Italy Catanzaro

Campervan and motorhome hire in Catanzaro

Camper vans and motorhomes between the Sila, the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian coast

Compare campervan and motorhome rental companies in Catanzaro to find the best price, and book at the price shown, mandatory fees included.

per day, from (observed prices)
€371
rental partner
1
branch
1
  • 1 partner company: Anywhere Campers
  • Between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas
  • Milazzo 142 km, Catania 209 km away
  • Matera 196 km, Bari 247 km away
  • Pleasant climate from April to September

Hiring a campervan in Catanzaro means setting off from the heart of Calabria, on a rocky ridge at the point where the Italian peninsula is at its narrowest: the Ionian Sea stretches out below the city, and the Gulf of Sant'Eufemia, on the Tyrrhenian side, is only about forty minutes to the west. The lakes and pine forests of the Sila begin to the north, the Cattolica of Stilo and the beaches of Soverato to the south, the cliffs of Tropea beyond the isthmus. This is where Anywhere Campers, our partner company, hands over its vehicles.

Few cities let you choose each morning between two seas and a mountain range, all less than an hour's drive away.

1 rental partner

Where to pick up your vehicle in Catanzaro?

Observed prices

Rental prices observed in Catanzaro

Vehicle Winter January Spring April Summer July Autumn October
Campervan from €371/day median €374/day from €392/day median €395/day from €439/day median €442/day from €378/day median €381/day
Low-profile motorhome from €382/day median €400/day from €398/day median €414/day from €450/day median €461/day from €390/day median €401/day
Large motorhome from €388/day median €391/day from €404/day median €406/day from €450/day median €453/day from €395/day median €398/day

Daily prices observed on October 28, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,500.

Road trip ideas

Road trips from Catanzaro

1 The Sila, its lakes and its giant pines 3 to 4 days about 270 km
  1. Catanzaro
  2. Taverna
  3. Villaggio Mancuso
  4. Lake Ampollino
  5. Lorica
  6. San Giovanni in Fiore
  7. Camigliatello Silano
  8. Giants of the Sila
  9. Catanzaro

North of Catanzaro, the road climbs to Taverna, birthplace of the Baroque painter Mattia Preti, whose canvases still adorn its churches. Next come the forests of the Sila Piccola around Villaggio Mancuso, Lake Ampollino and Lake Arvo, the latter lined by the resort of Lorica, then San Giovanni in Fiore and the abbey founded by Joachim of Fiore.

In Camigliatello Silano, stock up on mushrooms and cured meats before the Giants of the Sila, centuries-old Calabrian pines protected near Fallistro. The return trip runs via Cosenza and the A2 motorway.

Distance
about 270 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or compact motorhome
2 Gulf of Squillace, Stilo and Gerace 3 to 4 days about 260 km
  1. Catanzaro
  2. Scolacium Archaeological Park
  3. Squillace
  4. Soverato
  5. Badolato
  6. Stilo
  7. Gerace
  8. Catanzaro

To the south, the Scolacium archaeological park combines a Roman forum, a theatre and the ruins of a Norman basilica in the middle of an olive grove. Squillace, home town of Cassiodorus, keeps its castle and its ceramic workshops, before the beaches of Soverato and the hilltop village of Badolato. Further down, Stilo is home to the Cattolica, a tiny Byzantine church with five domes clinging to the mountainside.

Gerace, whose cathedral is the largest in Calabria, ends the journey south. Its medieval lanes are best explored on foot: leave the vehicle in the car parks below the village.

Distance
about 260 km
Recommended vehicle
Camper van or low-profile motorhome
3 Pizzo, Tropea, Scilla and the Aspromonte 4 to 5 days about 400 km
  1. Catanzaro
  2. Pizzo
  3. Tropea
  4. Capo Vaticano
  5. Scilla
  6. Gambarie
  7. Catanzaro

The Road of the Two Seas crosses the isthmus to the Tyrrhenian coast. In Pizzo, the castle where Joachim Murat was executed overlooks the harbour, and the church of Piedigrotta is carved into the tuff by the water's edge. Tropea and its sanctuary perched on a rock come before Capo Vaticano, from where Stromboli can be seen on clear days, then Scilla and its fishermen's quarter of Chianalea.

You head back up through Gambarie, in the heart of Aspromonte National Park, facing the Strait of Messina and Mount Etna, before rejoining the A2 northwards. In the very narrow centre of Tropea, a campervan is the most practical choice.

Distance
about 400 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or camper van
Weather and seasons

When to go in Catanzaro?

Best time

April to June and September

April to June, September
highs 18 to 28 °C, lows 10 to 19 °C

The best months to leave from Catanzaro: in spring, broom flowers across the Sila, the villages of the Ionian coast stay quiet and the Aspromonte roads are clear. September still brings long sunny days, while campsites empty out after the Italian holidays.

High season

July and August

July to August
highs 31 °C, lows 21 °C

Peak beach season: Tropea, Pizzo and Soverato are very busy, especially around 15 August, the Ferragosto holiday. The heat is a good reason to go up and sleep in the Sila, where nights stay cool under the pines. Book the vehicle and the coastal campsites several months ahead.

October and November

October to November
highs 17 to 22 °C, lows 10 to 14 °C

Autumn is the wettest season: storms can be violent and the fiumare, wide riverbeds that are dry in summer, swell suddenly. Between showers, October keeps mild days, the Sila forests take on their colours and the grape harvest livens up the hills of Cirò, north of Crotone.

Winter

December to March

December to March
highs 12 to 15 °C, lows 5 to 7 °C

On the coast, winter stays mild but damp, and most coastal campsites close. Higher up, snow often covers the Sila, where Lorica and Camigliatello become ski resorts. Choose a heated vehicle and check before each stage that the aire or campsite is open in winter.

Climate in Catanzaro, month by month

Most pleasant months: April to September.

Month High Low Rain Sun Sea
Jan 12 °C 5 °C 92 mm 8 h/day 16 °C
Feb 14 °C 6 °C 83 mm 9 h/day 15 °C
Mar 15 °C 7 °C 104 mm 10 h/day 15 °C
Apr 18 °C 10 °C 65 mm 11 h/day 16 °C
May 22 °C 13 °C 87 mm 12 h/day 18 °C
Jun 28 °C 19 °C 32 mm 13 h/day 23 °C
Jul 31 °C 21 °C 24 mm 14 h/day 26 °C
Aug 31 °C 21 °C 33 mm 13 h/day 27 °C
Sep 27 °C 18 °C 64 mm 11 h/day 26 °C
Oct 22 °C 14 °C 111 mm 9 h/day 24 °C
Nov 17 °C 10 °C 134 mm 8 h/day 21 °C
Dec 14 °C 7 °C 66 mm 8 h/day 18 °C

Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

The wind, Catanzaro's third "V"

Locals sum up their city with three "V"s: San Vitaliano, its patron saint, the velvet (velluto) of its former silk industry, and the wind (vento). Perched on the isthmus, Catanzaro is swept by gusts blowing from one sea to the other: on the viaducts of the Road of the Two Seas and the A2, slow down in a high-sided vehicle.

Old town: leave the motorhome below

The historic centre stretches along a narrow ridge, with steep streets, one-way systems and a limited traffic zone reserved for residents. Park instead in Catanzaro Lido, by the sea, or in an outlying car park, then go up by bus: you will avoid tight manoeuvres in the lanes.

The Ionian SS106: drive it by day

The whole Ionian coast is served by the SS106, a very busy road that runs through many towns, with level junctions, traffic lights and speed cameras. Although some sections have been widened to dual carriageway, it is best driven by day, with generous travel times towards Stilo, Crotone or Sibari.

Winter tyres or chains in the Sila

On the mountain roads of the Sila and the Aspromonte, signs often make winter tyres or snow chains on board compulsory from mid-November to mid-April. Check this equipment at pick-up and look at the weather forecast before driving up to Lorica, Camigliatello or Gambarie.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Catanzaro

Where can I pick up a campervan in Catanzaro?

The partner company Anywhere Campers hands over its vehicles in Catanzaro. Your booking confirmation gives the handover address and the agreed time: read it carefully, because the city stretches from the historic ridge down to the Catanzaro Lido district by the sea, about twenty minutes' drive between the two. If your flight or train is delayed, call the depot as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Catanzaro?

The price of a rental in Catanzaro depends on the dates, the number of days and the model. A search with your dates shows real prices, mandatory fees included, which you can book immediately. If your dates are flexible, compare a week in June or September with the same week in August, at the height of the Calabrian beach season.

Can I do a one-way trip from Catanzaro?

Depending on the company, it is possible to other departure cities: Matera, 196 km as the crow flies, heading north via the Pollino massif and the Sibari plain; Brindisi and Bari, 224 and 247 km away, to finish in Apulia; or Salerno, 252 km away, via the A2 motorway. Enter the return city in your search: any one-way fees are then included in the price shown.

Can I take the campervan to Sicily?

Ferries from Villa San Giovanni, about two hours' drive away on the A2, cross the strait to Messina around the clock. Taking the vehicle on board does, however, require the rental company's consent, which may or may not be stated in the offer. To end your trip on the island, our partners also have depots in Milazzo, 142 km as the crow flies, and Catania, 209 km away.

What is there to see in Catanzaro before hitting the road?

The Bisantis Bridge, a great concrete arch designed by the engineer Riccardo Morandi, spans the Fiumarella valley at the entrance to the city. In the centre, the MARCA museum brings together old and contemporary art, and the Park of Mediterranean Biodiversity displays open-air sculptures. In the evening, the promenade of Catanzaro Lido runs along the Ionian Sea.

Verified customer reviews

They rented in Catanzaro 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 Catanzaro

What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Calabria?

Almost all rental campervans and camper vans stay under the 3.5-tonne limit, so a category B licence, valid in Italy, lets you drive them. A driver holding a non-European licence should also carry an international driving permit or a certified translation. Anywhere Campers sets its own age and driving-experience requirements, shown with each offer.

How do I get to Catanzaro from Lamezia Terme airport?

Lamezia Terme airport, Calabria's main airport, lies about forty kilometres to the west, along the Road of the Two Seas. Buses link it to Catanzaro, and trains run from the nearby Lamezia Terme Centrale station to Catanzaro and Catanzaro Lido. With a lot of luggage or a late landing, a taxi is the better option.

Are motorways toll roads in Calabria?

No: the A2, known as the Mediterranean motorway, crosses Calabria toll-free, as do the Road of the Two Seas and the SS106. Tolls reappear north of Salerno, on the motorway to Naples, on the A14 between Taranto and Bari if you head up to Apulia, and in Sicily on the motorways linking Messina with Catania and Palermo.

Where can I sleep in a motorhome around Catanzaro?

Campsites are concentrated on the Gulf of Squillace, from Copanello to Soverato, and around Tropea and Capo Vaticano, often open only from Easter to October. In the Sila, a few campsites and aires welcome motorhomes near the lakes. Elsewhere, parking is tolerated where it is not prohibited, without levelling blocks or an awning out, but many coastal municipalities ban it at night in summer.

When can I swim around Catanzaro?

The water, still 18 °C in May, reaches 23 °C in June, 26 °C in July and 27 °C in August; it stays at 26 °C in September and 24 °C in October. The long beaches of Soverato and Caminia are close by; further north, Le Castella and its Aragonese fortress on an islet, then Capo Colonna and the last column of the temple of Hera, are worth the detour.

About us

Why start a motorhome trip from Catanzaro

The capital of Calabria, Catanzaro has a unique position: at the narrowest point of the Italian boot, it lets you go quickly from the Ionian Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea, or from the beaches to the forests of the Sila. Around it lies a part of southern Italy still little explored by motorhome, with hilltop villages, Greek, Roman and Byzantine remains, and a cuisine spiced with chilli and 'nduja.

With Anywhere Campers on site, you set off without crossing a large conurbation, and three very different loops, the mountains, the Ionian coast and the Tyrrhenian coast, each fit into less than a week. For a longer trip, Matera and Apulia to the north, Milazzo and Catania in Sicily to the south, let you finish elsewhere. The climate is at its most pleasant from April to September.

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