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Campervan hire in L'Aquila puts your starting point right in the mountains, in an Apennine city of art backed by the Gran Sasso massif. The high plateau of Campo Imperatore, the fortress of Rocca Calascio, Sulmona at the foot of the Majella and the lakes of Abruzzo National Park are all within a morning's drive. Our partner company Blurent hands over motorhomes, campervans and camper vans here.
Rome is only 90 km away as the crow flies and Giulianova, on the Adriatic, 60 km: L'Aquila suits a high-altitude loop as well as a crossing of the peninsula.
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Where to pick up your vehicle in l'Aquila?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from l'Aquila
1 Campo Imperatore and the fortified villages of the Gran Sasso
- L'Aquila
- Assergi
- Campo Imperatore
- Castel del Monte
- Rocca Calascio
- Santo Stefano di Sessanio
- Navelli
- Bominaco
- L'Aquila
Via Assergi and Fonte Cerreto, the road climbs to Campo Imperatore, a high-altitude steppe where horses and sheep graze beneath the Corno Grande. You then drive down to Castel del Monte, then Rocca Calascio, whose castle overlooks the Tirino valley, and Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a village of pale golden stone. The way back passes Navelli, saffron country, and the oratory of Bominaco, covered in medieval frescoes.
At Rocca Calascio, leave the vehicle in the village car park and walk up to the castle.
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 Sulmona and the hermitages of the Majella
- L'Aquila
- Sulmona
- Pacentro
- San Leonardo Pass
- Caramanico Terme
- Roccamorice
- Popoli
- L'Aquila
The Aterno valley leads to Sulmona, Ovid's birthplace, known for its medieval aqueduct and colourful sugared almonds. Above it, Pacentro keeps its towers, then the road crosses the San Leonardo pass and descends to Caramanico Terme and its thermal springs. Near Roccamorice, the hermitages of Santo Spirito and San Bartolomeo, clinging to the rock, recall Peter of Morrone, crowned pope in L'Aquila as Celestine V.
- Distance
- about 250 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or compact motorhome
3 Abruzzo National Park and the Sagittario Gorges
- L'Aquila
- Celano
- Pescasseroli
- Opi
- Civitella Alfedena
- Barrea
- Scanno
- Anversa degli Abruzzi
- L'Aquila
Head south via Celano and its castle, on the edge of the vast farmland of the Fucino plain, a former lake that was drained. Pescasseroli is home to the park's visitor centre, Opi and Civitella Alfedena watch over the upper Sangro valley, then Lake Barrea stretches out below the beech forests. Over the Godi pass you reach Scanno and its lake, before driving down the narrow Sagittario Gorges to Anversa degli Abruzzi and the motorway.
- Distance
- about 300 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan, camper van or low-profile motorhome
Weather and seasons
When to go in l'Aquila?
Best time
May and June
May to June
highs 19 to 26 °C, lows 9 to 14 °C
The Gran Sasso meadows fill with flowers, the snow retreats from the ridges and the Campo Imperatore road usually reopens as spring goes on. May is still fairly rainy and cool at night in L'Aquila; June, drier and sunnier, opens the hiking season in good conditions.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 29 °C, lows 16 to 17 °C
Days are hot and dry in L'Aquila, but nights stay cool, even more so on the plateaus, where sleeping is easy. Italians come to the parks looking for fresh air: Pescasseroli, Scanno and the shores of Lake Barrea are very busy around 15 August.
Best time
September and October
September to October
highs 19 to 23 °C, lows 9 to 12 °C
The finest time in the parks: russet beech woods, rutting red deer in Abruzzo National Park and clear trails. Rain gradually returns and nights get noticeably colder in October; a heated vehicle becomes useful for sleeping at altitude.
Winter
November to April
November to April
highs 8 to 16 °C, lows 0 to 5 °C
Winter is cold in L'Aquila, with nights close to freezing in January, and November is the wettest month. Snow closes some of the high roads but opens the ski slopes of Campo Imperatore and Roccaraso. Keep this season for travellers who are equipped and used to winter driving.
Climate in l'Aquila, month by month
Most pleasant months: May to October.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 8 °C | -0 °C | 78 mm | 6 h/day |
| Feb | 11 °C | 1 °C | 68 mm | 8 h/day |
| Mar | 12 °C | 2 °C | 86 mm | 9 h/day |
| Apr | 16 °C | 5 °C | 65 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 19 °C | 9 °C | 82 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jun | 26 °C | 14 °C | 47 mm | 13 h/day |
| Jul | 29 °C | 17 °C | 38 mm | 14 h/day |
| Aug | 29 °C | 16 °C | 37 mm | 13 h/day |
| Sep | 23 °C | 12 °C | 66 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 19 °C | 9 °C | 69 mm | 8 h/day |
| Nov | 13 °C | 5 °C | 115 mm | 6 h/day |
| Dec | 10 °C | 2 °C | 92 mm | 6 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Pick-up at the Blurent point
Blurent hands over its vehicles in L'Aquila at a BluPoint pick-up location, whose address and opening times are given in your booking confirmation. Let the company know your arrival time, especially if you are coming by coach from Rome or Pescara.
A historic centre still under reconstruction
Since the 2009 earthquake, the centre of L'Aquila has been rebuilt street by street: scaffolding, closed streets and a limited traffic zone make driving a motorhome there difficult. Park outside the walls, for example near the basilica of Collemaggio, and explore on foot.
Campo Imperatore, a seasonal road
Beyond Fonte Cerreto, the road to the plateau is generally closed by snow for a good part of winter and spring. Out of season, the cable car from Fonte Cerreto remains the way up. Check that the road is open with the municipality or the park before planning the loop.
Heating and gas for cold nights
Even in summer, temperatures drop quickly at night in the mountains, and lows in L'Aquila are close to 0 °C in January. Check that the heating works and the gas bottles are full before leaving, and ask the company where to refill them in the region.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in l'Aquila
Where can I pick up a campervan in L'Aquila?
Blurent is our partner company in L'Aquila: it hands over its motorhomes, campervans and camper vans at a BluPoint pick-up location, whose exact address is sent to you with the booking confirmation. Other companies operate from Giulianova, Rome and Pomezia if you are looking for a wider choice of vehicles.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in L'Aquila?
The price depends on the season, the length of hire, the size of the vehicle and the options chosen; summer and spring bank holidays are the busiest periods. Run a search with your dates: you get real prices, mandatory fees included, that you can book straight away, from L'Aquila as well as from nearby cities.
Can I do a one-way trip from L'Aquila?
Yes, if the rental company accepts it: Rome and Pomezia, on the Tyrrhenian side, Giulianova and Ancona, on the Adriatic side, and Perugia, in Umbria, are also departure cities of our partners. Enter the return city in your search: only compatible offers are displayed, with any one-way fees included.
What is there to see in L'Aquila before setting off?
The basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio, with its pink and white stone façade, hosts the Celestinian Perdonanza at the end of August, listed as UNESCO intangible heritage. Add the Fountain of the 99 Spouts, the 16th-century Spanish fort and the squares of the rebuilt centre, which can be explored in half a day on foot.
How many days should I plan around L'Aquila?
A long weekend is enough for Campo Imperatore and the fortified villages of the Gran Sasso. Allow a week to add Sulmona, the Majella and Abruzzo National Park, and ten days to continue to the Adriatic coast or to Rome, while keeping time for hiking.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in l'Aquila with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Good and quick communication, easy to book and easy to follow all the instructions.
C.
Italy · Sep 2025
Trustpilot
Cooldrive was very attentive and very responsive in all situations. We received valuable assistance in the steps to be taken. I highly recommend it.
P.
Italy · Jul 2025
Trustpilot
The person answered my questions before I confirmed the booking. The van matched my order well with extras. During my trip, I had a little issue that had nothing to do with Cooldrive. I appreciated that the person took the time to call me back. No bad surprises, only good ones. Highly recommended.
Q.
Italy · Sep 2024
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in L'Aquila
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Italy?
A category B licence issued in the European Union allows you to drive motorhomes, campervans and camper vans under 3.5 tonnes. With a licence obtained elsewhere, bring an international driving permit or a translation recognised in Italy. The minimum age and years of driving required by Blurent are shown in the offer conditions.
Where can I stay overnight with a motorhome around L'Aquila?
Campsites are rare in the mountains: you rely mainly on municipal motorhome areas, found in several villages of the Gran Sasso and the Abruzzo park, and on agriturismi that welcome vehicles. In the national parks, overnight parking outside designated places is regulated: ask locally.
How do I get to L'Aquila from an airport?
The Rome airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino, and Pescara airport are the closest. Coaches link Rome to L'Aquila via the A24 motorway in just under two hours, notably from Tiburtina station. Coach services also run from Pescara to L'Aquila: check the timetables before setting the pick-up appointment.
Can I drive up to Campo Imperatore in a motorhome?
Yes, when the road is open, generally from late spring to autumn. It is winding and exposed, but passable for a campervan as well as a medium-sized motorhome. The large car parks on the plateau fill up on summer weekends: arrive early and follow the park rules for the night.
Do I need winter tyres or chains around L'Aquila?
Yes, during the cold season most roads in Abruzzo and mountain motorways require winter tyres or chains on board, where signs indicate it. Ask the rental company how the vehicle is equipped, and check road conditions before crossing the passes of the Majella or the park.
When should I book a campervan in L'Aquila?
With a single company on site, the number of vehicles is limited: for July, August and the Perdonanza weekend, book several months ahead. In spring and autumn, a few weeks are often enough; otherwise, widen your search to Rome or Giulianova.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from L'Aquila
Few departure cities in Italy are this close to the high mountains: in less than an hour you leave the squares of L'Aquila for a high plateau where you meet more horses than cars. The fortified villages of the Gran Sasso, the hermitages of the Majella and the lakes of Abruzzo National Park, home of the Marsican bear and the wolf, are best explored by motorhome, as accommodation there remains scarce.
Blurent offers its vehicles here, and Rome, Giulianova, Perugia or Ancona, other departure cities of our partners, open up one-way trips to the sea or the capital. Between May and October, conditions are ideal for hiking by day and sleeping in the cool at night, far from the heat of the coast.