Camping in Terschelling

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Camping in Terschelling

That's why you should camp on Terschelling:

  • Camping in a picturesque dune landscape near the beach.
  • Good conditions for a variety of water sports activities.
  • Explore charming villages and cultural events.
  • Nature experiences in the bird-rich Boschplaat and Noordsvaarder.

Camping on Terschelling offers a unique combination of natural experiences and cultural diversity. Situated in an idyllic dune landscape, close to endless beaches, it is ideal for water sports and relaxing beach days. The rich birdlife of the Boschplaat and the Noordsvaarder sandy area invite you to explore. Charming villages and cultural highlights such as major festivals enrich the island experience, while the campsites themselves offer peace and comfort.

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Camping in Terschelling

Camping Nieuw Formerum
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Camping Nieuw Formerum

Netherlands / Friesland

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5.0Exceptional(1Rating)

Child-friendlyBread serviceShopping

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Camping Nieuw Formerum
Camping Nieuw Formerum

Camping facts

Number of campsites6
Campsite reviews2
Ø-ratings5.0

Camping on Terschelling stands for a relaxing family holiday off the Dutch North Sea coast. The second largest West Frisian island enchants with its unspoilt island landscape between the Wadden Sea and the open sea. A seemingly endless beach is the ideal spot for sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts. Maritime adventures are also possible in the bird-rich Boschplaat nature reserve and the Noordsvaarder sandy area. Terschelling also boasts charming villages, interesting museums and one of the largest cultural festivals in Europe.

Special features of camping on Terschelling

Most of the campsites on Terschelling are in picturesque locations not far from the island's forest and dune area. The 30 km long and in places up to 500 metres wide beach of the Wadden Island is about 2 km away. The campsites are easily accessible via the only continuous road connecting the villages of West-Terschelling and Oosterend, as well as smaller side roads. The tranquil village of Hee boasts two campsites in the middle of polders and dunes. In Formerum further east, a flat meadow area with beautiful trees offers plenty of peace and modern comfort. There are playgrounds for children on all pitches. Dogs are allowed - sometimes with restrictions.

Arrival

In earlier times, Terschelling was called Schylge, a word of Frisian origin meaning seclusion. But despite its location in the Wadden Sea, the 28 km long island is easy to reach by caravan or motorhome. Before the island fun can begin, the route leads via the harbour town of Harlingen in the north-west of the Dutch province of Friesland. This is where the ferries to Terschelling depart from.

Harlingen is 383 kilometres from Hamburg. From the Hanseatic city, take the A1, A28 and A31 motorways in a westerly direction onto the European route E22 or the Dutch motorway A7 towards Groningen and on to Leeuwarden. From Leeuwarden, travellers take the motorway A31 to the Harlingen Haven exit, which is indicated by a ferry boat. The ferry crossing takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, so plenty of time to get in the mood for your camping holiday by the North Sea. Until the ferry docks at the harbour in West-Terschelling, you can enjoy a tasty bite to eat in various restaurants with self-service buffets on board the MS Friesland. There is even a separate catering facility for children.

Destinations on Terschelling

Historically, Terschelling is characterised by a cultural division into three villages: West-Terschelling, Midsland and Oosterend. Despite today's solidarity, the former divide is still recognisable in the different dialects, different songs and a devotedly cultivated village patriotism. Willem Barentsz - navigator, explorer and namesake of the Barents Sea - was born in the tranquil village of Formerum. A memorial on the outskirts of the village commemorates Terschelling's most famous son.

With harbour flair: West Terschelling

Locals simply call the bustling main town of Terschelling West. The landmark of the small town and the island is the 54 metre high Brandaris, the oldest lighthouse in the Netherlands. It has been towering majestically into the sky since 1594. The fact that whaling and fishing brought considerable wealth to West-Terschelling can still be seen today in the pretty captain's houses in the town centre and the time-honoured Dutch houses on the enchanting harbour. Various cosy cafés and restaurants invite you to linger in West.

In a festive mood: Midsland

Terschelling's second largest village is - as the name suggests - the beating heart of the island. In summer in particular, the bars and nightclubs in the village are full of party atmosphere, while small shops tempt visitors with all kinds of souvenirs and local delicacies such as sea aster honey, cranberry tea and farmhouse cheese. The Strieper Kerkhof, on the other hand, is a very quiet place to stroll among the weathered gravestones of former seafarers and whalers.

Activities and excursions

Whether you gallop along the beach on horseback, take part in a cheese tasting at a cheese dairy or take a relaxing walk through the mudflats: There's never a dull moment on Terschelling.

Out and about in the fresh air

Terschelling is perfect for anyone who likes to actively explore nature. The well-developed network of cycle paths on the elongated island runs through extensive pastures and tranquil forests. A guided twilight hike from Oosterend will delight you with exciting island stories about living dunes and lost sailors. If you like, take a tour with a crab fisherman, book an excursion to the seal banks in the Wadden Sea or fly over the waves on a surfboard. A covered wagon ride is a more leisurely experience.

Terschelling cultural programme

Every year in June, the Oerol Festival turns the island upside down. For ten days, Terschelling becomes the backdrop for bands, cabaret artists and acrobats. There is always something unexpected to discover: beach theatre, tango dancers in the dunes or a story supermarket. The museums on Terschelling are also surprising. The Wrakkenmuseum in Formerum displays a wide variety of beach and wreck finds from 1650 to the present day. The child-friendly museum 't Behouden Huys in West Terschelling brings the history of the island back to life.

Gastronomy

Terschelling is known as the island of cranberries. The berries of the American variety Vaccinium Marco Carpon would actually be expected to be found in other climes. Legend has it that in 1845 a beachcomber named Pieter Sipkes Cupido discovered a barrel of the red berries in the dunes and spilled them with far-reaching consequences. Nowadays, Terschelling's red gold is available in all kinds of varieties, whether as liqueur, juice, compote or baked goods, and a historic wooden house known as the Bessenschuur with a café and small museum in West Terschelling also pays homage to the berry. A real speciality is the Terschellinger Siepeltjespot, a hearty oven dish made from tart cranberries, sauerkraut, bacon and spicy minced meat.

Best time to visit

The weather on Terschelling is characterised by a temperate maritime climate. The influence of the sea ensures that summers are not too hot and winters are not excessively cold. Overall, the temperatures here are milder than on the mainland. In the summer months of June to August, average highs of just under 20 degrees Celsius are reached, while the water temperatures warm up to an average of 18 degrees Celsius.

Terschelling and its neighbouring islands also boast the most hours of sunshine in the Netherlands. Nevertheless, a Frisian mink is best kept in your suitcase, as the humid air brings the occasional rain shower. The high summer months are the most popular time to visit, but the other seasons also have their own special charm on Terschelling.

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