Bergen combines trails through dunes and polders with art, architecture and a long history. The Schoorlse Duinen are considered the highest dune area in the northern part of Noord-Holland and have more than 60 kilometres of walking trails. When planning, it is worth considering the different themes: extensive nature trails, a specific route, or cultural history and events.
Walking Trails through Dunes and Polders
Bergen has an extensive polder landscape with numerous paths, as well as walking and cycling trails. The Noordhollands Duinreservaat also has a vast network of walking and cycling trails. The 25-kilometre Witte zandduinen cycling route passes through Bergen and the Schoorlse Duinen. A walk from Bergen to Bergen aan Zee takes you through the dunes to the beach.
For an art-focused outing, two routes differ in length and format: the Kunstenaarsdorp Bergen walking route is 12.1 kilometres long, passes through the centre and the polder, and goes by the Ruïnekerk. The 5-kilometre Kunst wandelroute Bergen is an audio walk through the artists’ village. Routes may change; check the information before setting out. The Blauwe route leads to Brederodeveld, where Jan van Bergen’s castle stood between 1200 and 1400.
Art, Architecture and Film
Museum Kranenburgh manages an extensive art collection spanning 1900 to the present, with a focus on the art of the Bergen School. Through Studio C, the museum offers a range of creative workshops. The museum also has a sculpture garden, where works from the Kranenburgh collection are displayed outdoors. The collection, hands-on creative activities and outdoor art thus offer different ways to engage with art.
Park Meerwijk was laid out in 1918 and developed with villas in the Amsterdam School style. Of the original 17 buildings, 13 are well preserved; the entire park is protected as a Rijksmonument. Landgoed het Oude Hof is considered the first country estate established in the Netherlands. The grounds were laid out between 1643 and 1660 in the French classical style: sightlines, avenues, ponds, Kattebergen and rows of trees were arranged according to a strictly geometric design.
The Cinebergen film theatre is located in the historic De Zwarte Schuur on Landgoed het Oude Hof. Its programme includes world cinema, classics, children’s films and documentaries. Film adds its own cultural format to the visual arts and historic architecture.
History and Recurring Events
The origins of the RuĂŻnekerk date back to 1094. The Heilig Bloedwonder of 1422 made the church an important pilgrimage site. A market is held around the RuĂŻnekerk in the centre of Bergen every Saturday throughout the year, from 08:30 to 17:00. Fresh local produce and treats are on offer.
Since 1984, the Kunstmarkt Ruïnekerk has been a fixture in Bergen. It takes place every summer, with more than 70 stalls offering a changing selection each week. Since its establishment in 1918, the Vredeskerkje in Bergen aan Zee has been the town’s religious, social and cultural centre. It is also an important concert venue for the Bergen area.
The Damlandermolen also tells the story of the area’s former water management: it was built in 1578 as a sturdy octagonal binnenkruier to protect the approximately 135-hectare lakeside area between the former Bergermeer and the southern edge of Bergen from excess water. Following its restoration, it is turning regularly again.
Plan Your Stay Around Your Interests
If you are looking for a hotel in Bergen, you can first decide what you would like to focus on during your stay: walking, art and architecture, or the recurring markets and summer events. The routes mentioned differ in length and format; choosing a clear focus helps you plan your days without trying to fit every theme into one itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Egmond Aan Zee, Groet, Schoorl, Bergen, Bergen Aan Zee, Egmond Aan Den Hoef, Egmond-Binnen, Heiloo
For the broader travel overview: Noord-Holland.
