Austria, a country famously known for its Wiener Schnitzel and Viennese Apfelstrudel. Its rich culture attracts millions of visitors from all over the globe. However, there is more to the country than the typical tourist attractions: its untouched nature. From towering mountains to peaceful forests and colourful meadows, Austria has it all. That means that the best way to go camping in Austria is by staying at campsites in the heart of nature, which are also close to some of the historic towns and cities in the country. Not sure where to go? Here are the 7 best campsites in Austria.
1. Natterer See Campsite:
Location: Natterers (47.236805, 11.340020)
Rate: £10.04 - 24.64 per pitch per night (depending on the season and type of pitch). £6.66 - 10.50 per adult per night (depending on the season)
Suitable for: families with older children, couples, solo travellers
Opening: year-round
There is no doubt that Natterer See Campsite is one of the best places to go camping near Innsbruck. Built 90 years ago, this family campsite never fails to impress its guests. It’s nestled by the shores of Lake Natterer, promising campers spectacular views of nature without a shortage of activities. Want to take a hike? There are several trails that go around the lake to choose from! Want to experience an adrenaline rush from climbing? Tackle one of the 450 climbing routes in Innsbruck. Want to enjoy the water? Try out kayaking or rafting! Of course, the fun extends into winter as well -- a ski bus on site can take you to one of 9 resorts in the area so you can hit the mountains for the day! If you’re hoping to try out something unconventional, you can go tobogganing at night on illuminated paths.
The campsite is also nearby numerous tourist attractions, including the infamous Neuschwanstein Castle and the Swarovski Crystal Worlds. You’ll definitely regret not taking the time to visit some of the nearby sites. Luckily, the campsite offers information about excursions, so be sure to ask the help desk for an insider’s tips! Most importantly, Innsbruck is a short 20-minute drive, making it easy to visit the city whenever you want to!
If you’re worried about keeping your little ones entertained during your trip, then definitely consider staying here! The campsite has countless activities to keep children busy, including giant football, magic shows, and land Olympics.
2. Grubhof Campsite
Location: Sankt Martin bei Lofer (47.574084, 12.706473)
Price: £24.64- 41.06 per night for 2 adults per night (depending on the season)
Suitable for: all groups
Opening: year-round
Grubhof has proudly won many awards over the past years, including the excellence award from trip advisor. These awards were rightfully earned, the facilities and location of this campsite are top-notch. The campsite is surrounded by the towering Lofer and Leogang mountains, and the Berchtesgaden Alps. Because these formations were carved out from the water, they have intriguing shapes and formations scattered along their slopes. In the area, you’ll also find peaceful forests and blanketed green meadows to discover!
And of course, what better way to appreciate nature than by hiking? This campsite is actually the starting point for countless trails, and in the region offers over 400 km of trails and hiking tours, for explorers of all levels. The best part? You can hike over to Germany following some of the trails in the area! How many people can say that they’ve hiked to another country?
All the physical exercise must be exhausting. Luckily for you, the wellness facilities on site will help you relax. You can unwind at a sauna, book yourself an exquisite spa treatment, or pamper yourself with a well-deserved massage without leaving the campsite!
Worried about food? You also won’t have to leave the campsite for a hearty meal! The Grubhof restaurant is highly recommended by locals, and luckily for you, it’s also on-site. Its cosy wooden interior boasts of rustic cabin ambience. They even offer a small playroom for your children to keep themselves occupied as you enjoy a classic pint, or they can take on the outdoor playground if the weather is nice.
The campsite is open year-round, meaning they also offer some winter activities. The Lofer Alm ski resort is only 2km from the campsite and is known for being inexpensive and family-friendly. Some even consider it to be one of the most beautiful skiing spots in Austria. You’re also guaranteed to keep busy, seeing that the resort offers 46km of trails. Conveniently, there is a free ski bus that stops at the campsite every 30 mins, meaning you won’t have to worry about transportation!
3. Panorama Camping Sonnenberg
Location: Nüziders (47.170080, 9.807670)
Price: £8.21-15.06 for a pitch per night (depending on the season) £7.40-10.13 per adult per night (depending on the season)
Suitable for: families with older children, couples, solo travellers
Opening: April 30th - September 26th, 2021 (dates subject to change annually)
Travelling on a budget? Looking for a campsite with unbeatable views and excellent service? Then consider staying at Camping Sonnenberg. Nestled among the entrance of the five Alpine Valleys, you’ll have the opportunity to wake up to lush green hills and crisp fresh air you can only get when you step away from bustling city life. This is also the perfect place to take a step back and really immerse yourself in nature.
There are numerous activities to choose from at this campsite. You can kick off your day by enjoying fresh pastries from the bakery on-site -- you’ll need the energy for your active days.
You can start off by taking a peaceful hike along one of the numerous hiking trails near the site. There’s a path for everyone, whether it may be a family-friendly route, a challenging path, or even a little hiking tour! For those adrenaline junkies that enjoy climbing, then be sure to check out the climbing routes by the site. Because of the geological diversity in the area, you can climb limestone, granite, conglomerate, sandstone, granite, and gneissic rocks. Alternatively, if you’re hoping to explore the area in a more laid back manner, rent a bike and enjoy some of the easier bike paths.
The campsite is also the perfect starting point for numerous day-trip excursions to surrounding countries! Pop by the flower island of Mainau in Germany for a day, and sign up for a Swiss Lakes tour later on during the week. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay in Austria, this is a great place to go camping near Salzburg. It’s roughly a 1-hour drive, so you can always visit the city for a day!
Of course, the best insight you’ll get is from locals who know the area like the back of their hand, and luckily for you, that includes the staff on this campsite. They’re willing to offer you advice on which activities are most suitable for your interests, and how to access them. They’ll guarantee you won’t have a dull moment during your stay!
4. Salzburg Panorama Camping Stadtblick
Location: Salzburg (47.828622, 13.052393)
Price: £11.86-13.69 per pitch per night (depending on the season) and £7.71-8.62 per adult per night (depending on the season)
Suitable for: couples, families with older children, solo travellers
Opening times: year-round
While this may not be one of the more ‘luxurious’ campsites on this list, Salzburg Panorama Camping definitely has one of the best locations to go camping near Salzburg! This small family-owned campsite is located in the outskirts of Salzburg, with stunning panoramic views of the city. The campsite itself is known for its greenery and offers lovely shade from the warm sun during the summer. Staying in Salzburg can be expensive and difficult with a motorhome, making this the perfect campsite for your trip. Salzburg's city centre is easily accessible from the campsite -- only a 10-minute ride on the trolley!
There is no shortage of activities around the site. Step back in time by visiting the charming Salzburg Old town. A renowned UNESCO world heritage site, the cobbled streets and baroque architecture will make you fall in love with the city. It’s the perfect place for an evening stroll, and also home to one of the best shopping strips in the city: the Getreidegasse shopping street.
And of course, can you really visit Salzburg without passing by important landmarks in the phenomenal musician Mozart? The birthplace of this celebrated classical musician is one of the most visited museums in the world! It contains relics celebrating the composer’s life: ranging from details of his childhood to musical instruments he owned and composed with! Although this is the most important Mozart museum in the city, be sure to take some time to visit the Mozart residence. Although the building was destroyed in WWII, it was reconstructed to resemble the original building. The museum gives insight on how Mozart and his family lived, with displays of their day to day lives.
Salzburg is a historical city, and St. Peter’s Abbey is excellent proof of this. It’s the oldest monastery from the German-speaking era, and is also home to the oldest library in Austria! The library isn’t easy to access aside from selected guided tours, however, you can visit the Long Gallery, which displays countless impressive paintings.
You can even choose to take a day off to explore the surrounding nature! The Gaisberg Mountain lies just beyond the outskirts of Salzburg, and is the perfect place to go for a hike. There are numerous hiking trails to choose from and you're guaranteed to find one suited for your skill level. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, then be sure to consider paragliding!
5. Camping Wien West
Location: Wein (48.214694, 16.250343)
Price: £7.76-13.69 per pitch per night (depending on the season) and £7.30-8.21 per adult per night (depending on the season)
Suitable for: families, couples, solo travellers
Opening: year-round
The best camping trip in Austria would be incomplete without visiting Vienna. But you don’t have to stay in the middle of the city to enjoy a trip! Camping Wien West is situated at the edge of the Vienna Woods, just 30 minutes away from the Vienna city centre. This gives you the perfect balance between nature and city: 45 kilometres of Vienna forest to explore, while also remaining close to some of Vienna’s greatest hotspots.
The campsite is perfectly simple and offers excellent services and facilities. Fresh bread rolls are seasonally offered in the morning, a great addition to your breakfast. There is also a barbeque area which is the perfect place to cook your dinner. During high season, local bands are invited to play there! And let’s be honest, your dinner is always better with live music. The campsite also offers bike rentals if you’re planning on exploring the forest along some of the winding bike trails. You can always ditch the wheels and follow a hiking path instead if you prefer! On-site, you’ll also find a small playground where children can run wild with their imaginations.
There are numerous activities nearby the site as well! The Schönbrunn Palace is only 20 minutes away from the campsite. This palace was home to Austrian royalty since the 1600s and is now open to the public as a museum to give people an insight on how Austrian royalty lived in the past. There are 1441 rooms in the palace, so be sure to keep a day free to explore! The palace is also known for its beautiful gardens that span over roughly 1 kilometre. You can spend hours walking around looking at the colourful flowers and impressive fountains scattered around the garden. Fuch’s Villa and Museum is also nearby the site, and guests are eligible for a discount! This 19th-century villa was renovated by the Austrian artist Ernst Fuchs and displays his paintings, sculptures, and furniture. It’s definitely a spot you cannot miss if you enjoy art.
There is also a lot to see and do in Vienna itself! Here are a few places you certainly cannot miss:
- The Natural History Museum: Has over 30 million objects on display, ranging from fossils, to various insects, to precious stones, and ancient fossils
- St. Stephen’s Cathedral: a staple of Vienna, this cathedral boasts of remarkable architecture, both inside and outside. Climb up the tower for the best views of the city!
- Christmas Markets: if you’re visiting during winter, you simply cannot miss the markets. The cosy stalls sell all sorts of trinkets (and of course, snacks and mulled wine) which are always fun to look at.
6. Schwimmbad-Camping Hall
Location: Hall in Tirol (47.284714, 11.496111)
Price: £18.25 per night for two adults, including electricity
Suitable for: families with younger children
Opening: May-September (dates subject to change annually)
Schwimmbad-Camping Hall is perfect for families looking for a peaceful place to go camping near Innsbruck while on a budget. The city is just a short 20-minute drive from the campsite. Take the day to explore this alpine gem, or even treat yourself to dinner in the city centre.
At the campsite, you’ll be able to wake up to the spectacular view of snow-capped mountains and listen to cheerful birdsong as you enjoy breakfast. The site is just beyond the historic town of Hall in Tirol, giving you the opportunity to experience the classic charm of a small Austrian town.
Although the campsite is on the smaller side, there is definitely no shortage of activities for all to enjoy. The site has a fantastic children’s playground and offers guests free access to a pool with beach volleyball just next to the site -- the perfect way to cool off from the summer sun. Be sure to take some time to walk through the cobbled town and take in the colourful buildings that decorate it. The Hasseg Castle is a staple of the town, and is now a coin museum open to the public! Opened in early 1300, the castle became a site for manufacturing coins! This continued for 500 years until production was halted due to Napoleonic Wars and difficulty accessing silver.
7. Romantik Camping Wolfgangsee:
Location: Abersee (47.739812, 13.402749)
Price: £7.94-12.32 (depending on the type of pitch and season) £6.11-7.20 per adult per night (depending on the season)
Suitable for: all groups
Opening: April 15th - October 18th (dates subject to change annually)
Austria is no stranger to lakes, which are especially popular during the summer season. Luckily for you, this campsite is the perfect place to have a relaxing summer holiday swimming in the blue waters of the Wolfgangsee lake. In fact, you can even opt for a pitch right on the shores of the lake, so your quick morning dip in the water is just a few metres away from your motorhome!
Romantik Camping Wolfgangsee is family-run and offers an extremely cosy setting and excellent service. In fact, the campsite facilities are built using wood from the family’s forest as a contribution to the sustainable protection of the climate and natural environment of the region.
There is a lot to do on-site. You can choose to rent a paddleboard or kayak from the site and explore the waters of Wolfgangsee lake. During your adventure, you’ll be able to see the silhouette of the historic town of St. Gilgen. If you’re looking for something to really get your blood rushing, go cliff jumping by some of the cliffs towering the lake! Alternatively, you can choose to have a relaxing hike along the Scharbert and Zwölferhorn mountains.
You can take a break from the outdoors by relaxing at the newly built beach house. And if you’re getting hungry, pass by the convenience store on-site, or grab some hot food from the food truck that regularly stops by the campsite.
Take a step outside the site for a day and explore the region. You can rent a bike from the site, and go off-road to explore the hidden natural gems. There are also numerous hiking paths off-site to enjoy. For those of you with younger children, be sure to take a moment to pass by the petting zoo along the Zickenbach trail. The trail leads to the Zickenbach gorge and passes along colourful meadows and lush green forests, a path people of all ages can enjoy.
All things considered, it isn’t difficult to see why this is one of the best campsites in Austria!
Now that you are armed with the knowledge of where to stay when you embark on the best camping trip in Austria, you just need to rent a motorhome to be completely ready. Not sure where to look? Goboony has got you covered. In just a few clicks, you can hire a motorhome. Make a proper trip out of it, and explore the secret treasures of Germany before heading to Austria! Pack your bags and hit the road, the country of historic castles and untouched nature is waiting for you.
