Germany has a rich but fragmented tapestry of history, in part due to political events, geographical fluctuations and, of course, seismic world events.
Germany has a rich but fragmented tapestry of history, in part due to political events, geographical fluctuations and, of course, seismic world events. The country is full of museums, theatres, monuments and much more making Germany a fantastic choice for campers interested in history, science, art and politics.
Dotted throughout the landscape are stunning castles with their own histories, which are well worth seeking out. With a third of the country covered by trees, camping in or near Germany's diverse range of forests is a great way to stretch your legs.
Berlin
Where better to start than Berlin, Germany's capital city. A metropolis full of historical monuments, contemporary architecture and a thriving cultural scene. Once the fastest-growing city in Europe, the city has a wealth of things to see and do to immerse yourself.
The division of the city during the Cold War and the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall led to the rise of the currywurst! This humble sausage dates back to an unknown British soldier who sold curry powder on the black market in the late 1940s. With a growing population and poor food supply, residents used curry powder to mask the poor flavour in their sausages. After the wall fell in 1989, a new breed of young people came to the area and popularised the currywurst. Seek out a traditional currywurst vendor for a tasty snack on your way around the city.
Brandenburg Gate
Things to do:
Visit the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag building.
Stroll along the East Side Gallery, a unique open-air gallery showcasing murals of the Berlin Wall.
Explore Museum Island, a group of five museums on an island in the River Spree, including the Pergamon Museum and Alte Nationalgalerie.
Take a look at the Berlin Wall Memorial, which offers a glimpse into the history of the wall and its impact on the city.
Take a stroll in Prenzlauer Berg, a trendy neighbourhood with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Am Krossinsee is an efficiently run site and a good base for visiting the capital of Germany. The Krossinsee itself is one of many clean lakes in the southeast of Berlin and is suitable for swimming, fishing and boating, with access by key through a gate from the woodland site. 180 of the some 450 pitches here are for tourers and are of varying but reasonable size, mainly with some degree of slope, most with 10A electrical connections and a fair amount of shade. A separate area is set aside for tents. For visits in high season, you should try to arrive as early as possible as reservations are not taken.
Hamburg is a major port city in northern Germany, known for its harbour and canals, rich maritime history, and thriving cultural scene, making it a popular tourist destination.
Its reputation as the "Gateway to the World" is a testament to its rich history as a leading city in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages.
As Germany's second-largest city and largest port, Hamburg has maintained its position as a hub for international trade and remains one of the wealthiest cities in the country.
The maritime spirit of Hamburg permeates throughout the city, from the sounds of seagulls to the diverse neighbourhoods dotted with multicultural dining options and maritime-inspired architecture.
Speicherstadt District, Hamburg
Things to do:
Visit the Miniatur Wunderland, the world's largest model railway.
Explore the Speicherstadt, a historic warehouse district in the harbour now home to museums and shops.
Take a walk along Alster Lake, a popular spot for boating
Visit the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, a modern architectural marvel overlooking the harbour.
Knaus Camping Hamburg is situated some 15 km. from the centre of Hamburg on the northern edge of the town; this is a suitable base either for visiting this famous German city or as a night stop before catching the Harwich ferry or travelling to Denmark. There is some traffic noise because the autobahn runs alongside (despite efforts to screen it out) and also some aircraft noise. However, the proximity of the A7 (E45) does make it easy to find. The 115 pitches for short-term touring are about 100 sq.m, on grass with access from gravel roads. All have 6A electricity and are marked out with small trees and hedges.
Only thirty minutes from the centre of Hamburg in the heart of Stormarner Schweiz, ABC am Großensee is a peaceful, family-run campsite established in the late 1940s. It has just 70 pitches, half of which are for touring units, all with electricity connections (16A Europlug). The remainder are occupied by seasonal units and by chalets to rent. There is direct access to the lakeside with supervised swimming. The village has a bakery and several restaurants, whilst nearby Trittau has shops, a water mill and Napoleon’s Bridge. Walkers and cyclists can explore the Three Lakes Plateau or the Hahnheide, Schleswig-Holstein’s largest nature reserve.
This is a large site, part of which directly borders the River Elbe, with 500 pitches, of which 200 are for touring (all with electricity, water and drainage). The main part of the site is located behind a dyke and contains reception and the principal sanitary facilities. Pitches bordering and overlooking The Elbe are serviced by excellent, modern mobile sanitary units containing WCs and washbasins. Along the Elbe’s banks there are sandy areas useful for playing and sunbathing in summer with some showers. Next to the site’s main building there is a further area set aside for touring units and this has easy access to the main sanitary facilities, the bar and restaurant and children’s playground.
Bavaria's third largest city after Berlin and Hamburg, Munich, lies 30 miles north of the Alps. A fantastic city for shopping, such as Ludwigstrasse, Munich has a relaxed, cosmopolitan atmosphere. With plenty of open spaces to visit, such as the English Garden, you can be sure to find something here to satisfy everyone.
Home to several art museums such as:
Neue Pinakothek - showcasing 18th and 19th century European art
Pinakothek der Moderne - an extensive collection of modern and contemporary European art
Lenbachhaus Museum - large collection of works by the Blue Rider movement
Museum Brandhorst - small gallery with works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso
The city also boasts the BMW Museum, which showcases the city's automotive history and the largest science and technology museum in the world, the Alte Pinakothek.
Munich from above
Things to do:
Visit Marienplatz, the central square in Munich, to see the Glockenspiel, a famous clock tower with moving figures.
Explore the Nymphenburg Palace, a former royal residence in a large park outside the city centre.
Visit the Deutsches Museum, the world's largest science and technology museum.
Take a stroll through the Englischer Garten (English Garden), a large public park in the centre of Munich.
Visit the Viktualienmarkt, a large daily market with food, flowers, and other goods.
On the northwest edge of Munich, this site makes a good stopover for those wishing to see the city or spend the night. The flat terrain is mostly covered by mature trees, giving shade to most pitches. Caravan owners are well off here as they have a special section of 130 individual drive-through pitches, mainly separated from each other by high hedges and opening off the hard site roads with easy access. These have 10A (Europlug) electricity connections and 15 have water and drainage also. About 200 tents and motorhomes are taken on quite large, level grass areas, with an overflow section, so space is usually available.
This municipal site is pleasantly and quietly situated on the southern side of Munich in parkland formed by the River Isar conservation area, 4 km. southwest of the city centre (there are subway and bus links) and tall trees offer shade in parts. The large city of Munich has much to offer and the Thalkirchen site becomes quite crowded during the season. There are 550 touring pitches, all with 10A electricity and shared water and waste water. The pitches are of various sizes (some quite small), marked by metal or wooden posts and rails. The site is very busy (and noisy) during the Beer Festival (mid-September - early October), but is well maintained.
Frankfurt is a unique city known for its role as a financial centre, transportation hub, and small metropolis. This city brings together a unique blend of global appeal and local warmth, with museums, towering high-rise architecture, and local specialities such as Grüne Soße, Ebbelwei (apple wine), and Frankfurter sausages. To top it off, the financial hub is also surprisingly green with plenty of outside spaces making it a well-rounded city that combines urban and natural beauty.
Frankfurt from the river
Things to do:
Visit the Main Tower, which offers excellent views of the city.
Explore the Städel Museum, one of the leading art museums in Germany.
Walk along the Main River and visit the Frankfurt Cathedral, a historic church with a colourful history.
Stop by the Goethe House, the birthplace of famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Visit the Museum of Modern Art, which has an extensive collection of contemporary art.
Geisenheim is in a lovely position on the north bank of the Rhine and within walking distance of the picturesque small town of Rüdesheim. There are 100 slightly sloping touring pitches each with 16A electricity, plus some attractive seasonal pitches. The touring pitches are on the part of the site nearest the river and are on well maintained grass. Some have shade and some are marked out by hedges. There are four special hardstandings for long, heavy motorhomes, but these must be booked in advance. A level pedestrian/cycle path runs alongside the river in both directions and there are many small picturesque villages in the area to visit.
Camping Park Hammelbach is a terraced site which lies right at the heart of the Odenwald in a very quiet location at the edge of Hammelbach. The site is situated in an area ideal for hiking and is surrounded by forests and valleys that allow a marvellous distant view. Well-marked footpaths take you right from the site through a hiking paradise where new views await you. Or you may explore the area on diverse paths by cycle. Mountain bikers will find routes of all degrees of difficulty. All the 135 grass/hardstanding pitches have electric hook-up 16amp, water and wastewater drain. Thirty-five are for touring units and some are reserved for those with mobility issues. Nearby are bowling alleys, sports shooting, tennis courts, restaurants shops and an events calendar. Finally, after an eventful day, relax in the spacious wellness oasis with sauna, steam bath, solarium and massage.
The campsite was initially opened in 1949, and since 1984, it has been run by the Richter family. It is located directly next to the romantic River Rhine. The colourful seven-acre touring site offers level pitches on grass with shade from trees, and the arrangement is open plan. All pitches have 10A electricity and 40, normally allocated to motorhomes, and also have hardstanding, water and drainage. This is a major tourist area, and the site may become quite busy, although usually quiet and peaceful.
With over 400 campsites in Germany, with over 40 available to book online, you're bound to find a campsite near a city you wish to visit.
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Peter Stannett
Content Writer
Peter is a key part of our creative team; he's a multifaceted individual with a deep love for cooking, travel, and music.
While he does a stellar job of keeping our content fresh, focusing on SEO and monitoring website traffic, his heart truly belongs to the world of culinary delights, exploration, and his guitar.
With its wealth of scenic and cultural interests, Germany is a land of contrasts. From the flatlands of the north to the mountains in the south, with forests in the east and west, regional characteristics are a strong feature of German life and present a rich variety of folklore and customs.
