Egmond Aan Zee: Beach, Dunes and Lighthouse

Egmond aan Zee offers several ways to plan your stay: time at the beach, paths through the dunes, water sports and maritime history. The beach offers coastal relaxation year-round, and there are beach pavilions too. The dune area of Egmond is part of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat and can be reached directly from the village on foot or by bicycle. This means the beach and dunes offer two distinct sides of the destination.

Beach and dunes

The beach is divided into orange activity zones, yellow sunbathing zones and pink naturist zones. The rules for the beach zones may vary by season. If you are interested in a particular activity, take these seasonal differences into account when planning.

The Jutter is available for visitors with limited mobility or who use a wheelchair. This large wheelchair has special pneumatic tyres that make it easier to move across the sand. This is one practical way to make a beach visit easier; the information applies to the Jutter and does not describe the general condition of the beach.

The dunes are also a destination for walks. PWN offers almost 50 marked hiking routes in its dune areas. These include an NS walk from Castricum to Egmond aan Zee. This route is an option for a walk between the two locations named; it is distinct from the direct access to the Egmond dunes from the village.

Lighthouse and fishing history

The J.C.J. van Speijk Lighthouse stands on a coastal dune near Egmond aan Zee. From there, the view stretches across the sea and beach. The tower was the northern of two stone lighthouses built in Egmond aan Zee in 1833 and 1834. It was later converted into a monument to Jan van Speyk. Its location and history make it a specific place to visit for anyone interested in the town’s development as well as the coast.

Egmond aan Zee developed from a true fishing village. The annual Visserijdag celebrates this fishing history; its dates may change. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the current event dates.

Museums and maritime life

Several institutions explore different aspects of life by the sea. The Museum van Egmond is housed in a former church and focuses on life in the dunes and by the sea. The Museum Prins Hendrik de Zeevaarder is on the first floor of the monumental Prins Hendrik care home, built in 1937. The two museums therefore offer different thematic perspectives: one through its subject matter, the other also through its distinctive location.

The Maritiem Centrum Egmond houses the KNRM-Station Egmond, the Egmondse Reddingsbrigade and Egmonder Pinck under one roof. Together with the museums, the centre shows how prominent maritime themes are in the town. Anyone interested in fishing, coastal life or the organisations active there will find several different topics to explore during a stay in Egmond.

Water sports and practical information

Backyard Beach offers private kitesurfing lessons and small-group courses on the beach. Beginners and advanced participants can also take lessons or rent equipment for surfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Which courses and rental options are suitable depends on the offers available and the conditions; schedules and availability may change. Check the latest information if you want to plan an activity in advance.

Bus services connect Egmond aan Zee with the Alkmaar and Heiloo railway stations. Check the connection and timetable before travelling. When choosing a hotel in Egmond Aan Zee, you can match your travel plans to the interests that matter most during your stay: the beach, dunes, water sports or the town’s maritime history.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bergen, Groet, Egmond-Binnen, Bergen Aan Zee, Egmond Aan Den Hoef, Schoorl.

Return to the main travel overview: Bergen.