Camping in Germany (12 Essentials You Actually Need)

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Guten Tag, campers! 

As my German camping adventure comes to an end, I thought I’d share my non-negotiable list of items you need if you’re planning to see the sights with nothing more than a tent and a minivan.

This is not a glossy 'vanlife' guide. Just me and the hindsight I wish I’d had.

A Warm Jumper

I went to Germany with a tank top and a dream. A dream that was quickly crushed the second 18°C weather greeted me at the airport. Germany is cold, that’s a fact. Pack a jumper. Don’t be me.

Thongs (Aussie!)

You’ll need them for campground showers, wandering around in the evenings, and giving your feet a break after hikes. Nothing glamorous, just practical - unless you get square toed Havaianas, then we are talking style. 

Hiking Shoes

If you could see my poor Pumas after hiking the mountains just out of Mittenwald, you’d already be clicking 'add to cart' on the Kathmandu website. Germany’s beauty lies in its landscape  -  and that landscape will shred your sneakers. Do your sanity (and your socks) a favour, invest in a solid pair of hiking shoes.

Tick Kit

Not exactly the souvenir you want to bring home. One of my travel friends ended up in a small German doctor’s office in the middle of nowhere because we couldn’t get rid of one. Lesson learned: throw a tick kit in your bag, and thank me later.

A Good Book

Nothing beats a paperback with the mountains as your backdrop. I took The Modern by Anna Kate Blair, which I inhaled in two days, so maybe pack two…

Another one for your reading list:

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

Dry Shampoo

Shower schedules when camping are… loose. Dry shampoo will keep you from crossing the fine line between rustic, and feral.

Socks. Lots of Socks.

They will get wet. They will get muddy. They will mysteriously disappear. They will be stolen by your travel companions. Pack double, no TRIPLE, what you think you need. Future you will thank you. 

Tevas 

My Tevas, no matter how ugly, will follow me to the grave. These shoes have taken me mud crabbing in the Northern Territory, to hiking the mountains of Bavaria, and scaling ancient Greek ruins in Olympia. They are undoubtedly the best pair of shoes for travel.

Cross-Body Bag

Yes, cliché. But the Uniqlo cross-body bag is the hero of travel. It fits more than it looks like it should, is easy to clean, and sits flat across you on hikes. 

Lip Balm & Eye Cream

Camping doesn’t mean you have to surrender your face to the elements. My favourites: Dermal Therapy Overnight Lip Repair (a miracle worker), and the Caudalie RV Lift Eye Cream. German wind is NO match.

A Waterproof Tent

Seems obvious, right? Wrong. Because when you’re bleary-eyed and buying the ‘lightweight tent’ on sale, waterproofing feels optional. It’s not. Waking up with a wet back and no shower in sight is incredibly humbling.

A F*ck-It Attitude

This might be the most important item of all. The weather won’t always cooperate. You may end up sleeping in a stranger’s sheep shed (don’t ask). But that’s the magic of it. Say yes to hikes, talk to locals, eat whatever is offered, and lean in. That’s how the best travel stories are made.

Camping in Germany isn’t glamorous, but it’s unforgettable. Pack smart, make peace with soggy socks, and remember: mett tastes better with a Bavarian view.