Holiday apartment in Kampen: Hanseatic history, water and culture

A holiday apartment in Kampen offers you a stay surrounded by Hanseatic history, striking buildings, art and experiences on the water. The city combines the IJsseldelta National Landscape with a historic city centre, self-guided routes and special insights into crafts and shipping. This allows you to tailor your trip entirely to your interests, balancing culture, active days and relaxed discoveries.

Holiday apartment in Kampen between urban history and water

The collection of the Stedelijk Museum Kampen tells the story of Kampen from the past to the present. More than 8,300 objects focus on the city and its surroundings, life along the IJssel, religion and the cigar industry. The collection also includes the Schepenzaal, which dates from 1545 and has been included in the Canon of Dutch History.

The Broederpoort is one of Kampen’s three surviving city gates and was built in 1465 as part of the city fortifications. It acquired its characteristic Renaissance appearance in the 17th century. The Cellebroederspoort is one of the two surviving city gates on this side of Kampen; its name derives from the Cellebroeders monastery. The Koornmarktspoort dates from the 14th century and is Kampen’s oldest city gate.

The Bovenkerk (St. Nicolaaskerk) is Kampen’s oldest church and a large Gothic cruciform basilica dating from the 14th century. It is known for its excellent acoustics and regularly hosts concerts. The Nieuwe Toren is a Rijksmonument that is three and a half centuries old. Its carillon of 48 bells can be heard regularly.

The Kamper Kogge also offers a glimpse into the maritime past. It is as authentic a replica as possible of a 14th-century merchant ship and is considered the only seaworthy cog in the Netherlands. The Koggewerf offers historical stories as well as traditional crafts such as blacksmithing and fish smoking. The Gotisch Huis was built around 1500 as a merchant’s or patrician’s house. D’Olde Zwarver is the only working grain mill in the municipality of Kampen.

Routes, cruises and landscapes around Kampen

Kampen is located in the IJsseldelta National Landscape, which is characterised in part by floodplains rich in flowers. The Inspiratieroute Kampen runs year-round past studios, galleries and other artistic and inspiring places in the historic city centre. Events and workshops are regularly held along this route; around thirty wall-advertising frescoes have also been restored in Kampen.

For experiences on the water, you can reserve a 75-minute cruise on the Kamper Kogge. Various boats, canoes and SUP boards are available for hire in Kampen. Possible trips lead along the IJssel, through the Ganzediep and across the Reevediep and Drontermeer. The Hanzestadswandeling is a self-guided route through Kampen’s historic city centre and explores the city’s Hanseatic history.

Further discoveries can be arranged by appointment: you can climb the Nieuwe Toren; 163 steps lead to a view over Kampen. At the D’Olde Zwarver mill, visitors can follow the complete journey from grain to flour across its various floors. The Koornmarktspoort features a nautically themed escape room. Groups and companies of at least ten people can book a guided tour of D’Olde Zwarver outside regular opening hours by appointment. A guided city walk in Kampen can be booked through Tourist Info.

More places for planning your trip

The Anton Pieck Museum, a museum, is located in the surroundings of Kampen. Het Schalmei, a church, and Kampereiland, an island, are located nearby. Vosbergen, a castle, is located in the wider regional area. The surroundings of Kampen also include the parks Stinspark, Vollenhof and ’t Engelse Werk.

For a stay catering to a variety of interests, the historic routes, museums, buildings, water activities and landscape themes can be combined, so that not every day of your holiday has to look the same.

More places you can view when planning your trip: IJsselmuiden, Kamperveen, Grafhorst, Zalk.

Back to the main travel overview: Kampen.