City campsites in Europe: readers' travel tips
Planning a visit to a European city? Save money by staying on campsite close to all the famous sights
Just outside the ancient city walls is an olive grove that doubles as a large, shady campsite with views over the rooftops of Florence to the hills beyond. Located next to Piazzale Michelangelo, on the opposite side of the Arno to most of the sights, the campsite is around a 15-minute (uphill) walk from the Ponte Vecchio – or jump on a no 13 bus. +39 055 681 1977, plushostels.com/pluscampingmichelangelo, pitch for two from €31
marthah
marthah
France
Camping Bagatelle, Avignon
Fabulous location, only five minutes' walk over the bridge to the old town. Visit the famous Pont St-Bénézet, which stops halfway across the Rhone, then relax in one of the many excellent bars and cafes. Bagatelle is a traditional French campsite with masses of atmosphere, decent facilities including a shop and bar, and plenty of shade.
+33 4 90 86 30 39, campingbagatelle.com, pitch for two from €15.30 a night
valhopgood
Fabulous location, only five minutes' walk over the bridge to the old town. Visit the famous Pont St-Bénézet, which stops halfway across the Rhone, then relax in one of the many excellent bars and cafes. Bagatelle is a traditional French campsite with masses of atmosphere, decent facilities including a shop and bar, and plenty of shade.
+33 4 90 86 30 39, campingbagatelle.com, pitch for two from €15.30 a night
valhopgood
Camp Indigo, Bois du Boulogne, Paris
Camp Indigo is in a fantastic location, from where it's easy to see the sights without a long, tiring journey at both ends. As well as pitches there's also a choice of two- or six-person tents or caravans in flat, shady areas, free Wi-Fi and electricity – and a great communal spirit among its travellers.
+33 1 45 24 30 00, camping-indigo.com, pitch for two from €18.40
TheCapeCruiser
Camp Indigo is in a fantastic location, from where it's easy to see the sights without a long, tiring journey at both ends. As well as pitches there's also a choice of two- or six-person tents or caravans in flat, shady areas, free Wi-Fi and electricity – and a great communal spirit among its travellers.
+33 1 45 24 30 00, camping-indigo.com, pitch for two from €18.40
TheCapeCruiser
Germany
Elbe Camping, Hamburg
This is a beach camping area west of Hamburg, almost 15km from the city centre, but accessible by S-Bahn or bus. Even better, there are miles of cycle paths along the northern bank of the Elbe. Activities for kids include a nearby Wildpark where they can feed deer, wild pigs and sheep.
+49 40 812949, elbecamp.de, pitch for two from €18.90
Bernie Duffy
This is a beach camping area west of Hamburg, almost 15km from the city centre, but accessible by S-Bahn or bus. Even better, there are miles of cycle paths along the northern bank of the Elbe. Activities for kids include a nearby Wildpark where they can feed deer, wild pigs and sheep.
+49 40 812949, elbecamp.de, pitch for two from €18.90
Bernie Duffy
Italy
Camping della Serenissima, Venice
Just a few miles from Venice, Camping Serenissima suits the name far more than Venice does nowadays. It has flat, spacious pitches and is clean, efficiently run and very friendly, with excellent facilities. There's an inexpensive bus service into Venice.
+39 041 921850, campingserenissima.it, pitch for two from €21
Rob Ward
Just a few miles from Venice, Camping Serenissima suits the name far more than Venice does nowadays. It has flat, spacious pitches and is clean, efficiently run and very friendly, with excellent facilities. There's an inexpensive bus service into Venice.
+39 041 921850, campingserenissima.it, pitch for two from €21
Rob Ward
Austria
Camping Neue Donau, Vienna
The campsite is modern: Wi-Fi, cafe and shop, helpful staff, cold beers, clean facilities. It's on the Neue Donau, a manmade channel on the east side of the Danube. There's a metro station 10 minutes' walk away as well as cycle paths and walking routes into town.
+43 1 202 4010, campingwien.at/nd/en, pitch for two from €17.50
scratchvideo
The campsite is modern: Wi-Fi, cafe and shop, helpful staff, cold beers, clean facilities. It's on the Neue Donau, a manmade channel on the east side of the Danube. There's a metro station 10 minutes' walk away as well as cycle paths and walking routes into town.
+43 1 202 4010, campingwien.at/nd/en, pitch for two from €17.50
scratchvideo
Spain
El Greco, Toledo
This clean, cool, well-shaded site on a bend in the mighty river Tagus is a 30-minute stroll along the river to the medieval Puente de San Martín entrance into Toledo. When you're dusty and parched from all that culture, you can revive back at the site's full-size swimming pool.
+34 925 22 00 90, pitch for two from €31
michaelsherif
This clean, cool, well-shaded site on a bend in the mighty river Tagus is a 30-minute stroll along the river to the medieval Puente de San Martín entrance into Toledo. When you're dusty and parched from all that culture, you can revive back at the site's full-size swimming pool.
+34 925 22 00 90, pitch for two from €31
michaelsherif
Switzerland
Camping Delta Locarno, Locarno,
Camping Delta's location, right on lake Maggiore, would be the envy of many of the town's pricey hotels. The site has bike hire, a pizzeria and a private harbour. If the lake's too cold, there's always the Lido next door.
+41 91 751 60 81, campingdelta.com
Tent and two people from £32 a night
br5968
Camping Delta's location, right on lake Maggiore, would be the envy of many of the town's pricey hotels. The site has bike hire, a pizzeria and a private harbour. If the lake's too cold, there's always the Lido next door.
+41 91 751 60 81, campingdelta.com
Tent and two people from £32 a night
br5968
Belgium
Camping Ciel Ouvert, Brussels
In inner-city Brussels this quirky little site is in the grounds of Saint-Sacrement church, 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. It is beautiful, with flower gardens, low-hanging trees and lots of nooks and crannies, so feels a million miles from the city.
+32 2 640 7967, cielouvertcamping.wordpress.com, pitch for two from €21
Alice Johns
In inner-city Brussels this quirky little site is in the grounds of Saint-Sacrement church, 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. It is beautiful, with flower gardens, low-hanging trees and lots of nooks and crannies, so feels a million miles from the city.
+32 2 640 7967, cielouvertcamping.wordpress.com, pitch for two from €21
Alice Johns
Hungary
Zugligeti Niche Camping, Budapest
There's easy access from this site on public transport to the station and main city sights, and it's right next to the chairlift into Buda Hills. The very friendly owner includes a substantial breakfast in the price, with lovely pancakes, cakes, bread, fruit and jams.
+36 1 200 8346, campingniche.hu. Pitch for two with breakfast from £15.50
Seniorbackpacker
There's easy access from this site on public transport to the station and main city sights, and it's right next to the chairlift into Buda Hills. The very friendly owner includes a substantial breakfast in the price, with lovely pancakes, cakes, bread, fruit and jams.
+36 1 200 8346, campingniche.hu. Pitch for two with breakfast from £15.50
Seniorbackpacker
