Top Travel Destinations for Campers in Germany

Beautiful and Diverse: Germany’s Baltic Coast

All along the coast of the Baltic Sea you’ll find changing landscapes filled with steep cliffs, lakes, bays and picturesque forests. Take your partner on a romantic picnic and listen to the ocean sounds together, or steer your surfboard into the waves. The Baltic Sea has many sides, which makes it the perfect destination for those who love romance, those who like to stay active on holiday as well as those travelling with the whole family! On Camping.info you’ll find more than 110 campsites on the Baltic Sea.

Water Sports and Beautiful Nature on Lake Constance

If you like sailing, canoeing, water skiing or wakeboarding, Lake Constance is the perfect holiday destination for you. The breathtakingly beautiful nature around the lake is ideal for camping. Start your day by jumping into the refreshing waters of the lake and wind down with a romantic stroll. Let us show you the nicest campsites on Lake Constance.

The Wadden Sea and More: Camping on the North Sea

On the North Sea you’ll find long, sandy beaches, a variety of flora and fauna as well as the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Many campsites on the coast of the North Sea specialise in family camping. If you’re looking for something a bit more glamourous, head out to the island of Sylt. A bunch of highly rated campsites on the North Sea await you.

Endless Beaches on Fehmarn

On this Baltic Sea island between the Bay of Kiel and the Bay of Mecklenburg, campers can spend the whole day enjoying the sea breeze. Fehmarn has about 78 kilometres of coastline and is the perfect holiday destination for everyone who loves windsurfing, kitesurfing or long walks on the beach. Here’s where you’ll find the best campsites on Fehmarn.

Spectacular Experiences in the Great Outdoors on Rügen

Majestic chalk cliffs tower along the coast, white sandy beaches create a Caribbean atmosphere, and legendary beech forests stretch out across the island. Rügen’s visitors should definitely head out on a road trip and explore all the island has to offer. The best time to visit is from spring through fall, but it’s even worth a trip in winter, when you’ll usually find many wellness deals. Over 20 campsites on Rügen await.

Hamburg — The Gateway to the World!

“City of Hamburg in the meadows of Elbe river, how stately you are to behold!” So begins the Hamburg-Hymne, the anthem of this small, German state. With its magnificent Elbphilharmonie concert hall, enormous harbour and sinful Reeperbahn entertainment district, this metropolis in northern Germany is definitely worth a visit. Discover Hamburg, a city with something for everyone! Here are all the campsites in and around Hamburg.

Berlin, the City for Artists and Campers

Berlin magically attracts creative types from all over the world. Its diverse selection of cultural activities and one-of-a-kind nightlife make the city attractive for campers as well! Several campsites are located in the centre, where the Berlin Wall and the Reichstag await just around the corner. If you’d like to relax in the great outdoors when you visit the capital, you can also find a selection of lovely campsites outside the city. Great campsites in Berlin await you.

Chiemsee: Active Holidays on the Bavarian Sea

Nestled in a breathtakingly beautiful mountain landscape, just before the Bavarian Alps begin, is the freshwater lake, Chiemsee. Climbers and athletes especially will feel right at home here, because Germany’s third-largest lake is perfect for all sorts of outdoor activities. Around Chiemsee, you’ll find climbing areas of all difficulty levels. In winter, skiing takes centre stage. Many campsites are right near local ski slopes. You’ll find lots of highly rated campsites on Chiemsee on camping.info.

Usedom — Soak up the Sun!

The second-largest Baltic Sea island sees about 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. Long, sandy beaches stretch out along the picturesque coast and are perfect for going swimming or taking a stroll. Water sports enthusiasts are also right at home here: The island is in a great area for kitesurfing and sailing. If you’re looking for something a bit slower, cast your line and enjoy the beautiful sunset. You’ll find a selection of campsites on Usedom on camping.info.

Delightful Days on the Moselle

There are picturesque vineyards and exciting towns all along the Moselle. Begin your holidays in beautiful Coblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Head out on an excursion to romantic Cochem or follow in the footsteps of the ancient Romans in Trier. Hikers can make their way along the Moselsteig, which was named Germany’s Nicest Hiking Path in 2016. You’ll find more than 100 campsites on the Moselle on camping.info.

What Campers Should Know About Camping in Germany

Car Parks and Rest Stops are Not Campsites

In Germany, there is a clear difference between “camping” and “having a rest”. Parking at rest stops and car parks is only intended for you to recover to the point where you are fit to drive again. These places should not be treated as cheap places to go camping, or else you could risk steep fines. The length of time you’re allowed to spend at parking lots, service stations and rest areas is usually limited to a few hours; and know that taking a break with your tow car and caravan is prohibited when such areas are explicitly designated as being for cars and lorries.

Wild Camping is Generally Prohibited

As they say, the exception proves the rule: In Germany, there are individual communities and district administrations that allow wild camping, but generally speaking, it is prohibited in many places and can be penalised by steep fines.

Mind the Campsite Rules

Germans may be perceived as overly particular and meticulous, especially when it comes to the “Platzordnung” (the “campsite rules”) at German campsites. Many of these rules make sense, though, as they try to foster courteous coexistence among campers. Since prices, the minimum required age of guests and quiet hours can all vary from campsite to campsite, make sure you look over their rules before your arrival to avoid misunderstandings.

Watch out for “Hidden” Speed Limits on the Autobahn

The Autobahn — Germany’s motorway, where you can travel at incredible speeds. But don’t risk a ticket by not knowing and following the rules. There are strict regulations for motorhomes and tow cars with trailers. Cars with caravans are not to exceed the recommended speed of 80 km/h on the Autobahn unless you have a special permit, which then sets the limit at 100 km/h. For motorhomes weighing more than 3.5 t, there is a speed limit of 100 km/h on the Autobahn, and motorhomes over 7.5 t are limited to 80 km/h.

Nudist Camping (FKK)

Nudist camping lets you strip down in peace and enjoy your holidays in your birthday suit. Just make sure you’re in a designated nudist spot first, because nudist camping isn’t allowed everywhere. In addition to campsites wholly dedicated to nudist camping, there are also ‘mixed’ campsites in Germany, where the grounds have a separate area for nudism.

Watch out for Ticks

Particularly in Southern Germany, though also in parts of Central Germany, there’s the risk of getting TBE or Lyme disease from ticks. So be sure to protect yourself by wearing appropriate clothing (light colours make it easy to spot ticks on your clothes, and trousers and long-sleeve shirts cover up more skin) and using tick repellent. If you do get bitten by a tick, see a doctor as soon as possible and have it removed. And don’t forget to protect your furry friends from tick bites as well. There are tick collars as well as tick sprays designed for both dogs and cats.