Looking for alternative Amsterdam accommodation on a budget? Check out the campsites in the capital!
Although Amsterdam is a major European capital with a bustling centre, the Netherlands is a nation of happy campers. Go to any campsite in Europe and you’ll probably find a Dutchman eating a cheese sandwich on a folding chair.
The Amsterdam area has quite a few campsites and these offer the perfect place to stay for anyone trying to visit the city on a budget whilst enjoying the great outdoors! If you’re backpacking around Europe with a tent in your bag, staying at a campsite on the edge of the city is actually a pretty good option. They are known for their laidback, social vibes and with the city just a short journey (typically around 15-30 mins) from these sites, you won’t be twiddling your thumbs in the middle of nowhere.
As well as being a fun alternative to a hostel or hotel, camping is more sustainable than other accommodation types so if you’re trying to keep things green, this is possible!
Here are some of the best Amsterdam campsites:
CAMPING VLIEGENBOS
Camping Vliegenbos is probably the closest campsite to the city centre – it’s just 8 minutes by bus from Centraal (or 15 mins walking)! It’s in the middle of a little wooded area on the Ij’s northern shore and you wouldn’t think that you were just a stone’s throw from the city centre! It’s accessible by public transport at any time of day and night and is well worth considering as an alternative to a backpacker’s hostel. Even if you don’t have your own tent, you can rent a little Tent Hotel at Vliegenbos and camp in luxury!
CAMPING ZEEBURG
Another option if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in the city that has the possibility of staying in something other than your own tent, Camping Zeeburg is a great spot in Amsterdam Oost. As well as the usual pitches for your own tents, they have a range of alternative accommodation, from wagonettes (like miniature retro caravans) to eco-cabins! Once again, this campsite is extremely easy to get to from the centre – trams run every five to ten minutes and the tram ride drops you right outside after a short 10-15-minute ride.
CAMPING DE BADHOEVE
If you’d prefer to stay outside the city surrounded by nature but somewhere from which you can easily travel into the city, Camping De Badhoeve could be the place for you – it’s a few kilometres outside the city and very easily reached but faces onto a lake where you can sail, swim and fish to your heart’s content! Perfectly peaceful for those who find city centre living not to their liking but still want to explore Amsterdam easily during the day or night!
LUCKY LAKE HOSTEL
Another great option is Lucky Lake Hostel. This incredibly cool spot is on the shoes of the Vinkeveense Plassen Lake. It’s a lively, seasonal alternative to city centre hostels – based around a load of colouorful cabins and vintage caravans. The perfect place for those who want to stay in a relaxed, friendly and social place outside of the hustle and bustle of the city centre. They actually offer shuttle buses from the nearest station (Holendrecht) so it’s not too tricky to get into town or back. And if you want to get active, you can easily rent bicycles or even kayaks to explore the lake! Find out more here!
If you’d prefer to stay in a city centre hostel, check out the top 5 hostels in Amsterdam here!