Mobile homes for rent in Europe

Being in the middle of nature - between peaceful forests or right by the sea - and at the same time enjoying your own four walls for a while, with many comfortable extras: That's camping in a mobile home. In the morning you wake up in a cosy bed to the sound of birdsong, freshen up in a private bathroom, prepare breakfast in your own kitchen and eat it on the cosy wooden veranda with a fantastic view of the countryside.

What is a mobile home?

The original definition of a mobile home refers to transportable accommodation that is moved from place to place by lorry. The design is a wooden house with solid outer walls and a small terrace on a transport platform. In some countries, these mobile homes are the primary residence with a living area and bedroom.

The term has changed considerably in recent years and can be used as a synonym for chalet, bungalow, holiday flat, wooden house and other types of accommodation such as glamping. In the context of camping and campsites, mobile homes are generally permanent rental accommodation with comfortable facilities. Mobile home guests can expect a kitchenette with coffee machine, bedroom, toilet and a wooden veranda with outdoor furniture. In very warm regions, air conditioning enhances the design, while in colder regions, comprehensive insulation ensures sufficient warmth in the mobile home.

Special features of camping in mobile homes

Bathing fans mainly come to the warm south of Europe to book one of the many types of accommodation for the hot summer days. Here, the hot summers and mild winters invite you to rent a tent all year round. Campers who appreciate more comfort and luxury opt for bungalows directly on the sandy beach, with a view of the wide, rushing sea. Windsurfers appreciate the short distance to the water in such conditions and thus the quick and easy transport route for their equipment. Divers go snorkelling in the morning and book a diving course in the immediate vicinity for the afternoon.

How about a mobile home right in the mountains? Even if you don't own a caravan, you can still enjoy a camping holiday in a home on four wheels. Travel by car to the Alpine regions of Austria, rent a mobile home and set off on mountain bike and hiking tours from there. Mountaineers and nature lovers love to spend their holiday directly in the fascinating mountain region and at the same time have a certain level of comfort - with a kitchenette with coffee machine, bed, bathroom and toilet. Dog owners are particularly drawn to campsites with holiday flats on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, as these regions are usually very dog-friendly. Long walks along wide beaches in mild temperatures promise great enjoyment for campers and their beloved four-legged friends.

Destinations for camping in mobile homes

In the north of Italy, the Enzo Stella Maris campsite is located directly on the Adriatic Sea and combines tradition and modernity. Holiday flats, chalets and mobile homes are surrounded by a fresh forest with an adjacent beach and sea as well as a pool area. A water park with water jets, slides and fountains guarantees fun and relaxation for the whole family. Those interested in culture can take part in an organised excursion to Venice and sporty campers can spend a lot of time in the fitness area.

On the Cote d'Azur in France, Camping La Baume - La Palmeraie rents out fully equipped wooden chalets and mobile homes with air conditioning for warm summer days as well as tents for glamping. Many families are attracted to this campsite by the many child-friendly activities on offer: six different swimming pools, some of which are heated and covered, playgrounds, a children's club and entertainment are real highlights at La Baume - La Palmeraie. Pleasure-seekers can treat themselves to a massage and sit in the whirlpool. Sports enthusiasts go to the bodybuilding or fitness room.

The good things are sometimes so close: the Lug ins Land spa and adventure campsite is located in the Black Forest in Germany. Between fruit trees, wide green fields and a view over the idyllic Rhine Valley, you can stay here in a rented mobile home, hut or holiday flat. Children love the petting zoo and adventure playground, horse lovers can go horse riding, divers can take a walk to the nearby quarry pond and golfers can hole their balls on one of the two 18-hole golf courses. There is also a health centre on site with a particularly extensive range of spa and wellness treatments.

Top tips

How well equipped the types of accommodation at the campsites actually are depends on the operator. Normally it is not necessary to bring camping equipment, and in some cases even towels, bed linen and the like are provided. However, you should find out about the facilities in advance: Missing utensils can simply be packed in the travel bag, which saves unpleasant surprises on arrival.

You should also enquire about local restaurants and shopping facilities in advance. How much you need to take with you on your camping holiday depends, among other things, on the infrastructure of the site. Some mobile homes in the north of Europe are referred to as "stugor". This simple wooden house with extensive insulation has a small kitchenette and a wooden veranda, but lacks any luxury. No toilet and a small size suggest that this is just a retreat. This type of accommodation is often booked for summer holidays in Sweden or Norway.

Especially with mobile homes, it is best to find out about the cooking facilities in the kitchen: not every camper likes to prepare their meals with a gas or spirit cooker as a self-caterer. They want a small cooker and a coffee machine for their morning coffee, which can be enjoyed in comfort on the wooden veranda with a view.

What about dog-friendliness in the rental accommodation? This is an important question if your beloved four-legged friend is coming with you on your camping holiday and should definitely be asked before you leave. Dogs are often welcome and some campsites even offer great extras, such as dog-sitting, dog trainers, separate beaches and separate showers.

In particularly large campsites with lots of holidaymakers and offers for luxury holiday flats, the desired peace and quiet and closeness to nature can sometimes be lost. For plenty of pleasant tranquillity in idyllic landscapes, rental accommodation on smaller campsites is recommended.

Activities and excursions

Camping in mobile homes is versatile, as it ranges from tents to caravans and holiday flats: different accommodation options and activities definitely make the holiday something unique.

Cultural excursions into the city

On the one hand, camping with a caravan offers a lot of freedom and flexibility, but this is especially true in the great outdoors. In the city, driving and parking with such a huge vehicle is not easy and so camping is associated more with nature than culture. With a mobile home, you can do both: travel by car, stay in one of the various types of accommodation on site and take the small vehicle into the surrounding towns to discover fascinating sights.

Gain new experiences

Not all holidaymakers have camped in a motorhome or tent before. But there is a first time everywhere and a camping holiday is exactly the right time to indulge in this experience. It's best to only rent such accommodation for a maximum of two nights at the beginning: if the caravan or wooden house with kitchenette doesn't offer enough space and the glamping tent doesn't provide enough comfort, the rest of the holiday can be spent in a mobile home, holiday flat or cabin on the campsite.