450 kilometres of coastline on the North Sea with fantastic beaches, 37,000 kilometres of cycle paths and more than 2,700 campsites - that's the Netherlands. If you're looking for an exciting camping holiday by the sea, you've come to the right place.
What comes to mind when you think of Holland? Amsterdam, windmills, cheese, bicycles, tulips, chips and the sea? And maybe also camping? Especially the last association should immediately pop into your head: Because our neighbouring country is the paradise par excellence for camping fans! Camping is also a big thing for the Dutch themselves, and the huge selection of well-equipped campsites inspires German campers so much that many of them spend their holidays there every year. Here you can find out why Holland could be your ideal destination for a camping holiday and what you need to know: from how to get there and regulations on wild camping to the most beautiful regions and activities to our favourite campsites by the sea!
5 reasons why camping by the sea in Holland is a good idea
✅ Good accessibility:
From Germany you can reach the Dutch border within a few hours and start your camping adventure without a long and expensive journey.
✅ Camping dreams come true:
Whether you want to spend the night on a simple and quiet campsite or on a well-equipped campsite with lots to offer, the campsites by the sea leave nothing to be desired.
✅ Varied regions & leisure activities:
No matter how you imagine your holiday, you certainly won't get bored in Holland. Nothing stands in the way of a pure, relaxing beach holiday, but the regions by the sea offer countless opportunities for excursions and leisure activities: Visit one of the holiday parks with the children, explore the great cycle paths or stroll through the streets of the cute little towns - what do you fancy?
✅ The best conditions for camping with children or with a dog:
The Netherlands are not only a very child-friendly, but also dog-friendly camping destination. Therefore it's the idealspot, if you want to go family camping or want to go on a journey together with your four-legged camping companions.
✅ Warm locals:
There is a reason why the Dutch are known for thei open and relaxed mentality, which you will certainly soon discover during your holiday.
The best time for your camping holiday in Holland
We recommend the months of April to October as the ideal travel time for your camping trip to Holland. If you are looking for a beach holiday, the ideal time to travel is from June to August. However, if you want to avoid crowded campsites and long queues at sights, low season is also perfect. Spring is a particularly beautiful time of year in the country, because from March to May you can marvel at the splendour of the tulip fields. In this blog article we tell you, what other advantages a camping holiday outside high season has to offer. As the winters in Holland are comparatively mild, many campsites are open all year round.
Getting to the campsite by the sea
If you want to save yourself a long and tiring journey and enjoy the sea, beach and holidays as quickly as possible, Holland is the perfect destination for you. With your camper, motorhome or car, it only takes a few hours to get from Germany to the Dutch border; from Munich and Berlin, for example, it only takes about 6.5 hours. If you rent one of our CamperBoys campers in Düsseldorf, your camping paradise is even right on your doorstep and you only need 1 hour to get to the Netherlands!
💡By the way: Strictly speaking, Holland only refers to two of the twelve provinces that make up the Netherlands, namely North Holland and South Holland in the northwest of the country. In common usage, however, the Netherlands and Holland are often used as synonyms.
Wild camping: Is wild camping by the sea allowed in Holland?
Although the Dutch are known for their relaxed attitude, wild camping is unfortunately strictly prohibited, even on private property. You should not risk violating this regulation, as you can expect fines of up to €500 per person. However, you don't have to give up camping in the middle of nature: There are plenty of campsites that score points for their idyllic locations in the countryside or directly behind the dunes and the sea. Especially the small, often family-run ´mini campsites` come close to the undisturbed wild camping feeling. Here you will find an overview of the mini campsites in the Dutch provinces. In a separate blog article we have also given you for more details and alternatives to wild camping in Holland.
Apart from wild camping, there are a few other rules that you should observe in road traffic with your camper in order to get through your holiday safely:
The official speed limit on motorways in Holland is 120-130 km/h for cars and 100 km/h for campers. There are no tolls to use the motorways, but there are two small exceptions: the Kiltunnel (from Dordrecht to Hoekse Waard) and the Westerscheldetunnel (from Zuid-Beveland to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen).
Be careful when looking for a parking space: a yellow marking on the kerb means no parking, a blue marking means that parking is only allowed with a parking disc.
In paid parking spaces, you should also be careful not to exceed the maximum parking time, otherwise expensive fines may await you.
Holland's most beautiful regions and campsites by the sea
Camping, Holland & the sea: they belong together. If you are looking for sea, waves, wind and sun in a camping-friendly country, you will be happy in Holland. Each of the provinces along the coast - Zeeland, South Holland and North Holland - has its own charm and offers a wide range of possibilities for excursions and leisure activities.
Once you have decided which region(s) you would like to visit, there is only one thing missing: the right campsite by the sea. With more than 2,000 campsites, the choice is not easy. Simple campsites with a family atmosphere, 5-star campsites with amazing facilities such as restaurants, swimming pools or children's entertainment and everything in between - whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find it in Holland. To help you plan your trip, we present our favourite regions, leisure activities and campsites by the sea.
In the southwest of Holland, on the North Sea coast, the province of Zeeland is awaiting you. It consists of the mainland, but also many islands and peninsulas, and has the most hours of sunshine in the country. The region is therefore not only popular with sun worshippers, but also with families with children and water sports enthusiasts. The most beautiful and cleanest beaches in the Netherlands are to be found here, with icing sugar sand and a South Sea flair. For example, the 11-kilometre-long sandy beach t Zwin, the beach of Cadzand-Bad with dreamlike sunsets or the Dishoek beach, whose up to 50-metre-high dunes give you an amazing view of the North Sea.
To try your hand at windsurfing or kitesurfing, the towns of Oostkapelle or Breskens are ideal. But you should also pay a visit to cute medieval towns and villages like Middelburg or Zierikzee on your camping trip. Our favourite tip is the small town of Veere - the epitome of a picturesque small town: we can only recommend that you sit down by the water with a some chips and enjoy the atmosphere.
Campsites in Zeeland
Ardoer Camping Julianahoeve: The large campsite near the beach in Zeeland, which has been awarded ADAC Superplatz several times, offers many beautiful pitches for campers, caravans, motorhomes or tents. The campsite is perfect for holidays with children: the playgrounds and swimming pools, the animation team and the water park are guaranteed to make all the children's wishes come true!
Camping Strandpark De Zeeuwse Kust: You won't get bored at this campsite and holiday park 250 metres from the sea. Outdoor, water and indoor playgrounds, entertainment and an air trampoline await the little ones, while a wellness area, tennis court and restaurants cater for the older campers.
Insider tip - camping site Camping Janse: If you are looking for a smaller and quieter campsite, you will find it here. It's located on the Walcheren peninsula. In the well-kept grounds directly behind the dunes, you will be welcomed by extremely friendly staff. And best of all, only a few steps separate your pitch from the beautiful beach.
Region 2
South Holland
South Holland - that's what the Netherlands are all about, concentrated in one place, because here you'll find magnificent tulips, historic windmills, delicious cheese, lively towns and wonderful beaches. Visit the flower paradise of Keukenhof in spring or cycle from tulip sea to tulip sea in the Bollenstreek region. Take a trip to some of Holland's most beautiful cities, Leiden, The Hague or Rotterdam, and stroll along canals and half-timbered houses. In Gouda, you can try the world-famous cheese that gives the city its name, or the crispy stroopwafels that also come from there. Or visit the 19 Windmills in Kinderdijk from the 18th century along charming waterways and green fields.
But you don't have to miss out on sandy beaches in South Holland either. The coastal town of Scheveningen, for example, has great beaches for surfing and a pier by the sea, while the holiday resort of Noordwijk aan Zee has wide, clean sandy beaches and great dune scenery. In Katwijk aan Zee you will also find a great North Sea beach, which has been awarded the blue flag due to its good water quality. Good news, if you have your dog with you when camping: Your four-legged friend is also welcome on many beaches in the region.
Campsites in South Holland
Campsite Molecaten Park Noordduinen: From this campsite and holiday park in Katwijk aan Zee you can quickly reach the sea and go on great day trips. If the weather is bad, you can escape to the indoor swimming pool. When the sun is shining, you can rent a bike from the campsite's own bike rental service or try out the climbing wall.
Camping Jagtveld: If you stay at this family campsite, you will certainly feel more than comfortable, because there is a lot of Dutch ´Gezelligheid` going on here. The site is located directly behind the dunes of a beautiful, quiet beach, which you can reach in a few metres. It's also the perfect base for excursions to The Hague, Rotterdam and Delft.
Camping Vlietland: Yay, here you can wake up to a beautiful view of the water from the window of your camper or motorhome! The campsite - lovingly designed by the owner couple - is situated directly on the shore of a lake. But the sea is not far away either, and you can cycle along the canal to beautiful Leiden in just 15 minutes.
Region 3
North Holland
North Holland also has the potential to become your new favourite destination for camping adventures by the sea. A trip to the capital Amsterdam and beautiful Utrecht (which is actually in the province of the same name and no longer in North Holland) should definitely be on your bucket list! You can explore the pitoresque quarters of the cities in a particularly good and authentically Dutch way - by bicycle, which has become an indispensable part of the country's culture. Not even 40 minutes away from Amsterdam, Zandvoort beckons for beautiful beach days and water sports, as surfers, kite surfers or SUP fans - or those who want to become such - get their money's worth here. Schoorl, Bergen and Egmond aan Zee are also among the most beautiful seaside resorts in North Holland and are also popular beach destinations for a family holiday.
From Den Helder you can also take the ferry to the island of Texel in the north of the country. Here you can see the Wadden Sea and experience the North Sea like in a picture book with kilometre-long sandy beaches, idyllic dunes, wildlife reserves and cosy villages. If you're lucky, you might even come across a seal or two! But definitely a sheep, because there are actually as many sheep on the island as there are people.
Campsites in North Holland
Camping 't Noorder Sandt: This family-friendly campsite near Julianadorp, close to the beach, offers you the best conditions for a sunny outdoor holiday in the Netherlands, because here you can go hiking, horseback riding, cycling or canoeing. Your four-legged friends are also welcome and even have their own shower.
Ardoer Camping Tempelhof: Close to the seaside resort of Callantsoog, you can stay at Camping Tempelhof, which offers a wide range of play and sports facilities. You can also reach the beach which is 1.5 kilometres away on foot or by bike. If you want to have a really good time, there are even luxury pitches with private sanitary facilities or luxury chalets waiting for you.
Insider tip - camping site Molen de Hoop: There's probably no other campsite in Holland where you can spend the night as Dutch as here, because the fantastically beautiful pitches are located directly around an old mill. The nearest beach is just 10 minutes away, and after a day of swimming you can enjoy the delicious appeltaart in the mill's farm shop.
Camping by the sea in Holland: our conclusion
Well, could we convince you that camping, Holland & the sea is THE perfect dream combination for your next camping trip? When we think of the wonderful beaches on the North Sea coast with their relaxation and tranquillity, the well-equipped campsites by the sea, the charming holiday resorts, lively towns and cities and the wealth of leisure and sporting activities that Holland has to offer, we would love to jump straight into the camper and head for our neighbouring country. We can only recommend this to you as well: Op naar Nederland! Off you go on your adventure in the Netherlands!
