If you love breathtaking landscapes, unspoiled nature, and the peaceful charm of spiritual places, a motorhome journey through Italy’s monasteries and hermitages is an experience you’ll never forget.
Italy is filled with ancient places of contemplation: monasteries surrounded by greenery, hermitages carved into the rock, and abbeys reflected in lakes or perched on hilltops. Each stop tells centuries of history and welcomes travelers with a silence full of meaning.
With Agricamper, you can experience all this by staying for free for 24 hours on farms across Italy. Download the app and try the free Demo version to explore the map and discover where you can sleep surrounded by nature, close to the most fascinating spiritual places in the country.
Between silence and scenery: Italy’s most evocative monasteries
Piedmont – The Sacra di San Michele and the Susa Valley Alps
Few places combine history, spirituality, and spectacular views like the Sacra di San Michele. Perched on Mount Pirchiriano, at the entrance to the Susa Valley, this thousand-year-old abbey towers over the valley with its imposing architecture and stones steeped in legend. It is one of Italy’s most iconic religious landmarks and inspired Umberto Eco’s famous novel The Name of the Rose.
The climb to the Sacra is a mystical experience in itself: the trail starts from the village of Sant’Ambrogio di Torino and winds through chestnut and beech woods, offering breathtaking views of the Alps. Alternatively, you can drive your motorhome or caravan up to the parking area below and walk the final stretch along the so-called “Stairway of the Dead,” a steep yet fascinating staircase that leads to the abbey entrance.
Once at the top, the view is worth every step: before you unfolds the Susa Valley, framed by Mount Rocciamelone and Mount Musinè. Inside the monastery, admire the Porta dello Zodiaco, carved in the 11th century, and the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, built on ancient Roman ruins. Every corner conveys peace and grandeur, as if time itself had stopped.
To crown the experience, indulge in Piedmontese flavors: a plate of tajarin pasta with sausage ragù, a shared bagna cauda with fellow campers, and a bonet—a chocolate and amaretti pudding—to end on a sweet note.
Trentino-Alto Adige – Sabiona Monastery and the Isarco Valley
In the heart of South Tyrol, perched on a rocky spur overlooking the village of Chiusa, stands the Sabiona Monastery, also known as the “Acropolis of Tyrol.” It is one of the oldest spiritual sites in the Alps and a symbol of the deep connection between faith and nature that defines this region.
Founded around the 5th century, the monastery became an important religious center over the centuries and is now home to a small community of Benedictine nuns. To reach it, park your motorhome near the center of Chiusa and take the Pilgrim’s Path, a scenic trail climbing among the vineyards of the Isarco Valley. The walk is short but intense, with breathtaking views of the Dolomites and the medieval towers of the village below.
At the top, the atmosphere changes: silence, the scent of pines, and the sound of bells create a feeling of deep serenity. Visit the Romanesque chapels of St. John, Holy Cross, and Our Lady, and wander through the monastery’s inner courtyards with their sweeping views over the valley.
Complete your visit with local flavors: speck dumplings (canederli), venison goulash, grey cheese from Valle Aurina, and, of course, a glass of Gewürztraminer—one of the most aromatic white wines in the world.
Liguria – The Monastery of San Fruttuoso and the magic of Portofino
Liguria is a land suspended between mountains and sea, where the scent of Mediterranean scrub mingles with sea salt and the vibrant colors of its coastal villages. In this postcard-perfect setting hides a truly unique place, reachable only on foot or by boat: the Abbey of San Fruttuoso di Capodimonte. Nestled in a small cove within the Portofino Natural Park, between Camogli and Portofino, it is one of the Ligurian coast’s most enchanting gems—an ideal destination for motorhome travelers seeking nature and discovery.
This ancient Benedictine monastery, dating back to the 8th century, stands right on the beach, wedged between rock and sea. Its stone arches seem to rise directly from the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Paradise, offering a breathtaking view that shifts with the daylight. Inside, you can visit the Church of San Fruttuoso, the medieval cloister, and the Doria Tower, a 16th-century defensive structure built by the renowned Genoese family. Every corner tells the stories of monks, fishermen, and sailors who lived here for centuries in harmony with nature.
Of course, no trip would be complete without a culinary break: try freshly baked Recco focaccia, trofie pasta with Genoese pesto, or a slice of torta pasqualina—perfect to enjoy by the sea after a day of exploration.
Lazio – The Abbey of Montecassino and the trails of Ciociaria
The region of Lazio, a land of contrasts and millennia of history, hides in its hinterland some of Italy’s most fascinating spiritual places. Among them stands out the Abbey of Montecassino, a symbol of faith and rebirth that overlooks the Liri Valley and Ciociaria from above.
Founded in the 6th century by Saint Benedict of Nursia, the father of Western monasticism, the Abbey of Montecassino is one of Europe’s most important monasteries. Over the centuries it was destroyed and rebuilt several times—the last during World War II—but each time it rose again from its ruins, a powerful symbol of resilience and peace. Today, its majestic architecture and the panoramic views from its terraces are breathtaking: from the top, you can embrace the entire valley dotted with hills and timeless villages.
Inside the complex, visit the Basilica of Saint Benedict, the Bramante Cloister, the Library, and the Monastery Museum, which preserves ancient manuscripts, illuminated codices, and priceless artworks. Every stone tells the story of a place that, for centuries, has been a beacon of knowledge and spirituality.
Before leaving, don’t miss the local cuisine. Ciociaria is a generous land where dishes preserve their rustic roots: taste fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, amatriciana pasta, or sagne e fagioli—simple yet flavorful dishes. Try the famous Gaeta olives, aged cheeses such as Pecorino di Picinisco, and end with a rustic ciambellone or wine cookies.
Marche – The Hermitage of Fonte Avellana and the beauty of Mount Catria
In the heart of the Marche region, where mountains meet rolling hills and forests open onto endless views, lies the Monastery of Fonte Avellana. At the foot of Mount Catria, surrounded by beech forests and crystal-clear springs, this ancient monastery is an ideal stop for travelers in motorhomes, caravans, or campervans seeking silence, nature, and authenticity.
Founded around the year 1000 by Saint Romuald, the hermitage soon became an important monastic and cultural center. Over the centuries, Fonte Avellana was a refuge for monks, pilgrims, and scholars—including Dante Alighieri, who mentioned it in the Divine Comedy as a place of contemplation and wisdom.
You can park your motorhome near the village of Serra Sant’Abbondio, the starting point for visiting, and walk along the path leading to the monastery complex.
Built entirely of local stone, the monastery blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape, as if it had grown out of the mountain itself. Inside, a deep sense of calm prevails: the Romanesque church, the scriptorium where monks once copied medieval texts, and the cloister invite visitors to slow down and breathe. From the terraces of the hermitage, enjoy a breathtaking view over the Cesano Valley, which glows with golden and pink hues at sunset.
After a day of walking, treat yourself to a plate of tagliatelle with Acqualagna black truffle, freshly baked crescia sfogliata, or a platter of local cured meats and cheeses, paired with a glass of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi.
Abruzzo – The Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio and the Majella Mountains
Abruzzo is a region of majestic mountains, forests, and timeless stone villages. Here, nature and spirituality blend, creating an almost mystical atmosphere that accompanies every step. Among its hidden treasures is the Hermitage of San Bartolomeo in Legio, carved into the rock of the Majella National Park.
Located in the municipality of Roccamorice (Pescara province), the hermitage was built between the 11th and 13th centuries by hermit monks seeking solitude and silence for prayer. It is an extraordinary place: the small church and monastic cells are literally carved into the limestone cliff, suspended over the valley below. The access trail, about a 30-minute walk from the parking area, winds through trees and natural stone steps before opening onto a terrace with a breathtaking view over the Santo Spirito gorge.
The interior is simple yet deeply moving: raw walls, a small apse, and a modest altar. Each year on August 25th, pilgrims climb up here for the feast of Saint Bartholomew, bringing amulets and votive offerings to dip in the sacred spring beside the hermitage—a centuries-old tradition linking faith and nature.
And, as always in Abruzzo, good food is part of the journey. Try grilled arrosticini skewers with a glass of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, or sample ventricina sausage, maccheroni alla chitarra, and aged pecorino cheese—authentic flavors that express the strong yet gentle soul of this land.
Apulia – The Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano and the landscapes of Gargano
In the far north of Apulia (Puglia), where the mountains plunge into the Adriatic Sea and the forests are filled with the scent of myrtle and pine, stands one of Italy’s most striking and spiritual places: the Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano. Perched among the limestone cliffs of Gargano, a few kilometers from Monte Sant’Angelo, this nearly thousand-year-old abbey is a must-visit for motorhome travelers seeking wild landscapes and centuries of sacred silence.
Founded in 1129 by Benedictine monks on an ancient hermitic site, the abbey overlooks a deep gorge surrounded by natural caves and Mediterranean vegetation.
Today, a small monastic community still lives here, preserving the peace and spirituality of the site. Silence reigns, broken only by the wind and the tolling of bells. Inside the complex, the Romanesque church with its frescoes and the hermit caves carved into the rock bear witness to an ancient spiritual tradition. From the panoramic terrace, the view stretches across the entire valley—and on clear days, all the way to the Adriatic Sea.
As always in Apulia, every journey is intertwined with unforgettable flavors. Try the traditional orecchiette with turnip greens, Monte Sant’Angelo bread baked in wood-fired ovens, and typical cheeses such as Apulian buffalo mozzarella or caciocavallo podolico—perfect to enjoy outdoors, watching the sun set over the sea.
Conclusion
A motorhome journey through Italy’s monasteries and hermitages offers a new way to experience the country: far from mass tourism, close to nature, and in tune with yourself.
Each stop becomes an opportunity to reflect, admire, and embrace the beauty of silence.
With Agricamper, you can make this journey even more special. Our network of farm stays allows you to stay for free for 24 hours at over 500 farms throughout Italy.
Download the app now and get your annual membership to start exploring the most authentic side of Italy—an adventure of freedom and discovery that will stay with you forever.
