drop-off in
Rome depot

15 km

from Rome

33 min

drive