Wassenaar: Discover nature, trails and culture

Wassenaar brings together country estates, villas and farms with forests and pastureland near an extensive dune area and the beach. There are also different ways to spend your time here: explore nature areas on foot, discover poems in public spaces, or plan visits to performances and leisure attractions. If you are looking for hotels in Wassenaar, it helps to first consider which of these sides of the town you want to shape your stay.

Dune landscapes and wetlands

Lentevreugd shows how the landscape has changed: where flower bulbs were once grown, wet grassland with ditches and pools was created. The area lies at the transition between dunes and polder and includes three ponds. The centrally located pond can temporarily dry up in summer. The natural areas therefore differ not only in their location, but also in their changing water levels.

The Hollands Duin dune belt stretches from Wassenaar to the tip of Zuid-Holland and is suitable for walking, cycling and mountain biking. In Lentevreugd, the Meta Jochemspad trail leads through the nature area within Hollands Duin. With a little luck, you may encounter Scottish Highland cattle there. You can experience the area both as a landscape between dunes and polder and by following a specific route.

Walking routes with different perspectives

The Rondje Wassenaar Slag route passes through dunes and along the sea. Along the way, it also crosses damp dune valleys and pine forest, with small lakes along the route. The 9-kilometre “Wandelen door de open kust” walk runs through Hollands Duin and passes bunkers and an anti-tank wall that winds through the landscape. The two descriptions emphasise different features: one highlights the changing scenery of coast, forest and lakes, while the other focuses on traces of defensive structures.

If you would rather find a forest for walking and playing, Panbos has duck ponds, children’s play equipment, a deer enclosure and lawns for relaxing. In De Horsten, a walk follows the edge of a large pond. Landscaped islands change the sightlines there and create different viewpoints. The two green spaces therefore offer different experiences: Panbos has several recreational areas within the landscape, while in De Horsten the pond and changing views shape the walk.

Gardens, poems and stage performances

The Piet Oudolf garden, with more than 60 species of perennials and ornamental grasses, is located around Museum Voorlinden. It can be viewed from both outside and inside. The museum was opened in Wassenaar by King Willem-Alexander on 10 September 2016. The Poëzieroute offers a different cultural experience: it features 21 poems on façades, in the pavement and at other locations in public spaces. Theater Warenar’s programme includes a range of performances, including plays, musicals and cabaret.

Leisure attractions and practical information

Duinrell offers more than 40 attractions for all age groups. The Tiki Pool has 21 unique slides with a total length of 1.5 kilometres. The figures and facilities mentioned may change; check the latest information before your visit. This makes the amusement park easy to plan as a separate activity, alongside walks, nature areas and cultural attractions.

A valid parking ticket for one day or one year is required for the car park at the Koninklijke Landgoederen De Horsten. The annual ticket is valid for one year from the date of purchase. As parking regulations may change, it is advisable to check them again before your visit.

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