Renting a cottage in Kampen is ideal if you want to combine a historical city with water and nature. This old Hanseatic city lies directly on the IJssel River and boasts a remarkably well-preserved cityscape with historic facades, churches, and centuries-old city gates. Hop on a bike, and in no time you’ll be riding through the open countryside of the IJssel Delta and Kampereiland. Zwolle, Elburg, and the Ketelmeer are also within easy reach. On Vipio, you’ll find unique cottages in and around Kampen for a weekend getaway by the water, an active holiday, or a few days in Overijssel.
Rent a Cottage in Kampen
From the IJssel, you can see Kampen at its most beautiful
Anyone entering Kampen via the Stadsbrug immediately sees why the city’s location on the IJssel is so important. Across the river lies a cityscape featuring historical buildings, church towers, and the old town.
The river isn’t just beautiful to look at. For centuries, the water was essential to the trade that made Kampen prosper. Today, you can explore the IJssel for recreation.
Take a stroll along the IJsselkade, hop aboard for a boat tour, or rent a boat yourself. From Kampen, you can not only sail along the IJssel but also, for example, via the Ganzendiep or toward the Reevediep and Drontermeer.
A cottage by the water is therefore a perfect fit for this destination—especially if you’d like to combine boating, biking, and exploring a historical city during your holiday.
Walk into the city through a medieval gate
Three of Kampen’s former city gates still stand: the Koornmarktspoort, Broederpoort, and Cellebroederspoort.
The Koornmarktspoort is the oldest. The gate dates back to the 14th century and stands between the IJssel River and the historical city center. Anyone walking through it is following a route that residents and visitors have used for centuries.
The Broederpoort and Cellebroederspoort are located on the other side of the city center and serve as reminders of the expansion and defense of the medieval city.
Together, these gates give Kampen a character you won’t find in every Dutch city. They’re also easy to combine with other monuments during a single city walk.
Follow the Oudestraat, but be sure to look up as well
The Oudestraat runs like a long line through the historical city center. Today, you’ll find shops, specialty stores, and restaurants here, but the street also tells a lot about Kampen’s past.
So while you’re shopping, be sure to look up at the facades. The historic buildings make a stroll through the center just as interesting as the shops themselves.
Halfway through, you can head toward the Plantage for a spot on a terrace. Also, be sure to turn down a side street every now and then. It’s precisely around the smaller streets, squares, and alleys that you’ll find places where Kampen’s historical character remains clearly visible.
This way, you can easily combine an afternoon of shopping with a city walk without having to plan a separate route.
Outside the city, a completely different landscape awaits
From the city center, you only need to bike a relatively short distance to leave the built-up area behind.
Kampen is located in the IJsseldelta National Landscape. Here, rivers, floodplains, polders, dikes, and old villages shape the landscape. The contrast with the compact historical city center is striking.
That makes a cottage in the Kampen area an attractive option if you don’t necessarily want to stay right in the heart of the city. You can head out into nature in the morning and then cycle back to the city center later for a drink on a terrace or dinner.
Villages like Zalk and Wilsum are also great to include in your itinerary. This way, Kampen becomes not just a city trip, but also a destination for a few active days outdoors.
A Bike Ride Around Kampereiland
Kampereiland lies north of the city. Despite its name, it’s not a traditional island, but rather a unique polder landscape surrounded by the IJssel, the Ganzendiep, the Zwarte Meer, and the Vossemeer, among others.
Here you’ll see a completely different side of Kampen. The landscape is open and agricultural, with farms, water, and sweeping views.
A great way to explore the area is the Kampereiland Loop. This bike route is about 28 kilometers long and starts at the Kampen train station.
Along the way, you can combine the route with sampling local specialties or a visit to the Erf 29 Museum Farm. There, you’ll get a glimpse of farm life on Kampereiland from about a hundred years ago.
Why not take a boat ride from your cottage?
With all the water surrounding Kampen, this is a destination you don’t have to explore only on foot or by bike.
From the water, you’ll also get a different view of the historical cityscape. You can opt for a guided boat tour or rent a boat yourself.
If you want to spend more time on the water, you can continue exploring the waterways around the city. Various routes are possible via the Ganzendiep, Reevediep, and Drontermeer.
A cottage on or near the water can therefore be especially appealing to water sports enthusiasts. Be sure to check with the accommodation provider to confirm that you can actually access the water directly from the property and whether there’s a private dock available.
A Day Trip to Zwolle or Elburg
From Kampen, you can also easily visit other cities in the area.
Like Kampen, Zwolle is a Hanseatic city, but it has a larger and livelier city center. This makes it fun to compare the two cities during a single holiday.
Elburg is also a great fit for a stay in Kampen. This former fishing village has a compact historical fortified town and is located near Lake Veluwe.
If you’re particularly interested in the Hanseatic past, you can combine visits to several historical towns during a short getaway. Afterward, you can return to your own cottage in or around Kampen.
Which cottage is best for a stay in Kampen?
That depends mainly on the kind of holiday you have in mind.
Do you want to spend a lot of time in the historical city center? Then staying close to Kampen is convenient. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you can explore options further out toward the IJssel Delta, Kampereiland, or the surrounding countryside.
For two people, a tiny house or small nature cabin may be enough. With a family or group of friends, a larger holiday home offers more space.
If you want to make your stay extra special, consider a waterfront cottage or a place with a sauna, hot tub, or jacuzzi. That way, you won’t have to head out again right away after a day of biking or hiking.
Kampen is especially great if you don’t want to choose between city life and nature
Kampen isn’t a destination where you have to choose between a city trip and a nature vacation.
The historical city center is compact enough to explore on foot, while you can quickly cycle from the city into the IJssel Delta. Add the IJssel River and other waterways to the mix, and you can easily spread out your walking, biking, and boating over several days.
That makes Kampen especially appealing for a weekend getaway or a short holiday where you don’t want to do the same thing every day.
One morning you’ll stroll past medieval city gates, in the afternoon you’ll be cycling through the polders, and the next day you’ll explore Kampen from the water.
Discover more unique places to stay in Overijssel
See also:
- Unique Accommodations in Overijssel
- Holiday Home in Giethoorn
- Waterfront holiday home
- Unique waterfront accommodations
- Tiny house in Overijssel
- Forest cabin in Overijssel
- Holiday home with Jacuzzi in the Netherlands
Rent out your own cottage in Kampen
Do you own a unique holiday home, tiny house, waterfront cottage, or other type of accommodation in Kampen or the surrounding area? Through Vipio, you can reach travelers who are actively looking for unique accommodations in Overijssel. List your property at vipio.com/nl/aanbieden or contact us at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
Why is Kampen a Hanseatic city?
Thanks to its favorable location on the IJssel River, Kampen grew into an important trading city during the Middle Ages. Merchants maintained connections with other trading centers. In the historical city center, monuments, warehouses, city gates, and maritime heritage still serve as reminders of this period.
What is Kampereiland?
Kampereiland is an open polder landscape located close to the city, surrounded by the IJssel, the Ganzendiep, the Zwarte Meer, and the Vossemeer, among others. The area is part of the IJssel Delta and is a popular destination for cycling tours.
Is Kampen a good place to go cycling?
Yes. From Kampen, you can quickly cycle into the IJssel Delta. A popular route is the “Rondje Kampereiland,” which is about 28 kilometers long. You can also cycle toward Zalk and Wilsum or take longer routes that combine Kampen with Zwolle or Elburg, for example.
Can you go boating from Kampen?
Yes. From Kampen, you can take a boat tour or rent a boat yourself. In addition to the IJssel, you can explore the Ganzendiep and routes leading to the Reevediep and Drontermeer, among other places. From the water, you’ll also have a beautiful view of the historical city skyline.
What historical attractions are there in Kampen?
The historical city center is home to more than 300 landmarks. Well-known sights include the Bovenkerk, the Koornmarktspoort, the Broederpoort, the Cellebroederspoort, and the Stadsbrug with its golden wheels. The city’s maritime Hanseatic past is also evident at various locations throughout the city.