In 2024, Germany’s camping scene just smashed records – campsites hosted roughly 42.9 million overnights, as DESTATIS (the German Federal Statistical Office) noted. That’s a modest bump from last year’s 42.3 million, and when you look back to pre-pandemic days in 2019 (around 35.8 million), it’s nearly a 20% jump. Twenty years of steadily rising popularity of camping in Germany seem to feed a never-ending appetite for the outdoors.
It’s wild to think that camping in Germany, which logged about 21.4 million nights in 2004, has now nearly doubled to 42.9 million by 2024. Sure, the COVID years of 2020 and 2021 – when travel was all over the place – knocked the numbers down, but the recovery was impressive. When you compare that to overall accommodation, which went up by 46.4% in the same timeframe, it really highlights camping’s special appeal.
Top Camping Destinations in Germany
Across Germany, nature seems to be casting its spell on campers. For example, the Baltic Sea coast in Schleswig-Holstein led the way with 3.4 million nights, almost all coming from within the country (about 3.3 million). The Black Forest wasn’t far behind at 2.6 million, while spots like the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony (1.9 million) and Bavarian Allgäu (1.8 million) also attracted plenty of attention. Interestingly, regions like Western Pomerania (1.7 million) and the Mecklenburg Baltic coast (1.6 million) even edged out the Lake Constance-Upper Swabia area this year – a noticeable shift from 2023. European visitors, notably leaning towards southwest Germany, favored the Black Forest (739,000 nights), with the Moselle-Saar region (338,000), Eifel (256,000), Lake Constance-Upper Swabia (226,000) and the Allgäu (160,000) trailing thereafter.
Camping Strongholds: Lake Districts Lead
Take the Franconian Lake District – it pretty much locked in its role as Germany’s camping hotspot, with nearly 45.8% of all guest overnights in that region happening at campsites. Other lake districts aren’t shy either; the Lusatian Lake District saw 36.3% of stays at campsites, the Hegau area on Lake Constance recorded 31.2%, Holstein Switzerland came in at around 30.0% and the Mecklenburg Switzerland and Lake District registered 24.6%. When you compare these numbers to the national average of just 8.6%, it really stresses how much lake regions lure campers eager for a slice of natural beauty and outdoor fun.
Rising Costs for Campers
Even though camping in Germany is still seen as an affordable travel option, prices are definitely on the up. By 2024, motorhome parking spaces were, roughly speaking, about 27.7% pricier than in 2020 – and campsite fees weren’t far behind with a jump of 24.6%. Those increases even outstripped the overall 23.1% rise in accommodation prices and a 19.3% push in general consumer costs since 2020. Despite these steeper fees, camping’s blend of cost-effectiveness, freedom, and a deep connection to nature still keeps its popularity rock solid.
A Bright Future for Camping in Germany
The ongoing boom in camping isn’t just a fleeting trend; it mirrors a broader shift where more holidaymakers are after sustainable, nature-centered getaways. Whether you’re drawn to the Baltic Sea’s breezy shores or the mysterious depths of the Black Forest, Germany’s campsites offer a rich mix of choices for both locals and visitors from abroad. With camping steadily embedding itself as a key component of the country’s tourism mix, many believe that the best—and record-breaking—years are still to come, even if the path forward isn’t perfectly straight.
