Camping by the sea on the Baltic Sea

Cosy get-togethers, sunsets over the sea and barbecues on the pitch while Kiel sprats and Danish herring salad are already decorating the table: Camping by the sea on the Baltic Sea is a particularly intense experience for families and friends. Sunbathing between the dunes, the Kiel Week or sailing trips around Fehmarn, through the Little Belt or deep into the Schlei make a camping holiday in the north a relaxing and exciting break.

Destinations on the Baltic Sea

On the Danish island of Funen, more or less halfway between Flensburg and Odense, Faaborg is a small but lively ferry harbour. Less than 10 kilometres west of Faaborg is CampOne Bøjden Strand, an exquisite campsite with its own beach and bathing jetty, which is particularly popular with families with younger children. There is an outdoor and indoor pool with a current channel, whirl zone and play castle, as well as a water trampoline by the Baltic Sea. This dog-friendly and wooded campsite by the sea is ideal for recreational skippers and anglers. They can fish for butt in nearby Lake Noret or catch cod from the Baltic Sea between the islands of Funen and Helnæs for lunch.

On Schleswig-Holstein's Baltic coast, the holiday island of Fehmarn is a popular destination for families and romantics. Located between the Bay of Kiel and the Bay of Mecklenburg, Camping Wulfener Hals is one of the best-rated holiday resorts on the Baltic Sea. Set in a scenic peninsula surrounded by nature, it offers a wide range of leisure activities. These include a diving school with tank filling and organised wreck explorations. A circus tent with a show stage is a special attraction for children and Kettcars can be hired. The first-class surf school, where stand-up paddling and kayaking are also part of the programme, is known far beyond the Baltic Sea island. And right next door, the golf course with 27 holes on two courses offers a challenge for golfers of all abilities.

Top tips

The campsites on the Schlei near Kappeln are an excellent choice. Surrounded by bright yellow rape fields, cycling tours around this fjord are a relaxing family experience. A number of campsites offer bikes for hire and guided excursions, while the campsites on the Bay of Lübeck impress with leisure activities such as shows and spacious playgrounds. Hansa-Park Sierksdorf with its spectacular rollercoasters is also within easy reach. There is also an ice rink and the Ostseetherme thermal baths with aqua park in Scharbeutz in the immediate vicinity. If you prefer a quieter holiday, the Danish and German campsites along the Flensburg Fjord are a good choice. In Denmark in particular, smokers are almost a standard feature, as the region's large trout farms are a culinary temptation alongside home-caught fish.

Activities and excursions

The Baltic Sea offers a variety of activities and extravagant excursion destinations all year round, providing families, romantics and active holidaymakers with experiences to talk about for a long time.

Get active with a game of bowls and ice sailing on the Schlei

The Schlei is Germany's longest fjord, stretching almost 50 kilometres from the Baltic Sea coast to Schleswig. When the water freezes over, ice sailors can be seen travelling on the mirror-smooth surface. These three-wheeled vehicles, whose drivers are happy to take guests with them, can reach speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. The trails along the Schlei are more leisurely but sporty. If there is not too much snow, small groups compete against each other in a game of "Boßeln". Each team tries to throw a wooden or rubber ball as far as possible over a set distance using momentum and feeling, similar to skittles. There is always a handcart with hot drinks and energising snacks.

In the footsteps of the Vikings: UNESCO World Heritage Site Haithabu and the Aarhus Museum

The largest Viking fortress was also located on the Schlei over 1,000 years ago. The Haithabu open-air museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a replica of the settlement where you can see how the Norsemen lived. During the Viking Days in August, weaponsmiths and boat builders demonstrate their skills and Vikings take up axe and sword in exhibition battles. If you would like to find out more about these Norse people, head to Aarhus in Denmark. Once founded by the Vikings under the name Aros, Aarhus is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, as archaeological excavations testify. Spectacular finds, including weapons, jewellery and clothing from the Viking city, can be admired in the underground Moesgaard Museum.

Wild West on the Baltic Sea

With the Plöner and Bad Segeberger lakes, Schleswig-Holstein offers idyllic waters for romantics and family boat trips. Barely 30 kilometres from the coast, the Karl May Festival in Bad Seegeberg attracts over 350,000 spectators every year. Exciting Wild West plays based on the German writer's adventure novels are performed in front of the atmospheric backdrop of the amphitheatre in the Kalkberg stadium. Pierre Brice as Winnetou remains legendary to this day and many well-known actors from film and television regularly appear as guest stars.

Events

Campers can expect a colourful programme for all ages at the Baltic Sea. Some events take place on the sea, which can be easily observed from the beach campsite.

November

Playing: This Schleswig-Holstein version of bingo is only allowed in restaurants during the winter months and attracts visitors with prizes ranging from TV sets to Holstein ham.

May - June

Kappeln Herring Days: From Ascension Day onwards, this festival is all about the silver fish and its many different ways of preparation.

June - August

Sailing regattas: Kiel Week at the end of June and Travemünde Week in July are the world's biggest sailing regattas. In August, traditional sailing ships meet at the Hanse Sail Rostock.Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival: Over 100 classical concerts are organised at several venues every summer.