The Netherlands, this small country in the heart of Europe, is often associated with idyllic images of windmills alongside colourful tulip fields and historic cities criss-crossed by canals. These are not just clichés. You will find all this and more when you go on a camping holiday in the Netherlands. This small country has a rich culture, which is particularly evident in its museums, where you can admire the works of the great Dutch painters, from Van Gogh to Vermeer and Rembrandt. The Netherlands also has areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as the lakes of Friesland and the Hoge Veluwe National Park. There are so many places to discover on your next caravan or campervan holiday in the Netherlands.
Our campsites with camping pitches in the Netherlands
Towns of Art and History
A first visit to the Netherlands usually begins with a stroll along Amsterdam’s canals. It must be said that the Dutch capital has many attractions, starting with its canals lined with narrow gabled houses. The city has 75 kilometres of canals spanned by more than 1,000 bridges. Art lovers will adore Amsterdam. The city is home to some of Europe’s finest museums, including the Rijksmuseum, which houses paintings by the Flemish masters, notably Rembrandt’s famous Night Watch.
In a different vein, Rotterdam is an open-air museum of contemporary architecture. Completely destroyed during the Second World War, the city was rebuilt during the second half of the 20th century. It now boasts original buildings such as its impressive covered market. At dusk, photographers will not want to miss the opportunity to take a few shots of the skyline stretching around the Erasmus Bridge, which rivals that of Manhattan.
As the seat of parliament, The Hague is often considered the political capital of the Netherlands. This seaside resort with its old-fashioned charm is dotted with Art Nouveau buildings that bear witness to its opulence in the early 20th century. The Scheveningen district is undoubtedly the most elegant part of the seafront with its luxurious hotels. During your visit to The Hague, be sure to visit the Mauritshuis, a museum that houses one of the finest collections of Dutch paintings.
Although art is generally found in cities, one of the country’s most important museums is located in the heart of the 5,400-hectare De Hoge Veluwe National Park. The Kröller-Müller Museum houses collections spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. Among other things, it has a large number of paintings by Van Gogh, making it an unmissable stop for admirers of the painter who cut off his ear during a camping trip in the Netherlands.
In addition to the major cities in the west, the Netherlands is home to a plethora of pretty little towns that may be less famous than Amsterdam but are nonetheless full of charm, such as Maastricht. Nestled among the rolling hills of Limburg, this city boasts a rich heritage dating back to Roman times.
Camping in the Netherlands on the nature side
The Netherlands is famous for its vast tulip fields, which stretch as far as the eye can see during the spring flowering season. The Keukenhof Gardens, located near the town of Lisse, offer one of the largest flower displays in the world, with millions of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils in bloom, creating a dazzling spectacle of colour that will delight photographers. However, this is only one aspect of the Netherlands’ natural riches. The north-east of the country offers superb landscapes of lakes and canals winding through green countryside. Elegant traditional sailing boats, known as Skutsje, sail on these lakes. You can also hire boats without a licence to explore these vast expanses of water and discover the north of the Netherlands from a different perspective.
The Netherlands is also home to breathtaking coastal landscapes, specifically the Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique park is famous for its mudflats, dunes and diverse wildlife, offering visitors the opportunity to explore unspoilt coastal ecosystems and discover a variety of migratory birds. To the north of the Netherlands lies a string of islands, the Wadden Islands, some of which are open to visitors and invite you to take long walks on sandy beaches. The largest island, Texel, is accessible by ferry.
In the heart of the countryside, De Hoge Veluwe National Park offers 5,400 hectares of unspoilt nature. Located in the wooded Veluwe region, this park is renowned for its vast expanses of forest, heathland and dunes. Visitors can explore the park by bicycle (1,800 bicycles are available free of charge to enjoy the 40 kilometres of cycle paths that criss-cross the park), following the many marked trails, or set off to discover the local wildlife, including deer, wild boar and foxes. De Hoge Veluwe is a prime destination for camping holidays in the Netherlands surrounded by nature.
The other country of cheese
Let’s be honest, you don’t go to the Netherlands for the food. However, the country does have a few surprises in store for food lovers. Cheeses such as Gouda and Edam feature prominently among the Netherlands’ gourmet specialities. If you get the chance, visit one of Holland’s traditional cheese markets (Kaasmarkt). The one in Alkmaar is a must-see!
Let us not forget the mills
Windmills are definitely one of the most common clichés about the Netherlands. With more than 250 windmills, mainly located in the west of the country, it would be a shame not to admire a few during your camping holiday in Holland. Kinderdijk is home to the most beautiful windmill landscape in the Netherlands. These 19 windmills, used to drain the polders, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are one of the great classics of the Dutch landscape. You’re sure to take some of the best photos of your camping holiday in the Netherlands here.
Our campsites in the Netherlands
A selection of the best campsites in the Netherlands for holidays in caravans, tents or motorhomes.
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