5 Eurocamp sites to visit during the shoulder season

Find your perfect crowd-free holiday at a great price with an off-season Eurocamp stay – and enjoy an extra discount as a Boundless member.

Ever thought about swapping hot high-summer holidays in Europe for a shoulder season stay? Cooler days and quieter roads, beaches and attractions everywhere are just some of the advantages you'll find travelling in spring and autumn.

Eurocamp's hundreds of holiday parks offer all kinds of off-season possibilities in all kinds of destinations, with a wide range of accommodation options spanning fully equipped holiday homes and air-conditioned lodges to eco tents. So whatever you're after – be it culture, nature, adventure, wellness or seaside – get some inspiration for your next spring, autumn or winter Eurocamp holiday below.

Best Eurocamp for history and culture

Caleb Miller on UnsplashIn its Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon and Catacombs, Rome is home to some of the world's most famous ancient sites, but its attractions don't stop there. From the Sistine Chapel and Vatican to Villa D'Este and Zaha Hadid's MAXXI (National Museum of 21st Century Art), the city has enough world-class sites to keep the most committed culture vulture happy.

A stay at Eurocamp's Hu I Pini woodland site puts all these attractions less than an hour's drive away. And after a busy day exploring Italy's capital city, returning to the calm site is a restorative treat. You could even take a day out to play tennis or mini golf, explore the local area by bike, or do an aqua aerobics class. End your day at one of the two bars, or in the Belloverde restaurant.

Best Eurocamp for a five-star experience

Pincalo via PexelsCroatia’s Krk Premium Camping Resort, named for the idyllic island it's set on, is a luxury getaway which, with two heated pools and spa facilities, is the perfect site for a relaxing spring or autumn break.

At just 28km away from Rijeka Airport, you could even forget about a car and use bikes to get around ¬– including to Krk, less than 3km away. This 2,000-year-old fortified town is packed with history, including walkable ramparts and two 12th-century buildings in its cathedral and Frankopan Castle.

Given the park's amenities, including an infinity pool, spacious pool terrace, elegant restaurant, direct beach access and sea views, you might not want to leave the campsite at all. Book in for fun activities like mini golf, aqua aerobics and canoeing if you're feeling active, or spa treatments, massages and yoga if you're not.

Best Eurocamp for action fans

SlimMars13 via PexelsThe cooler temperatures of the shoulder season make it a great time to enjoy an action packed holiday, and Southern France's Ardèche offers plenty of it. Canoeing and canyoning down the Chassezac river system, through spectacular limestone gorges and white water, are just two of the outdoor recreation activities on the doorstep of Europcamp's La Ranc Davaine site.

Prefer dry land? The Bois de Païolive forest nearby is filled with trails, and riverside cycle paths stretch for miles around the site. Or you could try something new… perhaps pot-holing in a cave, climbing, or, just 30km away in Aubernas, paintballing.

On site, a bakery and minimarket offer provisions for a picnic, while Balazuc's market is filled with local produce. One of the region's many medieval hill towns, and on the list of Most Beautiful Villages in France, it's just one more reason to book a break here.

Best Eurocamp for a half-term family break

SC Leme via PexelsA half-term getaway is a treat for a taste of the summer to come or as a welcome last blast of warmth before winter sets in. But May and October can be unpredictable when it comes to weather, so it's a good idea to choose a site that offers lots of variety – like Portugal's Orbitur Costa da Caparica.

As with all Eurocamp sites, Orbitur offers a range of on-site activities – including football, an outdoor playground and indoor games room, located in a woodland setting just a few minutes' walk from a sandy beach and the seaside town of Costa da Caparica.

And less than a 30-minute drive away lies Lisbon, where the Oceanário de Lisboa aquarium, Pavilhão do Conhecimento science museum, Castelo de São Jorge castle, Lisbon Earthquake Centre, vertiginous trams and gravity-defying cable cars are just some of the family-friendly attractions on offer.

Best Eurocamp for a group holiday

AXP Photography via PexelsTravelling with friends is a sure way to bring back lots of happy memories to treasure together, particularly from the Costa Dorada's Vilanova Park.

From nearby Vilanova i la Geltr, Barcelona is just a half-hour train ride away. Visiting the city's many incredible Antoni Gaudi sites, like the La Sagrada Família and Park Güell, could be a whole holiday in itself, but don't miss exploring the iconic Boqueria market (or the less touristy Mercat de Santa Caterina), trying different tapas and sherry in the Barri Gòtic or fresh seafood at a beachfront chiringuito in La Barceloneta. Or stay on the train for a day of people-watching in the popular resort town of Sitges.

Back at the park, landscaped lawns and shady palm trees create a relaxing ambience centred around three pool complexes, a wellness centre and a beautifully restored 17th-century Catalan farmhouse with a beautiful terrace.

Eurocamp holiday discounts with Boundless

Boundless members can save up to 35% on a Eurocamp holiday, with something to suit everyone at sites across France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg.

^{This article was accurate at the time of publication. Please note information and offers shown may change over time.}