Heemskerk: Dunes and Cultural Heritage

A symmetrical garden, a castle hidden underground and dunes that invite you to hike and cycle: Heemskerk offers nature and cultural experiences from a variety of perspectives. When planning your trip, you can focus on the landscape, history or culinary trails. That way, you can tailor your stay to whether you want to spend time outdoors, explore historic sites or discover regional produce.

Dunes, Beach and Natural Area

The dunes of Heemskerk are ideal for hiking and cycling. Their vegetation is diverse, and the protected area has been designated for nature conservation, benefiting its fauna. In Heemskerk, the Noord-Hollandse Duinreservaat covers 5,300 hectares and is at least five kilometres wide. At Heemskerk beach, the lifeguard station is staffed at all times during the bathing season. If you would like to swim there, check the latest conditions in advance.

Gardens, Castles and Forts

The formal garden at Kasteeltuin Assumburg is defined by its symmetrical design. It includes an orchard, a rose garden, and a vegetable and herb garden. Designed order, flowers and useful plants sit side by side within the grounds.

Kasteel Oud Haerlem was built by Simon van Haerlem in 1248. It was besieged and destroyed in 1351 during the Hook and Cod Wars, and has remained hidden underground ever since. The outlines of the castle, its moats and its ramparts are still clearly visible from the air. The history of Marquette also reaches far back: around 1250, William II, Count of Holland, had a castle built there. Landgoed Marquette in Heemskerk is a natural area where nature and culture come together.

The number of monuments also gives a sense of the town’s architectural heritage: Heemskerk has more than 70 municipal, provincial and national monuments. Fort Veldhuis houses the Luchtoorlogsmuseum, run by the Stichting Aircraft Recovery Group 1940-1945. A German searchlight shelter from the Second World War is located in the fort’s front wall. Fort bij Veldhuis is one of the 45 forts that together make up the Stelling van Amsterdam.

The Luchtoorlogsmuseum accepts school and group visits outside regular opening hours by appointment and offers a special educational package. Arrange dates and the programme in advance. The Historische Kring Heemskerk also organises activities, walks and lectures about Heemskerk’s cultural heritage and history; check the current programme for specific dates.

Walking Routes and Culinary Discoveries

A walking route in Heemskerk is signposted and passes historic buildings and works of art in turn. As signposting and route details may change, check the waymarkers locally. When planning, you can expect the route to feature both architecture and art.

Heemskerk proeven is a culinary and cultural walk offering discounts on food and drinks along the way. Participating businesses may change. A culinary route passes through the modern horticultural area along the edge of the inner dunes. Stalls along the route sell fresh flowers, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, herbs and other seasonal produce; the selection may vary.

Getting There by Train

As a rough guide, train journeys from Heemskerk to Alkmaar and Haarlem take about 15 minutes; Amsterdam Centraal is less than 30 minutes away. Timetables may change, so check the latest connections for your travel date.

Discover more destinations: Heemskerk, Langedijk, Beemster, Muiden, Graft-De Rijp, Landsmeer, Amstelveen, Wervershoof

For the broader travel overview: North Holland.