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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

EXPLAINED: Everything you need to know about camping in Austria

Camping in Austria can be a lot of fun, but what are the rules? Here’s everything you need to know about setting up camp in the Alpine republic.

Published: 24 May 2022 12:54 CEST
Updated: 10 July 2023 16:40 CEST
EXPLAINED: Everything you need to know about camping in Austria
Wild camping might be illegal in Austria but there are plenty of campsites to choose from. Photo by Cliford Mervil on Pexels.

Waking up beside a lake or surrounded by mountains is a dream Austrian holiday for many, but it’s important to know the rules about camping before heading off with a tent or campervan.

With the summer season calling us to the outdoors, here’s everything you need to know about camping in Austria.

Is wild camping legal in Austria?

Wild camping – setting up camp outside of a designated campsite – is generally illegal in Austria. This applies to both camping in a tent or sleeping in a van on the side of the road.

Exceptions to this rule do exist but usually only if the municipal authority grants a temporary exception, for example for a school trip or a youth club activity.

A bivouac (temporary camp without cover) is allowed in the event of bad weather or injury, but planned wild camping in the mountains is illegal. 

FOR MEMBERS: What are the rules for wild camping in Austria?

There are some regional differences though.

In the states of Salzburg, Vorarlberg and Styria there are no laws strictly forbidding camping outside of campsites, but local authorities can prohibit it and take action if necessary.

The strictest rules apply in national parks, nature reserves and special protection areas across Austria, so check before you plan your camping trip that your spot is not located in one of these areas.  

In most cases, if someone is caught camping illegally in Austria it is considered as an administrative offence and a fine can be issued, ranging from €5 to €500, depending on the location.

Camping in the forest

Camping in the forest is prohibited everywhere in Austria by law (specifically Section 33 of the Forest Act). The only exception is when you have the consent of the landowner.

Camping above the tree line

In Upper Austria and Styria you are allowed to camp in the mountains above the tree line, as long as you are outside of pasture areas.

In Vorarlberg this is also permitted, although the mayor of a municipality can prohibit the setting up of tents outside approved campsites if the interests of safety, health, agriculture or the protection of the natural balance as well as the landscape and townscape are “grossly violated”.

In Salzburg, camping above the tree line is in theory permitted, but the Alpine Association recommends groups wishing to camp should contact the nature conservation department of the responsible district administration before setting up. 

READ ALSO: How to explore the Austrian mountains in the summer like a local

Camping in a tent

Camping in a tent is the most common way of camping in the summer and most people pitch up on a dedicated campsite.

Many campgrounds have water and electricity facilities, as well as showers, cooking areas, recreation spaces and even kids clubs. Others have luxury elements like year-round heated pools, saunas, beach volleyball and restaurants.

Campsites are also often located near a lake or at the base of mountains, which means you can wake up to beautiful scenery every morning .

Some of Austria’s top camping associations include Camping Wien, Camping Steiermark and Top Camping Austria.

Camping in a van

Camping in a motorhome is only allowed at campsites in Austria and if someone is caught sleeping in a van in a prohibited area they can be fined.

The only exception is if a driver has to stop and recuperate before continuing driving.

Top camping tips

Austria is packed with stunning natural landscapes, so camping during the summer months is a popular activity – both for Austrian residents and tourists.

For this reason, it’s recommended to book ahead during the peak summer holiday months of July and August, whether planning to camp in a motorhome or tent.

Camping in motorhomes is also becoming more popular at some winter campsites during the ski season, so it’s always a good idea to book in advance.

Additionally, it’s advised to take bug spray when camping in Austria in the summer as insects like mosquitoes and ticks are common in countryside areas.

In fact, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) – a viral infection transmitted by the bite of infected ticks – is endemic in Austria and it’s recommended to get vaccinated before going on a hiking or camping trip in the country.

The main affected areas for TBE are Tyrol and Upper Austria.

READ MORE: EXPLAINED: What is Austria’s ‘tick vaccine’ and should you take it

Useful vocabulary

Campsite – Campingplätze

Tent – Zelt

Campervan – Reisemobil

Electricity – Strom

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DISCOVER AUSTRIA

Four of the best hidden villages in Austria’s Salzkammergut region

Instead of the crowded village of Hallstatt, you can enjoy four other cute and historical villages while visiting Salzkammergut.

Published: 17 April 2024 12:34 CEST
Four of the best hidden villages in Austria's Salzkammergut region

The Salzkammergut region in Salzburg is famous for its beautiful nature, particularly its crystal-clear lakes surrounded by mountains. The area also has many charming villages worth visiting. Instead of going to the often overcrowded town of Hallstatt, you should consider exploring some of the lesser-known but just as beautiful villages. Here, we list the four most interesting ones.

St. Wolfgang

St. Wolfgang is a cute village located on the beautiful Lake Wolfgangsee. It is great to visit and experience fantastic nature and exciting history.

The village is famous for its Gothic church where the saint St Wolfgang is buried. It is also known for its colourful historical buildings and narrow cobblestone lanes where you can stroll and enjoy the architecture that takes you back centuries.

If you want to eat something or buy local products, the village offers many restaurants, coffee places, and shops to purchase products and artisans from the region.

You can explore various outdoor activities at the lake and in the mountains surrounding the village, including biking, swimming, sailing, hiking, climbing, or even enjoying an adventurous ski tour during the winter. If you want to explore some great views without doing a lot of sports, you can take the Schafbergbahn, a historic cogwheel railway, up the mountain.

The village also hosts many cultural events and festivals, such as the Advent market with music, different stalls with local products, and Gluhwein during the winter. During the summer, the Sommernacht (Summer Night) festival offers a great opportunity to meet people and enjoy music, theatre, and other performances.

From Vienna, you can take public transport to St. Wolfgang, a trip that normally takes around four hours. One of the best options is to take the train from Vienna to Bad Ischl and then change to bus 546, which takes you straight to the village.

St.Wolfgang and its beautiful surroundings. Photo by Leonhard Niederwimmer on Unsplash

Traunkirchen

This small and historic village is surrounded by crystal-clear water and high mountains on the shores of Lake Traunsee.

This village is famous for its church, Johannesbergskapelle, which is located on a rocky, smaller mountain from which you can enjoy great views of the surroundings. You can also explore the views by walking on the lakeside promenade or, why not, by boat ride on the lake.

Traunkirchen is also an excellent place for swimming since the lake is just around the corner. It is also a good starting point if you want to hike up the mountains surrounding the village. Many hiking and biking paths are available, and they are clearly marked and easy to follow.

If you are hungry and in the mood for some shopping, the village has different restaurants, coffee places, and shops where you can buy local products.

In late spring, the village holds the annual sailing regatta Traunseewoche (Traunsee Week). The event gathers sailors from around the region to compete in various sailing races, and as a visitor, you can watch the races from the village’s shores.

Public transport takes around 2.5 hours to reach Traunkirchen from Vienna. There are different travel options, but one of the best is to take the train from Vienna to Attnang-Puchheim Bahnhof and catch another train to Traunkirchen.

It was a foggy day in Traunkirchen. Photo by Simon Berger on Unsplash
 

Strobl

Strobl is another charming and historic village on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee. It is a village less known than St. Wolfgang and a good alternative if you want to have a calmer experience.

Here, you can stroll around the narrow village lanes and admire the old Austrian traditional architecture, visit the village’s church, Pfarrkirche Strobl, try local food in one of the restaurants, or explore some shops. You can also walk on the lakeside promenade and enjoy the great views of the lake and the mountains. 

Like the other villages in the Salzkammergut, Strobl also offers excellent opportunities for swimming, cycling, hiking, or boat trips. If you want to hike around the lake, you can check out the hiking trail called Bürglstein Rundwanderweg, which offers an easy trail where you always walk close to the lake.

If you are in the village during the summer, you should try the Sommerrodelbahn Strobl. On a sled-like cart, you go down a winding track on a hill close to the village.

By public transport, you can reach Strobl in around four hours from Vienna. Take a train from Vienna to Salzburg, and from there, take bus 150 to Strobl bus station.

Sailing boat outside the village of Strobl. Photo by Alejandra Cifre González on Unsplash

Altaussee

Altaussee is a historical village located on the shores of Lake Altausee. It is famous for its beautiful Austrian architecture, church, and the Altaussee Salt Mine, which has been in operation for over 7,000 years.

Apart from the beautiful lake, the village is surrounded by high mountains where you can go hiking and enjoy the incredible views. The town is also an excellent location for cycling, swimming, going on a boat ride, or just relaxing while taking in the surroundings.

Throughout the year, Altaussee hosts different cultural events and festivals, such as the cultural celebration The Narzissenfest, which takes place in the summer. The festival celebrates the blooming of narcissus flowers, and you can go there to enjoy events such as concerts, flower parades, and local food.

Altaussee also has literary significance due to its association with the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig, who found inspiration in the village’s tranquillity and nature.

With public transport, it takes about four hours to get to Altaussee from Vienna. You can take a train from Vienna to Attnang-Pucheim and then another train to Bad Aussee. Once you are there, you catch bus 955 to Altaussee Kurhaus.

Winter in Altaussee. Photo by Thomas Galler on Unsplash

Check out the timetables for your travels on ÖBB’s website or through their application.

READ NEXT: The four best cycling routes in Austria

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