Whether with a tent, caravan or in a luxury motorhome – camping is trendy. Germany offers many opportunities. From the North and Baltic Seas over the Lüneburg Heath to deepest Bavaria: FOCUS Online shows you places to be happy.
We present 15 campsites in Germany – from the North and Baltic Seas to the Lüneburg Heath and deep into Bavaria.
1. Sylt: Kampen campsite – the northernmost in the republic
Camping in Kampen – this little play on words invites you to visit this campsite. As is well known, Kampen is located on the island of the rich and beautiful in Germany, on Sylt. Sylt is in turn the northernmost island in the country.
If you arrive by motorhome, you first have to go to Denmark and then take the ferry to List from the neighboring island of Rømø. From there you can drive the mobile home in a few minutes south to the northernmost campsite in Germany with a wonderful location between the dunes of the North Sea coast and the village of Kampen. By the way, the next campsite is only 400 meters away, but is just further south.
2. North Sea: Harlesiel – right on the water
There are not many locations in Germany where you can stand directly on the coast with the camper. And with direct really means direct. No dike, no protective wall, no road, no bike path between the mobile home and salt water. The view is directed directly to the sea through the mobile home window. If it is there, because we're talking about the North Sea with its Wadden Sea World Heritage Site.
In the Wangerland, the small river Harle flows into the North Sea near Harlesiel. And right there is a wonderful and popular RV park. It just doesn't get any closer to the water. Even the port of Harlesiel is further from the sea than the pitch. What a sight when the passenger ship to Wangerooge heads for the open sea a few meters in front of the motorhome's radiator.
3. Camping site at Königssee: a gem in green Friesland
This Königssee is not located in Bavaria, but in the flat Friesland in the far north of the republic. The campsite is located directly on the shore of the small lake and offers guests their own sandy beach to relax in. A must: excursions into the surrounding moorland and the Neuchâtel jungle, a magical place through which a network of beautiful hiking trails leads.
The campsite is very familiar – operator Frank Bösel personally takes care of the well-being of his guests. In the morning he takes orders for fresh rolls at the reception.
Tip: For everyone who only comes with a tent, there is an unusual offer at the campsite. You can rent a lockable refrigerator to keep supplies cool and safe.
4. Baltic Sea: Camping Holiday Park California in the Bay of Kiel
California on the Baltic Sea? This is the eponymous district of Schönberg in Holstein. A shipwreck called California was once washed ashore here, from which the name is derived. Today it comprises a stretch of beach including a holiday park, apartments, holiday homes, rest stops and a nature lovers' house. We shouldn't be surprised that the California grocer bears the name "Alpen" and that there are street names like Stettiner Weg and Pommernweg. Presumably you want to position yourself internationally.
The campsite in the far west of California is a few meters from the fine sandy beach. Just past the mini golf course, over the dike and you can already see the wide waters of the Baltic Sea. In bad weather, which the German version of California should have, the campsite offers alternatives. The table tennis tables are covered and a bowling alley is available in the main building.
Exciting, but no time right now?
There is also the possibility of riding a horse on the in-house riding arena, while the little camping guests ride ponies on the pony path. And if you feel like it, you can go for a walk on the beach in Brazil. Because that's the name of the neighboring district, right next to California.
5. Rügen island: relaxation and tranquility on the Baltic Sea
Are you longing for the sea and peace? Then you have come to the right place at the Thiessow campsite. It is located in the very southeast of the island of Rügen, which is known for its chalk cliffs. On a narrow headland, surrounded by the gently babbling Baltic Sea, it is practically in a dead end – and in the middle of the Southeast Rügen Biosphere Reserve.
Those who come here have traveled a long way alone on the island and want to switch off. The best way to do this is to take a walk through the adjacent forest with its gnarled trees to the fine sandy beach of the Baltic Sea. But don't forget the camera – the views are fantastic.
By the way: The place is ideal for everyone who also wants to be offline from time to time – because the remote location can cause problems with cell phone reception.
6. St. Peter-Ording: With the Womo directly to the beach
St. Peter-Ording is the only place in Germany where you can drive to the beach with your own vehicle, including and especially with a mobile home. On the northern section of the beach there is over 800 meters north-south, where you will always find a parking space.
The sandy area is so large and there are no markings, so you just stop where you want and leave your motorhome. When you leave the Womos you stand directly in the sand and look out over the water of the North Sea.
The driveway is only 200 meters from the Biehl campsite. In the south of St. Peter-Ording there is another stretch of beach that can be driven on by vehicle. The entrance to the Böhl car park is only a few meters away from the three neighboring campsites Rönkendorf, Silbermöwe and Rosen-Camp.
7. Cuxhaven: Wattenlöper campsite – on foot through the Wadden Sea
The name of the campsite says it all. Because Löper is the Low German name for runner. And the site is only 500 meters from the entrance to an almost unique mudflat hiking trail. For the sake of fairness, one has to admit that there are two neighboring campsites, the Nordsee and Am Bäderring, that offer the same advantage.
Of course, there are plenty of opportunities on the German North Sea coast to enter the Wadden Sea. You don't always have the opportunity to hike straight to an island. However, this is feasible in Cuxhaven-Duhnen. The island of Neuwerk is located nine kilometers off the coast. Both from Duhnen and from the next Cuxhaven district of Sahlenburg, where the campsites Muschelgrund and Wernerwald are located, there is a hiking trail to the distant island.
Because you don't just walk straight through the Wadden Sea. It's way too dangerous. Rather, one follows the pricks that have been attached to the muddy ground and guide the hiker through the mudflats. These tufts of branches are a bit reminiscent of Easter bouquets where you forgot the Easter eggs. But they are used for orientation and are essential for survival.
The short time windows in which you can enter the Wadden Sea at the campsites are just as important. They shift daily and make Wattenlöpen an endeavor that one should prepare well for. If time, weather and fitness are not right, it is better to leave it at a walk on the beach or stay at the beautiful Wattenlöper campsite.
8. In the middle of the Harz: parking space at the stave church
Hahnenklee is a remote part of Goslar. There is a very simple parking space for motorhome tourists right there. The equipment is functional because the space is only part of the local parking lot. But there is hardly a motorhome parking space in Germany that can claim more romanticism than the parking space in Goslar-Hahnenklee. Because when you leave the motorhome you are immediately at the rendezvous bank, where, if things go well, a romantic love story begins. Right next to it you pass through the gate of love. This is the beginning of a lovingly designed circular hiking trail through the forest.
Numerous benches and picnic areas have been carved in great detail, each presenting a different theme. Of course it's about love. In chronological order, you hike a good seven kilometers from the hash-me bank via the engagement bank and the china wedding bank to the last seat. The crown jewel wedding bench commemorates the 75th wedding anniversary. It's a long way to go, but the registry office is happy to help – because you can get married directly on the Liebesbankweg.
- More info: simple, but quiet and free overnight place: Am Bocksberg, 38644 Goslar-Hahnenklee
9. Lüneburg Heath: South Sea Camp, island flair and beach life
Heathland with extensive moors and then the subject of the South Seas? The South Sea Camp manages the balancing act between the starting point for heather hikes and a beach experience on the shores of a lake. If you are not lucky enough to have a direct view of the lake from your mobile home, you can at least walk around the lake and stop off at the beach bar or the island restaurant.
Since northern Germany offers different weather conditions than the classic South Seas, there is also a covered swimming paradise with a water slide and Kontiki bar. A lovingly designed mini golf course spreads out right next to it. Its name jungle golf is also the theme of the playground and also arouses southern associations. A full 700 meters away it is less tropical, but always fascinating. Because it goes high into the high ropes course, which is also part of the campsite.
Otherwise there are still the riding stables, children's playgrounds and various events that the Südsee-Camp offers. Vasco Núñez de Balboa never returned to Spain, and here at the campsite you don't want to go home anytime soon.
10. Camping site on the Oderstrom: So beautiful on the Oder
Those who choose the campsite in Mescherin as their holiday destination are located on the northern edge of the Lower Oder Valley National Park and have a good starting point to explore it in peace. Those who want can experience the floodplains by canoe, fish on the river or take a day trip to Oderhaff on the Oder-Neisse cycle path.
In the evening you can visit the small center of the Polish town of Gryfino on the other side of the Oder bridge. At the German bridgehead there is also a beautiful wooden observation tower, which allows a great view of the fantastic Oder landscape. You should bring a bit of a head for heights because you can look straight down through the steps. But you can also experience and enjoy small adventures in the Lower Oder Valley National Park.
11. Eifel National Park: Camping Rursee – seclusion and SUP fun
The former community campsite has been in the hands of the Bauer family since 2014, who run it in a loving and familiar way. It is located on the edge of a small tributary between the villages of Rurberg and Woffelsbach and is therefore in a secluded location. Only the two-wheelers on the nearby country road disturb the idyll like everywhere on the Rursee.
But with an overnight stay at the campsite you are busy all the time anyway. Because stand-up paddling, or SUP for short, is offered right on the square. Here you paddle standing on a kind of surfboard. "Explore & Chill", that is, discover and relax, is the motto under which you can take various courses.
There are courses from an hour and a half introduction for beginners to a full moon tour, which is only offered once a month. For this, these are also carried out in the cold season in November and December. Afterwards, the wood-fired barrel sauna is available for warming up.
Outside the campsite, there are numerous hiking trails and bike paths for leisure activities. Part of the Eifelsteig runs on the other side of the lake and, among other things, through the desolation of Wollseifen on the Dreiborn plateau. The area belongs to the Eifel National Park.
12. Vulkaneifel, Pulvermaar Camping: Small site with an explosive location
Circular – this is how the Maar lakes of the Vulkaneifel are usually presented. These are hollows filled with water that were created during the time of volcanism. The powder maar has a diameter of almost 650 meters and is easy to walk around. The starting point is the small campsite, which is also the only settlement on the lake shore.
Although you cannot park your mobile home directly on the shore, the terrace of the bistro on the site offers a wonderful view of the calm lake. To take a closer look at the subject of volcanism, you should get on your bike and go to Daun, about ten kilometers away.
You will pass other maars and you have the opportunity to visit the volcano museum in the village. A small, cozy campsite like this, together with such an explosive location, is rarely found.
13. On the Moselle: Camping Island Sonnenwerth / Mosel-Island – island feeling in the river
Germany offers more inland islands than you might imagine at first. But there are fewer than a handful of river islands with campsites in Germany. Two of them are washed by the water of the Moselle. The Mosel-Islands campsite is located near Treis-Karden on the Pommerer Werth, while further downstream the Hatzenporther Werth hosts the Sonnenwerth campsite. By the way, the name ending -werth is always striking. This name stands for river island and was demonstrably used as early as the 8th century.
The Hatzenporter Werth, which is elongated by the constant current of the Moselle, is only a little wooded in the western part. Most of the island is exclusively available for the campsite. This in turn is connected to the town of Hatzenport via a small bridge on the north bank of the Moselle. It is similar with the Pommerer Werth with the camping site Mosel-Islands, only that this island is connected to the southern bank of the Moselle and the island has a small boat harbor at its eastern end. But no matter which river island campsite you choose: In the middle of Germany you are completely isolated on an island, and you can relax and do nothing.
14. Allgäu, Camping Via Claudia: Holidays between mountains and lakes
This campsite on the north-west bank of the Lech reservoir in the Allgäu is large and modern. Those who check in here not only enjoy a great view over the lake, but also the surrounding mountains – an ideal location for hikers and water sports enthusiasts. In addition to the idyllic landscape, there is also an outstanding sight: Only a few kilometers away in Füssen is the fairytale castle Neuschwanstein by Ludwig II.
The sanitary building was only renovated a few years ago. The extraordinary thing about it: the operator brought pictures of toilets all over the world on his travels and put them together in a collage. Since then, these can be viewed under the motto “Toilets of the World” in the passage to the campsite toilets.
15. Chiemsee: Seehäusel campsite – small, but with the best location on the lake
Anyone who has ever stayed at the Seehäusl campsite on the east bank of Lake Chiemsee will never forget it. All others are warned on the website of the campsite: There is no turning area at the site and you cannot come back. You won't have to spend the rest of your life on the campsite. But if all the spaces are occupied, you should avoid driving onto the space with a motor home or caravan.
The campsite is almost 90 by 90 meters. On this area there are 50 parking spaces for caravans and mobile homes and also the reception building including a restaurant. So it will be cozy and you will definitely get to know your neighbors on the campsite – whether you want to or not. The location of the place makes up for it a lot. After all, the campsite is right on the banks of the Chiemsee and has its own jetty on the hotel's own pebble beach. Across the lake you can see the magnificent backdrop of the Alps.
The texts are excerpts from the book by Michael Moll "111 German campsites that you have to know", Emons Verlag
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