Wintercamping on the Baltic Sea

The roaring sea as a lullaby, snowflakes dancing in the crowns of birch or oak trees and in the morning the hoar frost transforms the dune grass into glittering crowns during winter camping by the Baltic Sea. For families and romantics, the campsites open during the cold season are the ideal place to spend time together and relax in the idyllic tranquillity of the Baltic Sea.

Destinations

Denmark's island world and the east coast of Jutland are characterised by deep sandy beaches and their sheltered location in the Little or Great Belt, which makes winter camping by the Baltic Sea an all-round carefree experience. And there you will find first-class campsites, such as Gammelmark Strand Camping in south-east Jutland, not far from the border with Germany. Close to the Flensburg Fjord, German-speaking staff are just as much a matter of course as the wonderfully peaceful location between fields and forests. The outdoor pool is open in summer and the guided tours on the Gendarme Hiking Trail are a sporty and amusing endeavour all year round. Children can make new friends in the site's own petting zoo. And divers who want to explore the wrecks in the fjord or the Little Belt in the crystal-clear Baltic Sea, especially in the winter months, can use the tank filling facility.

Island camping in winter is a pleasure on Schleswig-Holstein's Baltic island of Fehmarn, as Camping Miramar is one of the best-rated campsites in northern Germany. Behind a landscape of dunes, in front of which the 20 metre wide beach stretches for kilometres, the generously sized pitches are separated by hedges. With a view of the architecturally breathtaking Fehmarnsund Bridge and within easy reach of the Fehmarn Golf Park or the Sea Centre, massages are offered at this very well-kept campsite and internet access is available everywhere. The well-known Camping Südstrand on Fehmarn unfortunately closes its doors in the winter months. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a family holiday at Ostseecamp Rostocker Heide is a real treat. The pitches in the clearings are set in a pristine mixed forest. Anglers and gourmets gather at the campsite's own smoke oven and dogs have their own beach to run around with their masters. The Ostseebad Rerik camping park and the Pommernland campsite offer Baltic Sea camping in winter with a view of the lake. The very popular campsites such as Camping Walkyrien near Schashagen, Camping Rosenfelder Strand in Grube, Thiessow campsite and the Baltic Sea campsite Kagelbusch close in October and then reopen for the main season in spring.

Campsites for winter camping on the Baltic Sea

Baltic Sea camping in winter has become much more popular in recent years. A break with a view of the lake can also be a holiday alternative in cold temperatures. A walk on the Baltic Sea beach, a coffee with friends or a trip to the cinema make for entertaining days. When winter camping, most travellers opt for a motorhome and logically do without a tent. The pitch fee and energy flat rate are kept to a minimum outside the main season and are easy on the wallet.

Pommernland Campsite

The Pommernland campsite impresses with its very natural terrain. Children in particular get their money's worth here with the adventure playground, designed as a pirate climbing forest, a sanitary area for children and entertainment. A bike hire service and a varied sports programme also ensure plenty of exercise during winter camping. A walk to nearby Zinnowitz can be used for shopping or a visit to the cinema. The Pommernland campsite receives high ratings from its guests.

Ostseebad Rerik camping park

The Ostseebad Rerik camping park is a popular destination for campers both in the high season and in the low season. Right on the Baltic Sea beach, travellers can expect well-kept sanitary facilities, a sauna, a small snack bar and an entertaining sports programme. The Baltic seaside resort of Rerik is right on the doorstep and can be visited for a coffee. The campsite's own fish smokehouse is particularly popular and is responsible for the culinary delights at Campingpark Rerik.

Campsites in Sweden and Denmark

The campsites on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Denmark and Sweden can also be visited for a short break. Skellefteå Camping or Swecamp Flottsbro welcome their guests all year round.

Top tips

Unique, savoury and sweet specialities are served in the far north in winter. Almost all restaurants serve delicacies such as Holstein kale with smoked bacon, boiled sausage and caramelised potatoes. And if you try the Hamburg stew with pears, beans and bacon, you will discover how incredibly delicious fruit with smoked meat can taste.

Punch and grog are also served at stands in the harbours and at Advent markets in the clear cold. Above all, hot lilac berry juice, with or without Flensburg rum, is an incomparable delicacy that protects against colds thanks to its high vitamin C content.

And on a family holiday with a dog, walks in the natural forests along the Schleswiger Noore are an exciting experience on the Baltic Sea coast. The Geltinger Birk in the Angeln region, the Lenorenwald forest east of Travemünde or the wooded island of Fænø in Denmark provide campers with a winter holiday dream.

Activities and excursions

Winter camping on the Baltic Sea is informal, cosy and generally characterised by tranquillity and togetherness. But there are also some sporting activities that campers can only experience during this time of year in the far north.

Ice sailing on the Schlei between Schleswig and Kappeln

The Schlei is Germany's longest fjord and stretches from the Baltic Sea coast far inland in Schleswig-Holstein to Schleswig. In cold winters, the Schlei sometimes freezes over completely. That's when the locals get their ice sailing boats out of the shed. These speedy vehicles on three runners are propelled by a large sail, which allows speeds of up to 120 metres per hour. And guests are welcome to ride along on the pillion seat.

Boßeln in the north German winter landscape

Boßeln is the winter game of choice for groups and families. On a predetermined course through the countryside on the Baltic coast, teams launch a wooden or plastic ball through bends, conquer hills and cross streams. Whoever crosses the finish line with the fewest attempts wins. There is always a small handcart with snacks and hot drinks to keep everyone happy.

Ice or surf fishing for specialists and families

If the noirs, bays or lakes are frozen over, anglers get to work with axes, chainsaws or large drill bits. Through the holes in the ice, with a warming stove behind them, they fish with enthusiasm, even in competitions. The cold makes the fish a little fatter and therefore particularly suitable for smoking or barbecuing. Courses are offered for children or the youngsters can enjoy ice skating. If the temperatures are not low enough, you can fish in the surf, which requires some experience. Alternatively, winter campers can embark on an authentic fishing cutter to chase after cod, butt or herring in the Baltic Sea.

Events

• While water sports, horse riding and cycling tours are part of the summer programme, almost every winter campsite on the Baltic Sea and along the coast stages events, most of which have a traditional background.

November - January - Verspielen:

• In Schleswig-Holstein, gambling in pubs is only permitted in winter, with whole hams and the occasional television set on offer as prizes.

December - Christmas markets:

• The Nordic Christmas markets captivate with hearty specialities such as Kiel sprats or rum pot. In the Hanseatic city of Lübeck, there are also marzipan delicacies. - Laternelaufen: For children, the lantern walk is a little night-time adventure.

March - Biike burning:

• At the Biikebrennen, winter campers and locals meet on the beach to drive away the winter with a huge, often house-high fire in a convivial atmosphere.