Camping by the Northern Sea

"Camping by the North Sea is like balm for body and soul. Woken by the salty air, you cycle from your pitch to the next Frisian village in the morning to get bread rolls. Afterwards, a few freshly caught crabs are bought at the harbour. Strengthened, they head to the beach to sunbathe, fly kites in the dunes or go surfing at sea. The perfect day on the North Sea ends with a sunset hike on the mudflats.

Camping by the North Sea: all the important information at a glance

Wonderful nature, beautiful beaches, a healthy climate and many great campsites with a view of the sea: the German North Sea coast in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein is one of the most popular holiday regions in Germany for campers. Gently rolling dunes, wide sandy beaches and many small islands and pretty villages along the coast make the region from Sylt on the border with Denmark to Borkum in the west an ideal place for a relaxing camping holiday by the sea.

The campsites on the German North Sea coast are not only located on the mainland in places like Norddeich, Neuharlingersiel or Büsum. The North and East Frisian islands are also very popular with campers. On Sylt, Norderney or Borkum, there are beautiful pitches right on the North Sea beach, unspoilt nature and many wellness facilities, such as the well-known North Sea spa on Wangerooge.

Many of the campsites are located behind the dyke, in the midst of wild and romantic dune landscapes or directly on the beach with pitches in the first row offering wonderful views of the sea. On most of the larger sites, campers can also stay in rented accommodation, bungalows, mobile homes or holiday flats. Restaurants and snack bars are often located directly on the site, and in some cases you can also buy camping equipment and everyday necessities directly on site in a mini-market.

There is a wide range of leisure activities on the North Sea coast. Whether you want to spend your North Sea holiday relaxing on the beach, actively exploring the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site or recovering from stressful everyday life in a thalassotherapy spa in the healthy salty North Sea air: the North Sea offers a wide range of activities for every taste. Many campsites also organise excursions, bike tours or boat trips and provide information about excursion destinations in the surrounding area.

Camping with a dog at the North Sea

Many campsites on the North Sea coast are dog-friendly and allow pets. Nevertheless, campers should find out in advance whether there are special rules at the campsite in question, for example for rental accommodation or on the campsite. Pets must generally be kept on a lead outside built-up areas.

Dogs must also be kept on a lead when walking on the dyke, as sheep often graze there. You should also enquire whether your dog is allowed on excursions to nature reserves and the dunes. Birds may breed in the dunes and may feel disturbed by dogs.

If you want to take your dog to the North Sea beach, you should opt for a dog beach. Within these demarcated areas, your four-legged friend can let off steam and swim in the sea with other dogs. Many towns have their own dog beaches and some campsites also have separate areas for four-legged friends.

Some of the best dog beaches on the North Sea can be found here:

• Sylt dog beach (Westerland)
• Kampen dog beach (Sylt)
• Dog beach Wenningstedt (Sylt)
• Dog beach Föhr (Nieblum)
• Dog beach Wyk on Föhr
• Dog beach Amrum (Wittdün)
• Dog beach Pellworm
• Dog beach Husum
• Dog beach St. Peter-Ording (main beach)
• Dog beach Büsum
• Dog beach Friedrichskoog
• Dog beach Cuxhaven
• Dog beach Wangerooge
• Dog beach Spiekeroog
• Dog beach Langeoog
• Dog beach Baltrum
• Dog beach Norderney
• Dog beach Borkum

Camping on the North Sea with children and family

Families will find many like-minded people on the islands for camping on the North Sea and relaxed campsites with a good infrastructure. Especially relaxing for children: there are no cars or motorhomes on the East Frisian islands of Baltrum, Juist, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge. Here you can sleep in bungalows or tents and the campsites have their own children's playground where little campers can let off steam.

The most beautiful campsites on the North Sea

There are many excellent campsites on the North Sea, some of which have been around for a very long time. The following campsites are characterised by a particularly beautiful location and good service and have therefore received good ratings from many campers.

North Sea Camping Neuharlingersiel

This North Sea campsite, which is open all year round, is located in the popular thalassotherapy spa town of Neuharlingersiel. The extensive site offers pitches in several categories, holiday flats and a tent pitch. If you don't have your own vehicle but would still like to holiday in a motorhome, you can also hire a motorhome here for the duration of your stay.

Nordsee-Camp Norddeich

This beautiful and well-kept campsite in the town of Norden in Lower Saxony has everything that discerning campers need: A beautiful location directly behind the sea dyke, spacious pitches for your motorhome, several tent pitches and its own chalet park with cosy mobile homes. There is also private access to the Wadden Sea.

Harlesiel campsite

Thanks to its perfect beach location, this is the perfect place for anyone who wants to relax in a beach chair, sunbathe and take a refreshing dip in the North Sea. The wide range of leisure activities and child-friendly facilities make this place ideal for families. Part of the sandy beach has also been authorised as a dog beach for four-legged companions.

North Sea campsite Zum Seehund

Cosy family campsite behind the outer dyke of Simonsberg. Even in the high season, you will find plenty of peace and relaxation here. This is ensured not only by the beautiful cycling and hiking trails in the surrounding area, but also by the extensive wellness facilities. Campers can unwind in the steam bath, sauna and massage centre or take a dip in the natural swimming pond.

Bensersiel beach and family campsite

Modern 5-star campsite that meets the highest standards. Campers can look forward to sandy pitches directly on the beach. There is also an adventure playground for kids and a first-class infrastructure. Spending the night in one of the sleeping beach chairs is also a unique experience. Waking up in the morning at sunrise with a view of the Wadden Sea is exactly what makes camping on the North Sea so unique.

Catering tips for gourmets

Freshly caught North Sea crabs are a must on a camping holiday. Whether in fish soup as a side dish, on fried plaice or served in a cocktail glass - crabs taste best fresh from the sea. In many harbours, they are sold directly from the cutter by the pound in bags. Only a handful is then usually left over.

Of course, some holidaymakers prefer to have their prawns served in a restaurant. There are few things more relaxing than sitting in a rustic restaurant on the dyke after a day out in the fresh air. Here you will find fresh fish from the North Sea such as herring, halibut, sole and haddock or fresh mussels on the menu. In addition to innovative à la carte dishes, traditional and local specialities have come back into fashion. Many chefs are serving stew specialities such as kale with pinkel. The green mash with grilled sausage and bacon is of course a matter of taste. What is a favourite dish for many North Germans usually takes some getting used to for children. They enjoy Störtebecker instead."