The 15 Best Campsites in Europe

It’s all about communal life at Kokopelli Camping in the Abruzzo region of Italy on the Adriatic coastline. The attractive campground doesn’t have marked out pitches, so you can settle your tent anywhere that suits you. You will be roughing it, well, from a smartphone addiction vantage, because there are no electrical hook-ups outside. Campers have access to the barn, though, where you’ll find shared cooking equipment, freezers and bathrooms with showers. Rent one of the bell tents if you don’t want to bring your own gear and be sure to book in advance if you’re planning to camp during July or August. There are several beaches less than an hour’s drive away, lots of hiking trails and canoes to rent on the Pescara River. Kids and adults are welcome.

Camp in luxury on a private island off the northern Dalmatian coast of Croatia. The Obonjan Island Resort has views of the Adriatic Sea and is happily adults-only, meaning you can fully relax without screaming kids. Stay in a bell tent, a lodge or the tree house, all of which have a bohemian-chic vibe with a focus on comfort. Unwind with a yoga class, paddleboard across the blue waters or dance the night away to a live DJ. There are also several restaurants (no cooking over the campfire here), so you can completely de-stress.

Cozy up in a luxury yurt at Portsalon Luxury Camping along the coast of Portsalon, Ireland, just north of Donegal. The campsite is open from April through October, and welcomes guests to hunker down in one of five yurts, which feature king-size beds and wood-burning stoves. (Not too shabby.) There is also a kitchen and lounge, and bathroom facilities with showers, as well as nearby spas. In the area, visitors can hike, horseback ride along the beach, bicycle or surf. There’s also easy access to Glenveagh National Park and Ards Forest Park, both of which are perfect for getting out in nature.

The turquoise water of the Soca River alone is a worth a journey to Slovenia. Kamp Korin, located just outside the tiny town of Kobarid, is situated along the banks of the river, where travelers can swim or kayak during the summer months. Set up a tent or opt to camp in a trailer. If rustic isn’t your vibe, opt for the glamping huts and chalets for rent (though the campsite views are worth sleeping on the ground). There’s hiking nearby, as well as sport activities and river rafting at the camp. In Kobarid, be sure to go for dinner at Hisa Polonka, owned by the same couple as Hisa Franko, which was featured on the Netflix series Chef’s Table.

If you’re not so keen on nature, Berlin’s Hüttenpalast may be your type of camping. The hotel is located inside an old factory and features caravans and cabins, as well as actual hotel rooms. It’s a way to camp without really going outside or exposing yourself to the elements, and the hotel also includes a breakfast buffet and bike rental. Best of all, you can bring your dog. Located near the hip Kreuzberg neighborhood, Hüttenpalast gives visitors quick access to the East Side Gallery, as well as numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs (look for the nearby Burgermeister for an inexpensive meal).

Discover Camping Les Fontaines along the picturesque shores of Lake Annecy in the heart of the French Alps. Surrounded by mountains, the campground has 170 tent sites, as well as mobile homes to rent if you prefer a few more amenities. It’s meant for families and campers of all ages, so expect two heated swimming pools and on-site activities like volleyball, archery and canoeing. And, of course, you’ll want to seek out local hikes to really experience the majesty of the Alps. The campground is also close to Chamonix and Annecy, which make for good day trips.

The coast of France is an ideal spot to make your home for a few days. Bot-Conan Lodge, in Bretagne, welcomes guests into six “Archipel” safari lodges, as well as some very chic Atoll glamping tents. There are two bathhouses with working plumbing and hot showers, so you’re not exactly roughing it. Local activities include golf, tennis, sailing and diving, and there’s a white sand beach just outside camp. Each tent can fit five, so go with your family or a group of friends, and they’re rented by the week.

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England’s Dartmoor National Park offers many places to camp, but one of the best is Yurtcamp Devon in Liverton. The yurts come in various sizes and include camping stoves and solar lighting. Opt for one of the secluded woodland yurts, which are located away from the main camp in the forest. There are tons of activities for kids and adults alike, and the beach is only eight miles away. Enjoy a stroll through the woods or a ride on the zip-line. It’s also a great destination for weddings, if you’ve got a particularly outdoorsy group of friends.  

You can’t get more remote than Sundal Camping, nestled in the western fjords of Norway overlooking the Bondhus Valley. There are 60 different spots to pitch a tent (or you can rent one of the small cottages on-site), and the campsite has some amenities like showers, a BBQ and a playground for kids. You can also rent boats from the camp’s harbor. Explore the local towns of Rosendal and Mauranger, or stick to the woods, where there is hiking and lots of fishing. Don’t miss the walk to the impressive Folgefonna glacier.

Greece is filled with scenic spots, but none more so than Camping Tartaruga, located on the Bay of Laganas, which can be found on the lesser known island of Zakynthos. The campground has its own beach and boating docks, as well as a market and tavern. The tent sites are shaded and there’s electricity available for caravans. Come in May, June or July for a chance to spot sea turtles, which congregate near the beach. It’s the sort of place that feels undiscovered, perfect to unwind and detox from the stress of daily life.

Head to Castrojeriz, Spain, to find the Camino Frances, a pilgrim trail that extends from France. Camping Camino de Santiago is located right along that route with 50 camping plots, as well as cabins and bungalows. Each campsite has privacy created by hedge barriers and there’s electricity for caravans. Partake in one of the bird watching expeditions or explore the local area. The rates are seriously low, making it a perfect destination for travelers on a budget. Be sure to visit the ruins of the Castle of Castrojeriz, which dates back to the nineth century. 

Bunk up in one of ten glamping tents at Charming Slovenia Herbal Glamping Resort, a luxury campsite with mountain views and a relaxed vibe. The tents themselves are seriously plush, with Jacuzzi tubs, air-conditioning (seriously) and bathrooms. There’s an onsite restaurant with dishes straight from the gardens and there’s even a wellness center with a sauna. Nearby, you’ll find a slew of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, canyoning and river rafting, and the beautiful Logarska Valley is a short drive away. Although the campsite is in a rural part of Slovenia, be sure to visit Ljubljana before or after your stay.

The Dutch village of Ansen is home to the charming D’Olde Kamp, a campground with tent sites, cottages and turf huts for rent. The amenities are extensive, with toilets and showers, an outdoor pizza oven, bike rentals and bread service all available, and dogs and children are welcome. The turf huts, which are like something out of The Hobbit, feature kitchens and fire pits (and they’re insanely adorable). The campground is a good base for exploring the bordering Dwingelderveld National Park, which has tons of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and Drents-Friese Wold National Park is a short drive away.

Space is part of the package at Camping La Pointe, a campground in France where every tent pitch has lots of privacy and wooded views. Located outside the town of Chateaulin, this scenic area features sweeping fields and several nearby beaches on the Brittany coast. There is a communal hang out area, hot showers, Wi-Fi and bicycles for rent, and the prices are extremely reasonable, especially if you opt for an all-inclusive rate, which scores you a bike rental too. In Châteaulin you’ll find cafés, restaurants and a weekly outdoor market, as well as annual events.

Pitch a tent or book a chalet room at Austria’s Alpencamping Nenzing, a hip campsite in the Vorarlberg Alps. The tent pitches are staggered so everyone has a great view of the mountains and all guests have access to the spa, pool and restaurant. Hiking and mountain biking are the big activities in the area, but visitors can also explore the local towns (and even go across the border to Switzerland). If you enjoy the cold, test your stamina by staying during the winter, when popular ski resorts like Lech-Zürs am Arlberg offer freshly powdered slopes. Book your stay in advance online.