The Ultimate Guide to doing Center Parcs in The Netherlands
Sometimes you can holiday at Center Parcs in Europe for cheaper than you could in the UK. Crazy, right? Well that’s what we did during October Half Term!
Having tried De Haan in Belgium, we recently headed to Port Zélande in South Holland, and it was a fantastic experience. Whilst prices vary, we visited here in October Half Term 2024 and it was HALF the price of the UK Center Parcs for the same weekend. Including the ferry and accommodation, we paid £600 for a family of 4!
Here is everything you need to know about the resort.
What is Center Parcs?
Center Parcs is a family-friendly, European network of holiday villages. Each location has gorgeous surroundings and the parks are located in beautiful natural areas, with cottages in the heart of the forest or at the water's edge. There are activities for everyone from bikes to rent and rock climbing to playgrounds and trampolines. There are pools, waterparks and slides galore too, making it a perfect choice for a family getaway, no matter what ages make up your group.
About Center Parcs Port Zélande
Center Parcs Port Zélande is located in South Holland. The area is absolutely stunning with beautiful coastal views and only a 5-10 minute walk to the beach. If you love the great outdoors, it’s perfect as there’s so much to do from water sports to cycling.
Getting there
One of the budget-friendly highlights of this trip was the ease and affordability of the travel. We took the two-hour ferry from Dover to Dunkirk and travelling by boat means you can pack all your self-catering essentials - load up the car and go! From Dunkirk, it’s a straightforward 2.5-hour drive to Port Zélande, perfect for a family road trip with a scenic coastal backdrop.
Accommodation
We opted for the Premium Cottage, a cosy two-story home with everything we needed. Here’s a quick overview:
Our accommodation was a Premium Cottage
It had an open-plan living area with a kitchen and dining space, a warm open fire, and a comfortable lounge area
There were two upstairs bedrooms with super comfy beds, plus beds are made up on arrival—a nice touch!
Downstairs and upstairs toilets, a large walk-in shower, and thoughtful touches like a high chair, kids’ cutlery, and stair gates. A small garden with outdoor seating is perfect for relaxing in the evenings.
The kitchen was well-stocked with basics, including a gas hob, microwave oven, coffee machine, kettle, and all necessary utensils. We brought our own towels (important, as towels aren’t provided!) and hand soap. They do supply a welcome pack with dishwashing essentials but no washing-up liquid, so that’s something to add to the packing list.
Food and drink
There’s a well-stocked supermarket on-site that has everything you might need at reasonable prices. While there are four on-site restaurants (pizza takeaway, buffet, fast food, cafe), we found that self-catering was the best choice for us, particularly with fussy eaters!
We did try the all-you-can-eat buffet, but at £25 per person (including kids), we found it a bit pricey for what it was. The pizza takeaway was decent though but the café was average, so we were happy to make the most of our cottage’s kitchen.
For an off-site treat, we recommend Beach Club Perry’s which is located right on a stunning beach, it’s perfect for a relaxed family lunch with a view. The food was excellent, and the beach offers loads of entertainment for the kids.
Activities
Port Zélande offers the usual Center Parcs lineup of activities, many of which are either free or reasonably priced. Here’s a breakdown of our favourites:
Clog painting: Only €5 per person and a great way for the kids to make a cute souvenir.
Mini golf: £5 per person, an affordable classic that the whole family enjoyed.
Kids safari car: This was €15 for a 30-minute drive for two kids. It was a memorable activity they loved.
Bike hire: Adult bikes cost €15 per day, and kids' bikes are €12 per day—well worth it to explore the beautiful surrounding area.
Free activities: Geocaching (like a modern-day treasure hunt where you search for things using GPS!), face painting, and a birdhouse walking safari. There’s also a little children’s farm, where the kids can feed goats, an outdoor sandpit and plenty of outdoor play areas
Pools
Aqua Mundo is the main pool complex which has indoor and outdoor options, including a kids' pool, outdoor rapids, a lazy river, and slides. The set up did feel a bit dated, but, the area is very clean, and our kids had a blast.
Things to do nearby
The Port Zélande area is packed with family-friendly activities and attractions. Several idyllic beaches are within walking distance, and the water was really calm so made it safe to explore. Plus, they’re big on water sports here, so there’s always something exciting to watch or try.
Other things includedL
PixLife Nature Xperience Tower: this is totally free to visit and gives panoramic views of the local area.
Seal spotting: Seeing seals in their natural habitat was a magical experience for us. We even witnessed a release event, which was unforgettable for the kids.
Day trips: you might like to visit other local towns whilst you’re here. Rotterdam is less than an hour’s drive away. For history and culture buffs, Bruges and Antwerp are perfect stops on the way back to Dunkirk—we’ve done Bruges before and it’s stunning! Breda is an hour away too.
Other useful information
A few extra tips based on our experience:
Electric car charging: If you’re driving an electric car, Center Parcs has charging stations but you’ll need the Plug Surfing app to access them. We were able to charge for £25.
Cashless payments: Most places here are cashless, so cards like Monzo are ideal and they give a great conversion rate.
Languages: the people speak mainly Dutch but they also speak great English, French and German - all menus were available in multiple languages.
Would I go back?
Absolutely! This site in Holland offers an amazing mix of relaxation, adventure, and affordability. In my opinion, it’s a fantastic choice for families as there is so much to do both on-site and nearby, and it’s set in the most beautiful location.
I hope this has given you a good overview and answered any questions you might have had. As always, if you have any more, drop them in the comments below!
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