Discover the Netherlands

Welcome to this new blog post! A previous blog post was already about the city of Amsterdam, now I will take you a little bit into the surroundings of the Dutch capital.

The Netherlands

If you want peace and relaxation, but still experience a unique flair in a country with flat landscapes, long beaches and sand dunes, a trip to the Netherlands is just right for you. Relaxation and exploration can be ideally combined. Let me show you.

The quiet northwest

There is hardly anything more relaxing than spending your vacation in a small house outside the city, cycling to the grocery store every morning, and being close to the beach. This is the case in the area around Sint Maartensbrug. About an hour’s drive north of Amsterdam, the surrounding area is definitely worth a visit.

Viewpoint “Uitkijkpunt op duin Sint Maartenszee”

West of Sint Maartensbrug, a hilly landscape stretches down to the beach. Many tourists and locals are drawn there for walks, jogs, or bike rides. Several paths crisscross the landscape, offering some great viewpoints, such as the “Uitkijkpunt op duin Sint Maartenszee” (viewpoint on the dune at Sint Maartenzee).

Between the rolling hills you can occasionally discover small lakes where different species of birds like to gather. The main roads are paved, but small side paths are sandy and become increasingly sandy the further you go toward the beach. Bringing beach shoes is therefore recommended.

Beach at Sint Maartenszee

Arriving on the west coast, a seemingly endless beach stretches in both directions. A few restaurants have also opened there. However, that also attracts many tourists, and there are often several tourist groups nearby. Since the beach is long, you can also find quieter sections a little further away. Though, in late spring, the water is usually still too cold for swimming. You can discover some beautiful shells scattered in the sand as well.

Den Helder

We head further north to the tip of the peninsula to Den Helder. The town is not particularly large, but it is worth seeing. There are museums in the harbor area and canals that run through the municipality.

Driving along the N250 road, you can park next to the canal and cross small bridges to reach the main harbor area. You can discover many restaurants, historical sites, and museums, such as the Naval Museum. An old shipwreck is also on display in a small, glass-walled building.

The small church “Evangelische Gemeente De Ambassade” is also located right next to a small canal. Small boats line the left and right, and in spring, flowers bloom on the bridges – just like in a picture book.

Vuurtoren De Lange Jaap

Just outside of Den Helder, a red lighthouse stands enthroned just before the village of Huisduinen. A small staircase leads to a dune that stretches along the coast. From there, you have a good view of the lighthouse and the surrounding area.

Alkmaar

Halfway back to Amsterdam is the fairytale town of Alkmaar. Numerous canals run through the city. Cafes and restaurants along the narrow canals and alleys attract many visitors.

The Langestraat shopping street is lined with clothing and souvenir shops. You pass some impressive buildings, such as the town hall (“Stadhuis Alkmaar”). At the end of the alley, the large church “Grote Sint-Laurenskerk” awaits you.

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is home to a row of famous Dutch windmills. The place is a very well-known tourist destination. Literally. It attracts tourists from all over the world.

The place is actually somewhat overrated. You can see numerous windmills scattered throughout the country, some in even more beautiful settings. They are also less crowded than Zaanse Schans. In a small shop on-site you can buy, among other things, a cup of hot chocolate, but the prices are quite high.

Zaandam

Let us move on to another overrated travel destination. In Zaandam you can find an impressive hotel, which is a real eye-catcher. The “Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam” looks like several buildings and houses have been merged together.

Along the small canal “Gedempte Gracht” is a shopping street with some great clothing stores. But actually, that is it. There is not much else to see in Zaandam, and the shopping street is usually flooded with tourists.

Marken

Last but not least, we get to a place you should not miss: the small island of Marken. You can park your car in a large parking lot and explore the village on foot. In a small shop (“Steam Powered Wooden Shoe Factory”), some traditional Dutch wooden shoes are made locally, and are even available for purchase.

Some other souvenir shops and small cafes are in the harbor area. The narrow streets of the small town with the typical Dutch houses are very charming.