North Holland is surrounded by water on three sides. This shapes a region where the Wadden Sea and IJsselmeer, dunes and polders sit side by side. The Wadden Sea is the world’s largest continuous system of tidal sand and mudflats and is of great importance to migratory birds. Forests, heathland, marsh meadows and other landscapes complete the picture. This means that nature experiences and evidence of how people have shaped water and land can be found in the same province.
Mudflats, dunes and nature trails
On Texel, the landscape ranges from polders and woodland to heathland and beaches, as well as mudflats and damp dune valleys. Much of the island is part of Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel. You can hike, cycle and observe birds and other animals there. To protect sensitive natural areas, some sections are closed to the public seasonally or permanently, so check that your chosen trails are accessible before visiting. Texel has 140 kilometres of cycle paths, including marked routes through the national park. As information about route infrastructure can change, it is worth checking the latest details when planning a specific trip.
The walking trails also offer a variety of experiences. The family trail at De Slufter is partly paved and accessible to walkers with rollators, mobility scooters and strollers; local trail conditions may affect access. Another walking route leads from De Cocksdorp through the northern part of Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel, via De Slufter, to Ecomare. At De Slufter, a salt marsh opens out to the North Sea; salt-tolerant vegetation and walking trails are part of this distinctive landscape.
In Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland, walking and cycling routes pass through dunes, alongside lakes and through woodland and open landscapes, leading to viewpoints. Santpoort Noord railway station provides access to the national park. A long-distance walking trail in North Holland is marked in both directions and runs mostly along unpaved paths, quiet country roads or walking trails. Cycling and water sports routes are also a focus in the province, where the landscape shifts between coast, lakes and fenland areas.
Polders, windmills and water management
The Beemster Polder tells the story of land reclamation: in 1612, a 42-kilometre ring dike, a ring canal and 43 windmills were built for this purpose. Created in the early 17th century, the polder is described as an orderly pattern of fields, roads, canals, dikes and settlements. Its layout illustrates the difference between a naturally formed waterscape and a deliberately designed cultural landscape.
The Dutch Water Defence Lines are another chapter in the history of water management. The 200-kilometre system comprises the New Dutch Waterline and the Defence Line of Amsterdam. Its components include 96 forts, as well as dikes, sluices, pumping stations, canals and inundation polders. Zaanse Schans offers another glimpse into historic ways of life and work: this historic village is freely accessible and features windmills, green wooden houses, crafts and historic industries. Other attractions include museums, a cheese farm, a pewter foundry, and cycling and boat tours; individual operators may vary.
Museums, animals and special excursions
Ecomare is a nature museum in the heart of Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel. It provides information about the dune area, Texel’s landscape, the Wadden Sea and the North Sea, and cares for seals, porpoises and birds. Visitors interested in wildlife can therefore explore both landscape-related topics and the animal species mentioned here. At Dierenpark Hoenderdaell, visitors can feed lorikeets with special food; the park’s animals live in habitats recreated to resemble their natural environments as closely as possible. Stichting Leeuw’s rescue centre is located amid nature on Landgoed Hoenderdaell. Admission is included in the price of a visit to Dierenpark Hoenderdaell.
A historic steam-train day trip run by Museumstoomtram travels from Hoorn via Medemblik to the Zuiderzeemuseum and Enkhuizen. Specific departures and the availability of the combined tour may vary by season; check the timetable before your trip. This lets you plan a visit around your interests without reducing nature, cultural landscapes and history to a single theme.
Market visits and practical tips
In Alkmaar, the cheese market takes place every year on Fridays from 10 am to 1 pm at Waagplein, from the last Friday in March to the last Friday in September. In July and August, there is also an evening market on Tuesdays from 7 pm to 9 pm. If a market visit is part of your plans, check the current calendar before travelling.
For Zaanse Schans, the visitor information recommends travelling by public transport because parking is limited. It is a 15-minute walk from Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans station. Check current connections before setting out. This practical guidance complements your visit: you can choose how much to focus on historic sites, nature trails and waterscapes, and look for a suitable hotel in North Holland for your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Amsterdam, Velsen, Langedijk, Graft-De Rijp, Aalsmeer, Alkmaar, Amstelveen, Andijk, Anna Paulowna, Beemster, Bergen, Beverwijk, Blaricum, Bloemendaal, Bussum, Castricum, Den Helder, Diemen, Drechterland, Edam-Volendam, Enkhuizen, Haarlem, Haarlemmerliede En Spaarnwoude, Haarlemmermeer, Harenkarspel, Heemskerk, Heemstede, Heerhugowaard, Heiloo, Hilversum, Hoorn, Huizen, Koggenland, Landsmeer, Laren, Medemblik, Muiden, Naarden, Niedorp, Oostzaan, Opmeer, Ouder-Amstel, Purmerend, Schagen, Schermer, Stede Broec, Uitgeest, Uithoorn, Waterland, Weesp, Wervershoof, Wieringen, Wieringermeer, Wijdemeren, Wormerland, Zaanstad, Zandvoort, Zeevang, Zijpe, Hollands Kroon, Loenen.
For the overarching travel overview: Netherlands.
