Camping at Ijsselmeer

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Camping at Ijsselmeer

That's why you should camp on the Ijsselmeer:

  • Diverse landscape
  • Enchanting fishing villages
  • Sporting and recreational activities
  • Great excursion options

The Ijsselmeer is a tideless freshwater lake in the west of the Netherlands. A dreamlike landscape of lush green meadows, water channels and gently sloping sandy beaches surround this versatile natural paradise. Excellent hiking and cycling trails lead through idyllic nature reserves and national parks with numerous animal and plant species. An abundance of water sports enrich a holiday on the Ijsselmeer. This can be wonderfully combined with a visit to one of the many museums, picturesque fishing villages or first-class restaurants serving Frisian specialities.

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Camping at Ijsselmeer

Ardoer Vakantiepark De Kuilart
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Ardoer Vakantiepark De Kuilart

Netherlands / Friesland

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3.6Good(20Ratings)

Beach proximitySwimming PoolDogs allowed

Pitches (350)

Rental accommodations (77)

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Vakantiepark 't Urkerbos
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Vakantiepark 't Urkerbos

Netherlands / Flevoland / Urk

ADAC LogoClassification

4.2Very good(5Ratings)

Swimming PoolDogs allowedChild-friendly

Pitches (180)

Rental accommodations (28)

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Ardoer Vakantiepark De Kuilart
Ardoer Vakantiepark De Kuilart

Camping facts

Number of campsites44
Campsite reviews126
Ø-ratings4.1

Popular campsites

1
Vakantiepark 't Urkerbos
The relaxing Vakantiepark 't Urkerbos is located on the picturesque coast of the IJsselmeer and invites you to unwind with its comfortable facilities. Combined with a child-friendly atmosphere and num… Campsite profile page
2
de Gouwe Stek
Camping de Gouwe Stek is idyllically situated in North Holland and offers a peaceful and friendly atmosphere. The campsite is ideal for families and nature lovers who want to enjoy the beautiful count… Campsite profile page
3
EuroParcs Markermeer
If you love the wet element, EuroParcs Markermeer is the place for you. It is located directly on the Markermeer, which is ideal for water sports and swimming. Campsite right on the banks of the Mark… Campsite profile page

Hiking through the dunes, swimming in the lake, cycling trips through the surrounding area and fresh fish at mealtimes: A holiday on the IJsselmeer is suitable for families and couples alike who prefer to discover their holiday destination completely independently from their motorhome.

Special features of camping on the IJsselmeer

Anyone planning a holiday on the IJsselmeer is spoilt for choice. There are plenty of campsites to choose from along the shores of the lake. The eastern shore in particular offers a whole range of sites, from simple pitches to luxury campsites. Some of them are located directly on the water, meaning that the nearest bathing area is just a few steps away.

Boat holidaymakers are also in the right place here, with some campsites on the IJsselmeer offering mooring facilities for boats you bring with you or a hire station in the immediate vicinity. There are also campsites a little further inland that are worth recommending, either because they are close to the nearest village or because they are located in the dunes.

How to get there

The IJsselmeer is located in the west of the Netherlands and can be reached from large parts of Germany in just a few hours. Cologne, for example, is only around 260 km away, Hamburg around 400 km, Berlin around 650 km and Frankfurt am Main around 450 km. Coming from the south, west or centre of Germany, you pass the border with the Netherlands shortly after the town of Emmerich am Rhein. Once there, the A50 motorway leads almost directly to the IJsselmeer. Coming from the north, you reach the neighbouring country after the municipality of Bunde in Lower Saxony, and the journey continues to the lake via the A7 and A6. On all routes, there are plenty of rest stops where you can stop for refreshments. If you are travelling from the south of Germany, the fastest route may take you through Belgium. In this case, you should bear in mind that motorhomes that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes and are registered in the

Destinations on the IJsselmeer

Picturesque villages and historic towns await holidaymakers around the IJsselmeer. You can reach the destinations along the coast either by bike or by water across the lake.

Urk

Urk used to be an island and is now an idyllic fishing village on the shores of the IJsselmeer. Sailing boats are moored in the small harbour, many of which are in the traditional Frisian style, giving the area a historic ambience. The centre of Urk consists of narrow, winding streets lined with half-timbered houses steeped in history. During a visit, you should also plan a visit to the Urk fish market, whose specialities include smoked eel from the IJsselmeer.

Enkhuizen

The small town of Enkhuizen is a hot tip for all holidaymakers who want to take a look at the region's past. There are several historical buildings to discover in the town, but the museums are also well worth a visit. The town's landmark is the Drommedaris, the mighty former fortified gate from the 16th century. The cityscape is also characterised by the towers of the Westerkerk and Zuiderkerk churches. Those interested in culture should make a detour to the Zuiderzee Museum, which presents traditional crafts, partly in the open air.

Top 5 sights

  • Vlietermonument: The Vlietermonument is the final structure of the 32 km long dyke. The building's observation tower offers a spectacular view of the surrounding area.
  • Kazemattenmuseum Kornwerderzand: The historic bunkers were built from the 1930s onwards and are now open to visitors.
  • Aviodrome: In the aviation museum in the town of Lelystad, you can marvel at historic aeroplanes from different periods of development.
  • Koninklijke Tichelaar: The Royal Stone Manufactory in the town of Makkum produces valuable ceramics and fine porcelain, among other things.
  • Kasteel Radboud: The medieval castle was built in the 13th century and is now a museum that provides information about the history of the West Frisians.

Top 2 insider tips

  • Hoorn Cheese Market: The coastal town of Hoorn is located just a few kilometres from the shores of the IJsselmeer. Hoorn was once an important port of departure for spice traders travelling to distant parts of the world. Today, the famous cheese market is particularly worth a visit, where exquisite Gouda, Edam and other cheeses are on sale.
  • Woudagemaal: The Woudagemaal near Lemmer is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, it is the largest and last operating steam pumping station in the world and secondly, the building is considered an outstanding example of the architectural style of the Amsterdam School.

Activities and excursions

Whether alone, as a couple or as a family: if you are spending your holiday at a campsite on the IJsselmeer, you will find a wide variety of excursion destinations in the surrounding area to sweeten your stay in the west of the Netherlands.

Entertainment and information in the open-air museum

In Batavialand, you can discover 7,000 years of Dutch development in a small space. The spectacular attractions date back to prehistoric times and include reconstructions that bring the past to life. The absolute highlight of the park is the faithful replica of a sailing ship of the Dutch East India Company.

A trip on the museum railway

A historic steam locomotive runs daily between Hoorn and Medemblik on a line that was built in the 19th century. The railway covers the 20 km route at a leisurely pace, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy the surrounding landscape. You can also combine a train journey with a trip on a museum ship from Medemblik to Enkhuizen.

Exploring the IJsselmeer by yacht

A stylish way to discover the unspoilt nature of the IJsselmeer is to take a trip on a yacht. In several coastal towns, such as Lemmer, Medemblik or Enkhuizen, yachts and other boats are available for hire, with all the necessary equipment.

Events

The holiday resorts around the IJsselmeer offer a rich and varied programme of leisure activities. The programme includes cultural and sporting events.

May

  • Delta Lloyd Regatta: Every year in May, many of the world's best sailors meet in Medemblik on the IJsselmeer. The Medemblik Regatta is held there over several days and is part of the EUROSAF Champions - Sailing Cup racing series. During the regatta, the otherwise tranquil coastal town is transformed into a small event metropolis.

June

  • Jazz Festival Enkhuizen: The Jazz Festival in Enkhuizen has a long history, having been held annually in June since 1974. Over four days, the historic city centre of Enkhuizen is transformed into a large concert venue where musicians from all over the world present their art.

October

  • Bokbierfestival in Enkhuizen: The Bokbierfestival is also held in Enkhuizen every year in October, heralding the start of autumn. The strong bock beer from local breweries is served for the first time in the season and traditionally accompanied by small snacks.

Gastronomy

The restaurants around the IJsselmeer are ideal for eating your fill of Frisian cuisine specialities, especially fresh fish. In Frisian cuisine, the catch of the day meets rustic side dishes. On the IJsselmeer, this is often zander, but eels and smelt can also be found in the lake. Various types of cabbage, hearty brown bread, potatoes and succulent bacon are also served. Pastries from the region are also widely available, such as the Ezelsooren baked in butter or the West Frisian Kerbeltorte. Those with an appetite for international cuisine on holiday on the IJsselmeer will also find what they are looking for. There are restaurants on the lakeshore serving French, Arabic and Asian cuisine.

Best time to visit

The climate on the IJsselmeer is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which means mild winters and pleasantly warm, but rarely hot summers. There are hardly any sub-zero temperatures even in January, making the weather around the lake much friendlier than in other parts of Central Europe. In May or June at the latest, the thermometers approach the 20°C mark, before the highest temperatures of the year prevail in August with an average of 22°C. The water of the IJsselmeer is not quite as warm as the sea in southern Europe, but 20°C is possible. The main season and probably the most pleasant time to visit is from June to September.

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