Last updated: February 2026
Germany invented the Stellplatz — and with over 4,300 dedicated motorhome parking areas across the country, it remains the best-equipped destination in Europe for campervan travel. From fairy-tale castles along the Romantic Road to winding Mosel Valley vineyards, there's almost always a legal, well-serviced spot to park for the night.
Germany is home to more than one million registered motorhomes — the largest fleet in Europe by a wide margin. The country crossed the million mark in April 2025, and new registrations have been growing at roughly 9% per year. The Stellplatz network is what makes it all work, and it's a system that's remarkably well-suited to touring — especially once you understand how it operates.
Browse all Germany locations on our interactive map
A Stellplatz (plural: Stellplätze) literally translates to "parking place" — but these aren't ordinary car parks. They're purpose-built facilities for self-contained motorhomes and campervans, offering a legal and often well-serviced place to park overnight. Think of them as the German equivalent of French aires, but with a distinctly German approach: efficient, well-organised, and usually very clean.
There are Stellplätze in almost every town and village across Germany. Forum users and experienced tourers consistently report there are over 6,800 across the country, though published guides catalogue around 4,300. Either way, the network is vast — and growing every year as more municipalities invest in motorhome infrastructure to attract tourist spending.
German motorhome tourism generates an estimated €19.5 billion per year, with 13.5 million motorhome-specific overnight stays recorded in 2023. Local councils know that a well-placed Stellplatz brings visitors who spend money in local shops, restaurants and attractions. That's why almost every town has one.
Not all Stellplätze are the same. Here's what you'll encounter:
Municipal Stellplatz — run by local councils, these are the most common type. Facilities range from basic (a car park with a motorhome sign) to excellent (hard standing, electricity, water, waste disposal, and lighting). Cost varies from free to around €15 per night. The majority are in the €5-12 range.
Private Stellplatz — operated by businesses such as marinas, vineyards, service stations, or alongside campsites. These tend to have better facilities and charge €8-20 per night. Many vineyard Stellplätze in the Mosel and Rhine valleys are free if you buy wine.
Autohof — a private network of service stations near the autobahn (not on the autobahn itself — those are Raststätten, which we don't recommend for overnight stays). Autohöfe are open 24 hours, fenced, with CCTV, and many now offer dedicated motorhome areas with services, picnic tables, and even electric hookup. Fees are sometimes refunded if you buy food or fuel on site.
Winery/Vineyard Stellplatz — particularly common in the Mosel Valley, where the "Winzeratlas" scheme connects dozens of vineyards that offer motorhome parking. Stay overnight, taste the wine, buy a few bottles. It's a wonderful way to tour wine country.
German Stellplätze generally deliver better facilities than French aires, though they also tend to cost a bit more. Here's what's typically available:
Stellplätze cost more than French aires on average, but are still dramatically cheaper than campsites. Expect:
A useful tip: some Stellplätze that charge a fee give you a "Kurkarte" (spa/tourist card) in return. These cards provide discounts on local attractions, thermal baths, and public transport. In spa towns (any town with "Bad" in its name), the Kurkarte alone can be worth more than the parking fee.
Germany's premier wine touring region and a motorhome paradise. The Mosel winds between steep vineyard slopes with dozens of Stellplätze — many at wineries through the Winzeratlas scheme, where you can park free and taste the wine. The towns of Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach, and Kinheim are all excellent bases. The cycling path that follows the river is superb for combining biking and motorhoming.
Dense forests, cuckoo clocks, and excellent driving roads. The B500 scenic route through the Black Forest is one of Germany's best driving experiences. The region has a strong network of Stellplätze including some at thermal spas — Baden-Baden is a highlight. Todtnau and Titisee-Neustadt are popular stops.
Fairy-tale castles (Neuschwanstein), Alpine scenery, beer gardens, and Oktoberfest. Bavaria has excellent Stellplätze, but be aware that this region enforces camping rules strictly. Fines for illegal overnight parking in nature reserves can exceed €2,500. Stick to official Stellplätze and you'll have no problems — there are plenty of them.
Germany's least-populated state offers beautiful beaches, islands (Rügen with its stunning chalk cliffs), and a more relaxed approach to regulations than the south. Stellplätze along the coast are often scenic and less crowded than inland tourist areas. Ideal for summer touring.
Wine country par excellence, with dramatic castle-topped cliffs along the river. The Rhine has numerous Stellplätze in riverside towns, many within walking distance of wine cellars and restaurants. River cruise boats pass constantly — but from a Stellplatz, you get the same views for free.
Central Germany's highest mountain range, with steam trains, medieval towns (Quedlinburg, Goslar, Wernigerode), and excellent hiking. The Harz has a growing network of Stellplätze and fewer crowds than Bavaria or the Black Forest. A hidden gem for motorhomers.
From North Sea beaches to the Harz Mountains, Lower Saxony offers geographic diversity and a strong Stellplatz network. The North Sea island of Norderney and the coastal towns are popular summer destinations with motorhome-friendly infrastructure.
Beyond the Stellplatz network, Germany has its own "stay at a business" programme called Landvergnügen (literally "country fun"). This is the German equivalent of Brit Stops in the UK and France Passion in France.
For an annual membership fee, you get a guidebook, app, and membership card granting you free 24-hour stays at 585 rural addresses across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. These include family-run breweries, craft cheese makers, farm shops, vineyards, distilleries, small museums, and artisan producers.
Landvergnügen is part of the FEFI federation (Fédération Européenne de la Formule Invitations), the same network that connects Brit Stops, France Passion, España Discovery, Pintrip (Denmark), Swede Stops, Swiss Terroir, and Agricamper Italia. If you already use Brit Stops in the UK, the concept is identical.
Unlike Brit Stops (which is UK-only), Landvergnügen covers three countries — making it excellent value if you're touring the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
Many Stellplätze are listed on Campercation by our community of motorhomers, complete with GPS coordinates, reviews, photos, and up-to-date facility information. Here's how to use our platform for Germany:
Most existing Stellplatz platforms (Stellplatz.info, Bordatlas) are German-language only. Campercation provides an English-language alternative with community reviews from fellow UK and international motorhomers who've visited these same stops.
Wild camping is officially prohibited throughout Germany. However, German law has a concept called "Wiederherstellung der Fahrtüchtigkeit" — restoration of fitness to drive — which allows one overnight stop in a regular parking space if genuinely needed for safety. In practice, this means you can park overnight in most places as long as you don't exhibit camping behaviour (no awning, chairs, etc.). That said, with thousands of affordable Stellplätze available, there's rarely any reason to risk it.
Important: Never wild camp in German national parks. Fines can reach €2,500, and enforcement is strict.
German roads are excellent. While speed is unrestricted on about 70% of the autobahn network, congestion often limits actual speeds, and motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes have their own speed limits (100 km/h on autobahns, 80 km/h on main roads). German drivers are confident and fast — check your mirrors frequently. If a driver behind you flashes headlights and indicators, they want to overtake. Never undertake on the autobahn.
Germany's famous Weihnachtsmärkte run from late November through December and are a major draw for motorhomers. Stellplätze in market towns fill up very quickly — arrive early in the day or consider staying in nearby villages and cycling or using public transport to reach the markets. Nuremberg, Cologne, Dresden, and Stuttgart are among the most popular.
Germany has thousands of service points beyond what's at Stellplätze. Many motorway services have taps for fresh water, and stand-alone service points are common. Water supplies may be turned off in winter if there's a risk of freezing.
Most supermarkets and larger shops are completely closed on Sundays. Plan your food shopping accordingly — Saturday afternoon or weekday stops. Petrol stations on major roads and autobahn service areas are open 24/7 and stock basic supplies.
A Stellplatz is a designated motorhome parking area — not a campsite. There are no marked pitches, no shower blocks, and usually no on-site toilets. Stellplätze assume your vehicle is self-contained. They're cheaper (often €5-12 vs €25-45 for a campsite) and more convenient for touring, but they offer fewer facilities. Many motorhomers use a mix of both.
Most Stellplätze are for motorhomes and campervans only — caravans (car + caravan) are generally not permitted. However, some larger private Stellplätze do accept caravans. Landvergnügen (Germany's Brit Stops equivalent) also welcomes caravans, which is unusual among European "stay at a business" schemes. Check individual listings for caravan suitability.
Typically 1-3 nights. The maximum stay is displayed on signage at the entrance. Some Stellplätze won't let you book for fewer than 2 nights, while others have a strict 1-night limit. If you want to stay longer in one area, look for a campsite or check whether the Stellplatz permits extended stays during quieter seasons.
Not usually. Stellplatz signage uses universal symbols for facilities and rules, and most Germans in tourist areas speak good English. Payment machines may be German-only, but the process is generally intuitive (insert coins, take ticket). Having a few basic German phrases handy is polite and helpful: "Stellplatz" (motorhome parking), "Wasser" (water), "Strom" (electricity), "Entsorgung" (waste disposal).
Yes, very generally. German Stellplätze are typically well-ordered, often in residential areas or town centres, and usually have other motorhomes present. Private Stellplätze and Autohöfe with barriers and CCTV offer additional security. We don't recommend overnight stays at autobahn Raststätten (motorway service areas) due to noise and security concerns — use Autohöfe instead.
Planning a multi-country European tour? Our community has mapped thousands of overnight stops across the continent: