The North Sea Coast Road Trip
Route Overview
Total distance: 800 km (Netherlands to Denmark)
Duration: 7-10 days
Best season: June-August
Highlights: Beaches, dunes, islands, seals
This route follows the North Sea from the Dutch Wadden coast to the Danish peninsula. It's flat, windswept, and surprisingly varied.
Day 1-2: Dutch Coast
Start in Amsterdam and head north to Den Helder. Take the ferry to Texel, the largest Wadden island. The crossing is 20 minutes, 25-35 EUR for a campervan.
Texel has 30 km of beaches, seal colonies, and a working sheep farm (the wool makes excellent sweaters). Stay at Camping Kogerstrand for ocean views.
Return to the mainland and drive along the Afsluitdijk - the 32 km dam that turned the Zuiderzee into a lake. Stop at the monument halfway for the view.
Day 3-4: Frisian Coast to Germany
Follow the Wadden Sea coast through Harlingen and into Groningen province. The landscape is sparse - mudflats, sheep, wind turbines.
Cross into Germany at Nieuweschans. The border is invisible but the road signs switch to German.
Stop: Emden has an excellent art museum (Kunsthalle) and a working harbor. Park at the marina.
The East Frisian islands (Borkum, Norderney, Langeoog) are worth a ferry trip if you have time. Langeoog is car-free and peaceful.
Day 5-6: German Wadden Coast
Continue along the coast through Wilhelmshaven (Germany's largest naval base, interesting war history) to Cuxhaven.
From Cuxhaven, you can see the mouth of the Elbe - Hamburg is 100 km upriver if you want a city detour.
Sleep: Camperpark Cuxhaven has excellent facilities and beach access.
The coast between Cuxhaven and the Danish border is quiet and undeveloped. St. Peter-Ording has the widest beach in Germany - you can actually drive on parts of it (look for the designated vehicle zones).
Day 7-8: Into Denmark
Cross into Denmark at Padborg. The landscape stays flat but the architecture changes - Danish modernism replaces German practicality.
Stop: Ribe is Denmark's oldest town. The medieval center is compact and photogenic. The campervan stellplatz is 500 meters from the cathedral.
Continue to Esbjerg for the ferry connections to Fano, a small island with traditional thatched houses and empty beaches.
Day 9-10: Danish West Coast
The west coast of Jutland is wild. Dunes, bunkers from WWII, beach grass as far as you can see.
Key stops:
Blavand: Westernmost point of Denmark. The lighthouse is surrounded by concrete bunkers slowly being swallowed by sand.
Hvide Sande: Working fishing port. Buy fresh fish from the boats and cook it in the campervan.
Holmsland Klit: A narrow strip of land between the sea and the Ringkobing fjord. Perfect for cycling.
End at Thyboron or loop back south.
Practical Notes
Fuel: Similar prices across all three countries. Fill up where convenient.
Ferry tips:
Weather: North Sea weather is unpredictable. Pack layers, rain gear, and accept that some days will be grey. The wind is constant - park facing away from it.
Wild camping:
Best apps: Park4Night, Campercontact, and Waze for avoiding traffic.