Visiting European cities in an RV: The best places to park and stay overnight

Recently, it has become very fashionable to traveling through Europe in a camper van. Above all, the camper needs to be properly equipped, but it's a good idea to get to know European cities well beforehand so you know where to go. 

By camper across Europe 

In most countries a distinction is made between camping and parking. As for parking, European Union guidelines indicate that a motorhome is treated exactly the same as a car and in parking areas it can be parked with it, except, of course, in places where this is prohibited. The word parking has also been defined, and it is the parking of a motorhome whose wheels are in contact with the ground and around which there are no chairs or other elements that do not form a compact body of the vehicle. In addition, the windows must not be open, and no odors other than those associated with the operation of the engine must escape from the vehicle. Any deviation from the above rules is considered camping. This should be kept in mind because in some countries camping is allowed only in places designated for this purpose. It is worth noting that the ban overnight stays in an RV Outside camping applies in most European countries. Do not break the rules, as this can result in severe financial penalties. For example, in Germany and Austria, staying overnight outside of a campsite is allowed in a motorhome if it is not possible to continue driving due to fatigue. Unfortunately, very high fines are threatened for such behavior in Croatia and Slovenia. In the Netherlands, you are likely to be escorted immediately to the nearest campsite. In Portugal, the ban on wild camping for the night takes effect on January 9, 2021. However, this does not mean that there are no places where you can spend the night in an RV for free and legally. In Norway there are virtually no restrictions, and in Romania it is similar, only on private land you need the owner's permission. In Poland and France it is also better to ask permission. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that in Switzerland (under certain rules) it is also allowed to spend the night in the wild. After crossing our border, paying with a Polish card becomes unprofitable because banks have a high rate of currency conversion. In this case, it is worth setting up a foreign currency account Revolut, transfer zlotys to them and then exchange them for the country's currency at a very low exchange rate.

Zones for camping 

Not everyone is aware that special zones for wild camping are available in some countries. A good example is Spain, where many such places are located along the coast. If you would like to go there, you will be interested in the Playa De Quitapellejos beach in Palomares. It should be noted, however, that there are restrictions on local events such as festivals and concerts. In full season, some of these zones are unfortunately not available. You can find a list of current campgrounds in the city where you plan to stay online. In terms of price, Italy and Spain are the most expensive, while Scandinavia is the cheapest. If you are going camping in high season in Spain, then you need to take into account the expense of 50-80 EUR per night. It is worth noting that the rates in Norway are half as much. If you want to find the perfect place, just rely on your instinct as a searcher and explore the region. Choose a location where you yourself would like to wake up in the morning. For some, a secluded spot on a dirt road will suffice, while others will look for a shelter with benches by a lake. When going to another European country, the matter gets a little more complicated, because there are countries that, like Poland, take a liberal approach to sleeping in an RV, but there are some that accept overnight camping only. In some cities you can't even park an RV in the center. However, one should try to understand such actions, as they are caused by the huge number of tourists and crowded neighborhoods. In such a situation, one simply leaves the RV in a special parking lot and then takes public transportation to go sightseeing. 

Accommodations for campers 

Among the camper-friendly countries are: Scotland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Albania, Romania and Ukraine. However, it should be remembered that there are some restrictions there. Mostly it is a ban on camping in areas of national parks and nature reserves. In some cases, the criterion of distance from buildings must also be met. For example, it is a minimum of 150 meters in Norway, and in Albania it is forbidden to spend the night near administrative buildings. In Switzerland, it is not allowed to sleep in the wild in the resting places of wild animals during their protective period. Some countries have limits on staying in one place. This means that after one or two nights you have to look for a new accommodation. In countries that among Poles are a popular holiday destination the situation is quite different. There are well-equipped campgrounds, as well as free parking lots with camper infrastructure. Control of tourists can be maintained through bans on wild camping overnight. In Germany, the Netherlands or France, you can expose yourself to a fine if you violate this ban. Just a reminder that in some countries accommodation in an RV in the wild is allowed if the goal is to recuperate before continuing the journey.