Published Reviews of 40 Campsites
in Eastern and Northern Europe

Margaret Williamson
May - October 2019

The following 40 reviews of campsites in England, Germany, Slovenia, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Finland, Norway, Sweden, East Germany, Czechia, Austria and Italy have been published on the ACSI website. The ACSI organisation inspects and publishes full details of 9,900 inspected campsites throughout Europe on the continent's most visited camping website, along with maps, photographs and reviews by campers of all nationalities. In addition, possession of the Camping Card ACSI gives good off-season discounts in 3,400 of the campsites in the scheme.

I wrote all the reviews in the summer of 2019 during a 7,700-mile (12320 km) motorhome journey from England to Italy, during which Barry and I also cycled 2,900 miles (4600 km). In four instances I also include an earlier review from a previous visit, for comparison. Venice marked the end of this journey and the start of the next, on a ferry to Igoumenitsa in Northern Greece.

The numbering, where applicable, relates to a Table of Distances and Brief Remarks on all 57 of the campsites we visited during our travels in the summer of 2019. Some of the many photographs taken during the journey appear on our MagBazPictures Website.

1. The Port of Hull where overnight P&O ferries leave for Belgium and the Netherlands   2. The Meeting Point of Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece   3. The Wolf's Lair where Hitler lived for over 800 days during World War Two   4. The Easternmost Point of the Mainland European Union (Cyprus is much further East)   5. The Northernmost Point of Finland and of the European Union   6. Jokkmokk (The Sami Capital in Swedish Lapland) 3 miles inside the Arctic Circle   7. Hammerdal halfway along Sweden's 1,015-mile-long Inlandsvagen (Inland Road)   8. Ferry from Trelleborg (Sweden) to Rostock (Germany)   9. Venice using Camping Fusina less than a mile from the ANEK ferry terminal 10. Camping-on-Board the overnight ferry (26 hours) from Venice to Igoumenitsa  11. Igoumenitsa the Greek port near the border with Albania

FINLAND (21): PORVOO, Sun Camping Kokonniemi

A wooded campsite 2 miles from the centre of Porvoo, about 40 miles east of Helsinki. The unmarked pitches are on uneven grass – so sloping that every outfit had to use levelling ramps and pray that it would not rain and make the ground soft. The 'free' WiFi only worked if sitting outside Reception, the facilities were just about adequate, and the kitchen, with washing up, kettle and microwave, is accessed by 21 steps! It is an easy cycle ride (or long walk) into the interesting Old Town, but hardly worth the price of staying, as the camping charge is the highest we have ever paid anywhere (despite the small discount for the Camping Key Europe card).

FINLAND (22): LAPPEENRANTA, Camping Huhtiniemi

Next to a dismal (long-closed) Youth Hostel, there is a large campsite on two levels, the lower part by Lake Saimaa being for tents and small campervans. The upper level has an area of reasonably level hard-standing, though the rest is sloping and grassy. There is a small café with free WiFi at Reception. The cramped toilets and showers are seriously inadequate and in need of refurbishment. The chemical WC dump was especially disgusting. The indoor kitchen has a microwave and kettle, though the two electric cookers have no shelves – something I pointed out to management when staying here two years ago! Lappeenranta, with its harbour, boat trips and fortress, is about 2 miles away (with cycle paths). This site needs a thorough revamp – or a drastic price reduction.

FINLAND (23): JOENSU, Joensu Caravans at Jokiasiema Marina

The nearby campsite was full (there was an International Food Festival for the weekend in Joensu) so we used this Camperstop at the marina. It has level hardstanding for caravans and motorhomes (no tents), electric hook-ups and an excellent self-service cafe with a breakfast buffet and free WiFi. The facilities, shared with the boats, include good modern toilets, showers and sauna, drinking water, one washing up sink, plus a washing machine and drier for a small fee.  There is also a public emptying point for chemical toilets just along the road. Easy access along a riverside foot/cyclepath to the centre of Joensu, a very pleasant city.

FINLAND (25): NURMES, Camping Hyvarila

Staying on the summer campsite below the hotel was again a good experience, and good value with the third night free of charge. The larger of the two facility blocks has clean modern WC/showers, as well as a very large fully equipped campers' kitchen/dining room with a lounge area and TV. Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets were available at the hotel, and very reasonably priced. The site is in an excellent location by the lake - and an easy ride on cycle paths into Nurmes. Sadly, the free WiFi at the hotel does not reach the campsite.

FINLAND (26): KUUSAMO, Kuusamon Portti YH/Camping

Small area of hard-standing with electric hook-ups by a lake, behind the restaurant and next to the youth hostel, convenient for a night stop on the highway, 16 km south of Kuusamo. No facilities except use of WC and shower in the modern youth hostel, which were very good. Did not try the restaurant but did enjoy a peaceful walk by the lake and a visit from two reindeer. Free WiFi only at the restaurant.

FINLAND (29): SODANKYLA, Nilimella Camping

Returning to the campsite, the comments I made 2 years ago still apply. The laundry has 2 new coin-op washing machines and a drier, but the WC/shower block is overdue for refurbishment. The grass camping area is boggy when wet, though the hedged pitches around Reception are firm. As well as the northernmost Lidl in the world, the town has an excellent Lapland Food Shop (Kermainen) - buy a 6-pack of their cream of reindeer soup!

In September 2017 I wrote: A short walk across the river bridge to the town centre. Sodankyla has plenty of shops (with the world's northernmost Lidl) and places to eat, as well as riverside walks and a 17thC wooden church. The spacious campsite has individual hedged pitches near Reception, with more places down on the open field nearer to the services.

There is free use of a good kitchen with cooker and microwave, as well as showers with private cubicles. Free reliable WiFi works only on a few pitches by Reception. Laundry has washers, plus free drier.

With an end-of-season price reduction, the site comes as a welcome break on the north-south route above the Arctic Circle. The only negative is a lack of security, with a public road running through the site and Reception only staffed for an hour each evening at this time of year.

FINLAND (30): KAAMANEN, Jokitorma Camping

The grass camping area and wood cabins lie past the youth hostel/reception, alongside a river in northern Lapland - a beautiful location apart from the biting midges. Easy access from the main road north of Ivalo, near the village of Kaamanen and its one shop. The facilities are basic. For women there are 2 non-private showers with no lock at all on the door, so too risky to use. The kitchen has an electric cooker but no hot water in the morning. WiFi only available at the hostel, a long walk from the campsite.

When I questioned the price (30 Euros) for this extremely basic site, the owner said that 10 Euros was for the electricity, costing "Double Up Here", but she couldn't tell me the price she paid per kWh. When I suggested a bolt for the ladies' shower room, she said she couldn't be always driving to Ivalo to shop for such things (yet the campsite has been in her family for decades). Whatever happened to care for paying guests? 

NORWAY (32): KAUTOKEINO, Arctic Motel & Camping

The friendly Arctic Motel cafe and reception lie directly on the main road through Kautokeino, a good stopover on the route to or from Alta. The grass camping area, cabins and facilities are at the back. There is a campers' kitchen equipped with cooker, microwave, kettle, toaster and coffee maker. Only 4 toilets and 2 showers but they are new, clean and modern. The free WiFi worked across the site. The town is an easy 1 km along the foot/cyclepath. It has 2 supermarkets, fuel, a bar serving meals and a small Sami museum. The Juhls Silver Gallery is further out, on the hill above town past the old wooden ski jump.

SWEDEN (33): KIRUNA, Ripan Hotel & Camping

The camping site is a long way below the hotel/restaurant/reception, on an open area of bleak gravel. A public footpath runs through it, used by dog walkers, cyclists and joggers, with no security and very little lighting at night. The hotel free WiFi does not reach the campsite. The facilities block (with keycode entry) has a large well equipped kitchen, but the showers have no privacy, just curtains and a large changing room. The town and shops are not nearby and the camping price is excessive. The only positive feature is the buffet lunch at the hotel. Only stayed one night.

SWEDEN (34): GÄLLIVARE, Camping Gallivare

The site has not changed since my visit 2 years ago. The free WiFi and free use of laundry are appreciated, but the showers still lack any privacy. The Reception was unhelpful, allocating a numbered pitch by the river, although several better places remained unoccupied.

In September 2017 I wrote: A large site with hard-standing pitches alongside the river, as well as a gravel area with some statics. Short walk into Gallivare, 'the mining capital of Europe' and the northern terminus of the Inland Railway, with shops and places to eat. Free WiFi worked well. Also appreciated free use of the laundry room with washer and drier, bookable at Reception.

Very good kitchen and dining facilities with cookers, etc. My only criticism is the lack of privacy in the showers. There is a large changing room and a few small cubicles with only a curtain - and nowhere secure to leave belongings.

SWEDEN (35): JOKKMOKK, Arctic Camping

A vast and highly regimented holiday camp, by the river 3 km from the town (easy cycle path). The site felt dead, the pizzeria/pub had shut at the end of August and the open-air heated pool complex was also closed. Electrical hookups were remotely controlled from Reception, with no entry or connection until a pitch had been allocated, though the site was not busy. Facilities were adequate, with free WiFi. Jokkmokk, 7 miles above the Arctic Circle, has a splendid museum of Sami culture and wildlife, as well as shops and fuel. 

SWEDEN (36): SLAGNÄS, Camping Slagnas

A second visit to this gem of a campsite. The facilities in the services building are exemplary, the large warm sitting room has TV and games (including darts and pool), the kitchen is fully equipped and the free WiFi works inside, though it was unreliable on the pitches. A lovely place to break the long journey on the Inland Road E45, at a reasonable price.

In September 2017 I wrote: A peaceful grassy campsite just off the E45 Inlandsvagen, alongside the Skelleftealven River. Helpful Swiss owners, speaking German and French. The services building is warm and clean, with free showers and a kitchen with electric cooker etc. The site-wide free WiFi works well. 
There is a 1.5 km boardwalk along both sides of the river, for strolling or fishing, or walk into the old village - a station on the Inland Railway.

The site makes a very peaceful base for exploring the area or a comfortable night stop when driving along the E45.

SWEDEN (37): SORSELE, Camping Sorsele

A large site with many cabins, as well as some hard-standing pitches on the riverside and others on grass (not so good in the rain). Unusually, one wooden cabin houses a small Christian chapel for summer services. Free WiFi worked across the site, though slow at times.

The warm well-equipped facilities building has a kitchen, sitting room and laundry (with washer and drier for a fee). The showers were less inviting: open onto a common changing room, with no privacy to the cubicles except a curtain, and no lockable door. The second services building was closed.

The campsite is ideally placed for travellers, just off the E45 and an easy 5-minute walk from the town's twin supermarkets (ICA and Coop). Sorsele is a good place to restock and refuel if heading north to Lapland. It is also a stop on the Inland Railway, with an interesting (and free) Inlandsbanan Museum at the station. 

SWEDEN (38): VILHELMINA, Kolgardens Camping

Beautiful location on lake, with a 5-km walk or cycle ride along the shore path into the pleasant town. Excellent facilities with individual bathrooms, well equipped kitchen and sitting room. Free WiFi in services building.  Just off E45 at the start of the Wilderness Road. Camping seasonal, cottages all year. Price above average, reflecting high quality.

SWEDEN (40): HOTING, Hotings Camping

Directly on the E45 opposite a Motor Museum and grill, 3 km south of small town. The campsite borders a lake, with beach and swimming area. Free WiFi works well on pitches near Reception. The kitchen is adequate but other facilities are outdated. There is no privacy or security at all in the showers, which are open to the toilets.

SWEDEN (41): HAMMERDAL, Camp Route 45

Our third visit to this delightful campsite, breaking a journey south on E45. All the comments in my review of September 2016 still apply and I would recommend the site at any time of year, deep in the forest, yet only a short walk from all the services of the small town of Hammerdal. 

The resident English family have further improved the camp laundry room, with two new washing machines and a tumble drier (as well as outdoor and indoor lines). The Reception Cafe has also been extended, with popular meals served in July and August. We will have to return next summer!

SWEDEN (42): ORSA, Orsa Camping

A vast and bureaucratic holiday park by Lake Orsa, 2 miles off E45 highway. In high season reservations are needed for a variety of pitches at different prices (see their complicated website). On the evening we arrived the site was quiet, except at the noisy Reception inside the bowling alley and bar. No sign of the 'helpful staff members in the sleek and businesslike reception' described above. A young woman who was new to the job eventually allocated a numbered pitch (no choice of type or price was offered) - and no, we could not look round to choose our own place. The computer was in control.

Our pitch was squeezed in the centre of a row between two other vehicles, on impossibly soft wet grass. Reallocation involved a more senior member of staff, who gave us what turned out to be an even more muddy pitch, where the previous occupants had clearly become stuck in the mud, yet there seemed to be motorhome hard-standings in another area! As it was cold, dark and a long walk back to Reception, we finally parked on a gravel path within reach of the electricity and left next morning.

The facilities were all good and free WiFi worked well, but campers are obviously of very low priority in the low season. Compare our experience with the words on Orsa Camping's website: 'Be sure to choose a pitch that fits your caravan, motorhome or tent'. The pitches that we were offered should have been closed.

SWEDEN (45): VARBERG, Apelviken Camping

A large holiday park with excellent facilities, outdoor pool and free WiFi. The campsite is quiet off-season, when the price is a bargain for ACSI Card holders: the least we have paid in a long tour of Sweden. It is on Apelvik Bay, with swimming and wind surfing. 

I can recommend the take-away pizzas from the site bar/restaurant and it is an easy walk or cycle ride into the resort and port of Varberg (with Stena Line ferries to Denmark). Our third visit here, but only a brief stay this time as the Oktoberfest in a circus marquee was about to start – great for lovers of oompah bands and beer, but not for us!

SWEDEN (46): TRELLEBORG, Dalabadet/Strand Camping

The reception closing time is advertised as 6 pm every day. I phoned to check the day before our arrival and was told 5 pm. When we arrived on a Saturday afternoon, the reception had already closed at noon, barrier locked, with a number to ring. As before, phoning took 3 attempts and a long delay, with horrible music playing, only to learn that pass-cards for barrier and facilities were in a nearby letterbox and we could check in next morning. This information could easily have been displayed at Reception, saving a lot of delay and frustration.

The free WiFi did not work at all, anywhere.

The facilities were adequate but timed showers cost extra, despite the site being overpriced to begin with. The kitchen light went out every minute or two until an arm was waved at the sensor - dangerous when cooking in the dark!

On the positive side, the laundry had a good washer and tumble drier, as well as a drying cabinet, for a small charge

The main reason to recommend the site is its position, only 5 miles from the port of Trelleborg for ferries to Germany. It is also by the sea shore and directly on the Swedish South Coast Cycle Trail, running in both directions. It is easy to cycle west into and beyond the town, or east for 8 miles to Sweden's southernmost point (with lighthouse and café) at Smygehuk - or further still past Ystad.

It is a shame that the owners appear to care so little about, or for, the site, leaving it to casual staff to run.

EAST GERMANY (48): FLESSENOW, Flessenow See-Camping

Access to the site along a country lane ended with 1 km of rough old cobbles. The 'well-run site under Dutch management' (Camping Card ACSI  book) was badly run by a young and impatient receptionist, who spoke only German. It was the most unfriendly arrival I can recall. The receptionist, after taking my ACSI card, still refused to open the barrier to let our motorhome in. First we must walk round, choose a place number and report back. As I do speak German, I argued that it was quite a long walk and we are both well past retirement age, but driving in was still not allowed. If it had been earlier in the day, we would have left at that point.

When asked, the receptionist said that WiFi was free with a password, to be given when I returned to complete registration. This turned out to be completely false: WiFi was free only at the reception/café, or 4 Euros per day to obtain the (weak) site-wide connection.

The facilities were clean but simple: outdoor wash-up sinks, and a 3-minute limit on showers. The café was only open for food at weekends and there is nothing at all in Flessenow.

The campsite promotes the cycle route around Lake Schwerin, which runs past the site. We rode the entire route but warn that it is unsurfaced, very narrow, muddy and difficult for at least 7 km in both directions from the camp – the worst section of the route by far. There are other bases round the lake and in Schwerin, with easier access by vehicle or bicycle, and perhaps a more helpful reception.

EAST GERMANY (50): PLOTZKY, Plotzky Ferienpark

Spacious peaceful campsite with many unmarked grass pitches, each within easy reach of water and electricity. ACSI Card price in low season is a bargain. Excellent clean facilities: free hot showers, indoor kitchen with coin-op hotplates and microwave (useful for tent campers, some following the Elbe Cycle Route), and laundry with washers and driers. Also (unique in our experience) a machine to empty and clean WC-cassettes, costing one Euro. There should, however, be an alternative simple dump-point for those not wanting to risk damage to their cassette. The free WiFi was unreliable and frustrating.

The surrounding woodland and lakes form a nature reserve and we saw red squirrels, a hedgehog and green woodpeckers on the campsite. Preferred these to the lonely llama and other small animals and birds imprisoned in the small on-site zoo. A full range of sports and games make it an ideal site for families, with a restaurant/bar and ten-pin bowling at the adjacent arena.

We did not eat in the restaurant but did try their take-away salami pizza: the worst we have ever seen. The crust was under-baked but hard, the topping dry and minimal, the whole thing almost cold. A great disappointment when I opened the box! If it had not been a long walk on a cold dark evening, I would have taken it straight back.

It's a short cycle ride (with bike path) into Gommern for shops, including Lidl. The Elbe Cycle Route is also accessible from the campsite, though a good map is needed as the signs are inconsistent.

CZECH REPUBLIC (51): DECIN, Camping Kemp Decin

A site on rough grass, right by the Elbe Cycle Path and a short walk from the city centre. The cafe was already closed for end-of-season. The facilities are housed in a series of containers but are clean and adequate, though cold and draughty at this time of year. The kitchen has free use of kettle, toaster and microwave (a bonus for tent-campers) and there is a washer and drier for a small charge. Some traffic noise from the overhead road but not too intrusive. Ideal as a base for riding the scenic and well-surfaced cycle path in either direction, including over the border (10 miles) into Germany, towards Dresden. Popular with long-distance cyclists in summer. Dresden or Prague can also be visited by train from Decin.

AUSTRIA (54): St VEIT im PONGAU, Camping Sonnenterrassen

Mainly permanent caravans, with space for tourers along the two lower terraces. It is a well organised site with beautiful mountain views and superb modern facilities: private heated showers, indoor washing-up room, coin-op laundry, drying rooms and a common room with table tennis and other games. Free WiFi throughout (one device at a time). A good base for walking and for winter sports. The Tauern Cycle Path along the Schwarzach River, one km below the site, is accessible down a very steep path.

Bread to order at Reception and a seasonal café. Shops in Schwarzach or St Johann (both along the Cycle Path).

Be aware that electricity is metered and the ACSI card rate includes only 4 kWh per day. Any excess is charged at 0.80 Euros per kWh, which came as a surprise on leaving, with no opportunity to check the reading.

ITALY (55): VENICE, Camping Fusina

We stayed here before taking the overnight ferry to Greece, as this campsite is only 2 km from the ferry terminal. It was ideal for this, as well as for crossing to Venice by boat which we did on a previous visit. The Reception is open 24 hours a day, with friendly multilingual staff. The ACSI Card rate is a real bargain, with free WiFi as well. The new toilet/shower facilities are adequate and there is a coin-op laundry with ten washers and ten driers! The shop had fresh bread and other produce, the bar and restaurant were open and the take-away pizza was excellent, cooked to order. The site was busy, as expected, but not too noisy.