Den Helder: Maritime History, Dunes and Beach
Accommodation in Den Helder
Den Helder combines maritime history with coastal scenery and trails through nature. Museums, historic sites and outdoor activities offer a range of different experiences. If you are looking for a hotel, you can decide based on whether you mainly want to explore naval history, go hiking or spend time on the beaches and on the water.
Naval history and historic sites
Fort Kijkduin was built in 1811 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte because of its strategic location. Today, the fort houses a North Sea aquarium with sharks, rays and other marine animals from the North Sea. You can also explore the surrounding area on foot or by bicycle: features mentioned there include dunes, bunkers and views across the sea.
The Naval Museum Den Helder tells the story of the Royal Netherlands Navy through uniforms, weapons and stories of historic naval heroes. A special experience is the Tonijn submarine: visitors can go aboard and look through its periscope. The Nationaal Reddingmuseum Dorus Rijkers adds to the maritime themes with a VR experience, a wind-turbine activity, a navigation game and maritime sailing heritage. You can take a tour through the inner harbour on historic lifeboats; trips out to sea are available for groups. Boat trips may vary depending on the season and the operator’s conditions.
Willemsoord was formerly a shipbuilding and maintenance yard for the Royal Netherlands Navy and is now a lively protected historic district. The Museumhaven is home to a free open-air museum featuring historic working vessels, classic sailing ships and old lifeboats. A guided tour of Willemsoord takes about two hours. The Atlantic Wall installations in Den Helder were built at 37 different locations and comprised a total of 88 heavy bunkers, some of which are still visible.
De Nollen brings art and nature together in a setting that combines a sculpture garden and landscape art. Steel structures, bunkers, paintings, landscape, horses and ponies form a single work of art. Visits always take place with a guide. This offers a different way to experience the historic sites: rather than a museum exhibition, the focus here is on the interplay of the art and landscape elements mentioned.
Walking, cycling and coastal scenery
A 23-kilometre walking route starts and ends at the De Helderse Vallei visitor centre. Several walking trails, ranging from 2.1 to 12.1 kilometres, also start there in the Helderse Dunes. The range of distances gives you a practical guide when planning your walk. Free cycling and walking routes, as well as scavenger hunts for the surrounding area, are available at the visitor centre. A permanent exhibition introduces the area's habitats, from dunes and beach to the Wadden area, the Stelling, wetlands and forest.
In Den Helder and Julianadorp, cycling, walking and sailing routes pass forts, bunkers and Willemsoord, go through the dunes and run along the sea dike. Canoeing is another option: there are four canoe routes ranging from 4 to 18 kilometres, and canoes can be rented at several locations. Rental locations for regular and electric bicycles are also listed for both places. An OV-fiets is also available at Den Helder Central Station; providers and availability may change.
Julianadorp lies between extensive flower fields and offers direct access to sandy beaches. Surfschool High5 at Paal 6 in Julianadorp offers surf lessons, surfboard and wetsuit rental, as well as stand-up paddleboarding. Availability and operations may depend on the weather and the season. This gives you a choice of different activities when planning your stay: routes through the countryside and dunes, trips on the water or activities at the beach.
Getting there and getting around
Den Helder can be reached by train, bus or bicycle. An Intercity train towards Amsterdam departs from the station every 30 minutes; its final stop is Nijmegen. Bus route 30 connects the station with Station Zuid, Julianadorp and Schagen. The ferry from Den Helder to Texel takes about 20 minutes. Timetables, departure frequencies and operating conditions may change; check these details before your trip.
When choosing where to stay, the experiences that matter to you may be the deciding factor: museums and naval history, trails and scenery, or activities at the beach and on the water. The places and activities mentioned differ in what you can explore or do there. If you are planning a specific boat trip or activity, take its stated seasonal and operating conditions into account.
Discover more destinations: Julianadorp, Huisduinen, Den Helder, Julianadorp Aan Zee, Castricum, Naarden, Amstelveen, Heemskerk.
Go to the main travel overview: North Holland.
