Planespotting / Viewing Guides for Italy's Airports and Airfields

Planespotting Guides for Italy's Airfields and Airports

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Planespotting at Italy's Airports & Airfields has been plotted on Google Maps, Google Earth, and can be added to your SatNav - click to download
All 40 Italian locations - where they are, viewing spots, hotels and preserved aircraft can be seen on detailed satellite images, making planning your spotting trip exceptionally easy. All these spotting points of interest can be added to your SatNav to give you another excellent resource to make your trip that much easier and more enjoyable. Please read the Download Instructions for example screenshots and further details

PRESERVED, WRECKS & RELICS, STORED AIRCRAFT IN ITALY - their locations are marked in the Spotting in Italy download

ALGHERO AIRPORT

Spotting Info
No views inside the terminal landside but you can walk past the terminal and look back for views of the ramp.

ALZATE BRIANZA AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
West of Alzate Brianza town in the village of Verzago. Friendly gliding club, ask for access.

BERGAMO-ORIO AL SERIO AIRPORT (LIME/BGY)

Spotting Info

From the top of car park B and C, you have unrestricted views of the runway, taxiways and some remote stands. The sun is behind you for most of the day so it's great for photos too. You also get views across the runway to the hangars and storage areas. You may need to move along the car park to get a good angle on them. Even at night, due to the good lighting, you can log those on the terminal ramp and over in the storage area.

If you're flying out of Bergamo, stay on the car park detailed above as long as possible as views in the departure lounge are very poor.

There are various locations around the perimeter where you can read some aircraft off. Head back past the terminal entrance along the airport road (not the main highway) with it on your right, past the car parks and filter right after the car parks to stay along the western perimeter road. You'll pass a lay-by and crash gate on the right but the road may be too low and the hedges too high to read anything off. Just past the end of runway is a car park on the left that has views across the airport to log anything parked on the main apron and possibly cargo but it's distant.

Northside there could be a couple of crash gates right next to the Fokker storage area. In the very north of the airport is the light aircraft area with it's own runway - usually quite a few parked outside the hangars. Very friendly here, ask for access to their hangars. It's next to the military helicopter base, where MM57272 SM1019 and MM80443 AB205 are on display near the gate.

On the eastern perimeter, at the end of the runway, is a viewing area. Great for photos and no problems here at all. At night, you're close enough to 28 departures to read them off, 28 arrivals can also be read off with car lights on full beam providing just enough illumination.

BIELLA CERRIONE AIRFIELD (LILE)

Spotting Info
A couple of miles south of Biella town. No airside access but any parked outside can be easily logged. MM6418 Fiat G-91 guards the entrance to the airfield.

BOLOGNA AIRPORT (LIPE/BLQ)

Spotting Info
Views from the departure lounge is very good, looking out over most of the terminal apron and most of the remote stands can also be read. From outside the terminal, the top floor of the car park opposite the offers views of the runway and of the military helicopter hangars behind it.

BOSCOMANTICO AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Northwest of Verona city and alongside the river. Friendly, ask for access to the hangars. Lots of small hangars dotted about the place. There are more on the north side, access via the southern then western perimeter road.

BRESSO AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Towards the north of Milan city, along the SP199. Friendly, ask at the Aeroclub, or if no one's there you can ask in the office for access to the hangars and to walk around.

CAGLIARI AIRPORT

Spotting Info
There are views available in the terminal either side of departures at a cafe, or a better view by the ticket offices. Turn right out of the terminal and you can walk down to the aero clubs and GA ramp, where everything is easily logged. Displayed at the aeroclub is MM54278 MB326. From this aeroclub area you can look across the runway to the military base and the hangar. If it's open, you may be able to see some of the stored Atlantiques. As you look across the runway, to the right of the hangar is the preserved S-2 Tracker MM144716. Behind these buildings, and possibly only visible from across the water or a boat ride, is preserved T33 MM53-5668.

CASCINO COSTA-AGUSTA MUSEUM

Spotting Info
On the eastern edge of Milan Malpensa airport is the Agusta facility, and their Museo Agusta. Entrance is 2.50EUR and is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1400-1800, Saturdays 0930-1200 1430-1700, Sundays 0930-1230 1400-1800. In a compound at the rear of the Agusta Factory car park is Agusta 101G MM80358. It can be seen by gaining height to see over the factory boundary wall.

CASTELLETTO TICINO-MUSEO GOTTARD PARK

Spotting Info
The Museuo Gottard Park is west of Castelletto sopra Ticino town, alongside SS33. Open daily 0930-2000 summer, 0930-1800 winter.

COMO AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
At the southern end of Lake Como, in the northwest part of Como town and next to the Giuseppe Sinigaglia football stadium. Very friendly, ask for access to the hangar. If it's open, the residents in the hangar can be logged from the road. Appears to be closed on Sundays with the hangar locked up.

FRASCATI-VERMICINO PRESERVED

Spotting Info
Preserved at the ristorante Zi Pietro northwest of Frascati town alongisde the SS215 are AgCats I-GRUA, I-GRUB, I-GRUC, T33 MM51-17488, MM61677 C45, MM61904 P166 and MM80136 Bell 47. The C45 and Bell 47 are outside, the rest are round the back.

GORIZIA AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
In the south of Gorizia town and on the Slovenian border, entrance is off the SS55. Very friendly, ask for access to the hangars. Beyond the hangars and behind the trees you'll find the stored HU16 MM51-037.

LUCCA AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
East of Lucca town, alongside the A11 Autostrada though you'll need to take the Autostrada exit east of here and head towards Carraia village for the entrance. The apron can be easily seen from the car park. Friendly, ask at the Easterly helicopter hangar, access can often be granted to this hangar and the Eastern apron where the S-64Fs are located.

MILAN-LINATE AIRPORT (LIML/LIN)

Spotting Info

Follow the signs in departures for 'Ristoranti'. The food area has good views of the ramp and remote stands. The far remote stands can be difficult to read off though. The biz ramp is off to the right beyond the two runways and you probably won't be able to log anything from this area due to them parking nose or tail on, and two large biz hangars blocking the view of the main parking area - sometimes full of biz. The top of the multi-storey car park has good views of movements, but hardly any of the ramp can be seen and the biz are tail on.

If you're flying out, the views from the departure lounge aren't great, although more of the ramp can be seen than from the multi-storey car park. The lounge overlooks the five terminal gates so aircraft get in the way.

The best place for viewing, away from the terminal, is the car park on the eastern side of the main runway. Head west at the only main roundabout in Canzo and at the end there's a public car park, just before the crash gate and opposite a cemetary. Frequented by locals and patrolled from the other side of the fence but no problems at all. The terminal and biz area are out of site, but this is the best place for viewing movements and photography. If you have the time available, you can walk it from the terminal. Head outside, turn left and keep the airport on your right at all times. You'll pick up a footpath alongside the fence which leads to the car park.

Biz Ramp Spotting Info
To read the biz, turn left out of the terminal and walk along the road (toward the city centre) towards the biz - it's on the opposite side of the airport to the terminal. You can log as you walk along the road. Due to the way they're parked it's necessary to keep stopping. After about three quarters of a mile you'll reach a footbridge over the road that provides good height to read more off. The walk to the bridge will take around 30 minutes, stops included. If you get approached by the airport police, they'll just check your bags and passports and let you go without any problems. It is still difficult to read everything off due to the way they are parked and there are a lot of hangars that you can't see into as they face each other on the ramp. There are a lot of aircraft parked on the ramp and clutter can be a problem. After the footpath, follow the path round to the left and you'll walk alongside a military housing estate before you reach the biz ramp. Just before the biz terminal on the left is the entrance to the housing estate, which while gated, is always open. Go straight ahead for a view across the ramp where many biz can be logged, though don't hang around here for any length of time. EL-CAR Yak 40 has been stored here for some time. Then continue past the biz terminal - there may be gaps between the buildings and hangars but best not to enter the area, even if the gate is open. Follow the road round and after the last building you'll reach the end of the biz runway 17/35 and possibly a gap in the hedge that looks across to the remote stands. Continue on and at the sharp right bend, you'll have a good overall view of the airport, from the biz ramp to the left, to the terminal and remote stands to the right. Follow this road round and after some houses, taking the first road on the left will bring you to a crash gate overlooking the runway. There's a footpath off to the left and right for you to pick your spot. You can follow the road all the way round the end of the runway and back up the other side but it's a very long route and not recommended. There are biz stored behind the new power station/plant and there is another stored in a compound - drive past biz ramp towards runway, round the sharp right bend, turn next left, it is down there on your right hand side.

Transfer to Milan-Malpensa Airport
The Malpensa Shuttle only runs every two hours, tickets cost 13EUR each way and are available on boarding or at the Aeroport 2000 offices in the terminal. Journey time is around 1 hour to Terminal 1.

MILAN-MALPENSA AIRPORT (LIMC/MXP)

General Info
Terminal 1 has two piers - pier A for Schengen departures, pier B and C for all others that don't use Terminal 2. Terminal 2 is away from the Terminal 1 complex and is situated in the north of the airport, between the thresholds of 17L and 17R. Low cost carriers use Terminal 2. There is a free shuttle bus that goes between terminals. The Italian Aviation Friends Society, known as 'Clipper', organises a series of Open Days whereby attendees spend a day inside the airport - a bus tour of the ramps with various stops for photos, then ending the day on a small area of grass next to the main taxiway and between the cargo and pax terminal ramps. The resident expert at Malpensa airport, Guido Allieri, runs the GAir site and you can email him. He is happy to help with anything, including arranging your participation in the tour. The tour is well worth it, giving you great views of the airport and aircraft, and fantastic photo opportunities you won't get anywhere else.

Landside

There are panoramic windows the whole length of the terminal at check-in level, good for Terminal 2, not visible from the Benetton shop/McDonald's area. Inside the terminal you can sit behind the Benetton shop, hidden from view. To get here, head up to check-in and go past check-in area 1 - it will be obvious which way that is. You'll see a sign for restaurants and shopping area or retail outlets. Follow this and the Benetton shop is on your left. Go down the little corridor just before it on the left. Be warned there are no seats but the window ledge is deep enough for you to hop on if you need to. Great views, you can see some stands and both runways, though good bins are needed for the far one 17L/35R. Another favourite place is to sit at McDonald's all day, or to the side of it. If you arrive at Terminal 2, to transfer to Terminal 1 bear left in arrivals, cross all the roads and you're at the bus stop for the lengthy shuttle to Terminal 1. En-route you'll pass the GA area.

If you can't get some of the larger aircraft on the right and/or the commuter and cargo, and low cost aircraft parked at Terminal 2, go outside on to the roadway and turn left. At the end of the terminal there is a small area that provides a reasonable view of the larger Alitalia fleet, that have the last two letters of the registration on the top of the tail. Locals congregate here to watch the planes and wave goodbye. The sun isn't in a good place here so you can make your way back in to the terminal, upper level again, and wander through by the large tinted windows that overlook the main Terminal 1 stands. On reaching the other end of the terminal, head outside, turn right on to the upper roadway and make your way to the short stay car park - another place where locals watch planes, wave goodbye. There is a notable police presence in both areas and in the terminal but spotters that have previously visited weren't troubled at all. This area gives views of the smaller Alitalia fleet with their commuter aircraft parking to the left. In the distance, is Terminal 2, and remote stands for cargo. Discreetly use your binoculars or telescope but they do not like photography so leave your camera and your radio in your bag. Recent reports suggest that police no longer tolerate spotting from within the terminal. Spotters have been searched, passports and logbooks checked, questioned and moved on due to them having 'no real reason to be there'. If you do get moved on then either side of the terminal should still be ok, which end will depend on wind direction.

Terminal 2 is fully enclosed, with only a partial view of the ramp from the western perimeter road. Only accessible by car. If you fly in to Terminal 2, get the free shuttle to Terminal 1. It takes 10 minutes and goes past an Italian Police/Customs ramp, often with military helicopters on it. The biz ramp can be viewed through the windows at the end of Terminal 2 so head here before getting the bus to Terminal 1. If you've flown in to Terminal 1, you could use one of the many quiet periods to take the shuttle bus to Terminal 2, to have a look at the police and biz ramps.

By the Terminal 1 exit is the Volandia Museum of Flight. Open weekends and holidays 1000-1900 and Tuesdays-Fridays 1000-1800 in the summer, Wednesdays-Sundays 1000-1800, admission is 8EUR. The pedestrian bridge from Terminal 1 takes you straight to the museum. As you walk across the bridge, you can see the museum's external storage compound, and a couple of them are identifiable. Once inside, as you go between buildings 4 and 5 there is a sign which says something like 'Spotting at Malpensa' and leads you out on to a large open area, where you are free to watch the movements, though the view itself is not that good. The compound is at the far end although you do need to walk past a number of no entry signs.

If you have a car, there's a great woodland public park near 17L/35R near the village of Ferno, opposite Terminal 1 and the cargo area. There are benches available and no problems staying here - it's often used by the locals. In the morning, until lunchtime, excellent photos can be had, with the Alps making for a good background. On your way round to the park, you can stop near the threshold of 35L for views of the cargo apron - there'll be some logged from here that you can't get from the terminal windows. North of this park, in Cascino Costa, is the Agusta museum detailed above.

Airside
At Terminal 1, you shouldn't have any problems on pier A or gate B9 at the end of pier B. Pier A, used for Schengen departures, is the best place for spotting. Everything will pass in front of you for departures and you can check arrivals easily. Usually the police aren't bothered by people watching planes as you are a passenger. Going to and from the UK, you will use pier B and therefore have to cross passport control so you can't go back. From pier B the view is great too across the runways and stands of pier B and C.

Transfer to Milan-Linate Airport
The Linate Shuttle only runs every two hours, tickets cost 13EUR each way and journey time is around 1 hour.

Planespotting Hotels - their locations are marked in the Spotting in Italy download

The front rooms at the Crowne Plaza have views of departures, specifically rooms 212-233 inclusive are top floor windows facing the airport. The view is obstructed by a line of trees but all departing aircraft on 35s can be read off as they are above the tree line. It has a courtesy bus to and from both terminals - Terminal 1 is a scheduled service, Terminal 2 is on request.
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The Hotel Cervo is about a 200 yard walk from the Airport shuttle bus route (or a 15 minute walk from Terminal 2) that links Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 so you don't have to rely on the Cervo's own shuttle, which only runs part of the day. The Cervo is close to Bus stop 3 (when travelling from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2) and bus stop 11 when running in the opposite direction (Terminal 2 to Terminal 1). The Hotel Cervo features on

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The Holiday Inn Express has a regular shuttle bus to/from the airport and is a short walk from the helicopters parked on the police/customs ramp. The Holiday Inn Express features on

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MILAN-VIA SAN VITTORE LEONARDO DA VINCI NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Spotting Info
The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology has around a dozen aircraft on display here. Open Tuesday-Friday 0930-1700, weekends 0930-1830, admission is 10EUR.

MONTICHIARI AIRPORT

Spotting Info
Northwest of Montichiari town. Most parked on the main apron and at the aeroclub can be logged from the fences.

NAPLES AIRPORT (LIRN/NAP)

Spotting Info
Airside, the first floor cafe/bar area overlooks most of the ramp and the runway, so nothing is missed. A quarter of the ramp, and the light aircraft and biz park are not visible around a corner, nor is the main military ramp, although most things come and go during the day. There is also viewing area just below the cafe area, which is almost as good.

OLBIA AIRPORT

Spotting Info
The island's busiest airport, Meridiana's base and often gets some good visitors in. No views in the terminal landside. Turn right out of the terminal, towards Meridiana's hangars and offices for limited views of this area and the light aircraft parking area beyond. The biz have their own dedicated ramp and terminal at the western end of the airport, by the runway 06 threshold. Turn left out of the terminal and follow the road though it's quite a walk and you'll need a car for the better vantage points. There's a small car park at the biz terminal which may give restricted views of the ramp. Continue left out of here and turn left at the roundabout, keeping the biz apron on your left. There's an entrance on the right you can pull in to, and you can pull over along the main road here for ramp views. Just after the runway lights, you can turn left down a track running almost the full length of the runway and leads to a quarry and some houses. Great views of the ramps and terminal all along this track and it's regularly used so park sensibly and you won't be bothered.

PALERMO AIRPORT

Spotting Info
Just west of Palermo city.

PISA AIRPORT

Spotting Info
South of Pisa town. Landside, if you head towards the car rental site, they park the biz where they can easily be seen. If you go down the road leading to the car rentals, you'll be able to see the main apron. Turn right out of the terminal, heading away from the rail station. This apron can't be seen from the departure lounge and there's often a few good aircraft in there. Upstairs in the terminal there are a couple of windows by a cafe but you can only see the stands right in front of the terminal. The views here are very limited. Just south of the terminal there are roads that have views across the terminal ramp - turn left out of the terminal and left again over the railway line. This road ultimately leads to the miltary base gate but you won't need to walk that far. Keep looking left for gaps between the buildings. Airside there are views of the main apron from the small departure lounge. Preserved on the military base is MM53-3200 C119 Boxcar. You'll need to keep looking west on arrival and/or departure for views of it.

Military Transport Ramps
You can walk along the SS1 on the western perimeter heading south, or drive, and can read off the C130s and anything else on the military ramp as you walk. Be very careful as this is a very fast road, take care walking and take care pulling over if in a car. For a different view of the ramp, and a far safer spot, continue south on the SS1 past the airport, come off at the very next exit and take the immediate left, back across the SS1 onto Via del Viadotto. Follow the straight road, then take the next left onto Via Enrico Pezzi. This rises over a bridge across a railway line and from here the C130 line can be read, codes only and heat haze permitting. The track then continues either to the left, which passes near the runway threshold and leads to a house, or over the river and round to the right, along the southern and then eastern boundaries and further good views across the runway can be had before it passes around the control tower and then along the fence next to the eastern dispersals - anything here will be easily read off. You are quite exposed here so be cautious.

PISA-ITI DA VINCI TECHNICAL INSTITUTE PRESERVED

Spotting Info
Very near to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, at the ITI Da Vinci institute, are MM19782 CL-13, MM54153 MB-326 and MM6941 F-104, preserved outside and visible from the road.

PONTE GALERIA-CAPITALIA HELIPAD

Spotting Info
East of Ponte Galeria town, just north of the SP1a. MM6323 G91 is preserved on the roof and is visible from the nearby railway line, should you be passing on the train.

RIETI AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
In the north of Madonna del Cuore town. Very friendly, ask for access. As well as the aircraft, gliders and hangars around the main area, there are more off to the right and round the corner. On the eastern boundary of the airfield on Viale Marco Curio Dentato are MM6713 F104 and MM51-9140 T-33 preserved. Across the road, opposite these two, is I-IVAM H-201 on the roof of the iperstore.

RIMINI AIRPORT

Spotting Info
Southwest of Rimini town, alongside the SS16. The has a weekly timetable downloadable in an Excel spreadsheet. Landside, the only place is the hire cars' car park. After leaving the luggage claim area and after passing through the doors, turn left and walk straight ahead, passing the parking area with the tourist coaches. The gaps between the blast screens allow you to log any aircraft parked out here. Once airside there is a big terrace where most of the parked aircraft can be read off but the biz area is out of sight, so check this out first before going airside.

ROME-CIAMPINO AIRPORT (LIRA/CIA)

Spotting Info
Ciampino is closer to the centre of Rome than Fiumicino and acts as the main low-cost and business jet airport. It's also a military base and home of the government's fleet of A319s and business jets and the yellow CL-215 aircraft. Flying into Ciampino, the usual wind direction is to land on runway 15. If this is the case, you'll need an 'A' window seat as the taxi back to the gate will take you past the cargo (with the storage area just beyond), biz, hangars, VIP and CL415 ramps. Take a lot of photographs as there'll be a lot to see in a very short time. If you land on runway 33, you'll need an 'F' (or similar) window seat, though you'll only taxi past the Italian AF area, where you may see a few of their aircraft and helicopters. On the road into the airport, Albatross MM51-035 is the gate guard to the military area. MM61950 PD808 is preserved in the military area. At the southern end of the airport, just beyond the cargo ramp, is the storage compound containing AL60s I-CELI and I-MACM. The only way to get to these is via the main SS7 road.

Airside
The terminal building is quite compact, split into Arrivals and Departures sections. Passengers only use the ground floor throughout, and buses take you to and from the aircraft. Once through to departures, there is a separate section for Non-Schengen flights. Hold off from going through there until you are due to leave as the departures lounge for Schengen flights has better windows looking out to the apron, taxiway and runway. The bar area allows you to monitor all movements.

Landside
Outside the terminal, beware of the large presence of police and military personnel. Cameras and poles will not be looked kindly upon. You can, however, log most aircraft on the cargo/biz jet apron if you are discreet with your binoculars. Walk out of the terminal and turn left. Walk to the car park next to the General Aviation Terminal, and you can see all of the aircraft through the fence. There are various car parks and gaps through the fence for you to log the biz and CL415s. There are Police patrols, so don't loiter. You may not have any problems, or you may be questioned and have your passports and logbooks checked. If you have a car, you can drive to both ends of the runway - again, don't loiter. At the southern end (turn left out of the airport entrance, and then left at the roundabout), you will see the cargo aircraft close up, and a small compound of derelict biz jets, this is where the locals stay to watch the movements.

Transfer to Rome-Fiumicino
Terravision coaches leave at regular intervals, although the queues can get huge. One way is 8EUR and takes around an hour in busy traffic to Termini station. Here the de Vici express train leaves every half hour to Fiumicino, costs 12EUR and takes about 40 minutes. En route the train passes MM6323 G91 on the roof of Ponte Galeria helipad detailed above. It's between Muratella and Ponte Galeria stations and is on the north side. Total journey time is around 2 hours. Arriving at Fiumicino you pass the Alitalia maintenance hangars and some stored MD80s that can be read off. Taxis between the two airports cost a little more, at 50EUR, but only take around 30 minutes. Looking at these two options, it's probably far cheaper to hire a car for the day, and should take less than 30 minutes, airport to airport.

Planespotting Hotels - its location is marked in the Spotting in Italy download
The Hotel Palacavicci is situated at the northern end of the runway - turn right out of the airport entrance, then right again towards Ciampino. Room 606 has uninterrupted views of aircraft just before touchdown. Rooms in the 7xx and 8xx range should also have similar views. If not, you can wander the car park to spot anyway. It's also a short walk to the end of the runway, and you can follow the road round for better shots of movements and views of the northern stands. The Hotel Palacavicci features on

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ROME-FIUMICINO AIRPORT (LIRF/FCO)

Spotting Info

Reasonable views of Terminal 3 can be had from the Terrazz Roma restaurant area above check in. Spotting from McDonald's and the few tables next to it is a great place, with views of the domestic ramp and anything taxiing out to 07/25, the departure runway and only used for departures. You don't get any warning if the departures are on 25 though, so you'll have to be quick as they speed past and rotate. You can happily spot here all day, but be advised the staff may contact the airport police. They may take you to their office to question you and photocopy your passport and log book. Some people have been moved on and some have been told it's ok to stay once they are satisfied with their checks. These days this action is rare so the chances are you won't be disturbed, as long as you make the odd purchase. The area tends to close around 1930. Views of the maintenance area can be had from another set of tables adjacent to one of the other food outlets. Arrivals on 16R can be seen but not read off unless they taxi past but a lot of these will use Terminal 5 and other stands out of sight, and you can just make out the distant 16L.

You can walk down to the Alitalia hangars to log what's parked outside and in their storage area, but better views of this area may be had from Via Charles Lindbergh just to the south and running parallel with the A91, and from following this road round to the left and up the eastern perimeter.

Car park E has views of the ramp allowing some parked aircraft to be identified that can't be seen from the Terminal 3 cafe area. If you're spotting from Terrazz Roma in Terminal 3 all day, it quietens down around mid-afternoon so may be worth a walk over here. This location gives views of some of the domestic parking stands and maintenance and cargo. From the cafe area, turn left out of the cafe staying on the upper level and follow the signs for Terminal A initially. This leads down a series of travelators and the signs for Carpark E soon come into view. Turn left off the travelator and get the lift to carpark level 4 or level 5 - sometimes level 5 has no cars on it and you can seem rather exposed although no problems have been reported by people just having a quick look. You won't need to spend any length of time here anyway.

Once you're airside you can walk up and down the gates and log everything. There is a panorama cafeteria in the satellite part of international Terminal 3 and you have to get the skytrain to get to it. From here you can see runway 34L. Possibly the best place to stay, though if you're planning on spending any length of time here, it's possible that airport workers will call the police. In most cases, they will question you, check your passports and log books and are usually happy for you to continue. Towards the end of the day, once the cafeteria starts to quieten down they may want to start closing areas off so you can move to some chairs by the windows next to the cafe. The airport is split into two piers C and D for domestic and Schengen countries, and G and H for non-Schengen countries with construction in the middle. There are views of the aircraft from all the piers allowing most aircraft to be identified and many aircraft are remotely parked.

There's a cafe in Terminal D called Galeria Panorama or something similar, and is situated upstairs above the check-in area. It overlooks the central part of the airport, including the westerly and central runways, and much of the apron. You will catch the vast majority of movements here. Staff and police hopefully won't bother you, but keep the binoculars in the bag when they aren't needed. It's also a good idea to buy some food and drink to justify being there.

With a car, park at the API garage on the west side of the airfield, more or less at the threshold of the shorter cross runway on Viale di Coccia di Morto road. A petrol station with a view. The API garage has a small terrace and cafe and there is also a motel on site. The two parallels run north to south, and I don't know of anywhere where you can easily read off all movements when all 3 are in use. Just pick the intersection of the 2 busiest. You can also spot from the other intersection, of the easterly north-south with the cross runway.

Transfer to Rome-Ciampino
Taxis between the two airports cost 50EUR, but only take around 30 minutes, substantially less than using the cheaper public transport. However, hiring a car for the day is cheaper than hiring a taxi, and should take less than 30 minutes, airport to airport.

Planespotting Hotels - their locations are marked in the Spotting in Italy download

The Hilton Hotel is connected to Terminal 3 via covered walkway and offers good views, the higher floor the better, and certainly no lower than the 4th floor if at all possible. The top floor is mainly meeting rooms but the windows at the end of one corridor overlook the domestic ramp and the taxiway exiting the runway. Weekends you probably won't be spoken to by hotel staff but weekdays the meeting rooms will probably be used and so you would be better off confirming with hotel management that it's ok to spend any length of time at these windows.
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The Mach 2 Hotel has it's own shuttle bus, is not far from the end of 16R/34L and is under short finals approach of 34L if the wind is right.
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ROME-URBE AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
In the north of Rome city centre. Lots of aircraft based here, and parked tightly in various nooks and crannies. Not too many can be seen from outside however. Ask for access at Aeroclub Roma and you should be given an escorted tour of their area. In the very northern part of the airfield is an unknown abandoned fuselage.

SABAUDIA AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
North of Sabaudia town alongside the SP46. Friendly, ask for access to the hangars. There are more hangars the other side of the runway, you'll have to ask permission to access these, though they may be closed.

THIENE AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
South of Thiene town, near the village of Santo. Friendly, ask for access to the hangars. Lots of hangars here, both north and south of the main clubhouse area. MM6914 F104 is preserved at the clubhouse.

TREVISO-SAN ANGELO AIRPORT

Spotting Info
In the southwest of Treviso town. The military air base is in the southern part of the airport. The airport and aeroclub in the northern part. The aeroclub are friendly, ask for access to their hangars.

TRIESTE-FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA AIRPORT

Spotting Info
Just south of the A4 Autostrada, near Ronchi dei Legionari. Landside, the restaurant on the second floor has good views across the apron and you can monitor movements from here too. Stored just north of the runway, approximately halfway along is I-DAWR MD82 and missing half a wing following a ground accident.

TURIN AIRPORT

Spotting Info
Just north of Caselle Torinese town. Airside, the departure lounge has good views of the runway, but landside there's very little. A short walk in either direction from the terminal outside will give limited views of the apron beyond the ends of the terminal. MM54228 F-104G is preserved outside the barracks just a 5 minute walk south of the terminal. And just south of here is N8383 C47 marked "I-LEON", displayed on the airport approach road.

UDINE AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Southwest of Udine city, along SS13. Friendly, ask at the aeroclub for access to their hangars.

VALBREMBO AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
West of Valbrembo town. Very friendly, ask for access to their hangars.

VENEGONO AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Home of Aermacchi. The flying club in the southeast is corner, friendly, ask for access though no photos allowed. There are also Aermacchi aircraft displayed and stored along the western industrial area.

VENICE-MARCO POLO AIRPORT (LIPZ/VCE)

Spotting Info
Outside on the upper deck there are a few seats near the top of the ramp where the departures area is. The left side of the terminal has views of most of the ramp and by walking a bit further, the runway comes into view. On the right hand side you have a gap allowing you to read everything taking off, landing and taxiing out. There is a cafe/restaurant on the right side of the terminal, with limited views. Airside there are good views of the active ramp. If taking off away from Venice on 04s, sit on the right hand side of the aircraft (F or similar window seat) as the taxi out will take you past the parked bizjets (some larger G4/5 use the main apron). As long as you're discreet and buy food and/or drink there should be no problems. A footpath that follows the river south out of Tessera village takes you to the 04 threshold for great photo shots and views of the biz ramp where most can be read off.

VERONA AIRPORT

Spotting Info
Southwest of Verona city. Airside, all gates overlook the apron and you have views of all movements and the GA ramp off to the left.

VIGNA DE VALLE-ITALIAN AIR FORCE MUSEUM

Spotting Info
The Museo Storico dell' Aeronautica Militare is on the southern edge of Lake Bracciano. Open Tuesdays-Sundays 0930-1730 summer, 0930-1630 winter, entry is free with around 60-70 exhibits, mostly inside.