De Zeehoeve

The pitches for campers are very exposed, with no hedges to shelter them from the wind. The site is in a good spot near the beach and town, and the bar restaurant was okay, but the food was very poor by Dutch standards. I also can’t understand charging extra for a basic shower when the site itself isn’t cheap. I’d rather go to the mini camping sites.

The check-in machine worked surprisingly well, though cyclists might be puzzled when it asks for a license plate number. A night in a tent costs €25, which is already rather expensive, and then hot water in the shower costs extra too. That’s a bold choice. An okay campsite.

Harlingen’s old town, with its canals and shopping streets, is only 15 minutes away, and Aldi and Jumbo are both a five-minute bike ride. The campsite is right behind the Dam, with a lovely walking path, and it’s quiet but there’s plenty to do. The place is well organized, reservation communication was quick and efficient, and there are several clean bathrooms and showers. There’s a restaurant on site and morning bread service too. This was my first caravan trip, so I can’t say I know all the special things to look out for, but the place was perfect for me. Showers cost 50 cents; the water warms up quickly, and four minutes was plenty even with my long hair. Wi-Fi at our spot was strong enough to stream YouTube. Highly recommend!

The showers were a letdown. They cost €0.50 for four minutes, and half that time can go by waiting for the water to warm up. Wi-Fi also didn’t reach our spot, which was only a little way from reception. We did have some uninvited company, haha. Still, it’s a beautiful, quiet camping place, with a restaurant on the grounds and a really friendly receptionist. I’d definitely recommend it apart from those issues.