Camping can seem like one of the best ways to travel sustainably – and it can be. However, some camping sites can also be polluting and wasteful, which decreases their eco-friendly credentials. If you are a conscious traveller on a tour of Europe looking for eco camping sites, discover below our selection of 10 eco camping sites across Europe.
10 Options for Eco Camping in Europe
Camping Gea Viva (Croatia)
Gea Viva is an eco-friendly island retreat camp located in Brac, Croatia. This camping site is great for travelling, but mostly to get away from busy everyday life and discover inner peace. There are yoga and meditation lessons, and alcohol, meat and drugs are not allowed.
The camping is entirely off-grid, using only rainwater and solar electricity, with compost toilets and solar showers. It is designed according to Permaculture principles and has a permaculture garden. If you are looking for a place to relax and meditate on what is more meaningful to you, then Gea Viva is an excellent place to get away!
Camping Piccolo Paradiso (Italy)
For mountain-lovers, Camping Piccolo Paradiso will be a great option! Situated in the region of Torino, Italy, you will be surrounded by nature, but still close to the local village. The camping site recycles more than 80% of its waste and uses energy-saving lights and water flow reducers. Plus, it offers great ecotourism itineraries, and there are many local activities to help you connect with nature, from climbing to horseback riding.
Camping La Serre (France)
This camping site is great for families looking for some quality time together! Located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, it has a soccer field, a swimming pool, a bike trail, among many other features. The camping uses 100% renewable energy, recycles almost all of its waste and uses ecological cleaning products. Although the camping is designed to be family-friendly, it is an excellent place for all sorts of people to relax and explore nature activities, such as hiking. Plus, it has a treehouse!
Camping Naturplac (Slovenia)
This camping is perfect for those who want to experience the full camping experiences but aren’t great fans of tents. Instead, Naturplac offers wooden huts or kočura to travellers (although you can still put up your tent if you want).
The camping also has a slackline, a badminton and beach volley court, and a mini-library for book lovers. It is located near the river Savinja, and it is an excellent place for relaxation, but you can also embark on adventures from kayaking to caving.
Naturplac is a family-friendly camping site that offers evening social gatherings and art workshops. It has a green building, an organic garden, implements more than 80% of waste recycling and uses solar energy for its hot water. If you want to explore the Slovenian countryside peacefully and sustainably, this is the place to be!
Ons Buiten (The Netherlands)
Ons Buiten is located in Oostkapelle, in The Netherlands, close to the beach. The camping is great for traditional campers and those looking for glamping experiences. It is child-friendly and has many sustainability features and wellness activities, such as yoga. It uses ecological cleaning products, energy-saving lights, and water flow reducers. You can access it without a car and rent bicycles to get to know the region.
The Three Towers Eco-House (Ireland)
This eco-resort in the Slieve Aughty Mountains (Ireland), with options for all kinds of travellers! Besides camping and glamping, it also has guest bedrooms and a certified organic restaurant. It uses 100% renewable energy, has green buildings and energy-saving lights. It recovers and reuses rainwater and has water-flow reducers. At the Three Tours Eco-House, you will discover an organic garden and eat delicious local organic food. There are many interesting cultural landmarks to visit around the area. The accommodations purposely do not include wifi or television to ensure you spend your time outdoors with your family or friends, discovering beautiful Irish landscapes. It is a family-friendly destination, with a play area for children and an Enchanted Forest. Slieve Aughty Mountains even has farm animals! It is truly a fantastic destination to discover in Ireland.
Ecocamping Fruška Gora (Serbia)
Camping in that National Park Fruška Gora is an excellent option for visitors who want to spend a night immersed in the beautiful nature of Serbia. It is very affordable and child-friendly, with a playground available for parents and kids. The food is locally grown, and the camping uses green buildings and energy-saving lights. They recycle most of the waste and try to limit water consumption. Situated at a natural park, you will have access to plenty of ecotourism itineraries to discover Fruška Gora. This is the ideal camping for backpackers and others looking for an adventure in nature.
Hunza Ecolodge (Hungary)
This camping is located near a forest in Southern Hungary. It offers different types of accommodation, including glamping and mini-camping, and a treehouse! The camping has green buildings and uses solar panels for hot water. You can access it without needing a car, and it has locally grown organic food. It uses energy-saving lights and reduces water consumption through water flow reducers and rainwater recovery.
Hunza Ecolodge provides tranquillity and privacy for campers. You can set up your tent at the border of the forest. There are many exciting activities and historical and cultural landmarks around. You have excellent access to discover the beautiful Hungarian countryside. From great wine to hot springs, Hunza Ecolodge is a great place for a relaxing vacation!
Off-Grid Finca Verde Glamping (Spain)
This camping is located on an olive farm in Catalunya, one of the most beautiful regions in Spain. You will have a fantastic view of the mountains and the opportunity to try several exhilarating activities, such as kayaking and mountain biking.
Sustainability is at the core of Finca Verde. That is why they grow their own organic food, invest in beekeeping and have hens for fresh daily eggs. The camping has a compost toilet and a cold outdoor shower. They only use ecological cleaning products. Renewable sources generate 100% of their energy, and the campsite is firmly against single-use plastic (don’t leave any plastic bottles behind!).
As if all of this was not enough, Finca Verde specializes in vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Breakfast is included, and you can buy vegetables to cook your food directly from the campsite. If you have always wanted to discover Spain, Finca Verde might be the best place to start!
Robinson Accommodation Freedom (Croatia)
This camping is located in Istria, a region of Croatia famous for its natural beauty. There is an organic garden so that you can collect vegetables and fruit for your meals. There are also many entertainment options available, from archery to football. The camping is family-friendly, with a playground for children.
As with other camping sites in this list, Robinson Accommodation Freedom only uses renewable energy and limits water consumption. It has green buildings and an eco-friendly toilet.
The campsite has social gatherings and relaxation places, such as campfire and barbecue areas. This is a fantastic place to relax and explore the beautiful Istria region!
Other Suggestions for Eco Camping in Europe?
We hope you enjoyed our selection of 10 sustainable campsites in Europe! As you can see, there are many fantastic places to discover. If you are looking for eco-friendly accommodation for your next trip but are unsure of where to find it, we highly advise you to use Eco BnB for your search. It is a platform with only sustainable tourism accommodation, and it provides you with all the necessary information regarding eco-friendly practices and amenities.
Choosing sustainable accommodation is not only great for the environment and reducing your carbon footprint, but it is also an investment in eco-friendly businesses. This is the best way to promote sustainable tourism and reward companies that implement environmentally-friendly business practices as a consumer.
Are you passionate about sustainability and travel? Then, discover more articles on our blog. From suggestions of ethical travel agencies to presenting the work of great social enterprises involved in sustainable tourism, you will have access to valuable and inspiring information that will help you become a better and more conscious traveler.