About the Port
Kampen sits along the IJssel River, its skyline marked by medieval gates and church towers that recall its history as a Hanseatic trading town. The compact old center, with its brick facades and cobbled streets, invites an easy walk from the pier, offering a quieter counterpoint to Amsterdam's bustle earlier in an itinerary.
Most travelers use Kampen as the springboard to nearby Giethoorn, a village threaded with narrow canals and dotted with thatched-roof farmhouses. Often called the "Dutch Venice," Giethoorn has no through roads in its historic core, so boats remain the traditional way to move between homes and gardens. The combination of Kampen's understated civic charm and Giethoorn's fairytale waterways makes for a memorable contrast within a single day ashore.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Kampen.
Glide Giethoorn's Canals by Boat
Board a whisper-quiet electric punt to drift past thatched farmhouses and arched wooden bridges in the car-free village core, reachable by a short transfer from Kampen's pier.
Wander Kampen's Old Town Gates
Trace the surviving medieval gates and the Bovenkerk's tower on foot from the ship, a flat 15-minute stroll through Hanseatic brick lanes.
Stroll the IJssel Riverfront
Walk the promenade along the IJssel for views of Kampen's historic skyline reflected in the water, an easy way to fill spare time before or after the Giethoorn excursion.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Kampen
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 8 | $4,515 | |
| Mar 12, 2027 | AMA Waterways | AmaSerena | 7 | $2,679 | |
| Apr 8, 2027 | AMA Waterways | AmaLucia | 7 | $4,679 | |
| Apr 11, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 7 | $9,500 | |
| Apr 15, 2027 | AMA Waterways | AmaLucia | 7 | $4,979 | |
| Apr 16, 2027 | AMA Waterways | AmaSerena | 7 | $4,979 | |
| Apr 18, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 7 | $9,500 | |
| Apr 22, 2027 | AMA Waterways | AmaLucia | 7 | $4,779 | |
| Apr 25, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 7 | $9,500 | |
| Nov 27, 2027 | AMA Waterways | AmaFiora | 7 | $3,129 | |
| Mar 18, 2028 | AMA Waterways | AmaSofia | 7 | $2,889 | |
| Apr 9, 2028 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 7 | $8,200 | |
| Apr 9, 2028 | AMA Waterways | AmaSiena | 7 | $4,439 | |
| Apr 11, 2028 | AMA Waterways | AmaVenita | 7 | $4,739 | |
| Apr 12, 2028 | AMA Waterways | AmaViola | 7 | $4,739 | |
| Apr 16, 2028 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 7 | $8,200 | |
| Apr 16, 2028 | AMA Waterways | AmaSiena | 7 | $4,739 | |
| Apr 18, 2028 | AMA Waterways | AmaVenita | 7 | $4,639 | |
| Apr 23, 2028 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 7 | $8,200 | |
| Apr 30, 2028 | Lindblad Expeditions | Connect | 7 | $8,200 |
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