A camping vacation in Austria with the family is not only a cost-effective alternative to a hotel stay, but also offers unforgettable nature experiences for young and old. In this article, we will introduce you to the best family campsites in Austria with child-friendly facilities, idyllic locations and a wide range of leisure activities. Whether by a crystal-clear lake in Carinthia or with a mountain panorama in Tyrol - you are guaranteed to find the perfect campsite for your next family vacation here!
Table of contents
Which regions in Austria are particularly popular for family camping?
What makes a campsite in Austria family-friendly?
Why is lake camping particularly popular with families?
How do you find the ideal campsite?
How do top-rated campsites differ from other campsites in Austria?
Conclusion
Which regions in Austria are particularly popular for family camping?
With its diverse landscapes, Austria offers numerous fantastic regions for a successful camping vacation with the family. From crystal-clear lakes to majestic mountains, there is something for every taste.
| Region | Special features | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Carinthia | Over 1,000 lakes, warm water, excellent infrastructure | Water sports, swimming vacations, families with small children |
| Salzkammergut | Picturesque landscapes, culture and nature | Active families, culture and nature lovers |
| Tyrol | Impressive mountain world, adventure offers | Hiking families, outdoor activities, mountain experiences |
| Burgenland | Flat Lake Neusiedl, warmth, cycle paths | Families with small children, cyclists, birdwatchers |
Carinthia - the lake paradise
Carinthia is considered the most popular region for family camping in Austria, as it offers ideal conditions for a vacation with children with over 1000 lakes, pleasant water temperatures and excellent infrastructure on campsites. Nowhere else in Austria will you find so many family-friendly campsites right by the water!
Highlights in Carinthia:
- 🏊♂️ Wörthersee, Millstätter See and Ossiacher See with bathing temperatures of up to 28°C
- 🏕️ Numerous top campsites with premium facilities
- 🚵♀️ Excellent network of cycle paths around the lakes
- 🗻 Combination of mountain landscape and lake panorama
Salzkammergut - between mountains and lakes
The Salzkammergut with its picturesque landscapes between mountains and lakes attracts families in particular who want to enjoy both water sports and hiking in their immediate surroundings. The region captivates with its idyllic towns such as Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang.
What makes the Salzkammergut special:
- Breathtaking lakes such as Lake Wolfgangsee or Lake Attersee
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Hallstatt nearby
- Family-friendly hiking trails with spectacular views
- Traditional Austrian culture and customs
Tyrol - the mountain paradise
Tirol impresses families with its unique mountain world, family-friendly campsites and a wide range of leisure activities specially designed to meet the needs of children of all ages. Children can experience real adventures in nature here!
Advantages of Tirol:
- Special family mountain lifts with adventure stations
- Varied themed hiking trails for children
- High-quality campsites with a mountain panorama
- Year-round activities (summer and winter camping possible)
Burgenland - for the little ones
The region around Lake Neusiedl in Burgenland is particularly popular with families with small children, as the lake is very shallow and the water warms up quickly, making it an ideal swimming paradise. The region also offers many child-friendly cycle paths.
What sets Burgenland apart:
- Extremely shallow lake, only knee-high in places - perfect for small children
- Mild Pannonian climate with many sunny days
- Family-friendly cycle paths without steep inclines
- Unique fauna and flora in the Lake Neusiedl National Park
What makes a campsite in Austria family-friendly?
A family-friendly campsite in Austria is characterized by child-friendly facilities such as a children's playground, entertainment and age-appropriate leisure activities. But what exactly should you look out for when making your choice?
Important features of family-friendly campsites:
✅ Play and leisure facilities:
- Modern, safe playgrounds for different age groups
- Options for indoor activities in bad weather
- Special areas for teenagers with Wi-Fi and recreation rooms
- Water attractions such as slides and paddling pools
✅ Safety and infrastructure:
- Clearly laid out, car-free site
- Sufficiently large pitches for families with tents or camper vans
- Well-lit paths and sanitary facilities
- Child-friendly sanitary facilities with special washrooms and changing tables
✅ Entertainment and supervision:
- Professional entertainment program with age-appropriate activities
- Qualified supervisors for different age groups
- Creative workshops and craft sessions
- Joint activities for the whole family
✅ Catering and service:
- Child-friendly meals in the restaurants
- Shopping facilities for basic foodstuffs on the premises
- Possibility to prepare baby food
- Flexible meal times that are tailored to families
Other important criteria are safety on the site, spacious pitches for families and modern sanitary facilities with special facilities for children. A good campsite in Austria thinks of all the details!
The best campsites for families with children also offer a well-thought-out entertainment program and are ideally located near excursion destinations that are interesting for children. This ensures that boredom doesn't set in, even during longer stays.
When camping with children in Austria, attention should also be paid to the quality of the catering options and the availability of child-friendly staff. Nothing is more important than a friendly team that caters to the needs of younger guests!
If you would like to find out more about camping with children, we have put together a detailed guide for you.
Why is lakeside camping particularly popular with families?
Lake camping in Austria offers families direct access to natural swimming opportunities, which is a great advantage, especially on hot summer days. There are few things better than stepping out of your tent in the morning and jumping straight into the cool water!
| The advantage of lake camping | Description of the campsite |
|---|---|
| Natural bathing experience | Crystal clear water without chlorine, natural surroundings |
| Beach feeling inland | Sandy beaches and sunbathing lawns directly at the campsite |
| Water sports facilities | Pedal boats, SUPs, sailing boats and more directly on site |
| Cool off on hot days | Spontaneous swimming possible at any time |
| Unique natural backdrop | Breathtaking panoramas with mountain-lake combination |
Why do families love lake camping so much?
🌊 Natural bathing experience:
- The Austrian lakes impress with their excellent water quality
- Many lakes have drinking water quality
- No chlorine or other chemicals like in pools
- Natural shore area for exploring and playing
🏖️ Child-friendly lake access:
- Many lakeside campsites have their own lido area with shallow access
- Separate swimming areas for greater safety
- Sunbathing lawns with shade for the lunch break
- Play facilities directly on the shore
🚣♀️ Water sports facilities:
- Campsites with direct lake access often offer additional water sports facilities
- Pedal boats or surfboards for hire
- Sailing and windsurfing for older children
- Swimming courses and trial dives are often also on offer
The Austrian lakes impress with their excellent water quality and are often surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, creating an incomparable camping experience. The combination of mountain and lake is unique in Europe!
How do you find the ideal campsite?
When choosing a campsite, families should pay particular attention to the proximity to excursion destinations and the leisure activities available for the whole family. To ensure that the vacation is a success for all family members, it pays to be well prepared.
Checklist for choosing the perfect campsite:
✅ Location and surroundings:
- Is the campsite right on the lake or near the lake?
- Are there interesting excursion destinations in the area?
- What are the public transport links like?
- Are the paths easily accessible for children?
✅ Facilities and amenities:
- What sanitary facilities are available?
- Is there a supermarket or bakery on the site?
- Are washing machines and dryers available?
- Is there WLAN on the campsite?
✅ Children's and family facilities:
- What play facilities are there for different age groups?
- Is entertainment offered and for what age?
- Is there a swimming lake or pool?
- Are family activities organized?
✅ Prices and booking:
- How transparent is the pricing?
- Are there family packages or discounts for children?
- Are reservations necessary?
- How flexible are the cancellation conditions?
Most regions offer both simple campsites for nature lovers and luxurious campsites with swimming pools and extensive entertainment programs. In Austria you will find campsites for every taste and every budget!
Camping in Austria with children also means benefiting from an ideal starting point for excursions. Whether hiking, cycling or visiting amusement parks - the central location of many Austrian campsites makes planning your vacation a breeze.
Tips for different types of campsites:
| Camping type | Recommendation | Special features |
|---|---|---|
| Tent campers | Look for level pitches with shade | Pay attention to ground conditions |
| Motorhome drivers | Pitches with supply and disposal stations | Make sure the pitch is large enough |
| Luxury campers | Premium campsites with wellness area | Often with panoramic pitches |
| Nature campers | Smaller pitches close to nature | Less entertainment, more peace and quiet |
How do top-rated campsites differ from other facilities in Austria?
Top-rated campsites in Austria are characterized by a well thought-out overall concept that takes into account all the needs of families, from arrival to departure. They often offer that little bit extra that makes a vacation unforgettable.
What makes the best campsites in Austria so special?
🏆 Well thought-out infrastructure:
- State-of-the-art sanitary facilities with family bathrooms
- Spacious, clearly demarcated pitches
- Well-developed paths and lighting
- Barrier-free access to all important facilities
🏆 Innovative offers:
- These campsites continuously invest in the modernization of their facilities
- Innovative leisure facilities that go above and beyond the standard
- Special family programs with creative ideas
- Sustainability concepts and environmentally friendly measures
🏆 Value for money:
- The best campsites in Austria impress with their excellent value for money
- Transparent pricing without hidden costs
- Discounts for longer stays or low season
- Included services such as guest cards for discounts in the region
🏆 Personal service:
- Another feature of top-rated campsites is the dedicated and friendly staff
- Individual support and quick problem solving
- Multilingual team for international guests
- Small touches that make the stay special
These campsites often have a loyal clientele who return year after year - a clear sign of quality and reliability. Many are family-owned and run with a lot of passion.
What top campsites also offer:
| Range | Standard campsite | Top campsite |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitary facilities | Functional and clean | Designer fittings, family bathrooms, underfloor heating |
| Catering | Simple catering | Regional specialties, children's menus, options for allergy sufferers |
| Entertainment | Basic program | Professionally designed adventure programs, excursions |
| Sustainability | Basic waste separation | Comprehensive eco-concept, renewable energies |
Conclusion
With its diverse regions and excellently equipped campsites, Austria offers ideal conditions for an unforgettable family vacation in the great outdoors. From crystal-clear lakes to majestic mountains - every family will find their own personal vacation paradise here.
✅ The top camping regions at a glance:
- Carinthia: The lake paradise with over 1,000 lakes and warm bathing temperatures
- Salzkammergut: Picturesque landscapes between mountains and lakes
- Tyrol: Unique mountain world with special offers for children
- Burgenland: Shallow Lake Neusiedl, ideal for families with small children
✅ What makes a family-friendly campsite:
- Child-friendly facilities and play options
- Safe environment and well thought-out infrastructure
- High-quality entertainment program for different age groups
- Comfortable sanitary facilities with family facilities
✅ Advantages of lake camping:
- Natural bathing experience in crystal-clear water
- Child-friendly lake access with shallow entry
- Wide range of water sports directly at the campsite
- Unique natural scenery between mountains and lakes
✅ How to find the perfect campsite:
- Pay attention to the location and surroundings
- Check the facilities and offers available
- Consider the individual needs of your family
- Compare the prices and services of different campsites
With the right preparation and taking into account your individual wishes, nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable camping adventure in Austria. Pack your bags and experience the beauty of Austrian nature together!
