Saxony is calling: Camping is booming – nature and culture for explorers!

Saxony is calling: Camping is booming – nature and culture for explorers!

The Saxon government has big plans for camping tourism in the region. She would like to promote Saxony as an insider tip for individual travelers and increase the number of camping tourists. Tourism Minister Barbara Klepsch (CDU) highlights the diverse opportunities for discovery offered to camping and motorhome guests in Saxony.

In 2024, the number of overnight stays on campsites in Saxony rose to 1.08 million, which corresponds to an impressive increase of 28 percent compared to 2019. Upper Lusatia and Saxon Switzerland are particularly popular, each attracting a third of the guests. Nevertheless, the proportion of overnight stays on Saxon campsites is 5.4 percent, below the national average of 8.6 percent. Eight percent of the campers in Saxony come from abroad, around half of them from the Netherlands.

Growth in camping tourism

The market for camping, caravanning and mobile homes is showing positive development in Saxony, with growth in 2024 being significantly higher than the national average. The ministry also plans to expand cycle tourism, including new mountain bike trails and the modernization of existing routes. Despite these positive trends, the Central German Association of the Camping and Motorhome Industry expresses a differentiated view of the industry.

Association boss Jens W. Bohge warns of weather-related fluctuations and expresses cautious expectations for the coming season. He also mentions challenges such as rising energy costs, high food prices and increased salaries that are weighing on the industry. Bohge also emphasizes that Saxony is not a coastal region, but has a wealth of other attractions such as lakes, mountains and cultural offerings.

Infrastructure and regional characteristics

The camping tourism infrastructure suffers from construction sites, especially on Highway 4, which is seen as one of the hurdles for local tourism. There are around 100 campsites and 150 parking spaces for mobile homes in Saxony, many of which are run by family businesses.

Saxon Switzerland in particular offers an impressive natural experience, framed by breathtaking rock formations, forests and an extensive network of hiking trails. Camping options range from tent sites to RVs to bivouac accommodations that promise campfire romance and a clear starry sky.

Nature and culture lovers will find further highlights near Dresden, which is often referred to as “Florence on the Elbe”. The city is surrounded by sandstone mountains and vineyards and offers majestic buildings such as the Frauenkirche, the Semperoper and the Zwinger that captivate visitors.