The Best Outdoor Getaway Guide to Amsterdam

November 19, 2020
Jess

There’s nothing like the great outdoors, especially in the Netherlands. The entire country is either covered in sprawling forests or bustling cities. Calling the scenery in the Netherlands “picturesque” is almost an understatement. This is doubly true for Amsterdam and its neighboring cities.

People call Amsterdam the “Venice of the North” because of its amazing architecture and vast network of canals. Thousands of talented photographers have taken plenty of photos of Amsterdam. As inspiring and gorgeous as these photos are, seeing Amsterdam’s beauty in person is an entirely different experience.

That’s why we’re going to show you the best outdoor experience and camping spots near Amsterdam. Some of these venues will be right in the heart of the city. Others will be far outside Amsterdam’s borders. All of them are truly one of a kind experiences. 

Round up all the traveling and trekking supplies you can think of before heading to these terrific spots. Oh, and don’t forget to store your luggage in a safe and reliable place.

Camping De Badhoeve

Camping De Badhoeve is the perfect outdoor spot for water sports enthusiasts. Badhoeve is surrounded by two lakes; the IJmeer and the Kinselmeer. Combined, guests will have hundreds of miles of water to go swimming or boating in. People also love to go fishing at Badhoeve, come to think of it. 

There are plenty of activities for land lovers too. Children can make arts and crafts, as well as play on Badhoeve’s large playground. Last but not least, Badhoeve has multiple bike trails for cyclists. To ensure you get a site at Camping De Badhoeve, make a reservation.

RekreatiePark Aalsmeer

Drive half an hour Southwest of Amsterdam and you’ll find RekreatiePark Aalsmeer. This place has it all; a yacht club, campgrounds (plural), bicycle routes, and more! Visitors can either camp in their own tents or boats, or you can rent a teepee or cabin.

RekreatiePark Aalsmeer is also very close to several restaurants. You could always start the day off by grabbing some grub at a local diner, and then end the night with smores.

Camping Vliegenbos

Between our online interactions and busy schedules, it’s easy to feel a little disconnected from others. Camping Vliegenbos’ mission is to bring people together in the great outdoors. Some of this place’s big features include: 

  • Trekkers cabins
  • A fabulous camping shop
  • An on-site bakery and an on-site restaurant

The biggest standout here is the “Camping Hotel.” Here, multiple groups of guests can stay in 20 specially designed tents. All of these tents are located near an outdoor kitchen and patio area. The Camping Hotel encourages visitors to mix and mingle with each other. By the end of your stay, you might even make a new friend or two!

Camping Zeeburg

Camping Zeeburg is a fun place with a very old-school, hands-on approach to camping. Zeeburg has traditional accommodations like cabins and toilet houses, but there are also plenty of unconventional attractions too. We’re talking about things like:

Camping Zeeburg also hosts numerous special events throughout the year. Popular bands play at Zeeburg very often. Outdoor movie nights are also pretty common. Last but not least, Zeeburg transforms into a different place whenever the holidays roll in. Stop by their website to learn more about what’s in store.

Flagship Amsterdam

Looking for outdoor entertainment? Some of Amsterdam’s most famous features are its canals. People sometimes call the city “the Venice of the North” because of these winding canals. Flagship Amsterdam offers “luxury canal cruises” for large and small groups

Not only will you get an amazing view of the city, but you’ll learn about many of Amsterdam’s most famous landmarks. Cruises usually last somewhere between 65 and 75 minutes. It’s also worth noting that you can order champagne if you’re in the mood to party.

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo

ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo is the most famous zoo in the city by a mile. It’s also one of the oldest attractions in Amsterdam – that’s still standing, that is. This venue first opened all the way back in 1838. A group of men known as “the three W’s” are the zoo’s founders. Some of this zoo’s biggest attractions include:

  • The ARTIS library
  • Botanist and geneticist Hugo Marie de Vries’ archive
  • A Crowned Pigeon exhibit
  • The “Dreams” rock facade
  • The Aldabra Tortoise exhibit
  • The Jaguar exhibit

And much, much more. The ARTIS always has something new going on. Keep the outdoor experience going by planning a day here.

Wetlands Safari

The Wetlands Safari lets you explore Amsterdam’s local wilderness areas via canoe.  You’ll see some amazing things during a safari; you’ll find herds of cows peacefully grazing and you’ll spot a few of Amsterdam’s historical sites too.

The Wetlands Safari offers several different options for visitors. First, we have Day Tours – guided trips through Amsterdam’s reedland and quake-moor areas. Next, we have Sunset Tours, which end in a picnic. 

Lastly, we have Fresh Nose Tours. Fresh Nose Tours were specifically created as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They allow groups of 7 visitors to explore Amsterdam while also social distancing. We highly encourage you to visit the Wetlands Safari Website to learn more about their tours and services.

Amsterdamse Bos

A journey through Amsterdam’s great outdoors wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Amsterdamse Bos – or Amsterdam Forest in English.This massive landscape park offers visitors 1,000 hectares of space to explore. Some of the Amsterdamse Bos’ biggest attractions are:

  • The open air theatre
  • The pancake farm Meerzicht
  • Plant and animal parks

The Amsterdamse Bos is open all year round. There’s no shortage of fun things to do, great food to eat, and exciting activities to experience.