Car camping is growing in popularity across Europe. Whether you’re on a long road trip, saving on accommodation, or just testing the simplicity of sleeping in your car, the challenge is always the same: where can you safely and legally spend the night? The answer depends on your style of travel. Some prioritize getting from A to B as efficiently as possible, others combine destination with journey and prefer scenic detours, while a third group embraces full overlanding and off-road adventures.

1. Functional: Motorway Service Areas

If your goal is simple—cover distance with minimal detours—then motorway rest areas are the most functional option. In Spain and Portugal these are called Áreas de Servicio, in France they’re known as Aires. They’re lit, open 24/7, often with fuel, bathrooms, and cafés. Truckers and long-haul drivers use them routinely, so car campers blend in easily.

Pros: Safe, monitored, quick in/out.
Cons: Noisy, not scenic.

2. Hybrid: Scenic Stops and Micro-Camps

For travelers who value the journey as much as the destination, stepping slightly off the highway opens up far more interesting overnight experiences. This includes:

• Community Apps:
  • iOverlander – Wild camping spots, informal parking, water points.
  • Park4Night – Mix of motorway rest stops, wild areas, and campsites.
  • Camping-app.eu – Covers formal and informal spots with offline mode.
  • Campy – Over 50,000 listings, easy to use on the go.
• Private Land Platforms:
  • Campspace, Campanyon, or Hipcamp – Rent a vineyard corner, a farm field, or a backyard spot legally. Ideal for quieter, scenic overnight stays.

These options give you the flexibility to stay close to your route when needed, but also to branch out into more scenic countryside when time allows.

3. Full Overlanding: Off-Road and Wild

If you’re equipped and seeking adventure, Europe also offers overlanding and wild camping opportunities. Scandinavia allows broad wild camping under allemansrätten (right to roam), while Spain, Portugal, and much of Central Europe have stricter rules but still pockets of accessible wild land.

• Use iOverlander for remote spots.
• Check local regulations before going off-road.
• Many off-road clubs and forums share GPS tracks and vetted overland camps.

Pros: Immersive, remote, adventurous.
Cons: Requires preparation, gear, and awareness of local laws.

4. Campsites That Welcome Cars

Even if you’re not in a van, traditional campsites are always an option. Many allow small vehicles and tents, or simply let you sleep in your car on a pitch. Apps such as ACSI Campsites Europe and camping.info make it easy to filter by facilities, family-friendly options, and location.

5. Safety & Legality

• Always check local rules—wild camping is allowed in some countries, restricted in others.
• Stick to official or app-listed spots when unsure.
• Park where others are overnighting for safety.

Conclusion

Car camping in Europe spans three styles:

• Point-to-point efficiency: Rest stops and service areas.
• Journey + destination: Scenic stops, private micro-camps, and app-listed rural spots.
• Overlanding: Off-road, wild, and remote experiences.

Your choice depends on time, gear, and appetite for adventure. With the right mix of planning and flexibility, car camping can be both practical and memorable.

 

Miata is always the answer; that’s how the saying goes among owners of the iconic Mazda MX-5 roadster, which pretty much has no competition at this time. If you’re an owner of one of these toys for adults, and especially if you’re based in Europe, this article is for you.

I own one of these gems and it’s been one of the best purchases in my life. It delivers amazing fun and great times with my family and friends. I especially like weekend outings with my kids (one at a time) where we have the chance to connect at a deep level.

I love both the ST and RF versions; if you’re struggling to decide which one to get, I would suggest you consider the weather you will be driving in, what kind of trips you will do, and how flexible you want the car to be. Clearly the RF wins if you want maximum flexibility, while the ST pips it in that feeling of top-down freedom. Whichever one you get, you are guaranteed to have a blast.

Accessories

There are a few must-have accessories that improve your enjoyment of this car.

Top on my list is the Roof Controller from Sergey at MX5things. It will allow you to open and close the roof without holding the switch, and also open and close it remotely (if you also buy the ACC/IG module). An alternative is the SmartTop Controller. It looks a bit nicer (but who cares anyhow) but has less functionality than the previous combo I described, and is more expensive.

Here are a few more that you should consider:

• Stubby shorter aerial
• Tailormade luggage
  • Roadster bag
    Roadster bag alt version
• All-weather floor mat
  • ILMotorsport floor mat set
  • Weathertech floor liner
• LED light kit
• Britax Roemer kids car seat (or Peg Perego Viaggio)
• Wind deflector

Best Websites for Finding Upgrades

• IlMotorsport
• MX5Things
• Comptoir de Cabriolet
• Mecatechnic
• TopMiata
• MX5Parts

For non-EU purchases, MossMiata and Cravenspeed are good ones.

Forums

When you buy an MX5 you join a worldwide community of passionate drivers who love their MX5s. The best way to get in touch with other drivers who share your passion is by joining an online forum.

My favorite is the Miata.net forum. You can find all kinds of advice on all MX5 versions there.

Bigger countries tend to have their own MX5 forum, for example, in Spain you can register at MX5Forum.es. The nice thing about the country forums is that they often organize driving tours where you get to explore your country and meet other MX5 drivers.

Driving Routes in Spain

Here are some good routes for driving the MX5 and similar cars in Spain:

• Grand Tour de Catalunya (see also this)

Machine used: Bosch Autocook Pro multi-cooker

Today’s recipe is one of the easiest you can prepare and is ideal for those who are using the multicooker for the first time.

This should be enough to serve 4 to 6 people, depending on the portion size and if the rice is served as a side dish or part of a main course. I prepare it and use it myself for 2-3 days as a snack or as an accompaniment to protein and fats in my meals.

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 3.5 cups water
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed (optional, but recommended)
• 3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions for Plain Rice

The first thing to do is to cook the jasmine rice in the Bosch AutoCook Pro, follow these steps:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 3.5 cups water
• 1 tablespoon salt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the jasmine rice: Place the jasmine rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. This step helps remove excess starch and prevents the rice from being too sticky. My packet said that it’s best to rinse it just once, so I did it twice just to be safe. The water was still pretty murky.
2. Add the rice and water to the AutoCook Pro: Place the rinsed rice in the cooking pot of the Bosch AutoCook Pro. Add 3.5 cups of water, and salt if desired. Stir gently to distribute the salt evenly.
3. Select the program: Close the lid of the AutoCook Pro and select the “Rice” program from the menu options and select the short cooking time (2o minutes),
4. Start the cooking process: Press the “Start” button, and the AutoCook Pro will begin cooking the jasmine rice. The appliance will automatically adjust the temperature for optimal results.
5. Wait for the rice to cook: The AutoCook Pro will cook the rice and switch to the “Keep Warm” function when it’s done. Allow the rice to rest for at least 5 minutes after the cooking cycle has completed before opening the lid.
6. Fluff the rice: After letting the rice rest, open the lid and use a fork or rice paddle to gently fluff the rice.

Note: The rice-to-water ratio and cooking time might vary slightly depending on the specific model of your Bosch AutoCook Pro. Adjust the ratio and cooking time as needed to achieve your desired rice texture.

Directions for the Rest of the Ingredients

Now it’s time to cook the rest. While you can use the AutoCook Pro for this part as well, I used a normal pan and kept the rice warm in the cooker in the meantime.

Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed (optional, but recommended)
• 3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Put the pan on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and heat it up.
2. Once hot, add the beaten eggs and cook them, stirring constantly to scramble them. When the eggs are fully cooked, transfer them to a plate and set aside.
3. Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pot. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, then cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent.
4. Add the thawed peas and carrots (if using) to the pot and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. Stir in the cooked and cooled jasmine rice, breaking up any clumps, and cook for about 3-5 minutes until the rice is heated through and slightly crispy.
6. Add the scrambled eggs back to the pot, along with the sliced green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil (if using). Stir to combine all the ingredients.
7. Taste the fried rice and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Remember that you can customize your egg fried rice by adding other ingredients such as cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu for added protein, or additional vegetables like bell peppers or bean sprouts for extra flavor and texture.