Kampen, Netherlands

Kampen

A skyline of towers and city gates along the river IJssel.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Kampen

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk along the river IJssel for the skyline of medieval gates and church towers.
  2. AfternoonSee the Old Town Hall's carved Schepenzaal and the Gothic Bovenkerk.
  3. EveningHave dinner in the old town, then walk the riverbank at dusk.

Day 2

Cycle to the IJsselmeer coast or into the Weerribben-Wieden National Park.

What to eat

Fresh river fish and a beer from a local brewery.

Local tips

Make the most of Kampen

Beat the crowds

Calm all year. Summer evenings on the quay are lively.

Best photo spot

The skyline of towers and city gates along the IJssel, from the bridge or the far bank.

Getting there

Trains from Zwolle take about 10 minutes. The old town is walkable.

Don't miss nearby

Zwolle and the canals of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park.

Good to know

Look for the three old city gates and the cow on the town hall tower; the 'Kamper uien' jokes about the town are a Dutch classic.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Kampen

Our most hidden places around Kampen: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Kampen to take with you.

37 km away
45 km away
58 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Kampen

Getting there

  • Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ)75 km away
  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)80 km away
  • Amsterdam70 km away
  • Utrecht75 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryNetherlands

Questions

Kampen: good to know

Is Kampen worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A skyline of towers and city gates along the river IJssel.

How many days do you need in Kampen?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Kampen?

You can visit all year. Calm all year. Summer evenings on the quay are lively.

How do you get to Kampen?

The nearest airport is Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ), about 75 km away. Trains from Zwolle take about 10 minutes. The old town is walkable.

What is there to see near Kampen?

Nearby hidden places include Giethoorn (23 km), Hoge Veluwe (52 km) and Hoorn (58 km).

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