6 top camping regions in the alpine region
Allgau instead of Australia, Ticino instead of Turkey. Camping vacations will be trendy in 2021. According to the ADAC, campers this season prefer close destinations, but it may be a little more luxurious. From a 1001-night spa to a sports arena – these campsites between Munich and Merano leave nothing to be desired.
1. Hopfensee in the Allgau
Glamping and Kneipp on the lake beach
On the western shore of the Hopfensee lake near Fussen in the Allgau region, people have been camping for over 60 years, both summer and winter, and at 5-star level: in addition to plenty of space for mobile homes and tents, Camping Hopfensee offers modernly equipped vacation homes and an apartment for 2 to 6 people. Children can play in the swimming pool, playhouse, sports hall, football and tennis courts or on the private beach. The highlight of the facility in southwestern Bavaria is the 1001-night spa with steam bath, pine wood parlor and gemstone sauna, as well as a variety of treatments from Bach flower full-body massage to orange oil salt scrub.
Special feature: Kneipp cures are also offered in the wellness area. Only a stone’s throw away are several free Kneipp experience areas, including the floating Kneipp island, thought benches with Kneipp quotes and a herb spiral. They were recently created as part of the EU project “Lebensspur Lech” at and in the Hopfensee lake.
More information: www.trace of life lech.com
2. Ticino in Switzerland
Camping with boat harbor
Nearly 40 sites on rivers and lakeshores, in valleys and on mountains up to 1,000 m high.750 meters make the Mediterranean Ticino Switzerland’s number one camping destination. Some international travel guides even rank it among the best in Europe.
In Tenero, on the sunny northeastern shore of Lake Maggiore, lies the 5-star Campofelice Camping Village, listed among other things as “ADAC Superplatz 2021” and “DCC Europa-Preis winner” . On 15 hectares, more than 700 pitches, modern sanitary facilities, restaurants, a private boat harbor and a sandy beach are at guests’ disposal. In addition to the new wellness area with three pools, sauna and steam bath, the sports facilities include tennis courts, kayak tours, beach volleyball and a BMX track.
Who would like to follow the Glamping trend, selects from 56 colorful Bungalows, 17 River Lodges or 5 Igloo Tubes. Also a swing of Swing the World decorates since short the Campofelice area – directly at the bank of the Lago Maggiore holiday-makers let dangle there legs and soul. Thanks to the “Ticino Ticket”, guests in Ticino can use public transport free of charge during their stay, and there are also discounts on admission to the main leisure facilities, mountain railroads and shipping companies.
More information: ticino.ch/campings
3. Merano in South Tyrol
Camping for spa lovers
Around the spa town of Merano you’ll find a variety of campsites – but three of them also grant discounted admission to South Tyrol’s signature spa, Therme Merano: Camping Bungalows Adler (4 stars, Adults Only) in Naturno, the only adult spa in the country, Schlosshof Resort Luxury Camping (5 stars) and Camping Arquin (4 stars) in Lana. Guests of these three top establishments receive, for example, an upgrade to the day pass when they purchase the 3-hour spa ticket during certain time periods. As part of the “MySpa Special”, camping holidaymakers can also reduce the cost of the Pool Suite Magic Moments package by 20 percent to 200 EUR.
4. St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
Between lodge and lofty heights
Best conditions for vacation in a mobile accommodation also offers the Austrian region St. Anton on the Arlberg. A few kilometers from the “World Village” St. Anton, for example, in Pettneu there are two optimally connected 4-star sites. Beside classical camping there is in the ArlBerglife Ferienresort apartments as well as three Lodges A 60 square meters with kitchen, Flat TV, private garden inclusive grill as well as own sauna. All 145 pitches of Camping Arlberg have their own multifunctional private bathroom in the biological 8-square-meter wooden cottage.
During the day, tours into the surrounding Tyrolean mountains entice you, for example via the Stocklweg to the historic Nessler Alm in a northerly direction or southwards to the picturesquely situated Malfon Alm with panoramic views of the Lechtal Alps. Regular buses run from Pettneu to St. Martin. Anton am Arlberg (with summer card you go for free). Camping pleasures without stings: Thanks to the altitude as well as climatic conditions in St. Anton am Arlberg the living conditions for mosquitoes are unfavorable – a blessing not only for the night’s rest.
More info: www.stantonamarlberg.com
5. Berchtesgaden in Upper Bavaria
Luxury camping with mountain scenery
Quiet and sunny lies the terraced resort campsite Allweglehen on the edge of the National Park Berchtesgaden/Upper Bavaria. In addition to a total of 28 spacious luxury panorama sites for mobile homes, the family-friendly 5-star area also offers glamping in the form of cozy chalets, wood lodges, camping barrels as well as the wooden alpine chalets. Bookable for several people at a time, vacationers enjoy unique views of the Berchtesgaden mountain peaks from the accommodations.
The heated outdoor pool is open in summer as well as in winter for young and old alike. Those who long for relaxation afterwards can take advantage of the extensive wellness offer including steam bath, Finnish sauna as well as various cosmetic treatments. The restaurant with a daily changing menu and many specialties from the region offers culinary delights. In summer there is also a beer garden with typical Bavarian hospitality.
More info: www.berchtesgaden.en
6. Tyrolean Lech Valley, Austria
Nature experience with vital bath
Hiking in mountain huts, alpine tours – and all that directly from Lechtal Camping Vorderhornbach. The vacation resort in the Tyrolean Lechtal is considered the ideal base camp for exploring the unique nature park region in the Lechtal and Allgau Alps. In addition to a huge tent meadow, there are more than 40 pitches ranging from 30 to 128 square meters available to visitors there. New are the rustic huts and construction caravans for 2 to 4 persons.
The highlight of the camping resort is the Badino natural adventure pool, open from mid-May to September. Fed by fresh mountain spring water of the Vorderhornbacher local mountain Grubachspitze, the family-friendly vitality pool is cleaned without chemicals only by natural filters and plants. Only natural building materials were used for the entire facility. Other highlights include a diving rock, a play stream and a liana for young and old. Adjacent to the spacious green area of the nature adventure pool is the bistro “Almwiesngaudi”, where guests can enjoy the unique mountain scenery together with delicious food on the sun terrace.
More information: www.lechtal.at
Rent a camper
Even if some still like to slip into a tent, compact mobile homes are becoming more and more popular. If you don’t want to buy a camper right away, you can also rent the vehicle of your choice, for example through Holiday Extras at over 180 rental stations throughout Europe. Here you can find more landlords.