Beach camping is among the most charming ways to travel. Whether it’s a tent, a bungalow, or a high-end glamping, being next to the water gifts you with magnificent sunrises, direct access to all the seaside fun, and, most importantly, a strong sense of freedom. Europe boasts some of the most striking campgrounds in the world. You can pitch a tent next to the turquoise waters of Sardinia, enjoy a laid-back holiday on the French Riviera, treat yourself to a pure island retreat in Croatia, self-indulge in a fashionable Costa Brava campsite in Spain, or give in to the simple bliss of a Baltic vacation in Germany.
The camping beaches in this article are chosen based on their reviews on Google and Tripadvisor. We’ve analyzed what people love, checked the rankings on specialized camping websites like Topcampings and camping.info, and used our vast personal camping experience to deliver this list. The European beaches are calling. Why not add camping on the beach to your plans? With these destinations, it’s extremely tempting.
Camping Yelloh! Village Le Sérignan Plage, France
Yelloh! Village is a household name when it comes to camping in France. The Sérignan Plage campground is among the chain’s best-reviewed campgrounds and an ultimate seaside destination in the country. A confident 4.5-star ranking on both Google and Tripadvisor means thousands of satisfied travelers. Many praised the large territory, the variety of accommodation options, and the gorgeous, neverending sandy beach right at the doorstep. Yelloh! Village Le Sérignan Plage is also a superb place for families with infrastructure that will keep kids happy and adults satisfied.
The water fun area is particularly remarkable, with five water slides, a heated lagoon, various themed pools, and a big playground. Children’s animation is taken seriously here, and you’ve got four different clubs organized according to age group. Adults will also have their share of fun, with a comprehensive spa center offering balneotherapy sessions, body treatments, and massages. As for the units, you can either sleep in a classic tent or opt for more comfortable options like wooden cabanas and cottages.
Camping de la Plage Grimaud, France
Not only is Saint-Tropez a top vacation spot for celebrity couples, but it’s also a serene camping holiday destination. Camping de la Plage Grimaud allows you to sleep next to the water. Occupying a picturesque stretch of land on the Grimaud beach and overlooking the stunning Bay of Saint-Tropez, it’s a rustic, friendly place. People love it for its beautiful surroundings, authentic atmosphere, and good facilities. This camping is not for luxury seekers, though. Here, it’s more about the traditional tent experience and simple pleasures like waking up to the sound of the waves, enjoying miles of hiking trails, and embarking on cycling journeys.
The grounds are as sublime as you would expect from a campsite on the French Riviera. Tents are placed under pine trees, the glistening Meditteranean waters are steps away, and the picture-perfect harbor towns of Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez are easily reachable. Tennis courts ensure active recreation, a supermarket on-site is for essentials, and a deer park is a fascinating place to take children.
Camping Robinson, France
Joel Vidal/Facebook
If your idea of a camping holiday is pitching the tent right on the sand, Robinson will fulfill those expectations. The setting at the glorious and long Marseillan beach is simply superb. You’ve got the best of southern coast of France upon waking up in the morning. The prices are on the budget side here, as tents start from €21 per night. If you’d like to extend your fun on the water, there’s a charming swimming pool area with a heated lagoon and a slide, while kids will have a blast in the pirate-themed playground area with caves and waterfalls.
Camping Robinson is a tremendous choice for a quiet family holiday with a strong local feel. Most guests will be from around France, and it’s the kind of campsite that families come to year after year. It boasts an ideal position for the Hérault region exploration, with Cap d’Agde (one of Europe’s largest naturist resorts) and the beautiful town of Marseillan as highlights. Also, the campground’s beach goes for miles and is a delightful spot for relaxed walking, sunbathing, and trying water sports.
Village Camping Marina di Venezia, Italy
Maykova Galina/Shutterstock
With over 8,000 reviews on Google and a solid 4.5 rating, Marina di Venezia is a popular leader of European beachside campgrounds. It offers a quintessential Italian camping village experience with a stunning variety of pitches and rentals, an extensive territory in the heart of Adriatic greenery, and direct access to the beach. But what makes this camping unique is the proximity to Venice, allowing you to combine recreation in nature with visiting one of the most romantic cities in the world. The campground is a long-running institution, steadily receiving freedom-loving travelers since 1958.
Reviewers noted the cleanliness of the grounds and the facilities, the fantastic water park area, and the friendly and informative staff. The variety of accommodation options is a forte of Marina di Venezia, and you’ve got glamping units, deluxe bungalows (some with outdoor hot tubs), and a whopping 3,000 pitches that range from campers to simple tents. In other words, you’re spoilt for choice. The beach features soft sands, comes with a playground for kids, and stretches for miles. Venice is reached by boat from Punta Sabbioni nearby.
Simuni Camping Village, Croatia
SCK_Photo/Shutterstock
Those looking for a complete escape would feel at home in Šimuni Camping Village. It epitomizes everything great about the Croatian coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Campers stay amid lush Adriatic vegetation, where the waters are crystal clear and the air uber-fresh. It’s an island destination, too; Šimuni is located on Pag, famous for its moon-like terrain, spectacular beaches, delicious cheese, and traditional lace. During summer, the inflatable water park is set up for children’s amusement, and the animation program ensures kids are having fun.
Šimuni Camping Village is ideal for a slow travel break. Don’t expect a diversified entertainment program or any thrilling nightlife, as it’s the sun and water that take central place here. Energetic visitors can take a long hiking trip to Saint Vitus Peak, the highest point of Pag, and get active playing beach volleyball and tennis. Campers can also relax at the wellness center, which offers halotherapy (salt treatments). Make it about yourself and your well-being surrounded by the gorgeous Adriatic nature.
Camping Park Umag, Croatia
Richard Manyik/Facebook
One of the world’s great unexpected marvels, Istria is a land of pristine beaches, Tuscan-esque inner terrain, truffles, and sublime Venetian coastal towns. Camping Park Umag is one of the best ways to experience the delights of this region through camping. Adriatic forest is the setting here, the beach is a few steps away from every pitch, and the reviews on Google are fabulous. It’s a families-first kind of camping destination with an animation for children, a pool area for the younger ones, and a seasonal inflatable water park.
Your furry friend can come along, as the campground is pet-friendly and features dog showers, a dedicated beach zone, and pet food in the park’s supermarket. Camping Park Umag is an award-winning campsite that enjoys a 5-star ADAC rating. As for the beach, it’s as gorgeous as they come on the Adriatic coast. Think clear waters, small pebble surface, and Blue Flag recognition.
Lanterna Premium Camping Resort, Croatia
Barbara Milavec/Shutterstock
Lanterna is less of a regular campground and more of a 360-degree Mediterranean break experience. The camping section is part of a sprawling complex of hotels, villas, and entertainment venues that occupy a large chunk of the premier Istrian coast that drowns in the pine tree greenery. You’ve got quite a choice of accommodation here. From regular pitches to glamping bungalows and luxurious camping chalets with infinity pools to the local specialty (the so-called Elf Pitches), there’s something for every need and budget.
One thing is common with all the unit types: You’re scandalously close to the blue Adriatic waters. Whether it’s the first or second line, the beach is never further than a few minutes walk away. The territory is secured and closed from the general public, so safety and privacy are absolute. Be aware, though, that the campground is huge and in a terraced location, so there will be some going up and downhill.
Camp Kovacine, Croatia
varahusbilsresor/Instagram
Don’t be surprised to see so many Croatian campgrounds on the list, as this country’s coast is a gem of Europe, and its untouched natural beauty is ideal for setting a pitch. With a solid 4.5 after over 3,400 reviews on Google, Camp Kovačine is a people-pleaser of a camping park. “Well-positioned camping park right on the water,” writes one reviewer, and that’s precisely what you’re getting. Picturesque surroundings, an idyllic setting on the coast of the island of Cres, and great amenities.
It’s on the not-too-fancy side of things, though. Kovačine works for easygoing natural contemplation in a stunning setting, not a resort-like upscale experience. Pitches are simple and spacious, coming with a power supply and Wi-FI. There’s a pool complex on the grounds, a gym, and a FLAPS entertainment club for kids. Prices for the basic pitches start from €7.70 in the shoulder season, and the highest you can pay during the height of the summer for a premium pitch is €29.50, which is quite the bargain.
Camping Villaggio Calypso, Italy
sebastianosecondi/Shutterstock
Boasting high 4.5-star ratings on both Google and Tripadvisor, set right next to the magnificent sandy beach of Cupra Marittima, Camping Villaggio Calypso is among the best places to camp in Italy. The reviews are full of happy families singing the praises of the easy beach access, the comfort of the pitches and bungalows, and the fun program for kids. It’s a pet-friendly property, so bring your dogs over to enjoy the sandy Adriatic side of Italy.
Proximity to the sea allows for spectacular pitch views, while free Wi-Fi and sun loungers are welcoming features for budget-conscious campers. For sports, you’ve got beach volleyball, morning yoga sessions, aqua aerobics, and circuit training. It’s not often that you name a campground a marquee foodie destination, but Camping Villaggio Calypso stands out from the crowd with an on-site pizzeria and a restaurant serving dishes inspired by the surrounding Marche region.
Camping Amfora, Spain
M Angels Llaurado/Facebook
It’s in the less touristy part of Catalonia’s splendid Costa Brava that you find Camping Amfora. One of the best campgrounds in Spain, it’s a fabulous option for a rewarding vacation directly on the beach. Praised for being “brilliant for families” and nicknamed “Camping Bliss” by Tripadvisor reviewers, it shimmers with various accommodation options, attractive prices, spotless service, and spectacular views of the Gulf of Roses. Choose among simple pitches, bungalows, mobile homes, and apartments for accommodation, all renowned for space and comfort.
Spanish campgrounds are usually packed with fun attractions, and Amfora doesn’t disappoint. The water park is a big deal here, with its allure coming from big swimming pools with slides, jacuzzi sections, a lagoon, and a special water playground zone for the children. Sant Pere Pescador beach, accessible straight from camping, is immensely scenic, with golden sands and the vista of the towering mountains in the distance. It’s also a great place to try kitesurfing, stand on a paddleboard, or simply soak in the Mediterranean sun on a lounger.
Camping Strukkamphuk, Germany
Halyna Fihliarska/Shutterstock
Germans are among the most camping-loving nations in the world. And while many leave the country during the summer for the pitches along the southern European beaches, you can also find some awesome campgrounds in the Baltic Sea. Strukkamphuk is among the most popular ones, with a 4.6-star rating on Google and a superb beachside location on Fehmarn, Germany’s third-largest island. “Strukki” (as Germans tenderly name it) is all about slow-burning natural enjoyment. Facilities are top-notch, the Baltic Sea panoramas are inspiring, and you’re right on the beach. What could be better?
When it comes to beach camping in Germany, the season is mainly limited to the summer months. And even then, the weather can be quite unpredictable, with rainy and windy days. If you’re not afraid of capricious temperature changes, Strukkamphuk is an ideal fresh air-filled getaway for walking, playing outdoor sports, reading books on the beach, and braving the dips in cold Baltic waters. All pitches come with electricity, the Wi-Fi is free, and there are three playgrounds for children.
Camping Village Dei Fiori, Italy
helloimfranci/Instagram
Camping Village Dei Fiori is a long-running and respected beachside campground, undoubtedly one of Italy’s finest. It’s a generational kind of place, too. Parents take their children to the Adriatic waters each summer, just as their parents used to do the same before. This creates a special mix of frequent visitors and newcomers within the camp and nurtures a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The grounds are gorgeous here. The Mediterranean greenery is “painstakingly maintained,” as one Tripadvisor reviewer put it, and all the facilities are immaculate. It is also home to the ultimate camping beach, as Cavallino Beach is an impressive stretch of sand. Camping Village Dei Fiori has a private section with sunbeds for guests.
The forest setting is one of the reasons camping enthusiasts fall in love with this pace. Pitching a tent under the Aleppo pines while the sea is steps away is an irresistible holiday dream. Spots come with electricity, water hook-ups, and car parking, and there’s a water zone within the park with three pools, including an Olympic-sized one. Moreover, you’ve got a wellness offer with an on-site masseur, a whirlpool, and a hairdresser.
Yelloh! Village Camping Les Mouettes, France
debende_vanellende/Instagram
Fancy a different kind of French beach camping experience? Camping Les Mouettes is close to the English Channel and among the most popular campgrounds in the beautiful northwestern Brittany region. Founded in 1972, it is a pearl of the stunning Carantec peninsula characterized by a quaint old town dominated by white-and-blue houses, oyster farms, and vast green spaces. Be aware, though, that La Grande Grève beach next to Les Mouettes is more for enjoying long contemplative walks and reading books soundtracked by the sound of the waves than swimming. This campground is ideal for a calm family escape surrounded by the picturesque nature of Brittany.
Reviewers on Google are enthusiastic in their praise for the excellent animation program for kids, delightful evening entertainment for the whole family, and helping staff. This is also one of the biggest water parks in Brittany. Younger visitors will love the variety of slides, paddling pools, lazy river, aquatic playground, and thematic games organized by the kid’s club. Balnéoh! Wellness Center is responsible for wellness with a wide range of hydro treatments and massages.
Villaggio Camping Capo Ferrato, Italy
die_wohnmobil_familie/Instagram
“We shouldn’t recommend it. Because we want it all for us,” writes one of the guests of Villaggio Camping Capo Ferrato on Google, giving the campground the full 5-star treatment. It’s a common sentiment when reviewing this hidden gem in Sardinia. The campground is one of the few places in Europe where you can pitch a tent right on the sea. No hassle, no commute, just you one-on-one with the Sardinian blue. The beachfront pitches can host simple tents, caravans, and motorhomes. All spots are connected to electricity and allow direct access to the sand.
Capo Ferrato is not a large campground, so it can get fully booked quickly in summer, and arranging a pitch in advance to secure your beachside place is recommended. Don’t come here for luxury; it’s all about the rustic island escape, where you lazily lounge on the beach and relax with all the fibers of your soul under the pleasant Sardinian sun. There’s a restaurant on-site serving home-like local dishes and pizza, and a small market for basic groceries. This campground is in the perfect location to discover the semi-wild beauty of the island’s southwest coast. Expect many pristine beaches with bright azure waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and an abundance of hidden coves.
Our methodology
majatoni/Shutterstock
We love camping on the beach and have been lucky enough to visit many of the entries in this article ourselves. Aside from an extensive personal knowledge of the destinations, we used Google and Tripadvisor to analyze what reviewers loved the most, single out the best amenities, and sum up the overall vibe of each entry. The camping beaches in this article all have high rankings and predominantly positive feedback from guests.
Also, we turned to camping-focused resources like Topcampings.com and Camping.info to have a more nuanced picture of the best beaches where you can pitch a tent from the point of view of seasoned campers. This list is also diverse, including large and mid-sized campgrounds for families and those traveling without kids in all parts of Europe, and more. We also aimed to include a fair share of pet-friendly beaches, as camping is often unimaginable without furry friends.
