Camping in Denmark – Everything you need to know

Listening to the rain pattering by candlelight, snuggled up in a warm blanket with a good book – that’s how you can really feel “hygge”, the Danish “cozy/safe”. But it’s not only on days like these that you can feel hygge. It’s also hygge when you’re with friends having a meal or being out in nature – because hygge is everywhere and all year round. And Denmark has much more to offer. Just a two-hour drive from Hamburg and there you are – in the land of red and white flags and Lego bricks. The lovely kingdom in the north of Germany is becoming more and more popular for camping trips and we tell you what to pay attention to when camping in Denmark!

The main way to enter Denmark is by car. Nevertheless, the ferry from Hamburg, Rostock or Kiel is also an option which not only saves car kilometres but is also an experience.

Many traffic rules are similar to those in Germany. The speed limit is 50km/h in built-up areas and 80km/h on rural roads. Unlike in Germany dipped headlights are also required all day.

When camping in Denmark you should always make sure to park your camper only in marked areas. Payment is usually made via a parking app or at parking machines which often only take cards as a form of payments. For newer parking machines the license plate number must be entered. You pay when you leave the parking lot.

You should follow all traffic and parking rules because traffic offenses are very expensive. Foreigners must pay fines immediately in cash or by credit card.

There is a speed limit of 130km/h on freeways which is often reduced.

The five main highways are all marked with an “E” and connect the main cities in Denmark. The E20 runs from Esbjerg on the Baltic coast to the Øresund Bridge and on to Sweden. Starting at the border near Flensburg the E45 only ends in Frederikshavn in North Jutland and thus crosses Denmark from south to north. For camping in Denmark this connection is great to quickly and easily get to all the places you want to travel to. In addition, there are some shorter highways that mostly branch off or intersect the E20 and E45.

There's no toll on roads in Denmark. However, many bridges do have tolls. For the Øresund Bridge which connects the southeast of Denmark to Sweden you currently pay 54€ or 390dkk for a vehicle under 6m. After camping in Denmark you can travel over the spectacular bridge to Sweden without any problems.

From many coastal towns you can take a ferry to Scandinavia and the Danish islands but also to Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

It is recommended to book ferries and bridge tolls online in advance. This not only leads to shorter waiting times but also saves a bit of money.

Denmark’s climate is very mild due to its proximity to the sea. The maximum temperature in summer is just under 20°C. In winter temperatures approach zero. In the summer months you can often enjoy the sun, in the low season from October to January the rainy days increase. Nevertheless, many Danes jump into their beloved sea every day to stay as strong as the Vikings.

Due to the fact that it's bright outside for almost 18 hours a day during and around the solstice summer is the ideal time to visit and experience Denmark by camper. If you don’t mind a little rain and wind camping in Denmark is recommended all year round. In spring and autumn you can enjoy the shiny colors of nature due to the light conditions and rain showers usually pass quite quickly.

Whether you're traveling by camper, caravan or tent there is a perfect campsite for everyone. In Denmark you can find roughly 500 campsites and about 300 of those are part of the campsite association “DK-Camp”. Almost all campsites are open from May to Octoberand about a quarter of them offer pitches for camping all year round. So you can easily enjoy camping in Denmark all year round!

The cost per pitch usually consists of pitch rent, price per person and other fees such as electricity, wifi, etc. For two people and a camper you should calculate between 30€ and 50€ but keep in mind that prices can vary depending on location and season. For the reservation of a pitch (which is recommended especially in high season) campsites sometimes charge processing fees. In low season a reservation is not necessary for camping in Denmark.

At some campsites you can stay in front of the barrier from 8 p.m. - 10 a.m. for a small fee.

Popular regions for vacationing are Hvidbjerg, Blavand and North Jutland. Most campsites in Denmark are idyllically located in the dune landscape near the North Sea coast. Some even have sea views and most campsites are within walking distance of the North Sea or Baltic Sea. Here everyone will find their perfect place to camp, relax and have fun.

At many campsites you need the Camping Key Europe card (CKE). You can apply for the card online in advance or buy it at the first campsite. It costs just under €20 per vehicle and is valid for one year. In addition, the CKE membership allows a quick check-in and check-out at campsites, includes accident insurance and you can often get some sort of discount with this card. Since the CKE card is not only valid for camping in Denmark but also in the Scandinavian countries and 16 other countries it's recommended and money well spent.

Unlike in Norway and Sweden the ´right of public access` does not apply in Denmark. In Denmark, camping is only allowed on private property. You can find countless individual pitches that are free of charge or only cost a few crowns on sites like Camper-Parkering.dk.

Let's go on your unique and individual adventure - camping in Denmark.