Writer: Helena Bergström
Can you free camp in such a dreamy way – on a beach with a view of the sea or with high mountains as a backdrop – or is it prohibited everywhere? We get this question very often, and here we will try to answer as best as possible.
Dreamy free campsites
Dreamy free camping, what is that? There are probably many different ideas about this, but usually it involves parking your camper/caravan/van overnight in a nice spot with a nice view, without going into a campsite or pitch. Is it possible? Yes, sometimes, and sometimes not…
What is allowed?
Europe consists of many different countries, so the rules differ from country to country. Sometimes the rules within the same country differ from region to region. We have summarized the rules, somewhat roughly, in this post:
What is allowed – often vague
What is and is not allowed when camping is often a bit vague. For example, if ‘fricamping’ is prohibited, what does that actually mean? Can you sleep a few more hours in your vehicle to continue driving safely if you are very tired?
Is sleeping itself prohibited or is camping behavior (folding out the awning / taking out the chairs) not accepted? It can be a little different, and it’s not always completely clear.
Many “depend on” – place, season…
What is allowed, or what is tolerated, often includes a lot of ‘depends’. For example, it is common for there to be bans (and for bans to be observed!) on beaches, protected natural areas and areas with many tourists and during high season. The countryside somewhere, in low season – usually more options!
So, is it possible to freecamp?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to freecamp, but not everywhere. In some countries and regions it should be avoided completely, and in other places it can be fine. In countries where sheep fricampa obviously varies the rules, but the following guidelines are usually a good starting point:
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- Drive on the road – not off-road or in nature.
- Stop in a parking lot, rest area or other place intended for motor vehicles.
- Avoid protected areas such as nature reserves and beaches.
- Follow the rules and instructions on the signs.
- Do not camp freely in areas that are too touristy and not too close to residential buildings.
- See what other users have written about the location in the Park4Night app.
- Avoid camping behavior – do not fold down the awning or remove the garden furniture.
- Do not disturb and do not litter.
Can you freecamp like that in a “dreamy” way?
But the question remains: can you find those dreamy free camping spots with sea or mountain views… or is it an illusion? Our answer is that man can find these places – especially if you are traveling in low season, in less densely populated areas and in a country where the rules are not too strict. We have found fantastically beautiful and dreamy free campsites in Sweden, Finland, Estonia and France, among others.
Gentlemenit may be good to be prepared that it is not so easy to find these places. If you’re traveling through Europe in a campervan, don’t expect to see these places often – quite the opposite!
It is often advisable to take it with you to a campsite or pitch – then you know it is legal while you have access to service. Sometimes you camp somewhere in a simple and boring parking lot. In rare cases – yes, then you will find that dreamy place, which will be a wonderful memory of the trip!
What are your experiences with fricamping?
What are your experiences with fricamping? Have you ever found really dreamy places to spend the night?
#freecamp #dreamily #forbidden