Parking space search made easy

Where can I find camping or parking spaces?

There are now a variety of apps and platforms to search for parking spaces that can be used when researching. Our favorite is camping app, because here you can find all types of camping, parking and parking spaces. Die camping app helps you find over 40,000 places across Europe. From campground to private parking space. Regardless of whether you are traveling with a van, motorhome, caravan or (roof) tent. You can set practical filters, such as whether dogs are allowed or whether the site is currently open at all. You can also filter according to specific equipment criteria, location, price, etc., and thus find the perfect place for you.

‍

Camping or free-standing? Or is there something else in between?

Campsites generally offer the advantage that you can set up a small “base” there and expand a bit with all the equipment you need. In addition, you can enjoy the comfort of a sanitary building, electricity connection and often other amenities such as a small supermarket, bakery service, children's playground, pool, etc.

While some don't want to miss out on this minimum level of comfort or value places with lots of infrastructure, others prefer to be vacant. However, the latter is not entirely legal in most cases and has led to problems in the past, such as garbage in parking lots and higher environmental pollution — more on that below.

‍

‍

‍

‍

For this reason, there are now numerous parking portals and booking platforms that offer natural yet legal camping opportunities on private property. Our favorites, which, by the way, are also all in the camping app We will introduce you to them here:

Vansite.eu offers natural parking spaces and is a legal alternative to wild camping in Europe. Here you can camp with private hosts on natural sites with your motorhome, caravan or (roof) tent: “From green fields, by the sea, on the farm to lakeside cookies with shower and toilet — here you will find your dream parking space via vansite.eu or the free app.

Nomady.Camp offers the perfect parking space for every taste and preference, from secluded forest clearings to idyllic mountain meadows. Particular emphasis is placed on sustainability and environmental protection. Nomady merged with the MyCabin booking platform at the beginning of 2024 and made it their joint mission to offer campers the “perfect retreat with great hosts.” As a result of the merger, Nomady now offers even more parking spaces, particularly in southern Germany and Switzerland.

AlpacaCamping is also a platform that enables campers to discover remote and natural campsites without sacrificing comfort. The sites offered are not just farms, but, contrary to what the name might suggest, there are not alpacas everywhere ;-) Alpaca Camping has also already published two camping guides: one with secret camping tips and one especially for caravan sites. A particular highlight is the VanSite Annual Fun: The annual pass costs 189€ once and is basically a parking flat rate. This allows you to camp for 12 months on thousands of campsites across Europe for 0€ accommodation costs.

We are happy to work with all three portals and often include these sites in our route plans, as they provide an attractive and sustainable alternative to wild camping. In addition, there are also providers such as Country fun or the French counterpart France Passion, which have focused on overnight stays on farms. However, just like VanSite, Nomady and Alpaca Camping, these places can often be found in the camping app.

In general, we are big fans of private, natural places because we think: Travel destinations are often even more authentic to experience when you get in touch with locals directly — and how could that be easier than staying with them on their farm? :-)

Wild camping vs. restoring roadworthiness

‍

Who doesn't know them: The fantastically beautiful Instagram pictures of wonderful parking spaces right by the sea, with mountain views, in the middle of nature. Lonely and deserted, with no other campers around. However, what is being celebrated on social media often has nothing to do with reality and is also forbidden in most European countries.

What is usually allowed is that Stay overnight to restore your ability to drive. But what does that actually mean?

In order to restore fitness to drive, a parking period of up to ten hours can usually be assumed. Parking is generally permitted in Germany where it is not expressly prohibited, as set out in Section 12 of the Road Traffic Code (StVO).

However, it should be noted that the motorhome must not weigh more than 2.8 tons when using public parking space that allows parking on the sidewalk. In addition, any existing parking markings must not be crossed.

However, all of this applies to pure parking: The use of awning, camping table and chairs outside the vehicle is considered camping behavior considered and is therefore expressly prohibited as wild camping in Germany, as well as in most other European countries.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Standing alone is therefore not as easy as it sometimes sounds, and anyway, there are a few more rules to follow, for which we are happy to quote the account @campierenmitmanieren:

‍

1. Only camp and park where allowed.

2. Leave places cleaner than you found them

3. Respect your fellow human beings, campers and residents.

4. Be in harmony with nature.

5. Emergency in nature: Whether big or small, keep the environment clean.

6. Only light open fires in designated areas, observe forest fire levels and nature reserves.

7. Campers are not pack animals. If the space is already full, find another location.

8. Be friendly, positive, and don't judge others.

9. Keep an eye on your dog and on a leash. The remains should be collected and disposed of in a trash can.

10. Keep your parking spaces to yourself. Discover for yourself and don't share it with the public.

‍

Say: Take your trash with you, including toilet paper, and ideally pick up trash that's already lying around. Don't cut off any branches and stay calm. Be friendly to residents and other campers and don't unpack all your equipment.

In our route plans, we only recommend places where camping is legal. Should you still find yourself embarrassed about being free while out and about, please abide by these rules and be aware of your responsibility. Because with responsible camping, we can all help protect and preserve our natural resources for future generations.