Family-Friendly Camping Providers in Europe: Mobile Homes, Lodges & More
One question I get asked a lot on our Instagram is: Which companies offer camping holidays in Europe?
As a family that has visited nearly 100 different campsites, I can confidently say – I have a bit of experience in this realm.
These popular European camping providers offer a great mix of nature and convenience, making them popular choices for families like ours. Many of the campsites offer water parks, sports facilities, and entertainment while still keeping that authentic outdoor feel. Unlike all-inclusive resorts, they give you the freedom to explore at your own pace.
From mobile homes and safari tents to unique stays like treehouses, there’s plenty of accommodation to choose from. Below is my guide to Camping Holiday Providers Across Europe, covering tour operators, campsite chains, and direct booking options to help you plan your next family adventure.
How to Book a Camping Holiday in Europe
You can book a camping holiday in Europe in a few ways—through tour operators, campsite chains, or directly with individual campsites.
To make things easier, I’ve put together a list of companies offering camping holidays across Europe, along with insights into what each one provides.
You may be wondering what the difference is between a tour operator, a camping chain and booking direct. If that’s the case, there’s a handy explanation at the bottom.
Tour operators
Here’s a list of well-known tour operators that offer camping holidays in Europe. They provide a convenient way to book a camping trip, with various accommodation types and locations to choose from. Prices can vary depending on the time of year, location, and availability, so it’s always a good idea to compare options and do some research before booking.
Eurocamp Holidays
We’ve been on many Eurocamp holidays, as you’ll see in our campsite reviews section on this page. We’ve loved traveling with them over the years and plan to continue for many more. That’s why I created this Ultimate Eurocamp holiday guide along with an Accommodation guide and a budget-maximizing tips post to help you make the most of your holidays.
Read some of of our Eurocamp Reviews Below:
Domaine Du Clarys review
Parc de Fierbois Review
La Chapelle Review
Sunelia Le Ruisseau Review
Domaine Des Ormes Review
Ranc Davaine Campsite review
Canvas Holidays
Now owned by a French camping company, Canvas Holidays has been a popular choice for holidaymakers for over 50 years. They operate on a wide range of campsites across Europe.
SunCamp
Suncamp is a tour operator that is part of the ACSI chain. With over 50 years of experience in the camping industry, they offer accommodation on various campsites, including some within the Sandaya network. Their offerings include family-friendly campsites, often near beaches or with swimming pools.
Lifestyle Holidays
Lifestyle Holidays is a tour operator based in northwest England. They operate in both Spain and France, with some of their most popular campsites being Castell Montgri, La Baume, La Sirene, and Domaine Des Ormes.
Kelair Campotel
Kelair provides mobile home accommodations on campsites in France, Italy, and Spain. They focus on offering high-standard accommodations at a range of price points.
Maeva (bought Vacansoleil)
This Dutch company has grown in popularity with British customers over the last decade. Their accommodations can be found on campsites in over 18 countries across Europe.
Happy Camp
Happy Camp specialises in camping holidays in Italy, with accommodations on over 35 campsites. They also have a presence in Croatia, Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Hungary, Austria, and France.
Roan
Roan is a Dutch organization founded in 1986 and is part of the European Camping Group. While most of their customers are Dutch, they are seeing increasing interest from British holidaymakers.
Venue
Venue provides mobile home and tent accommodations in France, Italy, and Spain. They focus on offering family-friendly camping holidays with a variety of options.
EuroResorts
This family-run company provides mobile home accommodations on several campsites across Europe. We stayed with them at La Garangeoire and found their mobile homes well-maintained, with attentive staff. Their service and quality of accommodation stood out during our stay.
Camping Chains
We’ve had some great stays booking directly through camping chains, often finding a variety of accommodation styles and locations to suit different holiday preferences. So if you’re looking to explore other camping companies, look no further than these camping chains.
Yelloh Village
Yelloh Village operates a collection of campsites across Europe. We’ve reviewed five of their locations— Bordeaux Lac, La Roche Posay, La Rive, Ranc Davaine and Sylvamar —each offering unique settings and services.
Sandaya
Sandaya features high-end campsites, including well-known 5-star locations such as Les Alicourts, Le Ranolien, Le Col Vert, L’oree du bois and the popular Grande Dague
Sunelia
Sunêlia is known for offering family-friendly camping experiences. They are one of the few chains that provide a crèche (only available on a select few campsites) for young children, making them a great option for parents seeking some relaxation time.
Flower
Flower Campings is a large chain with over 120 campsites in France. Their campsites tend to be family-run and offer a more traditional camping experience, often rated at 3 stars.
Castels
Les Castels is a well-regarded luxury camping chain, known for its authentic, family-run campsites. These locations often focus on unique, personal experiences.
CapFun
CapFun is a great option for those who enjoy water parks and fun-filled family holidays. In addition to camping, they also offer ski holidays.
Siblu
This Anglo-French chain has long been a popular choice for British holidaymakers looking for camping options in France. Their campsites provide a range of accommodations and family-friendly amenities.
M S Vacances
MS Vacances operates a variety of campsites throughout France. We recently visited their 5-star campsite at La Côte Sauvage in Palmyre and were impressed with the facilities and atmosphere.
Booking Direct and Other Options
One option to consider when planning a camping holiday is booking directly with the campsite. Some campsites offer their own accommodations, including mobile homes, lodges, and tent pitches, providing a range of choices for different preferences.
For those who enjoy traditional camping, bringing your own tent, like we did at Sylvamar or campervan can be a great way to experience a campsite’s facilities while staying immersed in nature. Many campsites offer spacious pitches with access to amenities such as swimming pools, restaurants, and entertainment programs.
Exploring different providers and booking methods can help ensure you find the best fit for your camping holiday, whether you prefer an all-inclusive experience or a more independent approach.
Camping With An Operator, A Chain, or an Independent
Now that you’ve learnt which are the best camping companies to book through, I wanted to explain a few things about how they work…
Operators ( a bit like tour operators/travel agents)
Tour operators act as intermediaries, offering mobile home accommodations on various campsites. These companies usually own a selection of mobile homes placed within larger campsites. The campsites themselves remain independently operated, while the tour operators manage and rent out the accommodations to holidaymakers.
Camping Chain Companies
Camping chains, such as Sandaya, Sunêlia, and Yelloh Village, offer a network of campsites under a unified brand. Some of these chains own their campsites outright, while others operate as franchises where individual campsite owners join the network. These campsites may also feature accommodations from external tour operators, but this varies by location.
Independent
Independent campsites operate outside of large chains and are often family-run businesses. Some may have partnerships with tour operators, while others manage their own accommodations. These sites can offer unique, personal touches and a variety of atmospheres, from rustic retreats to high-end destinations. Examples of independent campsites we’ve visited include Camping de Civray, Camping Natureo, Camping des Ribieres and many more.
Maximizing Value on Your Camping Holiday
If you’re looking to get the most out of your camping holiday, there are several ways to enhance your experience while keeping costs manageable:
Book Through Different Regional Websites
Some campsite operators have multiple regional websites for different countries. Depending on local school holidays and demand, prices and availability may vary. Checking different country-specific websites can sometimes provide alternative options for the same campsite.
Plan Your Travel Dates Wisely
If you have flexibility, consider booking outside peak holiday periods. Campsites tend to be busier during school holidays, but traveling in the shoulder season can offer a quieter experience with a greater choice of accommodations.
Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs
Many campsite chains and tour operators offer loyalty schemes for returning customers. These can include discounts, priority booking, or additional perks like free nights after multiple stays. It’s worth checking whether the provider you choose offers any returning guest benefits.
Stay Longer or Look for Special Offers
Some providers offer discounts for extended stays. If your schedule allows, booking a longer stay could come with added benefits. Additionally, many operators and campsite chains run seasonal promotions, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for special deals. We like to keep you updated over on our Instagram, Tiktok or Facebook.
Consider Alternative Accommodation Options
If you’re open to different types of stays, you may find a variety of accommodation options at the same campsite, including mobile homes, lodges, glamping tents, or traditional camping pitches. Exploring different accommodation types could offer unique experiences that suit your needs.
Look Into Transport Packages
Some operators offer ferry or transport packages that can be booked alongside your stay. This can be particularly useful if you’re driving from the UK to Europe, as bundling your accommodation and transport may streamline the planning process.
By considering these strategies, you can tailor your camping holiday to fit your needs and preferences while making the most of the options available.
