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Table of contents

• 1. Roof tent camping: discover pitches for roof tents

• 2. Where am I allowed to sleep in a roof tent?

• 3. How much does a roof tent pitch cost?

• 4. Finding the perfect roof tent pitch with VanSite

• 4.1. Search by vehicle, region & amenities

• 4.2. Favourites & selection aids

• 5. Top 5 tips for your roof tent pitch search

• 5.1. Roof tent pitch app

• 5.2. Top 4 countries

• 5.3. Top 5 destinations in Germany

• 5.4. The 4 most popular categories

• 5.5. Top 3 articles

Roof tent camping: pitches for roof tents on meadows, farms & by the water

Tent on the roof, ladder down, zip open – and you're looking straight out into nature. Few ways of camping are as spontaneous as the roof tent. What's often missing is the right spot: a quiet, legal pitch for your roof tent where you can simply arrive in the evening.

That's exactly what you'll find here. Over 1,500 pitches across Europe are open to roof tent campers – on orchard meadows, at the edge of the forest, on farms or with a view of the water. Every roof tent pitch on this page is approved for cars with roof tents, so you don't need to ask whether your setup fits.

Under "Popular destinations" you'll find a first starting point for your next trip. Further down we show you where roof tent camping is allowed, what a pitch costs and how to find the right one in just a few clicks.

Where am I allowed to sleep in a roof tent?

The most important question for everyone new to roof tents: where is overnighting actually allowed? In Germany the rule is: as soon as you open up the roof tent, you're no longer "taking a break" but camping – and that is generally not permitted in public car parks, forests and nature reserves. In Austria, Italy, France and Spain the rules vary by region and fines are common.

The relaxed alternative: private pitches with hosts. Here you stay legally, with the owner's consent and usually just as close to nature as wild camping – without the guilty conscience and without a knock on the tent at six in the morning. Many hosts also offer a toilet, shower or breakfast.

On VanSite you can filter specifically for pitches that allow roof tents. That way you know before you arrive that your car with roof tent is welcome.

Discover legal roof tent pitches in Europe

How much does a roof tent pitch cost?

Prices for roof tent pitches depend on location, amenities and season. On VanSite most pitches for roof tent campers cost between €10 and €20 per night, with simple spots on private meadows available from €10. Water, electricity and sanitary facilities – where offered – are paid directly to the host.

If you travel often, take a look at the VanSite Annual Pass: with it you stay at over 1,000 pitches without further pitch fees, and get 50% off all others. For occasional campers there's the 25Pass as an affordable entry.

Finding the perfect roof tent pitch with VanSite

VanSite offers you nature-close pitches across Germany and Europe – often in the middle of the countryside, directly with private hosts. Alongside pitches for your roof tent you'll also find spots for motorhomes, caravans, campervans and ground tents.

On every pitch page you'll see the key information on amenities, surroundings, activities and how to contact the host – plus genuine reviews from campers who have already stayed there.

Search by vehicle, region & amenities

In just a few clicks you'll find suitable pitches for your roof tent. Enter your destination, select roof tent under the "vehicle" filter and add amenities such as toilet, shower or electricity if needed.

The fastest way to find a roof tent pitch nearby is to activate your device's location function. VanSite will then automatically show you pitches in your area – ideal when you're travelling spontaneously and still need a spot for tonight.

Favourites & personal selection aids

Filters such as amenities, location or activities help you choose. Sorting by popularity or price also supports your search.

With the favourites function you save interesting roof tent pitches and compare them later at your leisure. That way you plan your route step by step – with a pitch up your sleeve for every night.

Top 5 tips for your roof tent pitch search

Roof tent pitch app

With the free VanSite app you'll find nature-close pitches for your roof tent quickly and easily – in Germany and all over Europe. Save favourites, book directly from your phone and plan your trip on the go. Especially with roof tent camping, where you often decide spontaneously where to stay, the app is your most important companion.

Top 4 countries for roof tent camping

Beyond Germany, Europe has many destinations that are made for roof tents: short legs, plenty of nature and hosts who love having campers around. Four countries with a particularly large number of roof tent pitches:

France

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Austria

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Spain

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Italy

Tent & roof tent pitches · Search roof tent pitches

Top 5 destinations: roof tent pitches in Germany

Schleswig-Holstein: roof tent camping on the Baltic Sea

On the Baltic coast you'll find numerous nature-close roof tent pitches, often on small farms with views of fields, meadows or ponds. Places like Scharbeutz, Grömitz and Heiligenhafen are popular with everyone who wants to combine nature and the seaside.

Take your roof tent to the Baltic Sea

Bavaria: Allgäu, Chiemgau & Bavarian Forest

Bavaria is one of the most popular regions for roof tent camping. The choice ranges from alpine meadows in the Allgäu to spots by Lake Chiemsee and quiet forest edges in the Bavarian Forest – perfect if you want to step straight from the car into your hiking boots in the morning.

Roof tent pitches in Bavaria

Rhineland-Palatinate: Eifel, Moselle & wine regions

On the Moselle you often park your roof tent right next to the vineyard, with a view of the river and short walks to winegrowing villages. The Eifel and Hunsrück are great for hiking and cycling – ideal for a tour with several stops.

Roof tent pitches in Rhineland-Palatinate

Baden-Württemberg: Lake Constance area

The Lake Constance region is a great destination for roof tent campers who want to spend their trip close to the water. Here you'll find numerous pitches in quiet locations, often with access to small bathing lakes.

Roof tent camping at Lake Constance

North Rhine-Westphalia: Münsterland & Sauerland

The Münsterland and Sauerland are among the rural areas of NRW. You'll often find roof tent pitches here on spacious farms with direct access to nature – and with a short drive from the Ruhr area or Cologne, perfect for a spontaneous weekend.

Roof tent pitches in NRW

The 4 most popular categories for roof tent pitches

Travelling with a dog

Many pitches on VanSite are dog-friendly, with plenty of space to roam, nature and hiking trails right at the bottom of the ladder.

Discover roof tent camping with your dog

Roof tent pitch on the farm

For everyone looking for rural idyll and animals close by: pitches on farms offer peace, authenticity and often fresh eggs for breakfast.

Roof tent pitches on the farm

With toilet & shower on site

In a roof tent you don't carry your own bathroom – which makes the facilities on site all the more important. Many hosts offer a toilet and shower, some even electricity and Wi-Fi.

Find roof tent pitches with toilet & shower

Top-rated pitches for roof tents

Reviews are a valuable guide when searching for the right roof tent pitch. On VanSite the best-rated pitches are automatically shown as the first results, so you have the most popular options in view straight away.

Tip: Use the "verified pitches" filter to search specifically for places we have personally checked on site.

3 helpful articles about roof tents

Looking for more tips and information about camping with a roof tent?

Then these blog posts might interest you:

• Roof tent for your car: tips on choosing, mounting & camping

• Camping packing lists: the ultimate guide for beginners

• The top 20 camping gadgets for your camping holiday

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