Glamping rental Overijssel - 2 glampings

Overijssel: The Dutch Province That Defies Expectations

Imagine arriving in the Netherlands and discovering a world far removed from crowded canals and tourist-packed streets. Welcome to Overijssel, a province in the eastern Netherlands that reveals an entirely different side of this remarkable country. Here, rolling hills meet ancient waterways, medieval trading cities stand proudly along riverbanks, and you can glide through villages where roads simply do not exist.

Where Rivers Carved a Province

Overijssel takes its evocative name from its position: the province lies across (or beyond) the IJssel River when viewed from Utrecht. Covering approximately 3,421 square kilometers, this is the fourth largest Dutch province by area, home to around 1.18 million inhabitants. The capital is Zwolle, while Enschede holds the title of largest city.

The landscape here tells a story shaped by ice and water over thousands of years. In the southeast, sandy terrain is interspersed with small rivers like the Regge and Dinkel. The northwest features clay-rich lowlands and a remarkable wetland system. The province proudly boasts the Tankenberg, the highest point in Overijssel at 89 meters, located in the municipality of Losser. Meanwhile, the lowest point sits in the Mastenbroek Polder near Kampen, resting 2 meters below sea level.

Three distinct regions give Overijssel its character: the Kop van Overijssel in the northwest with its famous wetlands, Salland in the center with hedgerow landscapes and gentle hills, and Twente in the east with its bocage countryside and former textile heritage.

Why Glamping in Overijssel Is a Brilliant Choice

Choosing a glamping rental in Overijssel places you at the crossroads of nature, culture, and authentic Dutch life. Here is why this province deserves your attention:

• Escape the crowds: While Amsterdam and other western cities overflow with visitors, Overijssel offers breathing room. You can explore at your own pace without fighting for space on bridges or in museums.
• Incredible diversity: From wetlands teeming with otters to rolling heathlands where black grouse roam, from canal villages to medieval trading cities, Overijssel packs remarkable variety into a manageable area.
• Cycling paradise: The province maintains an extensive network of cycling paths connecting urban areas with rural landscapes and natural reserves. The flat to gently rolling terrain makes cycling accessible for all fitness levels.
• Authentic experiences: Local traditions remain strong here. The people of Twente, known as Tukkers, are famous for their down-to-earth hospitality and the concept of noaberschap, a deeply rooted tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.
• Easy accessibility: Most destinations in Overijssel sit within a two-hour drive from Amsterdam. Direct intercity train services connect Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Central Station to Deventer, Zwolle, and Enschede.

Highlights That Will Surprise You

Giethoorn: The Village Without Roads

Often called the Venice of the Netherlands, Giethoorn is a village in the municipality of Steenwijkerland with a population of around 2,795. In the old part of the village, all transport was traditionally undertaken by water over the many canals. The lakes here were formed by historical peat digging, creating this unique waterway system. More than 176 bridges connect the village, and the best way to experience it is by renting a whisper boat and gliding past thatched-roof farmhouses and beautiful gardens.

Weerribben-Wieden National Park

Located in the Kop van Overijssel, Weerribben-Wieden National Park is the largest continuous bog in Northwestern Europe, spanning over 10,000 hectares. This magical labyrinth of ponds, lakes, canals, reed beds, and mysterious swamp forests was created through centuries of peat cutting that began in the 14th century. The park is a haven for rare animals such as otters and unusual water birds including bitterns, kingfishers, and black terns. The Council of Europe has awarded this national park the European Diploma of Protected Areas, making it one of the 74 most important natural reserves in Europe.

The Hanseatic Heritage

In medieval times, the Hanseatic towns of Kampen, Deventer, and Zwolle were among the most important in the Netherlands, flourishing until the ascendancy of Amsterdam around 1500. These towns, located along the IJssel River, became important gateways for goods such as grain, salt, fish, wine, and cloth. Today, their cobbled streets, monumental warehouses, and stunning merchant houses stand as proud reminders of this prosperous past. Deventer boasts the Proosdij, the oldest brick-built residence in the Netherlands, dating from the twelfth century.

Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park

Between the townships of Hellendoorn and Holten lies Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park, one of the largest contiguous dry heath areas in Western Europe. The landscape was formed during the Saalian Ice Age around 150,000 years ago, when glacial movements created undulating hills. This is the only place in the Netherlands where the endangered black grouse still occurs. The famous Pieterpad, one of the most popular long-distance hiking trails in the Netherlands, passes through the park.

Twente: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

The eastern region of Twente combines beautiful countryside with a distinctive cultural identity. This is sometimes characterized as a bocage landscape, attracting visitors with popular sights such as the Lutterzand on the meandering Dinkel River and the wide heather fields near Markelo. The region even has its own officially recognized language, Twents, a dialect of the Low German language group. One of the largest Dutch beer breweries, Grolsch, calls Twente home.

Hidden Gems Worth Seeking Out

The artistic town of Ootmarsum has earned the title Art City of the East thanks to its many galleries, studios, and workshops. Missing the industrial development of surrounding areas due to lack of railway connections, Ootmarsum preserved its medieval character and now attracts artists and art lovers alike. The town features the Los Hoes open-air museum depicting life in the Twente countryside and the museum of colorful landscape painter Ton Schulten.

The small Hanseatic city of Hasselt, with no fewer than 70 impressive national monuments, is sometimes called Little Amsterdam due to its many canals. It remains an important junction on many pilgrim routes.

Five Remarkable Things To Do in Overijssel

1. Paddle through peat history: Rent a canoe at Weerribben-Wieden National Park and navigate the narrow waterways and vast reed beds. With over 200 kilometers of canoe trails, you can discover quaking bogs, spot otters, and understand how centuries of peat cutting shaped this unique landscape. Visit the De Wieden Visitor Centre at Sint Jansklooster as your starting point.
2. Step into Dickens at Deventer: The Dickens Festival in December sees over 950 characters from Charles Dickens novels come to life in the historic Bergkwartier district. The festival attracts approximately 125,000 visitors annually and is widely considered one of the best Christmas events in the Netherlands. If you miss December, Deventer also hosts Europe's largest open-air book market in August, featuring over 870 stalls along six kilometers.
3. Follow the black grouse trail: At Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park, join a guided excursion to observe the last Dutch population of the black grouse. The park visitor center near Nijverdal offers an interactive exhibition on the area's formation and arranges accessible excursions for visitors with mobility impairments via electric car or horse tram.
4. Discover art in unexpected places: Spend a day wandering through Ootmarsum, where galleries occupy beautifully preserved historic buildings and sculptures dot the streets. This medieval town missed the industrial revolution entirely, preserving architecture spanning centuries. Combine your visit with the Chronomium, a unique museum dedicated to artistic clocks.
5. Cycle the Vechtdal: Follow the Overijsselse Vecht river through parkland scenery, passing ancient farms, manors, and watermills. The gentle terrain and well-marked cycling junction network make this perfect for leisurely exploration. Stop at local villages for traditional Twentse krentenwegge (currant bread) with your coffee.

Practical Information for Your Glamping Adventure

Getting There

Overijssel is well connected by both road and rail. The A1 highway runs directly from Amsterdam through Deventer, Almelo, and Hengelo. Zwolle can be reached via the A28. From Schiphol Airport, direct intercity trains reach Zwolle, Deventer, and Enschede in approximately two hours. The province also borders Germany to the east, making it easily accessible from Münster and Dortmund via regional trains to Enschede.

Climate Considerations

Overijssel enjoys an oceanic climate. However, due to its distance from the coast, winters tend to be more severe than in the western Netherlands. Pack layers for spring and autumn visits, and be prepared for crisp mornings even in summer.

When to Visit

Each season offers something special. Spring brings wildflowers to the meadows and lambing season at traditional sheepfolds. Summer is perfect for cycling and water activities. Autumn paints the forests in gold, and winter brings the magical Dickens Festival. The wetlands are particularly beautiful in early morning mist throughout the year.

A Province That Rewards the Curious

Overijssel is not about ticking off a list of famous attractions. It is about discovering a different rhythm, where ancient trading cities meet untouched wetlands, where you can paddle past thatched cottages or hike across heathlands that shelter rare wildlife. This is a province that reveals its treasures slowly, rewarding those who take the time to explore its winding waterways, medieval streets, and rolling landscapes.

Book a glamping now and experience what lies beyond the IJssel. Overijssel awaits, ready to surprise you with its quiet beauty and authentic Dutch character.