The sandy beach at Bergen Aan Zee is about three kilometres long, wide and flat. There is also a dune area with shifting dunes and protected landscape sections, as well as distinctive cultural landmarks. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can assess the destination based on whether the beach, nature, water sports or history is your main priority.
Beach and Dune Nature
The beach lies between the Schoorl Dunes and the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat. Bergen Aan Zee sits precisely on the boundary between calcareous and non-calcareous dune soils. Shifting dunes can be seen in several places in the dune area, including along Verspyckweg. Engelse Veld is also part of the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat.
Another nature landmark is the Heemtuin at the Parnassia building. It showcases native flora and fauna, and admission is free. This offers a way to appreciate the landscape not only through the beach and dune formations, but also through native plants and animals. Visitors can stroll through Parnassiapark and enjoy a peaceful setting close to the sea.
Paths, Water and Activities
The Op de Kalkgrens route passes through the village, the forest, the dune area and along the beach. It is 5.7 kilometres long and starts and ends in front of the Zee Aquarium. This gives the start and finish a clearly identifiable location. The Trekvogelpad, also known as Pieterpad-overdwars, is on a very different scale: this 414-kilometre trail runs from Bergen Aan Zee through the central Netherlands to the east of Enschede. Those comparing routes will therefore find both a local circuit and a long-distance route.
Zee Aquarium Bergen aan Zee features themed areas covering the Amazon region, the Atlantic, tropical waters, the Mediterranean and the North Sea. By the sea, Surfschool Bergen aan Zee offers surfing lessons that teach the basics of currents, stance, safety and surfing rules. The school also offers stand-up paddleboarding, with exercises in balancing and paddling, as well as trips out on the sea. The two activities differ in their stated content and respective focus.
Local Cultural History
The architectural history can also be traced through several names and dates. Vredeskerkje was founded in 1918 on the initiative of M.A.D. van Reenen-Völter. Its stained-glass windows were created from designs by G.F. la Croix in Willem Bogtman’s studio. Zeehuis dates from 1908 and was the first of three colony houses built in what was then a young village. It is part of the Koloniehoek national heritage complex at Verspyckweg 3 to 7.
Construction of Landgoed Huize Glory began in 1916 on Russenduin; the villa was built as a summer residence on behalf of August Janssen. The estate is situated on one of Bergen Aan Zee’s highest dunes and offers a view towards the sea. Parnassiapark, meanwhile, was laid out in 1911 in a natural dune valley on behalf of Marie van Reenen-Völter. Its history and the opportunity to stroll there give the park its own place in getting your bearings, alongside the beach and routes.
Getting There and Practical Information
Bergen Aan Zee is easy to reach by bicycle, and there are plenty of bicycle parking facilities at the beach entrances. Zee Aquarium is fully accessible to wheelchair users and has its own car park. Two Jutter beach wheelchairs can be borrowed at Strandpaviljoen Zuid by the main beach entrance. Check the latest borrowing and reservation details before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Schoorl, Egmond Aan Zee, Egmond Aan Den Hoef, Bergen, Egmond-Binnen, Groet.
Back to the main travel guide: Bergen.
