Exploring Europe in a campervan is the stuff of most traveler’s dreams. Imagine enjoying the unrivaled freedom and flexibility to pack up your belongings, drive off and wake up each day deciding which country or destination in Europe you fancy driving to next.
Since its inception in the 1950s, the campervan or motorhome remains one of the coolest modes of transport across the world, with an entire culture built on camping out under the stars and having the freedom to choose your next destination on a whim. The beauty of getting somewhere in your campervan is being able to make a cup of tea, cook breakfast and sleep once you’ve spent a day all exploring the local sights.
It’s no wonder that campervan adventures are so popular, providing a fun, affordable and intimate way to explore different countries. The right planning and knowing how to navigate specific camper rules within each country, are key to making the most of your European adventure.
Let’s explore the most popular campervan destinations in Europe with tips on navigating the roads, rules and must-see sights!
Germany
With the famous Autobahn highway and some of the world’s best roads, Germany is a dream for touring via campervan. While unlimited speed limits exist on certain Autobahn sections, most areas have limits.
Venture off the beaten path and experience the charm of Bavaria, cruise along the scenic Romantic Road or on the famous German Alpine route with great stopovers before reaching Munich and Hamburg.
You’ll find first class campgrounds and RV parks everywhere you roam. Here are some of the most popular campervan destinations in Germany:
Bavaria
- Romantic Road – This iconic 285-mile route passes through medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Füssen near Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Bavarian Alps – Drive the stunning mountain roads and stop at villages like Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberammergau.
- Munich – Bavaria’s lively capital with beer halls, parks, and easy access to outdoor adventures.
Rhine Valley
- Follow the Upper Middle Rhine through the castle-filled Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Stop in historic Bacharach, Boppard, Koblenz and riverside campsites.
Black Forest
- This wooded mountain range has scenic drives, thermal spas, and the iconic Triberg Waterfalls.
- Visit fairytale towns like Gengenbach and Calw.
—> Read More: 12 Best Things To Do In the Black Forest, Germany
Berlin
- While urban camping is limited, there are campsites on Berlin’s outskirts to use as a base.
- See iconic sites like the Berlin Wall, Reichstag, museums and nightlife.
Moselle Valley
- Drive the Moselle River past vineyards and storybook villages like Bernkastel-Kues and Cochem.
- The region is known for its excellent Riesling wine.
United Kingdom
Thanks to an abundance of holiday parks and campsites, the UK is one of multiple destinations in Europe for a great campervan trip. Throughout the UK, the roads are well-maintained and there are plenty of holiday parks and campsites with excellent facilities.
Load up your GPS as you may encounter some narrow country lanes, but major highways and motorways are clearly marked.
Thanks to its beautiful countryside with postcard villages and historic sites, you can drive effortlessly to explore every corner of this fascinating country.
Enjoy hidden gems on the southern coast of England to castles further north in Yorkshire, or visit the Lake District for stunning scenery. Here are some of the most popular campervan destinations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland:
England
- South Downs National Park – Spanning across rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and chalky cliffs, this stunning park promises breathtaking views, charming villages and is excellent for cycling, birdwatching, or hiking.
- Lake District National Park – Quintessential English lakes and mountains; hugely popular for campervans.
- Cornish Coast – Drive along the dramatic cliffs and beaches of the southwestern peninsula.
Wales
- Snowdonia National Park – Climb Mount Snowdon or tour the region’s historic castles in your campervan.
- Pembrokeshire Coast – A tremendous national park lining the western Welsh coast.
- Brecon Beacons – Spend time camping and hiking in these captivating mountain ranges.
Scotland
- North Coast 500 – A 516-mile scenic route around the northern Highlands passing the Isle of Skye, and Dunrobin Castle.
- Cairngorms National Park – Camp amid the stunning mountains, lochs, and Caledonian pine forests.
- Isle of Islay – Part of the Inner Hebrides, famous for its incredible whisky distilleries.
Northern Ireland
- Causeway Coastal Route – Arguably one of the world’s most scenic road trips from Belfast to Derry.
- County Antrim – Home to the Giant’s Causeway and lively coastal towns.
Ireland
The Emerald Isle (the Republic of Ireland) lends itself perfectly to leisurely campervan adventures with rolling green landscapes, dramatic coastal scenery and mythical historical sites.
Roads are great, but many are quite narrow especially in rural areas where you’ll need to be cautious. If you are new to the etiquette of campervanning, be respectful wherever you are.
If you base yourself in lively Dublin or Cork, you can wind your way around the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, the Giant’s Causeway and beyond with abundant campsites and RV parks peppering the entire island. Here are some of the most popular campervan destinations in Ireland.
Dublin & East Coast
- While parking a campervan in central Dublin is difficult, camp just outside the city.
- Drive the Eastern coastline visiting charming fishing towns and beaches.
- Don’t miss Malahide Castle, the monastic sites of Glendalough, and the Wicklow Mountains.
Cork & Southeast
- See the highlights of Ireland’s southwest like Kinsale, Cobh, the Rock of Cashel and Waterford.
- The Beara and Dingle Peninsulas offer incredible coastal scenery.
- You’ll find many campervan parks located along main routes.
—> Read More: 11 Places You Can’t Miss When Visiting Ireland
Galway & West
- Explore lively Galway City and see the rocky Burren region and Cliffs of Moher.
- Stay in campsites around Connemara and drive the Sky Road peninsula.
- Don’t miss the islands of Inishmore, Inisheer and Inishmaan.
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France
With its excellent roads and brimming with great campsites, France is the perfect country for a campervan trip. The country’s main roads, with tolls, allow you to cover long distances.
In rural areas, be prepared for narrow routes and single-lane roads. If you are new to motorhoming this is a great country to start in; there are loads of camping areas throughout France offering budget overnight parking with fantastic facilities.
Here are some of the most popular campervan destinations in France.
Provence
- Luberon Region – Explore the idyllic villages, vineyards, and lavender fields.
- Camargue – A scenic wetlands region known for its white horses, flamingos, and cowboy culture.
- Gorges du Verdon – Drive along the stunning turquoise river canyon.
Normandy
- The D-Day beaches and memorials along the coast.
- The iconic Mont St-Michel island abbey.
- Historic towns like Honfleur, Rouen, and Bayeux.
French Riviera
- The iconic Côte d’Azur from glamorous Nice and Cannes to smaller seaside towns.
- Scenic coastal routes like the Corniche roads with incredible seaside views.
Bordeaux Wine Region
- Stay at vineyards and tour the famous wine estates of St. Emilion, Medoc and more.
- The charming city of Bordeaux itself with its historic old town.
—> Read More: 15 Incredible Places to Visit in France
Dordogne
- Medieval towns and castles like Sarlat, Beynac, and the Dordogne River Valley.
- One of France’s top regions for camping and outdoor activities.
Loire Valley
- Drive the Loire Valley and tour magnificent chateaux like Chambord and Chenonceau.
- Vineyards, gardens, and storybook villages line the picturesque Loire River.
Belgium and The Netherlands
Thanks to their close proximity, it makes sense to combine a trip to campervan-friendly, Belgium and the Netherlands.
This region’s famously flat landscapes and well-maintained highways make it easy to travel between the lively cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges in Belgium, then cross over to the Netherlands to see tulip fields, windmills and the famous canals in Amsterdam.
Belgium and the Netherlands are campervan-friendly destinations, but be mindful of lower speed limits and frequent traffic cameras as you navigate both countries.
In The Netherlands, don’t forget to pay homage to the brain behind the original campervan concept – the VW Transporter. It was brilliantly conceived by Dutch businessman, Ben Pon, who sketched the first world-famous motor to fuse driving, cooking, working and sleeping into one self-contained unit.
Belgium
- Bruges – This medieval city with winding canals and cobblestone streets is a top draw. Park at campsites just outside the center.
- Ardennes Region – Explore the forests, caves, and small villages in this scenic area near the French border.
- Belgian Coast – Drive along the northern coastline stopping in seaside towns like Oostende and De Haan.
The Netherlands
- Amsterdam – While parking a campervan in the city center is difficult, there are campsites on the outskirts to explore the canals and museums.
- Keukenhof Gardens – Time your visit this spring to see the famous tulip fields and flower displays.
- Kinderdijk – See the iconic 18th century windmills and waterways in this village.
- Friesland – This northern province has lovely lakes and islands to explore.
- Zeeland – Drive along the coast visiting beach towns and crossing islands in this southwestern area.
- Hoge Veluwe National Park – A beautiful nature reserve with hiking trails, forests, and wildlife.
Sweden
Thanks to its “Freedom to Roam” laws allowing overnight camping on public lands, Sweden is one of Scandinavia’s most campervan-friendly nations. The country has incredible natural scenery, a relaxing pace of life and some of the best roads and driving conditions in all of Europe.
Stick to major highways or rural routes to experience pristine wilderness, shimmering lakes and dense forests. Wild camping is allowed in Sweden as long as you are respectful.
The country’s national tourist routes also offer fantastic driving and camping options. Here are some of the most popular campervan destinations in Sweden:
Swedish Lapland
- Drive through the arctic landscapes of Lapland, spotting reindeer and indigenous Sami communities.
- Base yourself in Abisko or Kiruna to see the northern lights in winter.
- Explore national parks like Padjelanta and Sarek.
Stockholm Archipelago
- Island hop through the 30,000 islands that make up this archipelago near Stockholm.
- Visit charming coastal towns like Vaxholm and Sandhamn. Excellent boating, fishing, and camping opportunities.
West Coast
- Take the coastal route from Gothenburg up to the Norwegian border, stopping in fishing villages.
- Don’t miss Smögen, Fjällbacka, and the rocky Bohuslän coast. Great seafood and beautiful campsites along the way.
Dalarna
- In central Sweden, see the iconic red cottages, Lake Siljan, and Dala horses of this region. Outdoor activities like hiking, biking and camping are very popular here.
The High Coast
- A UNESCO World Heritage site with dramatic cliffs meeting the Baltic Sea in Northern Sweden.
- Hike part of the 900-mile Höga Kustenleden trail.
Italy
From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the glamor of the Italian Riviera, the snowy Alps and the heel of the stylish Italian boot, an Italian road trip has all the makings of la dolce vita.
Cities like Rome and Naples are tricky to navigate, but the country’s main autostrades will get you from A to B smoothly. Rules vary by region for parking and camping with some allowing overnight stays and others prohibiting it, so brush up on local rules.
Prepare to wind along narrow village roads in places like the Amalfi Coast and the Italian Lakes region at a snail’s pace, but the scenery will be worth it. Here are some of the most popular campervan destinations in Italy:
Dolomites
- Drive the dramatic mountain passes and valleys of these iconic peaks in northern Italy.
- Excellent skiing, hiking and outdoor activities from campervan-friendly resort areas.
Tuscany
- Drive through the iconic rolling hills, vineyards and medieval towns like Siena, San Gimignano and Montepulciano.
- Park at campsites or farms (agriturismos) and tour wineries along Wine Roads like the Chianti route.
The Amalfi Coast
- Take the winding coastal road from Sorrento to Amalfi, Positano and Ravello for stunning cliffside views.
- Find campervan parks inland to avoid navigating in congested towns.
—> Read More: Visiting Italy’s Amalfi Coast: What To See and Do
Italian Lakes
- Tour the picturesque lakes like Como, Garda, and Maggiore in northern Italy’s lake district.
- Excellent lakeside campsites and mountain scenery in the Italian Alps.
Puglia
- Discover the unique cone-shaped trulli houses and whitewashed towns of Italy.
- Camp near beaches in areas like the Gargano Peninsula.
With stunning scenery, great roads and campsites or designated parks for your vehicle, Europe welcomes motorhomes and campers of any shape and size.
Whether this is your first trip or you are a seasoned campervanner, there are many places to choose from and plans to consider for your ultimate road trip. With the freedom to roam and camp with respect to the local etiquette, it’s time to explore Europe in a campervan for an unforgettable adventure!
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