Camping in Switzerland

Fantastic mountain panoramas, picturesque lakes and unspoilt natural scenery: Switzerland is the perfect holiday destination for campers and anyone who enjoys spending their holidays in the great outdoors. PiNCAMP presents the best campsites in Switzerland and provides useful tips for camping holidays in the Alpine foothills.

Camping in Switzerland: General information for travellers

Regions

In the German-speaking Mittelland region, holidaymakers can park their motorhome near well-known cities such as Bern, Zurich, Basel or Lucerne or take a detour to one of the many medieval villages. In the only Italian-speaking canton, Ticino, campers will be happy under palm trees and in the sunshine. The French-speaking west of the country invites you to enjoy a camping holiday by the lake, while the Rhaeto-Romanic villages will delight you with their fantastic mountain scenery.

The Swiss Jura in the north, close to the German border, also has its own special charms and delights with its lakes and rivers. The camping paradise of Switzerland therefore has a variety of landscapes and offers the right holiday experience for almost every taste.

Is wild camping allowed in Switzerland?

A question that many campers ask themselves: Is wild camping allowed in Switzerland. Unfortunately, it's not that simple: wild camping is not generally prohibited, but there are no general rules on what is allowed and what is prohibited. In some cases, the rules also differ depending on the municipality and canton.

Generally permitted in Switzerland is

• Overnight stays by individuals (no groups) in the mountains, above the tree line
• If you spend several consecutive nights, you must take down your tent during the day
• Camping on private land, provided you have the landowner's permission
• Emergency bivouacking

Generally prohibited in Switzerland:

• Camping in nature reserves
• Camping in federal hunting areas
• Camping in the Swiss National Park
• Camping in wildlife rest areas
• Camping in places where access is generally prohibited

Tip: It is always best to enquire about the rules directly on site. It is best to call the municipal administration, the local tourist office, the hut warden or the landowner directly.

In general, it is advisable to behave respectfully towards nature when wild camping and try to find a suitable spot. Avoid making noise and behave considerately towards wild animals. Also, leave the site as you found it and do not leave any rubbish behind.

What you need to bear in mind when travelling to Switzerland

The easiest way to reach the small neighbouring country in the south of Germany is by motor vehicle. It is around 965 km from Berlin to Bern and the country, which is just under 300 km wide and 500 km long, is quickly crossed by car. The best route is via Basel, from where there are motorways to all major cities in Switzerland.

On the A3 towards Zurich, holidaymakers coming from Basel can stop at the Autogrill Pratteln service station and make a stopover. Here you can also find snacks and other things you need for your onward journey. If you want to travel to sunny Ticino during holiday periods or on public holidays, you should allow an extra hour or two for the Gotthard tunnel crossing. Travellers should also allow sufficient time in winter, depending on their destination. The passes are often closed due to snowfall and cars then have to be loaded onto trains. Also important: If you are travelling to Switzerland by motor vehicle, you must have a valid sticker visibly affixed to the windscreen. You can buy this at any petrol station, post office or customs office for 40 Swiss francs (approx. 35 euros). The vignette is valid for one year, i.e. until 31 January of the following year.

The most popular destinations in Switzerland

Enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere in Ticino, stop by for a hiking holiday in the Alps, sit by the lakeside on a warm summer evening in the Mittelland or simply unwind by Lake Lucerne: There are unforgettable camping opportunities in Switzerland.

Ticino

When you leave the Gotthard tunnel on your way to Ticino, the air feels a few degrees warmer and you are greeted by green wooded hills and almost obligatory sunshine. On Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore , beautiful campsites await you near the cities of Lugano or Locarno, and in nearby Bellinzona there are three medieval castles to admire. The palm trees and the Italian language do their best to create a holiday feeling on the Mediterranean.

Grisons

The campsites in this canton are ideal for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. With the nearby national park, there is an extensive hiking area right on the campsite visitors' doorstep. With a bit of luck, holidaymakers in this region can spot various animal species such as marmots, deer, chamois and even ibex.

Central Plateau

In the somewhat flatter part of Switzerland, where green hills gently slope down to clear lakes, camping enthusiasts can cool off in one of the many bodies of water after an eventful day on the water, hiking or cycling. Afterwards, you can admire the sunset on Lake Sempach, for example, or enjoy the evening twilight around a cosy campfire.

When is the best time to visit Switzerland?

In the summer months from June to August, the thermometer can quickly reach over 30 degrees Celsius. However, after a hot day, a short but heavy thunderstorm often cools the air down again. It can also get warm in autumn and spring, but holidaymakers should always expect cold spells or several days of rain. In winter, the higher you go, the longer and the more snow there is. It is therefore advisable to have a sufficiently insulated caravan with you for the cold season, possibly equipped with heating and snow chains. Please note that many campsites are closed from November to March. Depending on your interests, summer is ideal for swimming holidays, autumn and spring for hiking and the winter months for skiing and snow hiking tours.

What types of campsites are available in Switzerland?

The campsites in Switzerland are very different and have their own highlights depending on the location. That's why it's best to think about what kind of camping holiday you want before you go. Here are some tips on which regions are best suited to different requirements.

Nature camping

If you like camping in nature, it's very easy in Switzerland. Most campsites in Switzerland are already very close to nature and are in a pristine state with lots of greenery and unspoilt natural romance. In principle, every region in Switzerland is suitable for nature camping. However, we particularly like the Bernese Oberland, where there are some marvellous campsites in almost untouched nature.

Alpine camping

What would camping in Switzerland be without a view of the magnificent mountain panorama? Fans of mountain camping and extended mountain tours are in exactly the right place in Switzerland and will find a place where their dreams come true. The Alpine cantons of Valais or Graubünden are particularly good starting points, where Alpine lovers will find some of the most idyllically situated campsites in Switzerland.

5-star camping

In Switzerland, all campsites have a certain minimum level of quality. So you have to be very unlucky to find a bad campsite. However, 5-star campsites offer a number of additional amenities, such as restaurants with a particularly large selection, events and a wide range of shopping facilities on the campsite. You will find many excellent 5-star campsites in the populous canton of Bern.

Camping by the river

Switzerland not only has cinematic Alpine panoramas to offer, but is also a true water paradise. There are numerous opportunities to spend your camping holiday near a river - ideal for adventurous campers who have always wanted to try river rafting or canyoning.