Castricum between dunes, polders and history
Accommodation in Castricum
In the municipality of Castricum, dunes, polders and the North Sea meet. When choosing your accommodation, it’s worth deciding first what you want to focus on during your trip: would you mainly like to experience nature and trails, explore museums and history, or spend time at the beach? The municipality consists of five village centres: Castricum, Bakkum, Akersloot, Limmen and De Woude.
Dunes, water and trails
In the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat, dunes, beach and dune forests are protected and also open to the public. Check the current access rules before your visit. East of Castricum, the dunes and beach ridges are also part of the reserve. In De Zanderij, a renewed nature area near Castricum station, gentle dunes, stretches of water and boardwalks alternate. From the station, you can reach the dunes in five minutes via the Duiningang Zanderij entrance.
Walking paths on the Duin en Bosch estate pass through oak and beech woods, past small dunes and quiet, reed-lined pools. The area also reflects the history of the village: between 1909 and 1963, patients, staff and relatives of the psychiatric hospital were buried in the old cemetery. Check access to the cemetery before visiting.
At Bezoekerscentrum De Hoep, you can learn how plants and animals live in the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat and how nature is used to produce drinking water. The centre offers nature activities and excursions throughout the year. You can also get route tips there and buy dune and hiking maps; check the programme for current offerings.
The walking routes vary in length: Hildes rondje is three kilometres long and takes you through the area around Huis van Hilde. On De Woude, an approximately seven-kilometre walk follows ditches and reed beds, where you can spot numerous meadow birds. For the Bloemendagen in Limmen, there is a marked route of around eight kilometres that can be walked. If you’re interested in a longer trip, the approximately 31-kilometre Schulpvaartroute is an audio tour through pastures and nature areas, along old waterways and dike routes, and past mills and village centres. There are also 22 cycling routes in the municipality of Castricum and the surrounding region; bicycles can be rented. Check in advance which routes and rental options are available.
Discover archaeology and history
Huis van Hilde in Castricum is the archaeological museum of the province of Noord-Holland. The permanent exhibition tells the story of the province through archaeological finds and features life-size reconstructions of its former inhabitants. Temporary exhibitions and events round out the programme. The museum offers both an overview of the region’s past and changing reasons to visit.
In Limmen, a historical timeline traces the village’s history. Historisch Limmen officially opened it on 18 April 2026; 26 panels bring key moments in the village’s history to life. In spring, the annual Bloemendagen display mosaics and pieces made from hyacinth flowers throughout the village, which can be seen in residents’ gardens. Admission to the event is free. If you’d like to walk the marked route, allow for around eight kilometres and check the event dates before travelling.
Museumgemaal 1879 also brings together different themes: throughout the season, its upper floor hosts a permanent exhibition about the Oer-IJ. The ground floor hosts three art exhibitions each year by amateur and professional artists. During the exhibition period, Stichting Oer-IJ organises a short walk from Museumgemaal on the first Sunday of each month at 1 pm.
Beach and local everyday life
At Castricum’s family beach, you can relax or go kitesurfing; several beach pavilions add to the facilities. Throughout the summer season, the water sports centre on the beach offers workshops, clinics and lessons, including kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. These activities are seasonal, so check the current programme before your visit.
For a glimpse of everyday life in the municipality, visit the weekly market: it takes place every Friday from 9 am to 5 pm on Dorpsstraat in the centre of Castricum. Fresh produce includes cheese, nuts, vegetables and stroopwafels. Market hours and offerings may change, so it’s worth checking in advance.
In Akersloot, Korenmolen de Oude Knegt mills flour in good weather. It is sold at the mill shop on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the shop also sells Akersloter kruidenlikeur. Regional products from the municipality also include fresh fish from Alkmaardermeer, organic raw milk from a farm and locally brewed beer. If you have specific products in mind, check their current availability.
Discover more destinations: Akersloot, Limmen, De Woude, Castricum, Wieringermeer, Edam-Volendam, Weesp, Haarlemmerliede En Spaarnwoude.
For the overview of the wider region: North Holland.
