Camping by the Sea in Holland

By Buck Tanner · May 2, 2025 · 9 min read
Row of colorful beach cabins on a sunny day at Katwijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

The Netherlands boasts 450 km of North Sea coast with stunning beaches and more than 2,700 camping sites. There are also 37,000 km worth of cycle routes. Camping by the Sea is Holland the best way to experience this and enjoy a camping vacation on the coast.

What do you imagine when you think about Holland? Amsterdam, windmills and cheese? Maybe also camping? You should think of the last one first: Our neighbour is the camping paradise par excellence! The Dutch are also big fans of camping, and their large selection of well-equipped campgrounds is so inspiring to German campers that they return there year after year. Find out what makes Holland the perfect destination for camping holidays and how you can get there. From the regulations of wild camping, to the best regions and activities and our favourite campsites near the sea.

5 Reasons Why Camping by the Sea in Holland

Camping on the Dutch coast offers a unique experience. From the wide beaches to the fresh sea air. Here are 5 reasons to pitch your tent next to the sea.

Accessibility:

You can easily reach the Dutch border from Germany in a matter of hours and begin your camping trip without having to make a long or expensive journey.

Camping dreams come true:

The campsites near the sea are perfect for anyone who wants to stay on a quiet and simple campsite, or a campsite that is well-equipped with many amenities.

Diverse regions and leisure activities

Holland is a place where you will never get bored. There is nothing that can stop you from enjoying a relaxing holiday on the beach, but there are also many other activities and excursions to enjoy in the region by the sea. You could visit one of the parks for families with children, or explore the cycle paths. Or, simply stroll around the charming little towns.

What are the best camping conditions with kids or a dog?

The Netherlands is not only dog-friendly but also child-friendly. It's the perfect place to take your family camping or to travel with your dog camping companion.

Warm locals

You will soon learn why the Dutch have a relaxed and open mentality.

Camping in Holland at the Best Time of Year

The months of April to October are the best time to travel to Holland for camping. The best time to visit Holland for a beach vacation is between June and August. The low season is ideal if you are looking to avoid crowds on campsites and long lines at attractions. The spring is one of the most beautiful times of year, as you can enjoy the beauty of the tulip fields from March to May. This blog post will tell you what else camping holidays outside of high season have to offer. Many campsites remain open throughout the year in Holland due to its mild winters.

How to Get to the Camping by the Sea

Holland is the ideal destination for those who want to avoid a long, tiring trip and instead enjoy the beach, sea and holiday as soon as possible. It only takes a few minutes to drive from Germany to the Dutch borders in a camper, car or motorhome. From Munich and Berlin, it takes 6.5 hours. You can even camp right outside your door if you hire one of our CamperBoys Campers in Dusseldorf. It only takes 1 hour to reach the Netherlands.

Holland is only two of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. They are North Holland and South Holland, located in the northwest. Holland and the Netherlands are used interchangeably in common usage.

Wild Camping in Holland: Can You Camp by the Sea?

Wild camping, even on private land, is strictly prohibited. If you violate this law, you could be fined up to EUR500 for each person. You don't need to abandon camping in nature. There are many campsites with idyllic settings in the countryside, or behind dunes and the sea. The small, family-run "mini campsites" are the closest to the feeling of wild camping. You can find a list of mini-campsites in each Dutch province. We have provided more information and alternative options for wild camping in Holland.

In addition to wild camping, you must also observe a few rules in road traffic when driving your camper.

Holland's Most Beautiful Areas and Camping by the Sea

Camping, Holland and the sea go together. You will find all that you need in Holland if you want to enjoy the sea, waves, sun, and wind in a country that is camping-friendly. The three provinces that line the coast, Zeeland and South Holland, as well as North Holland, each have their charm and offer a variety of leisure and excursion options.

After you've decided on the region you want to visit, all that is left is to find the perfect campsite near the sea. There are more than 2,000 camping sites to choose from, making it difficult for you to make a decision. You can find everything from simple campsites in a family-friendly atmosphere to 5-star campsites that offer amazing facilities like restaurants, swimming pools, and children's entertainment. We have selected our favourite regions, leisure activities, and campsites near the sea to help you plan your holiday.

Region 1

Zeeland

Zeeland, located on the coast of the North Sea in the southwest part of Holland, is waiting for you. The province of Zeeland is located in southwest Holland, on the North Sea coast. It has many islands and peninsulas, and the highest number of hours of sunshine. This region is popular not only with sunbathers, but also families with young children and watersport enthusiasts. Here you will find the most beautiful and cleanest Dutch beaches, with sugary sand that has a South Sea flair. The 11-kilometre-long sandy beach at Zwin is one example. Another is the beach in Cadzand-Bad, with its dreamy sunsets, or the Dishoek Beach, where you can enjoy a view of the North Sea from up to 50-metre-high dune heights.

Oostkapelle and Breskens offer the perfect place to try windsurfing and kitesurfing. You should also visit medieval villages and towns like Middelburg on your camping trip. Veere is our favourite small town. It's the epitome of a charming small town. We recommend that you sit by the water and enjoy the atmosphere.

Zeeland Camping Sites

Region 2

South Holland

South Holland is the Netherlands in one location. Here you will find tulips and windmills as well as lively towns, tasty cheese, beautiful beaches, and vibrant towns. In spring, visit the flower garden of Keukenhof or cycle along the Bollenstreek region to see tulip fields. You can visit some of Holland's best cities, such as Leiden, The Hague, or Rotterdam and walk along canals, half-timbered homes, and other attractions. You can also try the stroopwafels and the famous cheese from Gouda. Visit the 19 Windmills of Kinderdijk, which date back to the 18th century. They are located along picturesque waterways and green fields.

South Holland also has sandy beaches. Scheveningen has great beaches with a pier and a great dune landscape. Noordwijk aan Zee, on the other hand, is a holiday resort that has clean, wide sandy beaches. Katwijk aan Zee also has a beautiful North Sea beach that was awarded a blue flag for its excellent water quality. If you are camping with your dog, you will be pleased to know that many beaches welcome four-legged friends.

South Holland Campsites

Region 3

North Holland

North Holland could also become your favourite camping destination by the sea. You should put a trip to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, and Utrecht on your bucket list. Bicycles are a great way to explore the charming quarters in the cities. They have become an integral part of Dutch culture. Zandvoort is only 40 minutes from Amsterdam and offers beautiful beaches, water sports and a great atmosphere for those who enjoy surfing, kitesurfing or SUP. Schoorl and Bergen are among the most beautiful resorts on the North Holland coast. They are also great beach destinations for families.

You can also take a ferry from Den Helder to the island of Texel, located in the north. You can enjoy the North Sea, the Wadden Sea, and the idyllic dunes of the Wadden Sea. You might be lucky enough to see a seal! There will be sheep. The island has as many sheep as people.

North Holland Campsites

Conclusion

Could we convince you that camping in Holland and the sea is THE ideal combination for your next camping holiday? We would love to drive straight to our neighbouring country and jump into the camper to enjoy the beautiful beaches along the North Sea Coast with their tranquillity and relaxation, the well-equipped camping sites by the sea, charming holiday resorts and lively cities, as well as the many leisure and sports activities Holland offers. You can't help but agree with us: Go to Holland! You're off on an adventure to the Netherlands!

About the author
BT
Buck Tanner
Veteran outdoors columnist · Bozeman, MT

Buck spent 38 years in green and grey before hanging up the radio. He writes the way he talked at the ranger desk — half answers, half stories about his Border collie Sadie. He once spent 17 nights in a row at the same Wyoming dispersed site and considers that a fine vacation. Buck is suspicious of glamping but will admit a four-season tent helped him after a 2019 incident he still won't fully explain.

38 years with the National Park Service (retired). Backcountry permit clerk turned trail-crew foreman at Glacier, Yellowstone, and the North Cascades.

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