Camping in Europe? Here’s where to go
This summer, we dive into some figures about Europe's most popular destinations. This week: What is the best place for camping in Europe?
Published on August 6, 2025
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Mauro swapped Sardinia for Eindhoven and has been an IO+ editor for 3 years. As a GREEN+ expert, he covers the energy transition with data-driven stories.
On the beachside, at the lake, or in the mountains, camping can be done everywhere. According to camping.info, there are about 23,000 camping sites across Europe—plenty of options to choose from if you are still planning a last-minute camping trip.
And while camping in a new country is indeed exciting to see and explore a new setting, the Netherlands doesn’t lack camping sites. According to Camp to Go, the Netherlands has over 3,000 sites, making it the country with the highest number of camping sites per square kilometer and ranking it third in total number of campsites overall.
France is the nation with the most camping sites across the continent, 8,500, with the United Kingdom following with 7,000. After the Netherlands come Germany and Italy, according to the same dataset. So, where are you heading next? What is the best place for camping in Europe?
Destination: data
Where are Europe's cleanest waters to swim? Where can you enjoy more hours of sunshine? This summer, we dive into some figures about Europe's most popular destinations.
View Destination: dataEurope’s best camping sites
Although camping is all about being immersed in the outdoors, you still want comfort and good facilities to use during your stay. We've got you covered with a map based on one of the most renowned camping sites rankings.
ADAC—the German automobile club—has released its list of the best European campsites for 2025, as its inspectors travelled the continent to check their quality. 200 campsites received a five-star rating, classified as Superplätze, and entered the list.
France is the country with the highest number of ADAC Superplätze, with 47 sites. Italy follows suit with 40 campsites. Croatia and the Netherlands share the lowest step of the podium with 26 places each.
ADAC’s classification rates the quality of the facilities offered by a campsite. Inspectors assess sanitary facilities, campsite grounds, catering, and leisure and bathing amenities. The evaluation follows standard criteria, with hundreds of data points inspectors collect during their visit.
France is Europe’s favorite camping destination
Camping is becoming an increasingly popular holiday activity. In a decade, the number of nights spent at camping grounds in the EU has increased by 32%, according to statistics portal Eurostat. In 2024, 409 million nights were spent at camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks, and trailer parks.
Not only is France the country with the most significant number of camping sites receiving a five-star rating by ADAC, but it also has the highest number of nights spent at campsites. Italy and Spain follow suit. Over 26 million nights were spent on a camping bed in the Netherlands last year.
Who spends the most on camping in Europe?
Another Eurostat dataset records camping expenditure among the 27 EU member states in 2023. Once again, France tops the ranking with its residents spending €2.33 billion–€34 per capita. Germans also pass the €2 billion threshold, as Dutchies spent over €761 million—roughly €42 per capita—placing third in this ranking. This sum is considerably higher than in countries with more residents, such as Spain and Italy.
On average, Europeans spent €26 per night at a campsite and an average of €541 per trip. Specialist website Camper Champ reports that 38% of European campers stay at campsites for 2 or 3 nights. 23% of them spend just one night, while 20.5% enjoy a more extended stay, camping for over 7 nights.
And camping is poised to become increasingly popular in the upcoming years. According to Custom Market Insights, the market value will soar to $31.42 billion in 2033–up from $16.13 billion in 2024. Behind this growth lies the appeal of camping as a form of sustainable travel, coupled with its affordability. Two more reasons to camp and enjoy nature.
