Steden & Dorpen

Schagen

Along the west side of the Westfriese Omringdijk you will find Schagen. The municipality of the same name also includes some great coastal towns, such as Groote Keeten, Petten and Callantsoog. There is plenty to do in and around this old town. For example, you will find many bulb fields as you walk toward the coast from the town. In the spring, this brings with it truly beautiful, colorful pictures. The Westfriese Omringdijk itself is also well worth a visit. This coast is no less than 14 kilometers long. You will also find not only beautiful, but also safe and clean beaches. What is also a big plus is the fact that the distances in this municipality are easy to cover. Thus, you can do several activities in one day. For example, visit the town and then get a breath of fresh air on the beach. There is also plenty to do for cycling enthusiasts. In fact, there are many cycling routes to be found in the municipality of Schagen. The same goes for walking routes, so even if you prefer to go out on foot, you have more than enough choice.

Do you choose to spend a day admiring the city? Then the city has a lot of fascinating history to offer you. The narrow shopping streets also bring with them a friendly atmosphere. Around the cozy market square, found opposite the Grote Kerk, you can sit down at one of the terraces to enjoy a drink and perhaps a bite to eat.

Do you really like history? Then you can find the West Frisian Folklore every Thursday morning from late June to early September. During the West Frisian Folklore you can marvel at a colorful parade of historic vehicles and Schagen people in typical West Frisian attire.

Alkmaar

Alkmaar is of course a well-known city in our country. The city is known as a Cheese City and for centuries the world famous cheese market has been held in this city on Friday mornings from April to September. This is therefore definitely worth visiting. However, this amazing cheese market is not the only thing this city has to offer. For example, you can also enjoy shopping, eating out, sitting on a terrace or soaking up culture. There are also plenty of opportunities in and around Alkmaar for walking or cycling. The city is surrounded by beautiful nature, polders, beaches and dunes. Furthermore, there is a lot of art to be found and you can visit one of the great museums. Alkmaar is a very versatile city in which you will definitely not get bored.

.

Amsterdam

.

Then of course we have our capital, Amsterdam. Just an hour's drive from our recreation park lies this large, old city. Amsterdam has existed since the 17^th century and since then the city has only become more famous. Precisely because the city is so old, you can soak up an enormous amount of culture and learn a lot about its history. For example, there are great museums to be found and you can take a walk yourself and marvel at the beautiful historic buildings that can be found in Amsterdam. In addition, you can of course enjoy a wide range of stores, terraces and restaurants, as well as beautiful historic buildings and a friendly atmosphere. Would you like to sail through the canals? Then there are canal cruises that allow you to see the beautiful canals a little better. You can also choose to walk through the Vondelpark and enjoy nature. Do you prefer a day of shopping? Then you can visit the city center. You can entertain yourself all day in this world-famous city. Make use of public transportation to be able to do and see as much as possible.

Amsterdam

Then, of course, we have our capital city, Amsterdam. Just an hour's drive from our recreation park is this large, old city. Amsterdam has existed since the ^17th century and since then the city has only become more famous. Precisely because the city is so old, you can soak up a lot of culture and learn a lot about its history.

For example, you can find great museums and you can take a walk yourself and marvel at the beautiful historical buildings that can be found in Amsterdam.

In addition, you can of course enjoy a wide range of stores, terraces and restaurants, as well as beautiful historic buildings and a friendly atmosphere. Would you like to sail through the canals? Then there are round trips that allow you to see the beautiful canals a little better. You can also choose to walk through the Vondelpark and enjoy nature. Do you prefer a day of shopping? Then you can visit the city center. You can entertain yourself all day in this world-famous city. Make use of public transportation to be able to do and see as much as possible.

Bergen

One of the special things about Bergen, is that it consists of two nuclei. First of all, there is the village of Bergen itself, and then, three kilometers away, there is the town of Bergen aan Zee. This therefore means that Bergen is the ideal mix for anyone who wants to combine beach life with culture. The village really has a lot to offer.

For example, Bergen has been an artists' village from way back. Because of this, there is wonderful art and culture to be found. The fact that the village is surrounded by the sea, dunes and forest has inspired many painters. Also, if you are looking for coziness, Bergen is a very good option. The center of the village is enormously atmospheric and what makes it extra special is the fact that an ancient ruined church can be found in the middle of the center. Furthermore, you can visit stores and boutiques and of course take a seat on one of the atmospheric terraces.

Besides the village itself, you can also choose to go to Bergen aan Zee. Here you can swim and enjoy nature on the beach and dunes. You can also combine the center and the sea. For example, go to the stores during the day and in the evening blow out on the beach. Or spend your day by the sea and finish with a nice snack and drink in the center of the village.

Barsingerhorn

If you really like culture and history, we recommend going to Barsingerhorn. This village has been the first village in North Holland to receive a protected village view. This means that the old core of the village is maintained. For example, you will find beautiful monumental farms and mansions. They can be found along the dike, which has existed since the ^13th century. If you want to visit these monumental buildings, you can reach them via bridges. If you really go into the center, you can visit the former town hall. You will also find a streetcar stop completely renovated in the old style.

The village has no more than a thousand inhabitants. So this also shows that it really is a small village. Nevertheless, there is so much to see and experience in this beautiful village, because in addition to the great culture and history, of course, during the third weekend of August the "Nazomeren" also takes place. Thousands of people then come to see musicians, hobbyists, artists and garden owners.

Barsingerhorn is not the only village participating in the Nazomeren, as the villages Winkel, Haringhuizen, 't Veld/Zijdewind, Kolhorn, Oude Niedorp, Nieuwe Niedorp and Lutjewinkel also participate. When you visit our recreation park during this weekend, we definitely recommend you to go here and enjoy the art and culture.

Kolhorn

In the middle of a sea of meadows you will find Kolhorn. This former fishing village lies behind the dike and it is easy to see that this was once a port town. However, due to reclamation it now lies in the middle of the West Frisian landscape. Kolhorn has also been given a protected village status. So this means that the culture of this beautiful village will also be preserved.

If you would like a nice view of the polder, you can visit one of the lookouts that can be found along the village's dike. Are you visiting Kolhorn in the summer? Then we recommend visiting the three Night Markets. During the Night Markets no less than two hundred and fifty market stalls can be found throughout the village. Precisely because these markets are in the dark, it brings with it a great atmosphere. The market stalls are beautifully lit, giving it a fairy-tale image.

You can also choose to experience how fishermen used to sail over the former Zuiderzee. You can do this during a canal cruise. These tours take place in the original Langedijker Rondkont. It is a great way to enjoy both history and culture.