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What started as us thinking of the best places to sleep around the world, has turned into a list of the best places to sleep we’ve ever experienced. Most places on this list are places to sleep for free using a good ol’ tent, as we believe the most fluffy bed and luxurious pillow aren’t what make a place to sleep amazing.
Instead, it’s the experiences surrounding the night. What you see when you go to bed, and what you wake up to in the morning. What the atmosphere around your place of rest brings, and the energy of those you share the place with.
Reading through this post, you’ll quickly find that we lean towards sleeping under the stars more often than not, and think that nature is the best place you’ll find a good night’s rest.
Ready to fuel your wanderlust.. let’s dive in!
Staying Under the Towers of Torres Del Paine
What marks the first on our list of best places to sleep around the world is Torres del Paine.
A place you rest your head is only going to be as good as the camping gear you bring. But that’s not what makes this place to sleep on this list. The camp itself isn’t anything fancy. It’s the experience of camping at the base of the towers that make this stay so good.
The atmosphere of base camp to Torres Del Paine is something not to be missed. There’s something so special about an entire camp going to bed early and waking up well before sunrise to hike an hour to see Creation in its best form! And hey, this camp is a fantastic place to meet like-minded travelers and lifelong friends!
READ MORE | Completing the “W” Trek of Torres Del Paine
READ MORE | The Total Guide to the Torres Del Paine Trek
Hotel Skalinada | One The Best Places to Sleep Around the World in A Proper Bed
Words do not explain how perfect Hotel Skalinada is. I’m not even sure you could really call this place a hotel, as it’s nothing at all like other hotels. Staying at Hotel Skalinada is truly an awakening to what’s important in life. A view of a life that’s slow and steady, where worries and troubles are truly washed away. Hotel Skalinada is the perfect place for a total reset and a rejuvenation for life and big dreams!
The family that runs the hotel and restaurant, the amazing local food, and the crystal clear Adriatic Sea at your doorstep will leave you wanting to vacation here year after year.
Wild Camping in Shetland
Visiting Shetland is an experience in and of itself. The remote, northern isles of Scotland are so untouched by tourism, it’s a fantastic and super safe place to visit! Home to amazing star gazing, Northern Light shows, thousands upon thousands of birds, and great sea walks it’s a nature lover’s paradise! And, wild camping in Shetland ups the connection to nature a wee bit.
Being on a remote island, and then falling asleep under the lights of just the stars, with nobody else around brings peace nothing else can really match. The only sounds you’ll hear are birds, the waves crashing against the rugged coastline, and maybe some sheep grazing nearby. The stars and if you’re lucky, the Arora Borealis are the only things illuminating the world around you. It’s truly just magical!
If stars and the Northern Lights aren’t your jam, head to Shetland in the summer where you’ll experience nearly 24 hours of daylight!
READ MORE | 25 Things to do in Shetland
READ MORE | Living in Shetland for Six Weeks Jay’s Work Placement
Salt Flats in Bolivia | Maybe the Weirdest Place to Sleep?!
Sleeping on a bed made from salt?! Have you ever heard of such a thing? Yes, it’s a bit firm, but boy it’s an experience to have! After an awesome tour through the Bolivian Salt Flats, you stay at a house where everything (or nearly everything) is made from salt. Your bed, the chairs, the table — all salt! This tour is one of our must-have experiences before you die, and sleeping on a salt bed is definitely a place to sleep before you die too!
READ MORE | The Total Tour of Salar de Uyuni – The Salt Flats
Secret River Spot Between Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks
This spot was a slam-dunk, free campsite we found while visiting Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. We had just finished a week camping in Yellowstone and needed a spot to stay on our way to the Grand Tetons. And holy smokes — this free campsite came with a bear box, picnic table, fire ring, pit toilets, and views that you could literally cry over.
Not to mention, it’s near one of the most popular national parks in the United States, and there wasn’t a soul around! Just us connecting with nature, a calm river at our side, and perfect views all around!
READ MORE | Free Places to Sleep in a Car or Tent
Swiss Alps | Find a Quiet Place to Sleep in the Towering Alps
Can you find a better view for a place to sleep in the Swiss Alps?! We spent a month driving around Switzerland, finding that mountain roads held many great places to sleep for a night or two. If you’re not on a tight budget, you can choose to stay at any of the great accommodations in the Grindelwald / Lauterbrunnen area. However, if you’re like us and travel in a campervan or with a tent, you can just drive up and stay (stealthy) at parking places throughout the Swiss Alps!
READ MORE | Cost of Food in Switzerland
LEARN MORE | 15 Rules for Driving in Switzerland.. a must-read if visiting Switzerland by car
GET INSPIRED | Our First Experience in the Swiss Alps
SEE MORE | Driving the Grindelwald Pass (where the picture below is taken)
Sleep Under the Stars at Tre Cime di Lavaredo
In honor of full disclosure here.. The Dolomites region in Northern Italy is easily one of our most favorite places on Earth. So, it’s a no-brainer that sleeping here makes our top places to sleep list! Tre Cime Di Lavaredo is one of the most popular areas of the Italian Dolomites. We spent a number of days at the base of Tre Cime enjoying the views from below before actually heading up to the hike itself. We decided that we’d do an overnight trek of Tre Cime to allow for better photography.. and boy, it did not disappoint!
The only thing we’d do differently next time is pack more water! We ran out of water and had to head back to the van instead of staying up on the mountain for a second night. Don’t make that mistake.. it really is so amazing that you’ll want to sleep here for two nights minimum!
WATCH MORE | 3 Minutes in the Dolomites
Camping at Pulpit Rock | Skip the Crowds at Preikestolen
When we looked into hiking to Preikestolen there was one thing we were sure of.. we didn’t want to experience the masses of people that flock there every day. If you look at pictures, you may see the occasional photo of someone by themselves without others around. However, more often than not, you’ll see thousands of people in one photo. This was an absolute no for us.
We knew we had to experience Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) without thousands of others near.. and wild camping at Preikestolen granted that wish. A truly remarkable experience, and in our opinion, the best way to experience Pulpit Rock.
WATCH MORE | 3 Minute Round-Up of Norway
LEARN MORE | Info on Hiking to Preikestolen
FIND MORE | Free Campsites in Southern Norway
Sahara Desert Camp | Camel Trekking and Sleeping in the Desert
This is one of those places that fall into the category of the best place to sleep for the experience, not the comfort. Haha. If you read our Camel Trekking in Morocco post, you’ll find that we were absolutely freezing and got such poor sleep. However, you’ll also see that it was one of the most amazing times of our lives. A total dream come true, and for good reason.
Reaching the desert camp, you’ll travel by camel for about an hour through the Sahara Desert. At camp, you’ll be greeted with traditional Moroccan food, mint tea, and music. The stars in the desert are unlike anywhere else… even with a full moon, and the sunrise — oh the sunrise. I’d suffer through freezing temps for that sunrise again and again!
GET INSPIRED | 25 Photos of the Sahara Desert
LEARN MORE | Morocco Travel Advice, Stories, And Must Knows
Want More Travel Inspiration Across the Globe?
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Destination Guides | Photo Inspiration, Need to Know Info, and Travel Tips
Camping Gear to Get You Out Under The Stars
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For more detailed information on backpacking gear, check the posts below..
Backpacking Starter Pack – Backpacking Gear to Get You Out in Nature
The Ultimate Camping Gear List.. Must Haves to Should Haves & Extra Comfort Items
Search for Cheap Flights to Get You Closer to These Destinations Here
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