Ca’ le Scope
Emilia-Romagna, Italy
One of Italy’s oldest naturist campsites, rooted in Apennine nature and Emilia-Romagna food culture.
snapshot
Ca’ le Scope is a naturist campsite in Marzabotto, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, inside the Monte Sole National Park at 500 metres elevation in the Apennines. Founded in 1970, it is one of Italy’s oldest naturist venues in Italy. The 24-hectare site has 75 pitches, a pool with valley views, an on-site restaurant serving regional dishes, and a Saturday pizza tradition dating back over 50 years. It suits couples, families, and solo travellers looking for a nature-focused, culturally rich campsite within easy reach of Bologna.
resort type
Mid-size Campground
dress code
Clothes-Free
budget
Budget
When to visit
May to September
THE DESTINATION
THE DESTINATION & where to find it
Ca’ le Scope occupies a south-facing hillside in the Apennines, inside the boundaries of the Monte Sole National Park. The 24-hectare site is large enough to feel spacious but small enough to stay sociable. At 500 metres elevation, views stretch across the valley below.
The layout follows the natural terrain. Pitches are spread across hilly ground, some shaded by oak and chestnut trees, others open to the sun. A central piazza forms the social hub: here you will find the bar, restaurant, library, and the original stone pizza oven that has been in use since the 1970s.
The campsite is fully clothes-free. Naturism here is matter-of-fact. The founders established it in 1970 as one of Italy’s first naturist centres, and over five decades the place has built its own quiet traditions without ever becoming rigid about them.
THE EXPERIENCE
THE EXPERIENCE & what to expect
Mornings at Ca’ le Scope start with fresh bread and croissants baked to order, collected from the bar around eight. After that, the rhythm of the day depends on you.
The pool is the obvious draw in summer. It overlooks the valley, with sunbeds arranged around the deck. It opens in early May and stays open until mid-September. Beyond the pool, marked walking routes thread through the campsite’s own forest, and Monte Salvaro is a ten-minute walk away for anyone interested in nature photography or longer hikes.
The food culture here is hard to separate from the experience. The restaurant is a la carte most evenings. And then there is Saturday pizza night, a tradition that has run for more than 50 years. The stone oven on the piazza fires up with oak wood gathered from the campsite grounds. It is one of those rituals that defines a place.
Activities are organised by guests and volunteers rather than a fixed programme. Yoga, massages, music evenings, and petanque happen regularly. The weekly programme posted on-site keeps things current.
Accommodation ranges from bare pitches (all 75 have electricity) to several two-person options for those travelling lighter. For camping purists, the pitches offer variety: full shade under the trees, partial cover, or open sun with unobstructed views.
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Couples and families who want a nature-focused campsite with strong food culture
- ✓ Solo travellers looking for a sociable but unhurried atmosphere
- ✓ Hikers and nature lovers who want a clothes-free base in the Apennines
- ✓ Repeat visitors to Italy who want to explore Emilia-Romagna beyond the coast
not ideal if
- ✕ You want beach access. The nearest coast is over an hour away.
- ✕ You need large-scale resort facilities or entertainment programming.
- ✕ You prefer a flat, easy-to-navigate campsite. The terrain here is hilly.
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
The nearest airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ), roughly 30 minutes by car. From Bologna city centre, take the SS64 Porrettana road south towards Marzabotto. The campsite is at Via san Martino 35, 40043 Marzabotto. A car is strongly recommended. Public transport exists (TPER bus line 92 from Bologna), but it takes over an hour and does not drop you at the campsite entrance. Florence airport is about 1 hour 45 minutes by car, making Ca’ le Scope reachable from either city.
where to stay
Pitches with electricity suit tents, campervans, and caravans. For non-campers, there are several rental options. All fixed accommodation is for two people. Pricing falls in the budget range for an Italian naturist campsite.
when to go
The campsite opens in late April and closes at the end of September. The pool opens in early May. Peak season runs July and August, when the programme is fullest, the restaurant operates most evenings, and pitches fill up. June and September offer warm temperatures with fewer guests, a quieter atmosphere, and more pitch choice. The shoulder months of late April and May suit hikers and those who prefer cooler weather and solitude. Saturday pizza night runs from late May to mid-September.
what to know
Ca’ le Scope is a fully clothes-free campsite. Nudity is expected throughout the common areas. Book the rentals well ahead for July and August. The restaurant does not operate every evening in low season, so check the weekly programme. Bread must be ordered the day before. Wi-fi is available. The site is accessible for people with reduced mobility, though the hilly terrain means some pitches are steeper than others. The campsite uses local, regional, and organic products wherever possible.
plan your visit
Book at Ca’ le Scope
Book via the official website or contact them by email or WhatsApp.
virtual visit
HAVE A peek inside
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video visit covers the setting, the facilities, and what the atmosphere actually feels like on the ground.
keeping you busy
FACILITIES & amenities
●Pool
Outdoor pool with valley views. Sunbeds and beach chairs provided.
●Restaurant
A la carte regional cuisine most evenings. Chef uses local ingredients. Reduced schedule in low season.
●Bar
On the central piazza. Local Sangiovese wine, craft beers, Aperol Spritz, coffee.
●Shop
Small mini-market with typical Italian products, basic food and drinks.
beyond the resort
NEARBY VISITS
Bologna (city centre)30 min drive
Bologna Airport (BLQ)30 min drive
Florence45 min drive / 1h45 by train
Porretta Terme (thermal baths)35 min drive
Rochetta Mattei castle29 min drive
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FAQ
most asked questions
Is Ca' le Scope suitable for first-time clothes-free travellers?
Yes. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. The campsite has operated as a naturist venue since 1970, so nudity is treated as entirely normal. The smaller scale (75 pitches) means it does not feel overwhelming. Staff are welcoming to newcomers.
Is nudity mandatory at Ca' le Scope?
Ca' le Scope is a fully naturist campsite. Nudity is the norm in common areas and at the pool. Clothing is worn when the weather requires it.
Can I visit Ca' le Scope without a tent or campervan?
Yes. The campsite offers a variety of rental options.
What is the Saturday pizza night at Ca' le Scope?
It is one of the campsite's longest-running traditions, going back over 50 years. Fresh pizza is prepared in the original stone oven on the central piazza using oak wood from the campsite.
How do I get to Ca' le Scope from Bologna?
Drive south from Bologna on the SS64 towards Marzabotto. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Public transport is possible via the TPER bus line 92, but it takes over an hour and does not stop at the campsite entrance. A car is strongly recommended.
Is Ca' le Scope family-friendly?
The campsite does not specifically market itself as a family destination, but children are definitely welcome. The atmosphere is quiet and nature-focused rather than entertainment-driven.
What can I do in the area around Ca' le Scope?
The campsite is inside the Monte Sole National Park, which offers extensive hiking trails and wildlife watching. Bologna is 30 minutes away. Florence is reachable in under an hour by car. Closer by, you can visit the Etruscan excavations at Marzabotto, the Rochetta Mattei castle, or the thermal baths at Porretta Terme.
