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Best camping destinations in Europe

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Norway
Land of the long cloud
9.0
The right to roam was codified in 1957. Tents must stay at least 492 feet from the nearest inhabited house. Campfires are banned in forests from 15 April to 15 September. Stays are limited to two days in one spot. That limit does not apply in the mountains or national parks.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Chase the Northern Lights in Tromsø during winter
  • ⛰️ Hike to the breathtaking Trolltunga cliff viewpoint
  • 🛳️ Cruise through the stunning fjords of western Norway
Lapland
Northern lights and midnight sun
8.9
Finnish law allows temporary camping in the countryside at a reasonable distance from homes. Open fires need the landowner's permission. Finland's largest region covers about 38,750 square miles and has only 176,215 residents. The Arctic Circle crosses it, so midnight sun, polar night and northern lights are all possible.
Highlights:
  • 🦌 Experience a traditional reindeer sleigh ride safari
  • 🐕 Go on a husky sledding adventure through snowy forests
  • 🌌 Chase the Northern Lights on clear Arctic nights
Lofoten
Dramatic Peaks and Northern Lights
8.4
The archipelago is a wall of peaks about 62 miles long between the 68th and 69th parallels north. In Svolvær the sun stays above the horizon from 25 May to 17 July. It does not rise from 4 December to 7 January. The Moskstraumen tidal eddies gave the world the word maelstrom.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on white sands of Kvalvika Beach
  • ⚔️ Explore the Viking history at Lofotr Viking Museum
  • 🥾 Hike the steep trail up Reinebringen for views
Jotunheimen
Home of giants and glaciers
8.5
Galdhøpiggen rises 8,100 feet and is the highest point in Norway. The national park covers 444 square miles and has more than 50 marked trails. The Norwegian Mountain Touring Association maintains lodges between them. Besseggen ridge is a very popular trail. Memurubu guest house is at the base of a cliff by Lake Gjende.
Highlights:
  • ⛺ Camp under the stars beside Gjende Lake
  • 🏔️ Summit Norway’s highest peak, Galdhøpiggen, for sweeping views
  • 🥾 Hike the majestic Besseggen Ridge between turquoise lakes
Pyrenees
Where France meets Spain majestically
8.7
Camping is banned in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park except for bivouacs above 8,200 feet in the Ordesa sector. Tents may be up only from one hour before sunset to one hour after sunrise. Stays are limited to three nights per sector. Fires are banned. Aneto, the range's highest peak, reaches 11,168 feet.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore the medieval village of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
  • 🏔️ Climb Pic du Midi for panoramic mountain and valley views
  • 🥾 Hike to the stunning Cirque de Gavarnie waterfall amphitheater
Landmannalaugar
Colorful mountains and natural pools
8.6
Natural hot springs here are open to the public for bathing. The area is at the edge of the Laugahraun lava field, which formed around 1477. It is the northern end of the Laugavegur trail. Parking reservations have been required since the 2024 season. Iceland requires motorhomes and campers to stay on official campsites.
Highlights:
  • 🌋 Photograph the striking lava fields and steaming vents
  • ♨️ Soak in the natural geothermal hot springs after a trek
  • 🥾 Hike the colorful rhyolite mountains on the Laugavegur Trail
Isle of Skye
Dramatic Landscapes and Ancient Legends
7.9
The island covers 639 square miles and is Scotland's second largest. Sgùrr Alasdair in the Black Cuillin reaches 3,258 feet and is the tallest mountain on any Scottish island. The Old Man of Storr draws more than 250,000 visitors a year. Overcrowding at sites like Neist Point led to complaints, so camp responsibly.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Visit the enchanting Fairy Pools near Glenbrittle
  • ⛰️ Marvel at the Old Man of Storr rock pinnacle
  • 🥾 Hike the dramatic landscapes of the Quiraing
Dolomites National Park
Towering peaks and pristine wilderness
8.4
The Dolomites became a UNESCO site on 26 June 2009. Marmolada is the highest peak at 10,968 feet. The Alta Via routes take about a week to walk and have many rifugi. Wild camping is strictly prohibited in Val Gardena, which has no campsites at all.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Climb Seceda mountain for panoramic Dolomites views
  • 🌊 Visit the stunning turquoise Lago di Braies lake
  • 🥾 Hike the breathtaking Tre Cime di Lavaredo trail
Scottish Highlands
Rugged Beauty and Ancient Legends
8.1
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives a right to wild camp when exercised responsibly. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code explains how. The Highlands have about 24 people per square mile and are one of the most sparsely populated areas in Europe. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the legendary North Coast 500 scenic route
  • 🛥️ Cruise across mysterious Loch Ness and spot Urquhart Castle
  • 🥾 Hike through the dramatic landscapes of Glencoe Valley
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