Destinations for a boating holiday with children in the Netherlands

Boating holidays are very popular! Anyone who has ever been on the water will quickly understand why. On board a boat you feel an incredible freedom that is otherwise hard to find, and you can spend your holiday wherever you like. This type of holiday is particularly suitable for families, as the shared adventure is exciting and entertaining for young and old . Last but not least, a holiday on and by the water offers a variety of activities to suit every taste!

One of the most beautiful destinations for a holiday on the water is the Netherlands. If you rent a boat in Holland , you can discover our neighboring country from a completely new perspective! We will show you the best destinations for your boating holiday with children.

Cheese and windmills in North Holland

One of the most beautiful regions in the Netherlands is North Holland . Tradition, vast landscapes and modern cities come together here! You can start your holiday wonderfully in Amsterdam, where a boat tour through the countless canals is always a good idea . The NEMO Museum at the harbor is also particularly nice for children. It is one of the best children's museums in Europe and teaches science in a playful and interactive way.

North of Amsterdam you can immerse yourself in the region of North Holland, which is the epitome of typical Holland. You can take a boat past windmills and tulip fields and experience the traditions of the region. A trip on a houseboat is particularly nice for the whole family! This way you always have everything with you, and the children (and of course the adults too) can jump straight into the water from the boat.

South Holland

If you fancy a city tour, the South Holland region might be ideal. Leiden, Gouda and Utrecht are just some of the cities that you can explore with the whole family. You can start in Utrecht, which is one of the most beautiful places in the Netherlands with its canals and waterways.

From there you can sail on the IJssel to Gouda, where you can try the famous cheese at the traditional cheese market and in a variety of shops. The cheese market takes place every Thursday from 10:00 to 12:30 and is a typically Dutch experience that you should not miss. Be sure to take some cheese home as a souvenir to revive the memories!

Leiden is also beautiful and easy to reach by boat. Known as Rembrandt's birthplace, there are a number of museums here that children will also enjoy . If you want to learn more about the city, an interactive walking tour of Leiden, which you can buy at VVV Leiden , is always a good idea!

Friesland, the land of 1,000 canals

Another dream destination for a houseboat holiday, but also for a trip on a motorboat, is Friesland! A good third of the region consists of water and is known for its large number of canals.

A beautiful route is the famous 11 Cities Tour , which takes you along the most beautiful places in the region. In winter, when the canals are frozen over, the route is the venue for an ice skating race, the so-called Elfstedentocht, but in summer you can discover Friesland from a boat! From Leeuwarden, the route goes via Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker and Dokkum back to Leeuwarden. The best place to start the tour is in Leeuwarden, and along the way you can discover typical Dutch canal landscapes .

Endless expanse on the IJsselmeer

The IJsselmeer between Friesland and North Holland offers a good 1,100 km2 of water surface and a variety of activities. The region is particularly suitable for children and sailing fans. Gliding across the lake in a sailboat and taking a swim break if you wish is guaranteed to never be boring. Lemmer and Makkum are great starting points for a boat trip on the IJsselmeer. The many towns around the IJsselmeer also offer many opportunities for stopovers!

From the IJsselmeer you can also reach the Markermeer to the south for a longer trip. Here, some islands, such as the Marker Wadden, offer many opportunities to explore for a real pirate feeling !

If you prefer to stay on land, the IJsselmeer also offers many beautiful beaches along the shore. At the beach in Oudemirdum children get a reduced entrance fee, and the beach in Lemmer even has a children's playground .

You see: The Netherlands is an ideal travel destination if you want to spend your holiday on the water. Whether on a houseboat or sailing - a boating holiday offers adventure for the whole family and brings people together like no other experience!