First Eurocamp Holiday? Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
Planning your very first Eurocamp holiday? You’re in for an unforgettable adventure, and I’m excited that you get to have it! We are big Eurocamp fans, having visited dozens of different sites over the years, and they work so well for families.
We often describe Eurocamp holidays as being like all-inclusive resorts, but without the dining included or the price tags. You’ll still find fantastic swimming pools and waterparks, amazing playgrounds, sports facilities and even children’s clubs in many sites. There are also Eurocamp sites in some of Europe’s best locations with Eurocamp operating over 400 sites, so you won’t have to sacrifice where you stay either.
But if you’ve never stayed with Eurocamp before, you probably have loads of questions. I know we did before our first trip! Some of those questions include: What should you pack? What’s included? Do you need to bring bedding? How do check-in and check-out work? Are the pools free? Is it worth paying for extras?
I’m going to answer all of these questions and more, based on our first hand Eurocamp holiday experience. Here’s everything you need to know:
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
What Is Eurocamp?
Eurocamp is one of Europe’s best-known holiday companies, offering self-catering accommodation on family-friendly holiday parks across Europe.
Instead of traditional hotels, you’ll stay in fully equipped mobile homes, safari tents or lodges located within large holiday parks featuring facilities such as:
- Swimming pools
- Water parks
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Children’s entertainment
- Sports facilities
- Playgrounds
- Supermarkets
- Bike hire
Many parks are located close to beaches, lakes, mountains or popular tourist attractions, making them an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area. Because there’s such a wide variety of different Eurocamp parks, it sounds like a cliche but, there really is a right one for everyone!
👉 Check out our Eurocamp hub page for all of our in-depth content about Eurocamp holidays
Is Eurocamp Right For Your Family?
Eurocamp holidays work particularly well for families who:
- Enjoy having plenty of space, including separate bedrooms for the kids (Something you vary get in hotels)
- Prefer self-catering, and the cost-savings that often brings
- Want children to have freedom to play.
- Like swimming pools and outdoor activities.
- Want better value than many hotels.
If you’re looking for room service and luxury spas, Eurocamp probably isn’t the right choice. You’ll notice I haven’t written a piece comparing Eurocamp to our favourite 5 star resort, because it’s like comparing apples to oranges! But if you want relaxed family holidays where the children can spend hours swimming while you enjoy a coffee on your terrace, you’ll probably love it as much as we do!
Choosing The Right Eurocamp Park
One mistake many first-time visitors make is assuming every Eurocamp park is the same. This couldn’t be further from the truth!
Some parks are quiet countryside retreats, while others are huge resort-style complexes with dozens of pools and hundreds of activities. These tend to be the sites we prefer, always looking for the best waterparks and best facilities to keep the boys entertained. If you feel the same then Sables D’Or is a great option, with our favourite Eurocamp waterpark so far.
Before booking you’re first Eurocamp holiday, it’s really important to think about the location you choose. Do you want:
- The beach?
- Mountains?
- Lakes?
- Theme parks nearby?
- Cities within driving distance?
These are factors we always consider when choosing our next break, THEN we look at the facilities available on the site itself, to make sure they also match our specific and unique wish list.
QUICK BOOKING BOX:
The best Eurocamp sites can book up surprisingly quickly. I recommend booking early for the widest choice of options
👉 Use this link to check available options, and current prices
Which Accommodation Should You Choose?
Eurocamp offers several different accommodation types. The right type for you largely depends on how much you want to spend AND how much time you’ll be spending on-site. If you’re using your Eurocamp as a base to explore surrounding beaches, towns and cities, the accomodation type is less important than if you don’t plan to leave the resort for a week. The options available to you are:
Comfort Mobile Homes
Ideal for families looking for excellent value. These still have indoor/outdoor seating, seating terraces, and separate bedrooms for the whole family, but with less of a luxe feel.
Premium Mobile Homes
More modern interiors with larger terraces and better facilities. If you want the luxuries of a TV and dishwasher, you generally need to upgrade to Premium accomodation options
Ultimate Accommodation
The newest, largest and most luxurious options.
Safari Tents
Perfect if you enjoy camping with extra comfort, and want to really embrace an outdoor adventure. These are also the cheapest option usually!
👉 I really deep-dive into the accomodation types and what’s included in each here: Eurocamp Accommodation Guide: Comfort vs Premium Mobile Homes (With Real Photos)
What’s Included In Your Eurocamp Holiday?
One of the biggest questions first-time visitors ask is what’s actually included. This does vary a little bit depending on the accomodation type you choose, but with every Eurocamp holiday you’ll generally find:
✔ Beds for every guest (we love that we all have our own bedrooms, so we don’t have to share with the boys like we do in a hotel)
✔ Kitchen with fridge freezer, cooking hob, microwave, and basic cooking equipment
✔ Plates, bowls, cutlery and glassware
✔ Indoor and outdoor seating areas
✔ Bathroom with shower usually a separate toilet (handy for families)
✔ Heating
Air conditioning isn’t included as standard on all sites or in all accomodation types, but it is widely available in Eurocamp properies. So this is something to consider when booking. We specifically look for sites with air conditioning: we’ve never stayed in one without it, so I can’t share what that experience is like.
What Isn’t Included?
Depending on your booking, the following items generally aren’t included as part of your Eurocamp package:
- Bedding and Towels (I cover this more fully below)
- Baby equipment such as cots, stair gates, high chairs etc
- Wi-Fi
- End-of-stay cleaning, particularly for sites in France
My recommendation is to always check your booking confirmation before travelling, so you know what you’re going to get before you start travelling.
Eurocamp Bedding and Towels
Eurocamp provide duvets and pillows in all of their accommodation (including tents), however, bed linen, duvet covers and towels are not usually included. You can add towel and bedding packages to your break, but these are an extra charge. Alternative you can just bring your own from home for free: that’s what we usually do!
Eurocamp bedding and towel hire is available under the ‘extras’ section of your booking and you can add this either before or after you book your break. If you do choose to buy these, I’ve added the prices below:
| Package | Price |
| Double duvet linen & towel pack | £29.31 per pack |
| Single duvet linen & towel pack | £20.69 per pack |
| Bed linen only – Double bed | £21.55 per pack |
| Bed linen only – Single bed | £16.38 per pack |
| Cot linen | £11.64 per cot |
| Beach towel hire | £15.08 per two towels |
What Should You Pack?
Packing for your first Eurocamp holiday is perhaps the most daunting part of the trip if you’ve never been before! The good news is, although the word ‘camp’ is in the name, this isn’t a camping holiday and you won’t need to pack camping equipment.
However, we always recommend packing:
- Bedding and towels (we bring our own rather than pay for the Eurocamp package)
- Beach towels
- Pillows (one per bed is provided, but if you like to sleep with a second pillow, bring your own!)
- Pool shoes (like these ones, as the poolside surfaces can get very hot)
- Extension lead, because there are never enough plug sockets
- UK to EU travel adapters
- Mosquito repellent and citronella candles for sitting outside on the terrace at night
- Reusable water bottles
- Washing-up sponge and washing up liquid (a welcome kit provides a small amount, but not enough for the whole week if you plan to eat in the accomodation regularly)
- Tea towels
- Hand soap and hand towel for the bathroom
- Bin bags
- Tea bags and coffee
- Snacks for arrival day
- Card games and board games. Sitting out on our terrace playing card games and eating pastries from the on-site bakery is our favourite way to start a Eurocamp morning!
- Beach toys, balls, and other entertainment for the kids
Checking In For Your Eurocamp Holiday
Checking in your your Eurocamp Holiday is very similar to checking into any other holiday. On the My Eurocamp section of your Eurocamp Account, approximately 10 days before your holiday, you can complete the Digital Pre-Check in process. You’ll enter the full names and dates of birth of everyone in your party, and you’ll also be asked your approximate time of arrival.
- Standard check in time for Eurocamp Holidays is between 4.00pm and 7.00pm
- You can arrive outside of these hours.
- If you’re early you can park your car, use the park facilities, and then come back at 4.00pm when the accomodation is ready
- If you arrive after 7.00pm and the regular team has already left for the day, they’ll leave your keys at the security desk, then you have to come back in the morning to complete the check-in process with the Eurocamp team (We’ve done this plenty of times, and it’s so easy to do!)
Food And Shopping
Most parks have a small supermarket. These are so handy for getting bits and bobs, but it’s worth noting that the prices are usually higher than local supermarkets. If you’re driving, we recommend doing a proper supermarket shop after arriving.
Most sites usually also have an on site bakery, and we wouldn’t pick a Eurocamp without one because this is such a highlight for us! Croissants and pain au chocolat for breakfast, delicious french baguette for lunch, and butter-rich desserts when we’re feeling extra-indulgent. Our boys always pack their scooters, and are old enough to scoot to the shop alone each morning to buy our daily bread: they love having this freedom and independence!
Cooking a few meals in your accommodation is one of the easiest ways to keep holiday costs down. But I don’t like to cook on holiday! So we compromise by eating breakfast and simple lunch in our accomodation, then going out (or ordering in) for dinner. Lunch of local cured meats and cheese, with fruits and vegetables alongside that french bread is our staple. It sounds simple but we look forward to it all year!
Many sites also have an on-site restaurant and most will have an on-site pizzeria too. Look at your chosen camp to see what food and drink offerings they have, to help put together your own dining plan.
Entertainment
If you pick one of the larger resort-style Eurocamp locations then they really do feel like being on an all inclusive resort, and this is particulaly true when it comes to the entertainment on offer. Many parks offer:
- Evening shows and children’s discos
- Live music
- Sports tournaments and pool-side tournaments during the day
- Craft activities
- Kids clubs
The daily schedule is usually posted at the main reception for the site, so it’s worth heading down on your first day to see what’s on for the week (tip: we take a photo of the schedule on our phone so that we always have it to hand!)
What About The Swimming Pools?
Good news! Swimming pools are included in your stay when you visit a Eurocamp park. (The only exception to this I know of is Duinrell, where Eurocamp guests pay a discounted rate to visit their Aquamundo waterpark complex).
We’re a family of water lovers, so the pools are the most important part of our holiday. If you feel the same way, look for larger parks that feature incredible water parks with multiple slides, lazy rivers and wave pools. In my opinion, the pools are the best bit about Eurocamp holidays, so choose yours wisely!
Our Tips For Your First Eurocamp Holiday
- BOOK EARLY. The best sites and accomodation options can book up surprisingly quickly. Use this link to look at site options and book your break.
- ARRIVE PREPARED. Most arrivals happen in the afternoon, and if several families arrive at the same time, this can take a while. We always pack snacks and entertainment for younger children, to get them through this final hurdle before the holiday begins!
- DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS. Mobile signal can vary across some parks. If you’ll be relying on Google maps etc to get around, downloading offline maps will make things much less stressful.
- BRING POOL TOWELS. These aren’t provided.
- EXPLORE BEYOND THE PARK. While it’s tempting to stay by the pool all week, don’t forget to explore the local area too. We’ve seen so much of France, and so many beautiful towns and cities, as part of our Eurocamp adventures.
Eurocamp FAQs
Is Eurocamp cheaper than a hotel?
We consistently find that Eurocamp holidays are cheaper than hotel and certainly cheaper than package holidays. You pay per accommodation rather than per person, which saves a lot of money for families. If you’re looking for affordable options, check out our guide to the Cheapest Eurocamp Summer Holidays for Families
Are Eurocamp holidays suitable for toddlers?
We had a baby and a toddler when we took our first Eurocamp holiday. Now we have a tween and a teen, and we still visit Eurocamp every year! Eurocamp holidays work for toddlers thanks to their splash pools, playgrounds and baby-friendly facilities.
Do I need a car?
Many parks are easiest to explore with a car, and we always drive because we like to explore the surrounding areas when we travel. But there are some Eurocamp sites that are accessible by plane, train or public transport. You can check out a full list of these car-free holidays here.
Is Eurocamp worth it?
For our family? We really rate Eurocamp holidays! It’s perfect for some good, old-fashioned family fun, and makes me nostalgic for the Eurocamp holidays I took with my own family when I was a kid.
The combination of space, facilities and flexibility makes Eurocamp one of our favourite ways to holiday in Europe.
Final Thoughts
Our first Eurocamp holiday completely changed the way we travel as a family during the school summer holidays. Instead of feeling restricted to a hotel room, we enjoy space to relax, cook together, spend evenings on our terrace and let the children enjoy the freedom of the holiday park. We also save a fortune, saving our longer haul adventures for shoulder-season when prices are cheaper.
If you’re considering booking your very first Eurocamp holiday, don’t overthink it. Choose a park that suits your family, pack the essentials and enjoy one of Europe’s best family holiday experiences.
Read More Eurocamp Guides
- Eurocamp Family Travel Guide
- Best Eurocamp in France: 8 Best Eurocamp Sites For Families (2026 Picks!)
- Best Eurocamp Parks Near Disneyland Paris: 5 Budget-Friendly Alternatives To Disney Hotels
- Are Eurocamp Holidays Worth It? An Honest Review After More Than 10 Stays
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
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