Campervan Hire Kleve: Your Adventure Starts Here!

Discover Kleve: Your Gateway to the Lower Rhine

Welcome to Kleve, a charming city in North Rhine-Westphalia, nestled right on the Dutch border. When you choose a campervan hire in Kleve, you're not just renting a vehicle; you're unlocking a region rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Kleve, known in English as Cleves, sits picturesquely between the Rhine River and the vast Reichswald forest. With a population of just over 51,000, it offers a perfect blend of small-town tranquility and historical significance, making it an ideal starting point for your campervan adventure.

The city's history is most famously linked to the Duchy of Cleves and one of its most notable daughters, Anne of Cleves, who briefly became the fourth wife of King Henry VIII of England in 1540. The legacy of this powerful duchy is still visible today, most prominently in the majestic Schwanenburg (Swan Castle), which towers over the city. This castle, immortalized in Richard Wagner's opera 'Lohengrin', is a must-see and offers panoramic views of the surrounding flatlands. Your motorhome rental in Kleve gives you the perfect base to explore this and other historical treasures.

Geographically, Kleve's position is unique. It's one of the westernmost towns in Germany, and the nearby Dutch city of Nijmegen is just a short drive away. This proximity makes a cross-border excursion an effortless part of your journey. Imagine waking up in your camper, having breakfast with a view of the German countryside, and enjoying dinner in a vibrant Dutch city—that's the freedom a campervan hire in Kleve provides. If you're looking for a special vehicle, ask about our 4x4 camper hire in Kleve, perfect for venturing off the beaten path into the nearby forests and nature reserves.

The weather in Kleve is typical for the region, with temperate maritime influences. Summers (June to August) are pleasantly warm, with average temperatures around 22°C (72°F), ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are also beautiful times to visit, with fewer crowds and stunning colours in the city's famous gardens and the surrounding forests. Winter can be cool and damp, but the festive atmosphere around Christmas adds its own charm. For the best overall experience, we recommend planning your motorhome rental in Kleve between May and September. This period ensures that all attractions are open and the conditions are perfect for both driving and exploring on foot. Get ready to discover a city that has captivated artists, dukes, and kings for centuries, all from the comfort of your mobile home.

Top Sights and Activities In and Around Kleve

Once you've picked up your campervan, Kleve and its surroundings offer a wealth of attractions to explore. The flexibility of a motorhome rental in Kleve means you can create your own itinerary and spend as much time as you like at each spot.

Schwanenburg (Swan Castle): You can't miss it. This iconic castle is the symbol of Kleve. Park your camper nearby and climb the tower for breathtaking views over the city and the Rhine floodplain. The castle grounds are perfect for a relaxing stroll as you soak in centuries of history.

Baroque Gardens (Forstgarten): Designed in the 17th century by John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, these stunning gardens are a masterpiece of landscape architecture. They feature amphitheatres, canals, and beautiful statues. It's an ideal place for a picnic and a peaceful afternoon away from the driver's seat. A great reason for a campervan hire in Kleve is having such beauty right on your doorstep.

Museum Kurhaus Kleve: Housed in a former spa hotel next to the gardens, this museum showcases an impressive collection of medieval sculptures and modern art, including works by Ewald Mataré. It’s a cultural highlight that perfectly complements the city’s historical narrative.

Tiergarten Kleve: If you're traveling with family, the Kleve Zoo is a wonderful destination. It focuses on domestic and European animal species and features a lovely red panda enclosure. It's compact enough for a half-day visit and easily accessible with your motorhome.

The Reichswald Forest: Just south of Kleve lies the largest contiguous forest in the Lower Rhine region. It was the site of a major battle in WWII but is now a peaceful nature reserve. It offers numerous hiking and cycling trails. With a 4x4 camper hire in Kleve, you can easily access the trailheads and spend a day immersed in nature before returning to the comfort of your campervan for the night. The freedom of a motorhome rental in Kleve truly shines when you can combine city culture with natural escapes so seamlessly.

Unforgettable Road Trips Starting From Kleve

Your campervan hire in Kleve is your ticket to adventure. The city's strategic location makes it a fantastic starting point for some truly memorable road trips. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

🚲 The Dutch Delights & Historic Cities Tour (2-3 Days)

🏰 The Lower Rhine Roman Route (3-4 Days)

Returning Your Campervan Spotless in Kleve

After an amazing trip, it's time to prepare your campervan for return. Most rental agreements, including ours, require you to return the vehicle with a clean interior and exterior. Finding a car wash that can accommodate a large motorhome can be tricky due to height restrictions.

Standard automatic car washes are almost always too small for our campers. You need to look for washing stations designed for trucks ('LKW-Waschanlage') or self-service wash bays ('SB-Waschanlage') with high ceilings. Here are a few suitable options in and around Kleve to get your campervan sparkling clean before you hand back the keys.

1. SVG Autohof & Rasthof Kleve
This is a dedicated truck stop and the most reliable option for large vehicles. They have professional washing facilities designed for trucks and buses, which are perfect for your motorhome. It's the easiest way to get a thorough exterior clean.
Address: Van-den-Bergh-Straße 2, 47533 Kleve

2. SB-Waschpark Goch
If you prefer to wash the campervan yourself, a self-service wash park is a great choice. This one in the nearby town of Goch has high-clearance bays where you can use pressure washers and brushes. This gives you full control over the cleaning process.
Address: Daimlerstraße 26, 47574 Goch

3. Shell Truck Wash Kalkar
Located a short drive away in Kalkar, many larger Shell stations on main routes offer truck washing services. It's always a good idea to call ahead to confirm their operating hours and height limits, but they are often well-equipped for larger vehicles like your rental campervan.
Address: B57 (on the main road), 47546 Kalkar

Always remember to check the specific cleaning requirements in your rental contract. A clean return ensures a smooth and quick handover process, letting you end your incredible motorhome rental Kleve adventure on a high note.

Getting to Kleve for Your Campervan Adventure

Your adventure with a campervan hire in Kleve begins the moment you arrive. Kleve is conveniently located and accessible for international travelers, especially those coming from English-speaking countries.

From the UK & Ireland:
The easiest way to reach Kleve is by flying. The two closest airports are Weeze Airport (NRN), just a 30-minute drive away, and Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), about an hour's drive. Ryanair flies directly to Weeze from London Stansted, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Numerous carriers, including British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Eurowings, offer direct flights to Düsseldorf from London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Dublin.

If you prefer to drive, you can take a ferry to Calais (France) or Hoek van Holland (Netherlands) or use the Eurotunnel. From Calais, it's approximately a 4-hour drive to Kleve. The journey is straightforward and takes you through Belgium and the Netherlands.

From the USA & Canada:
Your best bet is to fly into a major European hub. Düsseldorf Airport (DUS) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in the Netherlands are your top choices. There are direct flights to both airports from major North American gateways like New York (JFK), Toronto (YYZ), Chicago (ORD), and Atlanta (ATL). From DUS, Kleve is an easy train ride or a 1-hour drive. From AMS, the journey takes about 1.5 hours by car or 2 hours by train.

From Australia, New Zealand & South Africa:
Your journey will involve a long-haul flight to a major hub in Europe or the Middle East. Common routes include flying with carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Singapore Airlines to Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), or Singapore (SIN), followed by a connecting flight to Düsseldorf (DUS) or Amsterdam (AMS). From there, you can complete the final leg of your journey to Kleve by train or rental car to pick up your motorhome.

Once you arrive at the airport, the German and Dutch public transport systems are highly efficient. You can easily catch a train to Kleve's main station ('Bahnhof'), where our pickup point is conveniently located. Getting here to start your motorhome rental in Kleve is a smooth and simple process.