The Netherlands around the IJsselmeer

First stage: From Nagele to Wommels

Our journey starts at the cozy Afslag Nagele motorhome site in Nagele. From here, we set off on the first stage to Wommels, exploring some unusual places along the way.

The first stopover is the enchanting island of Urk, which was once an independent island in the IJsselmeer. Today it is connected to the mainland, but has retained its maritime charm. The historic lighthouse and the picturesque fishermen’s houses are an absolute highlight. Continue to the town of Lemmer, once an important fishing and trading port. Today you can stroll through the pretty streets and visit the impressive Woudagemaal steam pumping station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the largest steam pumping station still in operation in the world and a technical masterpiece. The journey takes us through the wooded Gaasterland region, which is known for its hilly landscape and beautiful viewpoints. An ideal place for a short hike or a leisurely picnic stop. The next stop is Sloten, the smallest town in Friesland. With its well-preserved old town, picturesque canals and pretty houses, this town enchants every visitor. The old ramparts and windmills are particularly worth seeing. We continue our journey to Hindeloopen, a town famous for its traditional art and painting. The painted furniture and wood carvings give the town a unique character. Visit the Hindeloopen Museum to learn more about these traditions. The next stop is in Workum, known for the Jopie Huisman Museum, which displays the works of this celebrated self-taught painter. The town itself offers a charming atmosphere with its historic buildings and the impressive Grote Kerk church. In Bolsward, the magnificent Martinikerk, an imposing church from the 15th century, awaits us. Equally impressive is the old town hall, which is one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands.

In the evening we arrive at the motorhome site and marina De Appelhof in Wommels, where you can end the day in comfort.

Second stage: From Wommels to Slootdorp

After a restful night in Wommels, we continue on to the next exciting stage to Slootdorp, where we once again visit fascinating places.

Our first stop is Franeker. The Eise Eisinga Planetarium, the oldest working planetarium in the world, is an absolute must-see. Admire the fascinating astronomical models and learn more about the history of astronomy. The route continues to Winsum, a charming village known for its picturesque landscape and old farmhouses. An ideal place for a leisurely stroll. From there, we continue our journey to Harlingen, a lively port city. Here you will find a beautiful old town with historic warehouses, canals and a lively harbor that invites you to take a stroll along the waterfront. A particular highlight of this stage is the crossing of the majestic Afsluitdijk, which separates the IJsselmeer from the North Sea. An impressive dam that offers you a breathtaking view of the water. We stop off in Wieringen, a former island, and enjoy the hilly landscape and tranquillity of this idyllic place.

If time permits, we will visit the nearby De Tulpentuin motorhome site in Slootdorp in the morning, where you can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding tulip fields in spring.

Third stage: From Slootdorp to Alkmaar

After spending the night in Slootdorp, we set off on the next stage to Alkmaar. Some of the most charming towns in the region await us on this section.

First stop is Medemblik, one of the oldest towns on the IJsselmeer. Visit Kasteel Radboud, an impressive medieval castle, and stroll through the picturesque streets. The route continues to Andijk, a quiet village known for its dikes and pretty farms. A perfect place for a short break and a walk. Enkhuizen is home to the impressive Zuiderzee Museum, which shows life on and around the IJsselmeer. There is both an open-air museum and an indoor museum, both of which are well worth a visit. Next stop is Hoorn, a historic city with a rich history and beautiful rows of houses from the Golden Age. Visit the Westfries Museum and learn more about the maritime history of the city. In Broek op Langedijk you should visit the famous vegetable auction, one of the oldest of its kind in the Netherlands. The floating auction is reminiscent of times gone by and offers an interesting insight into local trade.

We arrive at Camping Alkmaar in the evening. The campsite is located on the edge of Alkmaar with its historic city center, picturesque canals, countless shopping streets, impressive museums, attractive terraces and, of course, its famous cheese market. The cheese market takes place every Friday morning from April to September and on Tuesday evenings in July and August. It’s worth staying an extra day, as Alkmaar is an ideal starting point for a visit to the picturesque artists’ village of Bergen, the beautiful dune and forest area, where you can walk and cycle for miles, and the North Sea beach.

Fourth stage: From Alkmaar to Weesp

The next section of our journey takes us from Alkmaar to Weesp, past some picturesque towns and villages.

The first stop is De Rijp, a charming village with picturesque canals and historic buildings. Here you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The tour continues to Middenbeemster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique polder landscapes. The geometrically laid out fields and canals are a masterpiece of Dutch water management. A historic town with well-preserved buildings and the famous cheese weigh houses awaits us in Edam. A stroll through the cobbled streets is a must. In Volendam, a typical fishing village, you can admire the traditional Dutch clothing and the picturesque waterfront promenade. The numerous fish restaurants invite you to take a culinary break. Monnickendam welcomes us with its beautiful historic old town and the numerous cafés that invite you to take a short break. On the picturesque Marken peninsula, we admire the traditional wooden houses and enjoy the beautiful view of the water. A perfect place for a short photo break. Our route continues to Diemen, a quiet suburb of Amsterdam with pleasant walking paths and green spaces.

Finally, we reach the Vecht en Weide motorhome stopover in Weesp. This cozy town is known for its historic buildings and beautiful location on the Vecht.

Fifth stage: From Weesp to Nunspeet

The journey now takes us from Weesp to Nunspeet, through a region full of natural beauty and cultural treasures.

The first stop is Loosdrecht, famous for its beautiful lakes and water-based leisure activities. A boat trip or a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore are highly recommended. The tour continues to Soestdijk, where the imposing Paleis Soestdijk, the former residence of the Dutch royal family, is located. A walk through the beautiful gardens and the palace itself is well worthwhile. In Spakenburg, we discover a pretty fishing village with traditional boats and a cozy old harbour. The atmosphere of times gone by has been well preserved here. The next stop is Ermelo, surrounded by forests and heathland that are ideal for hiking and cycling. The nearby Veluwe recreation area is particularly popular. We cross the beautiful Veluwe region, one of the most famous natural landscapes in the Netherlands, with its extensive forests and heathland. In Leuvenum, a small, quiet village on the edge of the Veluwe, we enjoy the idyllic landscape and the peace and quiet.

Finally, we reach the charming Kostverloren motorhome site in Nunspeet, where you have the opportunity to end the day with a relaxing walk through the surrounding woods.

Sixth stage: Back to Nagele

Now it’s back to the starting point of our journey, with many stops along the way that are well worth seeing.

The first highlight is the idyllic town of Elburg, a former inland port town with well-preserved fortifications. The historic town center invites you to linger and explore. In Kampen, we visit the impressive Bovenkerk church and the old city walls, which offer a fascinating insight into the history of the city. Hasselt, a small Hanseatic town, enchants us with its historic town center and charming street cafés. In Blokzijl, we are impressed by the beautiful canal and the old buildings. The town offers a picturesque ambience that is perfect for a short stroll. The route continues to Vollenhove, known for its many aristocratic residences and parks. The historic town conveys the impression of bygone aristocratic times. We cross the Noordoostpolder, a landscape that impresses with its agricultural wealth and welcomes us with extensive fields and meadows. One last stop in the unique Waterloopbos, a wooded area where countless hydraulic model experiments were carried out. Some of the models are still well preserved and a real insider tip. Finally, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Schokland, a former island that now serves as a museum and offers insights into the history and struggles of the Dutch against the water.

After this extensive discovery tour, we return to the Afslag Nagele motorhome site in Nagele, where our unforgettable trip comes to an end.