Tired of vacationing in hotels or on regular campsites? Here you will find European destinations where you can set up camp in the open air without any worries.
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Wild camping: the cheap alternative to hotels
Hotels and other accommodation can be quite expensive. So it’s no wonder that many travelers prefer to travel with a tent and rucksack in search of the perfect place to spend the night. But be careful: wild camping is not allowed everywhere. To avoid trouble, we’ll tell you in which European countries you can camp carefree.
Everyman’s right – your ticket to the great outdoors
The “everyman’s right” allows you to use nature freely in some countries. In countries with this right, you can hike in areas close to nature and pitch your tent. But remember: respect nature and don’t leave any garbage behind, and don’t disturb local residents by pitching your tent far enough away from residential buildings.
Where you can camp with the everyman’s right
In Scandinavia, i.e. in Sweden, Finland and Norway, as well as in Scotland, you are welcome with your tent as long as you respect nature and follow a few basic rules. In Denmark, you can camp wild in around 40 forests – you can find information on udinaturen.dk.
In Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Switzerland, you are allowed to camp as long as it is not expressly prohibited. But beware: the rules can vary from region to region, especially in Switzerland.
There are 471 forests in Poland where wild camping is permitted, but only for a maximum of twelve nights in one place. Larger groups must register.
Where wild camping is more difficult
In Spain, Italy and France, wild camping is generally prohibited, but there are exceptions if you have a permit from the local authorities.
Where you shouldn’t go wild camping
In Balkan countries such as Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro as well as Greece, wild camping is officially prohibited. It used to be allowed in Portugal, but it is now prohibited there too, and measures are even being taken to make access to coastal areas more difficult for campers.
Photo: © CamperStyle
