Noordwijk: Coast, Dunes and Culture

A real meteorite you can touch, wide dune paths with views of the beach, sea and spring flower fields: Noordwijk combines coastal scenery with space travel, nature and history. The 13-kilometre sandy beach is just one part of the town; museums, paths and local traditions offer further perspectives on the area.

Beach, Dunes and Water

Noordwijk lies in the heart of Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen. Cycling routes run along the coast and through dunes, forests and villages. Hollands Duin stretches between Noordwijk and Noordwijkerhout. The wide dune paths open up views of the beach and sea, as well as spring fields of flower bulbs. These routes give your stay a different rhythm from a day on the sandy beach; their course may change, so check the latest information before setting out.

Landgoed Nieuw Leeuwenhorst, also known as Leeuwenhorstbos, is a wooded area with winding paths, open fields and historic features. It is part of Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen. Open dunes and vegetated areas shape the landscape of the protected Coepelduynen. The Waterleidingduinen are accessible from De Zilk; local routes may change. In the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen, you can walk off the paths and spot deer and, with a little luck, a fox.

There are various ways to enjoy the water, too: the coastal waters of Noordwijk are suitable for swimming, stand-up paddling, surfing, kitesurfing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and rafting. Which activities are possible depends on conditions and providers. Oosterduinse Meer, also known as Comomeer, offers a different setting: this swimming lake is in Noordwijkerhout and invites you to swim, relax and enjoy nature.

Space Travel and Coastal History

Space Expo is the visitor centre for ESA ESTEC in Noordwijk and an interactive experience for curious children and adults. You can touch a real meteorite, walk through a model of the International Space Station (ISS) and see André Kuipers’s original Soyuz capsule. Before your visit, check whether the exhibits you are interested in are available.

Themed floors at Vuurtoren Noordwijk tell the story of the lighthouse and its once important connection to the rescue service. The lighthouse is open to visitors on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in spring, summer and autumn. Check the latest opening information before your visit.

Atlantikwall Museum Noordwijk brings the history of the Second World War bunkers to life through an exhibition and a network of tunnels. Topics range from life in the bunkers to the Germans’ transformation of the European coast into a fortress. Visiting options differ: you can explore the fire-control bunker independently with an audio guide; the tunnel system can be visited on a guided tour. Museum Engelandvaarders tells the story of the young men and women who fled the occupied Netherlands during the Second World War to continue the fight from Great Britain.

Local History, Art and Traditions

Museum Noordwijk displays traditional costumes, Plateel pottery and works by Oswald Wenckebach and Charlotte van Pallandt. Streekmuseum Veldzicht offers a regional perspective on agriculture and horticulture, with topics including flower bulb and herb cultivation and the Blaarkop cattle breed. The grounds feature two historic herb gardens, a flower and bulb garden, and a flower-picking garden. Workshops and talks are regularly held in the bulb barn and stable; the programme and garden layout may change.

Witte Kerk is a monumental church in the centre of Noordwijkerhout. A stone church with a Romanesque choir was built there in the first half of the 13th century. Visits and quiet reflection are possible on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon; during the summer season, there are additional opening times on special days. Check the opening times before your visit. During Corsoweek, Witte Kerk hosts the free-to-visit Flower Event on the village square in Noordwijkerhout. Dates may vary from year to year.

Public art and local customs also tell the story of the area. Set into the paving of Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard, Noordwijk’s Walk of Space features handprints and footprints of famous astronauts; the installation has been there since 2013. Colourful flower mosaics return each year in De Zilk. During Carnival, the De Duinknijnen Carnival Association designs several floats there every year.

For an art walk, the Max Liebermann Route connects different sides of Noordwijk: it leads through the town, along the coast, through the historic centre of Noordwijk Binnen and back via the beach. Along the route are 24 works of art at the locations where Liebermann actually painted them. Another striking landmark is the tower of Oude Jeroenskerk: it is open to visitors every Saturday, has 147 steps and stands 45 metres tall. From the top, you can see across Noordwijk, the surrounding area and the North Sea.

Practical Ideas for Your Trip

The Gezellige Terrasjesroute combines a cycling tour through Noordwijk and Noordwijkerhout with stops for coffee and pastries, lunch or dinner. Some stops also offer sea views; participating venues and route details may change. For a trip to the beach, the municipal Beach Shuttle offers free parking and a shuttle bus to Noordwijk beach. The service is seasonal, and timetables may change: check them before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Noordwijk Aan Zee, Noordwijk, Noordwijk, Kaag En Braassem, Oegstgeest, Zuidplas, Liesveld, Leiderdorp.

For the regional travel overview: South Holland.