Why I Tracked Every Glamping Penny
After my fifth glamping trip, I realised I had no idea what I was actually spending. The nightly rate was one thing, but cleaning fees, firewood, food, transport, and extras added up in ways I never tracked. So I started keeping every receipt. Two years and 12 trips later, here's the real cost of glamping across 8 countries.
Portugal — Best Value Overall
I stayed at two sites in the Algarve and one in the Azores. The Algarve yurt was €120/night with en-suite bathroom, firewood included, and no cleaning fee. The Azores dome was €140/night with a private hot tub. Food from local supermarkets was cheap — €40 covered three days of self-catering for two people.
Total per night (all-in): €135-€155
Cheapest of the 8 countries I visited. The combination of low nightly rates, no hidden fees, and cheap food makes Portugal the best-value glamping destination I've tried.
United Kingdom — Variable but Reliable
Three stays: Snowdonia yurt (£95/night), Cornwall safari tent (£130/night), Cairngorms yurt (£140/night). All had cleaning fees of £25-£35. Firewood was extra at £5-£8 per basket. Food from M&S or local farm shops ran about £25/day for two.
Total per night (all-in): £115-£175
UK glamping is mid-range. The quality is consistent and the sites are well-run, but cleaning fees and firewood add £15-£25/night that isn't always obvious at booking.
Norway — Premium but Spectacular
Fjord-view dome near Bergen: 2,400 NOK/night (£180), cleaning fee 500 NOK (£37), firewood 150 NOK/basket. Food from Bergen supermarkets was expensive — £60 for three days of basic self-catering.
Total per night (all-in): £230-£310
The most expensive of the 8. You're paying for the view and the build quality of the domes. Worth it for a special occasion, not for a casual weekend.
Italy — Good Value in Tuscany
Tuscan farm tent: €110/night, no cleaning fee, firewood included. Food was the highlight — €30 at the local market covered fresh pasta, pecorino, wine, and vegetables for two days. The site had a shared pool and a wood-fired pizza oven.
Total per night (all-in): €120-€140
Italy rivals Portugal for value. The glamping itself is mid-range, but the food costs are so low that the all-in price is excellent.
Iceland — Expensive but Unique
Bubble dome near Reykjavik: 35,000 ISK/night (£190), cleaning fee 5,000 ISK (£27). Food was the biggest shock — a basic supermarket shop for two days cost £55. The bubble had no kitchen, so one dinner was at the site restaurant (£45 for two).
Total per night (all-in): £250-£290
Second most expensive after Norway. The bubble dome experience is genuinely unique — lying in bed watching aurora through a transparent dome — but the food costs push it into luxury territory.
France — Solid Mid-Range
Dome in the Dordogne: €130/night, cleaning fee €25, firewood €8/basket. Food from the local market in Sarlat was about €35 for two days. The site had a canoe launch on the river, which was included.
Total per night (all-in): €145-€165
France sits between Portugal and the UK. Good quality, reasonable prices, excellent food. The Dordogne specifically is great value because it's less touristy than Provence.
Scotland — Worth It for the Hot Tub
Cairngorms yurt with private hot tub: £140/night, cleaning fee £30, firewood £8/basket. Food from the Co-op in Aviemore was about £30 for two days. The hot tub was the deciding factor — without it, this would have been overpriced.
Total per night (all-in): £165-£185
Scotland is UK pricing plus a premium for remote locations. Go for the hot tub and the dark skies. Don't go expecting budget glamping.
Morocco — Cheapest, With Caveats
Desert camp near Merzouga: €80/night all-in, including dinner and breakfast. No cleaning fee, no firewood charge (campfire was communal). Transport was the hidden cost — a 4x4 with driver from Marrakech was €180 return.
Total per night (all-in): €80-€120
The cheapest by nightly rate, but transport adds significantly. If you're already in the Sahara region, it's unbeatable value. If you're coming from Marrakech, factor in the drive.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Cleaning fees: Range from £0 (Portugal, Italy) to £37 (Norway). Always check — some sites bury this in the small print.
Firewood: £5-£15 per basket. A two-night stay in a cold yurt uses 3-4 baskets. That's £15-£60 extra.
Minimum stays: Many sites require 2 nights minimum, and 3 nights on weekends. This effectively raises the per-night cost if you only wanted one night.
Transport: Glamping sites are rural. If you don't have a car, taxi or transfer costs can add £30-£50 each way.
Food: Self-catering is cheaper, but only if the site has a kitchen. Sites with no kitchen force you into on-site dining or restaurant trips.
Booking: where to look
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My Ranking by Value
1. Portugal — €135/night all-in, en-suite, firewood included
2. Italy — €130/night all-in, incredible food costs
3. Morocco — €100/night all-in, but transport adds up
4. France — €155/night all-in, reliable quality
5. UK — £145/night all-in, consistent but fees add up
6. Scotland — £175/night all-in, premium for remote locations
7. Iceland — £270/night all-in, unique but expensive
8. Norway — £270/night all-in, spectacular but pricey
If I had to recommend one country for a first-time glamper on a budget, it would be Portugal. If budget isn't a concern, Norway for the view or Iceland for the aurora.
