Expert picks the top campsites to pitch a tent in across Europe this summer
To navigate the vast array of choices, cross-referencing consumer reviews is one way to narrow down the options.
Analysing user ratings from 1,500 sites, Pitchup.com, a search and booking platform, has compiled a Gold List of Europe's top camping sites. France leads the list, followed by Italy and Portugal
Below are a few of the sites to check out.
Embrace nature in the French Vendee
Boating, birdwatching and butterfly spotting can fill sunny days on a trip to the Marais Poitevin nature reserve. Set halfway between Niort and La Rochelle, close to the Atlantic Ocean, the protected wetland is second only in size to the Carmargue and is woven with canals first constructed by 13th monks. Tents, caravans and motorhomes are all welcome at Le Marais Sauvage, a peaceful campsite with on-site cafe bar, small shop and laundry. Pick up fresh croissants and baguettes in nearby Le Mazeau. Price: From £14 per night for a grass pitch with electric hookup.
Refresh the senses in northern Portugal
Promising peace and quiet in a river valley shaded by eucalyptus forest, family-owned Quinta Viana only accepts a maximum of nine bookings at a time. Relax in flower-filled gardens, cool off in a saltwater pool and cuddle up to two resident German Shepherd dogs. The coast is easily accessible for beach swims, while entry point Porto is a 45-minute drive away. Hike through sand dunes, horse-ride in the countryside or play a round of golf on the banks of the Cávado river. Price: From £18 per night for a grass pitch with electric hookup.
Marvel at mountain scenery in Spain
Holidays aren't all about sea and sand in Malaga – although a heavy dose of sunshine is near guaranteed. Far from the crowds of Torremolinos and Fuengirola, Camping El Sur is surrounded by mountains and olive trees a short distance from historic town Ronda. Laze by the pool, play miniature golf or pull up a bar stool to nibble on tapas. Nearby natural wonders include the caves and gorges of Sierra de Grazalema. Price: From £20 per night for a grass pitch with electric hookup.
Wake up with royalty at Marmolada Malga Ciapela, a mountain campsite in the shadow of Marmolada mountain – nicknamed the 'Queen of the Dolomites'. Accommodation options range from traditional pitch-up spots to more luxurious glamping set ups; stay in barrel-shaped cabins or tents suspended between trees and dine in a chalet-style restaurant. Use the site as a base to explore Alpine hiking trails or simply sit back and enjoy the regal view. Price: From £30.97 per night for a grass pitch with electric hookup.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
8 hours ago
- Metro
European town takes aim at tourists with sassy poster and begs for 'decorum'
Before you leave the beach, put those clothes on (Picture: Getty Images) We all know there's a stereotype of a Brit abroad that's, erm, less than favourable. Wandering around shirtless (and sunburnt) in sliders with socks, if we're not drinking at a Ye Olde pub at 11am, we're hogging sunbeds by the pool. But now, one French town, that claims to have '200 years of elegance' is taking a stand. Les Sables d'Olonne, a seaside resort on France's west coast, is fining tourists for showing too much skin. The mayor asked for a 'little decorum' in their 'elegant' town (Picture: Getty Images) Writing in a Facebook post, Mayor Yannick Moreau, said he wanted to 'clearly' remind visitors that 'it's forbidden to walk around naked or in a swimsuit at Sables d'Olonne'. Sign up to The Getaway newsletter Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Mayor Yannick said that it's an 'indecent' habit that the town experiences during the summer, and begged for 'a little decorum, please!' The stern words were accompained by a poster, which featured a play on the March of Progress illustration, often used to depict the theory of evolution from ape to man. Do you recognise the guy in the pink shorts? (Picture: Les Sables-d'Olonne) In Les Sables d'Olonne's poster, the iconic image is in reverse, starting with a decidedly French looking fellow in a beret, and ending with a rather familiar-looking shirtless man, complete with ginger beard, socks and sliders, and cross-body bumbag. The poster confirms that tourists will be slapped with a €150 (£130) fine if they're caught flouting the rules, with a reminder to not 'end up in your underwear in our alleys.' This elegant town doesn't want tourists forgetting their clothes (Picture: Getty Images) The Mayor reminded visitors in his rather sassy Facebook post that Les Sables d'Olonne has 11km of coastline 'to show off your pecs and your best swimsuit'. If you do visit Les Sables d'Olonne — and can manage to keep your clothes on — there's fun to be had. La Grande Plage is perhaps the most popular beach, but there are eight in total, with some ideal for keen surfers looking to ride the waves. There's also a promenade to talk a stroll along, but perhaps the most unique part of the town is Penotte Island neighbourhood. The quaint Penotte Island neighbourhood (Picture: Getty Images) Over the years, the facades of houses and buildings have been covered with colourful moasic murals. It's the perfect place to while away a few hours, strolling the narrow streets and admiring the artwork. Further afield, there are lots of hiking and cycling routes, offering stunning views along the French Atlantic coast. European destinations cracking down on tourist behaviour Les Sables d'Olonne isn't the only place taking a stand. Across Spain, tough new rules have been unveiled for holidaymakers. For example, in Mallorca's Playa de Palma, S'Arenal and Magaluf, and in San Antonio, Ibiza, all-inclusive guests now have a six-drink limit. Under the rules, you can have three drinks at lunch, and a further three at dinner. And, on Magaluf's infamous strip, pub crawls have also been banned. Elsewhere in Palma, there's a crackdown on walking tours. New requirements will see tours limited to 20 people per group, which will likely make them more expensive. And in Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, a whole host of new banned beach items and behaviours were announced. These include things like smoking or vaping, reserving spots on sun decks, collecting shells using an umbrella for shade. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Arrow MORE: 'Sick' £86 daily charge proposed for European city visited by 30,000,000 Arrow MORE: I played 'check-in chicken' and it backfired spectacularly – be careful Arrow MORE: Ryanair axes all flights to three European destinations — including a winter break hotspot
Time Out
8 hours ago
- Time Out
The hugely underrated foodie seaside town that is one of the best day trips from London
Everyone wants something different out of a day trip. There are the people that just want to lie horizontal on the beach for hours, the ones who want to stop by as many historic sites as possible, and the ones who will spend all their time collecting trinkets from indie shops and galleries. Then, there are the people that go to new places with just one thing on the agenda: good food. Of Time Out's 20 best places for a day trip from London in 2025, there's one place that stands out when it comes to outstanding bars and restaurants to rival those here in the capital. It's... Deal! And you can get there from St Pancras in just one hour and 20 minutes. In Time Out's guide to the town's best bits, travel writer and Deal local Kate Wicks said: 'Along the award-winning High Street, you'll find a wealth of independent shops, bars, and restaurants, but it's Deal's sedate (yet uplifting) atmosphere that remains its biggest draw. Ten miles from Dover, this is a town beside the sea, rather than a seaside town (for kiss-me-quick amusements, head to Margate): it's creative, classy and also happens to be one of the UK's top hidden foodie destinations.' Arrive hungry – Deal is full to the brim with exceptional grub. So much, in fact, that it's Time Out's favourite foodie getaway in the country. There's the classic fish 'n chips from Middle Street Fish Bar, the crab doughnuts at The Rose hotel, the French dishes at Cherub's, Japanese izakaya at The Blue Pelican, the organic wines at Le Pinardier wine bar, the swanky lunch at 81 Beach Street and the pig's head and haggis terrine at Frog & Scot. But there's only so much eating and drinking you can do. Kate also recommends wandering around the historic Deal Castle, filling your boots at Deal Town Market, seeing some art at Linden Hall Studio and spinning vinyl at Smuggler's Records. Make sure to go down to the seafront too, and look at for a grey seal or admire Deal's historic Victorian pier (which is getting a £1 million facelift next year). See the rest of Time Out's best day trips from the London.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK tourists hit by new £216 fee in Spain with two resorts 'now enforcing it'
A new sunbed tax has been enforced in Spain, which could see UK tourists fined more than £200 for reserving a spot in the sun in certain areas British holidaymakers are now facing a fresh 'sunbed tax' in Spain, with warnings that those heading to the European Union could be slapped with fines exceeding £200. Tourists who try to reserve sun loungers at certain Spanish destinations risk being hit with a hefty €250 (approximately £216) penalty, travel insurer Tiger has warned. The clampdown is taking place in popular areas like Barcelona and Costa Blanca. The new regulation comes into effect following "numerous" grievances about sunbeds being held for hours without anyone using them. One Briton shared their thoughts: "Never had an issue with going to France. The people are nice and if you try and speak French they will speak English. Its the people in power that is the problem." In other related news, here's a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain. Another vented their frustration: "Why do the Brits enjoy inflicting pain on themselves? The EU doesn't want Brits just their money Spain has continued an economic war on UK citizens other EU countries are doing the sane." The growing resentment towards the EU's perceived exploitation of UK tourists is palpable. Calls for a peaceful boycott to force change are gaining traction as one person put it: "Let the Spanish have their ideological socialism. Why contribute?" Meanwhile, another remarked: "Sunbed war hoggers are selfish and deserve a fine." "About time! Totally agree with this. Ruins it for other tourists who cant find one," another voiced their support. "They loved us before bringing in the money now they don't well let the restaurants and bars go skint and reap what they sow just don't bother going there take your holidays and money elsewhere," another user remarked. This sentiment emerges as anti-tourism protests are increasingly prevalent in popular holiday destinations, reports Birmingham Live. A hotel proprietor spoke to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, expressing concern: "We've scared the tourists away. I wouldn't want to spend my holidays in a place where I don't feel welcome." In many areas of Spain, there has been an increasing backlash against the impacts of tourism, with locals blaming foreign visitors for escalating property prices, a rise in anti-social behaviour, and pressure on public services. It has led to numerous anti-tourism protests all over the peninsula, screaming the words "tourists go home". Meanwhile, a waiter at a local eatery dependent on tourist trade observed that the area has been challenged in drawing visitors like it used to. Their comment was telling: "Except on weekends or rainy days, there's not much going on here; we're just waiting around, and it's been like this since May."
