Camping – Do you want to take a break from your stressful everyday life and enjoy a relaxed, carefree vacation in the great outdoors?
Camping is the best opportunity to relax, discover new things and spend quality time with your loved ones.
Choosing the right campsite is as essential as the perfect marshmallow in the campfire – it makes the difference between a successful trip and one you’d rather forget.
But which campsites are the most suitable and what should I look out for when choosing?
Here you’ll get a brief overview of everything you need to know – from planning and booking to seasonal tips, tent pitching and activities for your free time.
Whether you are traveling by car with a classic tent, a roof tent or a tent trailer – you will only experience an unforgettable camping adventure on the right campsite.
Camping Ratgeber:
Help with the selection: Find your feel-good campsite!
Camping in the great outdoors is all about well-being and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Choosing the right campsite plays a crucial role in this.
It is important to find the right campsite for you when you are out and about so that you return from your vacation feeling relaxed.
You should familiarize yourself in advance with the campsites you want to visit on your tour.
The best way to do this is to take a look at the campsite website or look at pictures.
Even far away from home, the campsite should give you a homely atmosphere and be located so that you can reach everything you need quickly and easily.
Check whether you have to book your pitch in advance or whether only certain types of camping are permitted.
If you are traveling with pets, you should check what rules apply to them and whether they can let off steam while you are preparing the food, for example.
Checklist for the right campsite
You should bear this in mind when choosing your campsite:
- Do I have to book / reserve in advance?
- Is the campsite in a good location?
- Which pitches are suitable for which type of camping?
- Does the space give me a homely atmosphere?
- Are pets allowed?
What are the rules?
Are you a camping beginner? Read all about the basics of packing lists, routes, costs, tips etc. here: Camping beginners.
Start your camping adventure: choose the type of accommodation
Once you have informed yourself, you can set off.
But wait, you’ve arrived and don’t know how to set up your tent properly?
Or what you need to look out for when you move into your pitch with your motorhome?
You can find all the tips you need to know about this type of travel here!
There are different types of tents.
These include trailer tents, inflatable tents, bivouac tents, roof tents, family tents, rear tents, igloo tents, pyramid tents, tarp tents, trekking tents, tunnel tents and throw tents.
But you don’t always have to set off with a tent, you can also use a prefabricated camping vehicle. A camper van, caravan or motorhome are ideal for this.
Campsite search: Ask other campers – What is important?
Depending on where you are going, you will come across different campsites with different facilities along the way.
Once you have checked whether the campsite is suitable for you and your type of travel, you should next pay attention to a few important criteria.
For the facilities, you can look at the website again and you can often find out more about the condition of the campsite in the reviews of other campers.
Regardless of where you choose to stay, the entire site and the sanitary facilities should be clean and the price-performance ratio should definitely be right.
You can also make sure that your pitch is a little out of the way so that you still have your privacy and can enjoy the peace and quiet in the evening hours undisturbed.
Then you can also check whether the restaurants nearby have delicious food.
Here are some factors you should keep in mind when looking for the right pitch:
- Price-performance ratio
- General cleanliness
- Cleanliness of sanitary facilities
- Rest facilities
- Friendliness of the staff
- Quality catering
- Infrastructure in the surrounding area
Travel time: tips for the whole year – spring to winter
Summer or winter – camping is possible at any time of year, you just have to find the right place.
Some campsites are only open during the season, which usually lasts from April to September, while others are open all year round.
It is wise to check in advance whether your chosen campsite is open during your travel period.
You can read about what you should look out for in the individual seasons here:
Camping in spring: preparing for changeable weather
The changeable weather conditions not only require weatherproof clothing and a careful check of your equipment for winter damage, but also check the condition of the campsite in advance after the winter break.
As many campers enjoy the outdoors in spring, it is advisable to reserve a pitch in good time.
Above all, prepare for colder nights and warmer days.
You can read more about spring here:
Camping in summer: reserve a pitch in the shade
When camping in summer, you should pay particular attention to the campsite.
Look for a pitch with sufficient shade to protect you from the intense summer heat.
It is also important that the tent is well ventilated so that it doesn’t get too hot inside.
In the high season, it makes even more sense to reserve the pitch in advance so that you can be sure it is available.
To find out whether the pitch is in the shade, you should look out for trees on the site when making your choice.
Most campers probably go camping in summer.
Nevertheless, there are a few things you should bear in mind:
Camping in autumn: colorful weather
There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a campsite for your fall camping adventure.
This time, it’s best to make sure you’re not under a tree.
A site with sufficient sunlight is recommended to warm your sleeping area and reduce humidity.
Consider the wind direction, especially in windy regions, and choose a wild and sheltered spot as storms are common in the fall.
Find out how to cope with rain and other fall weather here:
Camping in winter: Snow, ice & silence
Of course, you can also go camping in winter, even if it doesn’t sound like the friendliest time of year at first.
However, the tranquillity of nature can have its very own charm in winter.
Choose a campsite that has pitches sheltered from the wind.
A pitch with good access to the sun can help to warm up the tent or motorhome and melt snow or ice.
Check whether the sanitary facilities are heated in winter.
Pay attention to what the campsite offers when it snows and whether it is open at all.
You can read everything else you need to know here:
Tip!
You can of course also use a heater when winter camping.
There are various options.
You can read more about this here: Heating – or you can take a look at an electric camping heater:
Activities: Sport, relaxation & sightseeing
Whether on the North Sea, Baltic Sea, inland or perhaps even outside of Germany – when camping, you are always surrounded by nature and usually have direct access to popular leisure activities and attractions.
The generally idyllic landscape around your campsite is a paradise for nature lovers and also offers fun and games as well as exciting activities for the whole family.
From cycling to climbing or wakeboarding to skateboarding – depending on your destination, the possibilities are endless.
It’s best to think about what you would like to do on your vacation beforehand.
Then you can see if you can find a suitable campsite.
For example: Have you always wanted to go diving?
Then look for a campsite near a diving school!
You can find out which activities are particularly suitable for camping here:
If you’re traveling as a family, it doesn’t always have to be an active day.
Here you will find lots of game ideas for the whole family for a relaxing day at the campsite:
Campsite recommendations in Germany & Italy
If you have now decided to go camping, you can look forward to an exciting, eventful and adventurous time that you won’t soon forget.
You can completely enjoy the peace and quiet and spend time with your family or friends far away from the stress of everyday life.
Whether it’s exciting conversations in front of a crackling campfire, peace and quiet under the stars or simply relaxing in nature – camping is the best way to see the world, find yourself and experience numerous exciting adventures Read all about popular and affordable campsites in Germany that are suitable for a carefree and unforgettable vacation for the whole family:
- Campsites in Baden-Württemberg
- Campsites in Bavaria
- Campsites in Berlin
- Campsites in Brandenburg
- Campsites in Bremen
- Campsites in Hesse
But it’s not just in Germany that great campsites are waiting for you.
Here are three relaxing campsites in sunny Italy on Lake Garda: