Camping at the Baltic Sea

Camping on the Baltic Sea is a very special experience: the wonderful dune landscapes, miles of beaches and romantic seaside resorts such as Rerik or Heringsdorf on the island of Usedom invite you to dream and make the Baltic Sea coast one of the most popular holiday destinations in Germany for camping holidaymakers.

8 top-rated campsites on the Baltic Sea by the ADAC inspectors

• Rosenfelder Strand Baltic Sea Camping
• Wulfener Hals camping and holiday park
• Ostseecamping Familie Heide
• Kühlungsborn Camping Park
• Camping Miramar
• Insel-Camp Fehmarn (island)
• Camping Strukkamphuk
• Feddet Beach Resort

Camping by the Baltic Sea: dream holidays between beach, dunes and sea

The Baltic Sea is the perfect destination for a camping holiday by the sea: the German Baltic Sea coast offers a fantastic mix of golden sandy beaches, steep cliffs, chalk cliffs and idyllic bays. In between are pretty little fishing villages, Hanseatic towns steeped in history, fashionable seaside resorts with ornate piers and endless promenades.

Camping on the Baltic Sea with your dog

Of course you don't want to leave your dog at home on a camping holiday and fortunately this is not necessary at the Baltic Sea. Dogs are allowed on most campsites, but you should check in advance to be sure. Many holiday resorts even have their own dog beaches on the Baltic Sea, where your four-legged companion is allowed in the water.

Dogs are generally required to be kept on a lead on dune paths and in nature reserves to protect nature. On public beaches, you should find out on site whether dogs are allowed. In the high season, four-legged friends are sometimes not allowed on the beaches. In the low season, it is usually no problem to find a suitable stretch of beach where your dog can swim in the Baltic Sea.

Camping on the coast between Rostock and the island of Rügen is not only varied, but above all relaxing. The offer ranges from simple nature campsites to luxurious comfort campsites. In addition to pitches, rental caravans, rental accommodation, holiday flats or mobile homes are often available for overnight stays. Those who prefer to stay close to nature can spend the night under the stars on a campsite in the dunes.

The facilities at the campsites are excellent and offer beach fans, active holidaymakers, water sports enthusiasts and wellness fans a wide range of leisure activities and plenty of space to relax. Many campsites offer communal facilities, restaurants, fitness areas and a play area or playgrounds. There are usually also shops selling gas and an entertainment programme for children.

Many Baltic campsites are located close to the beach or directly on the wide sandy beaches, so it is usually only a few metres to the water or a beach chair. Ideal conditions for young families who are travelling with their children and want to spend relaxing days splashing around and building sandcastles in a beach paradise. But there are also idyllic campsites on small lakes, in the Bodden landscape and near farms away from the beaches and beautiful imperial towns.

The Baltic Sea is also an interesting destination for motorhome travellers: in addition to classic campsites for caravans, there are a number of motorhome pitches in natural locations along the coast, some of which are right on the beach. Guests can use the sanitary facilities, toilets and washing-up areas and are usually also provided with a connection for fresh water and electricity.

Catering

German Baltic Sea cuisine is dominated by fresh fish, which is prepared in a wide variety of ways. In addition to fish sandwiches from the snack stand directly on the beach and the famous fish & chips, the numerous fish restaurants offer many culinary delights. The classic is the plaice fillet - whether with fried potatoes, with chips or topped with prawns, it is always a delight. Butterfish also makes fish lovers' mouths water. However, herring is one of the most popular dishes in Baltic Sea cuisine.

When camping at the Baltic Sea, creamed herring with jacket potatoes or the popular double-baked Baltic herring should not be missing from the menu. Children are often not very keen to experiment and of course the catch of the day is often served as fish fingers for the younger guests.

For those who prefer to eat their fish with chopsticks, there are also very good sushi restaurants in the larger coastal towns. Along the coast of Schleswig-Holstein, the traditional dish Schnüsch is currently celebrating a revival: this one-pot dish includes green beans, kohlrabi and carrots cooked in milk.

The most beautiful destinations on the Baltic Sea

The German Baltic Sea coast is a versatile holiday destination and virtually predestined for camping in the midst of unspoilt nature - fall asleep to the sound of the sea and take a refreshing dip straight after waking up. Romantic seaside resorts such as Rerik with their unmistakable architecture invite you to take a stroll. Kilometres of beaches with beach chairs tempt you to take a relaxing break and in the evening you can grill bread with the children around the campfire.

Neighbouring fishermen's cottages or restaurants offer welcome alternatives to sociable cooking on the campsite. And if the weather doesn't play ball, there is also plenty to do outside the campsites: Amusement parks and adventure pools, museums and aquariums, old churches and lighthouses provide entertainment and variety.

The holiday resorts on the German Baltic coast wind their way past Fehmarn (island), Grömitz and Timmendorfer Strand, past the city of Rostock to Kühlungsborn, the Darß, Zingst, Hiddensee, Rügen and Usedom in the east. Families with children will find many like-minded people on idyllic campsites on the islands.

Usedom

Usedom is Germany's second-largest island and its many nature reserves not only delight camping holidaymakers. It is a popular holiday destination for families and those seeking peace and quiet alike: The sunny island enchants with glamorous imperial spas and endless sandy beaches that are easy to reach.

Island of Rügen

Further to the west, the largest island in the region: Rügen. When camping, not only beautiful beaches, chalk cliffs and historic places are waiting to be discovered, but also a scenic inland area that is great for exploring by bike. If you want to get even closer to nature and can carry your tent on your back, we recommend the car-free island of Hiddensee to the west of Rügen.

Darß-Zingst

Romantic travellers, artists and families are drawn to camping on the Darß. The Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula captivates with its kilometres of sandy beaches and dreamlike nature. A large part of the island is taken up by the beautiful "Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft" National Park. This unique natural landscape is reshaped by wind and waves and provides an ideal breeding ground for thousands of cranes.

Rostock

Exciting leisure activities such as museums, a zoo and an aquarium characterise the Hanseatic city of Rostock. Of course, camping can also be combined with relaxing days on the beach here - in nearby Warnemünde, everyone will find a spot on the widest beach in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Best time to go on a camping holiday at the Baltic Sea

Camping at the Baltic Sea is ideal in summer, as the coast is one of the sunniest regions in Germany. With 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, Usedom has earned itself the nickname " sunny island" and Hiddensee follows in second place with 1,800 hours of sunshine.

Despite the sunshine, the constant wind keeps things cool, meaning that even the months of July and August remain comparatively cool. In the summer months and especially around the summer solstice, it stays light for a very long time and the evenings are perfect for many activities. The water temperatures in the Baltic Sea are up to 18 °C in July, August and September - the best time for a beach holiday on the Baltic Sea.

Top sights on the Baltic Sea coast

Visitors don't necessarily have to get out on the water to admire the most beautiful sights on the Baltic Sea coast: Hikes along the chalk cliffs of Rügen and walks along the promenades of the imperial spas are highly recommended.

In addition to the ornate piers, the Art Nouveau buildings with their striking architecture are particularly enchanting. In Grömitz, brave holidaymakers can climb into a diving gondola and admire the seabed and the impressive underwater world at close quarters. Some people are more drawn to heights - in this case, climbing and visiting one of the numerous lighthouses on the Baltic Sea is a good idea. The Old Lighthouse Travemünde and the Warnemünde Lighthouse are particularly popular.

At the Stralsund Oceanographic Museum, visitors can take a look behind the beautiful natural backdrops and learn lots of interesting facts about the region and the Baltic Sea region as well as the future of the oceans. The associated Ozeaneum with its aquariums and exhibitions is a special highlight for families.

Nowhere else but on the Gorch Fock, the famous sail training ship of the German Navy, do the past, present and future of sailing shipping come together in such a fascinating way. The huge sailing ship can be visited when it is anchored in its home harbour of Kiel.

Activities and excursions

It certainly won't be boring on a camping holiday on the Baltic Sea. There are many ways to spend your free time on the coast: whether it's active water sports, a long walk on the beach or exploring the charming surroundings.

Favourite excursion destinations

There is something for everyone among the excursion destinations on the Baltic Sea: Hansa-Park Sierksdorf, for example, promises fun and fast-paced action. Karl's Adventure Village in Warnsdorf with probably the largest farmers' market in the country is also a great attraction in winter with its ice world and the Karl May Festival in Bad Segeberg and the associated western town of Indian Village also awaken childhood feelings in older travellers.

Actively explore the surrounding area

The possible activities on the Baltic Sea are just as varied: hiking is certainly one of the best experiences for active nature lovers. At your own pace and with the healthy coastal air in your nose, numerous routes lead you through the typical flora and fauna. Passionate hobby fishermen can also experience the region close to nature: whether in the Bodden, surf fishing, deep-sea fishing on a cutter or on guided tours - success is guaranteed on the Baltic Sea! Instead of the fishing route, holidaymakers can also swing a golf club: Golfing on the Baltic Sea is very popular and with the sea as a backdrop, every tee shot becomes a very special experience.

Bathing fun and wellness

If it does rain in Germany's sunniest region, campers should follow the advice of the locals: go into the water yourself. Numerous thermal spas on the Baltic Sea coast offer bathing fun and wellness. Among the most popular are the thermal baths in Scharbeutz, the Fördeland Therme Glücksburg, the OstseeTherme Usedom and the Wonnemar bathing paradise in Wismar. Brave holidaymakers simply put on their wetsuits and go under the surface of the sea - a special highlight when diving in the Baltic Sea are tours to shipwrecks.

Events

There's always something going on at the Baltic Sea! Here are some tips for festivals and events that you shouldn't miss on your camping holiday.

June

Kieler Woche: The world-famous sailing regatta is one of the largest and oldest sailing events in the world. Celebrities and sailors of the highest calibre flock here. It takes place in the last week of June.

June - September

Störtebeker Festival: On the shores of the Great Jasmund Bodden on the island of Rügen, Germany's most successful open-air theatre invites you to enjoy productions based on the legendary buccaneer and pirate Klaus Störtebeker.

July

Travemünde Week: With a series of sailing regattas at the end of July, it is one of the largest sailing events in the world. The family event delights young and old alike with numerous attractions, a stage programme and a wide range of catering options.

August

Hanse Sail Rostock: Museum ships and traditional sailing ships arrive in Rostock for one of the largest maritime events in the world. Every year at the beginning of August, over a million visitors and a variety of events turn the festival into a colourful spectacle.

December

New Year's Eve on the Baltic Sea: The last night of the year is also celebrated in style on the Baltic Sea. From beach parties with live music to elegant dinner events, everything is on offer. The fireworks at midnight not only sparkle in the sky, but are also reflected magically in the sea.

Events

There's always something going on at the Baltic Sea! Here are some tips for festivals and events that you shouldn't miss on your camping holiday.

June

Kieler Woche: The world-famous sailing regatta is one of the largest and oldest sailing events in the world. Celebrities and sailors of the highest calibre flock here. It takes place in the last week of June.

June - September

Störtebeker Festival: On the shores of the Great Jasmund Bodden on the island of Rügen, Germany's most successful open-air theatre invites you to enjoy productions based on the legendary buccaneer and pirate Klaus Störtebeker.

July

Travemünde Week: With a series of sailing regattas at the end of July, it is one of the largest sailing events in the world. The family event delights young and old alike with numerous attractions, a stage programme and a wide range of catering options.

August

Hanse Sail Rostock: Museum ships and traditional sailing ships arrive in Rostock for one of the largest maritime events in the world. Every year at the beginning of August, over a million visitors and a variety of events turn the festival into a colourful spectacle.

December

New Year's Eve on the Baltic Sea: The last night of the year is also celebrated in style on the Baltic Sea. From beach parties with live music to elegant dinner events, everything is on offer. The fireworks at midnight not only sparkle in the sky, but are also reflected magically in the sea.