The Netherlands by motorhome: canals, windmills, Texel and Zeeland

Few countries are as rewarding for a first motorhome trip as the Netherlands: short distances, flat land, a cycle path outside almost every campsite and, at the end of the day, a beach or a canal. This loop follows the "Holland" trip idea in road-trip.info. In 12 to 14 days you go from Amsterdam to the windmills and the cheese town of Edam, take the ferry to the dune island of Texel, ride through the bulb fields to Delft and The Hague and finish in the delta land of Zeeland. It adds up to around 440 kilometres.

The trip idea gives April to September as the travel season, with the tulips in bloom from mid-April to early May. The route is particularly suited to beginners, families, cyclists and anyone who wants to combine towns and coast.

The route at a glance

• Days 1–3: Amsterdam (start, 3 nights)
• Day 4: Edam via the Zaanse Schans (approx. 40 km, about 1 hour, 1 night)
• Days 5–7: Texel (approx. 90 km, about 1.5 hours plus a 20-minute ferry, 3 nights)
• Days 8–9: Bloemendaal aan Zee (approx. 85 km, about 1.5 hours after the ferry, 2 nights)
• Days 10–11: Delft (approx. 55 km, about 1 hour, 2 nights)
• Days 12–14: Domburg in Zeeland (approx. 170 km, about 2.5 hours with a detour to Kinderdijk, 3 nights)

Days 1–3: Amsterdam without the motorhome

In Amsterdam the motorhome stays at the campsite. You head into the city by bike, ferry or bus – canals, museums and hidden courtyards easily fill three days.

The trip idea names two campsites: Camping Zeeburg, a green city campsite on an island in the east, from which you can cycle to the centre in 15 minutes, and Gaasper Camping Amsterdam by Gaasperplas park, where the metro to the centre stops almost at the gate.

The canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is at its best from a boat or on foot in the Negen Straatjes ("Nine Streets"). The Rijksmuseum is home to Rembrandt's "Night Watch" – it's best to book tickets online in advance. The Anne Frank House is a moving place; entry is only possible with a timed ticket bought online.

Day 4: Windmills and cheese

In the morning you drive to the windmills of the Zaanse Schans: mills, wooden houses and workshops on the Zaan. It pays to arrive early, when it's quiet. In the afternoon you carry on to the cheese town of Edam on the Markermeer – with canals, drawbridges and, on Wednesdays in summer, the historic cheese market.

You can stay at Camping Strandbad Edam, right on the Markermeer and a few minutes' walk from the centre. If you like, you can visit the fishing villages of Volendam and Marken from here; in summer they are linked by boat.

Days 5–7: Texel – dunes, sheep and beach

Right across North Holland you drive to Den Helder and take the TESO ferry over to Texel. It runs roughly every hour during the day, more often on busy days; you can't and don't need to book. The ticket covers the outward and return crossing and is only paid for in Den Helder – at the harbour or online in advance. The fare depends on the length of your vehicle.

Texel is ideal for cycling: dunes, sheep, beaches and small villages. Ecomare, in the middle of the dunes, has a seal rescue centre and a natural history museum. The red lighthouse on the northern tip offers wide views over the Wadden Sea. The island's main town, Den Burg, has a market, and in Oudeschild the shrimp boats lie in the fishing harbour.

There are two campsites to choose from: the large, well-equipped Camping De Krim in De Cocksdorp in the north of the island, close to the lighthouse and the beach, or the spacious, quiet dune site Camping Loodsmansduin in Den Hoorn in the south, close to the ferry and the beach. Three nights on Texel may sound a lot – on a bike they fill up quickly.

Days 8–9: Bloemendaal aan Zee and Haarlem

Back on the mainland you head south along the coast. Between the dunes and the sea lies Zuid-Kennemerland National Park with European bison, cycle paths and a swimming lake. Haarlem is only a few kilometres away: a cosy old town with the Grote Markt, the Frans Hals Museum and the De Adriaan windmill. If you like a bit of bustle, drop in at the seaside resort of Zandvoort with its long beach and beach pavilions.

The trip idea suggests the modern dune campsite Camping De Lakens in the national park, a few steps from the North Sea beach.

Days 10–11: Bulb fields and Delft

The next stage takes you through the bulb-growing area around Lisse – a sea of colour in spring – to Delft. Near Lisse you'll find Keukenhof, the famous flower park. It's only open from roughly mid-March to mid-May, with timed tickets. Outside that period you simply drive past the fields.

Delft itself delights with canals, the market square, the Nieuwe Kerk and the Delft Blue of the porcelain factory. From there you can reach The Hague and Scheveningen by bike or tram – the Mauritshuis in The Hague is home to Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring".

You can stay at the well-kept Vakantiepark Delftse Hout by the town woods, ten minutes by bike from the old town.

Days 12–14: Kinderdijk, the Delta Works and Zeeland

The last and longest stage includes a detour to Kinderdijk – 19 windmills from the 18th century, a UNESCO World Heritage site, best explored by bike or boat – and then crosses the dams and storm surge barriers of the Delta Works into Zeeland. At Neeltje Jans stands the huge Oosterschelde storm surge barrier with an exhibition and park.

To finish, beaches, dunes and pretty little towns await: Veere, a medieval harbour town, and Middelburg, Zeeland's capital with a magnificent abbey. Your base is the large holiday park Camping Hof Domburg on the edge of town, just a few minutes' walk from the beach.

Practical tips for the Netherlands

Wild camping: Staying overnight outside campsites and designated camperplaatsen (motorhome stopovers) is prohibited in the Netherlands and enforced. Many campsites are booked up early in summer and during tulip season – book in good time.

Low-emission zones (milieuzones): Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and other cities have low-emission zones for older diesels, and some have separate rules for heavy motorhomes. Check on milieuzones.nl in advance whether you're allowed in – enforcement is by camera.

Parking in the cities: Parking in Amsterdam and The Hague is expensive and tight for motorhomes. Leave the camper at the campsite or use a P+R car park on the edge of town and continue by train or bike.

Bikes everywhere: Cyclists often have priority, and cycle paths also cross at roundabouts. Look twice when turning and opening doors. Bringing your own bikes is really worthwhile on this route. Whether on a rear rack or in the rear garage: keep an eye on the permitted payload of your vehicle and the rack.

Tolls: Motorways are toll-free. Charges only apply to individual tunnels, such as the Kiltunnel near Dordrecht and the Blankenburg tunnel (A24) west of Rotterdam, where the toll is charged electronically by number plate – you don't need to use either of them on this route.

Weather: Even in summer it can be windy and cool on the coast – pack a rain jacket and a warm layer.

Planning the loop with road-trip.info

The whole route is available as the "Holland" trip idea in road-trip.info – with all stages, campsites and sights. You can adopt it as your own trip, move days around, add stages and use “Smart research” to get further campsite suggestions. You share the packing list, food and departure check with your travel group, and on the road you can see who else is on the campsite or nearby.