The J.C.J. van Speijk Lighthouse stands on a coastal dune near Egmond aan Zee. From there, the view stretches across the sea and beach. At the same time, the tower tells the story of the town’s maritime history: two stone lighthouses were built in Egmond aan Zee in 1833 and 1834; the J.C.J. van Speijk was the northern one. It was later converted into a monument to Jan van Speyk. The beach, dune landscape and history offer different points of interest for your stay, without reducing the town to a single theme.

Experience the Beach and Dunes

Egmond aan Zee’s beach offers year-round relaxation on the coast and has beach pavilions. Its sections are colour-coded by permitted use: orange marks activity zones, yellow sunbathing zones and pink naturist zones. As the zoning rules may vary by season, it is worth checking the layout for your planned visit.

There is also a special option for visitors with limited mobility or who use a wheelchair to get onto the sand: the Jutter is a large wheelchair with special air-filled tyres that make it easier to move across the sand. Check the reservation arrangements before your trip. This lets you factor in this practical aspect when planning, without making a beach visit depend solely on your ability to walk.

The dunes of Egmond are part of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat and can be reached directly from the village on foot or by bike. PWN offers almost 50 marked walking routes in its dune areas. These include an NS walk from Castricum to Egmond aan Zee. Whether you are considering a stroll or a longer hike, this gives you different starting points for planning your route; the routes mentioned cover PWN’s dune areas as a whole.

Water Sports and Activities

At the beach, Backyard Beach offers private kitesurfing lessons and small-group courses. Its offerings also include surfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding: lessons or equipment rental are available for beginners and advanced participants. Which courses and rental options are suitable depends on the conditions; course times and terms may change. Check the latest information if you plan to include one of these activities in your stay.

Fishing shapes Egmond aan Zee’s history: the town developed from a genuine fishing village. The annual Visserijdag (Fisheries Day) commemorates this history; event dates may change. The Maritiem Centrum Egmond brings the KNRM Egmond station, the Egmondse Reddingsbrigade and Egmonder Pinck together under one roof. The Museum van Egmond focuses on life in the dunes and by the sea and is housed in a former church. These different places and events each highlight distinct aspects of the village’s maritime past and present.

Explore the History and Plan Your Journey

Another perspective on local history can be found at the Museum Prins Hendrik de Zeevaarder. It is on the first floor of the historic Prins Hendrik nursing home, built in 1937. Together with the lighthouse and the Museum van Egmond, it offers different ways to explore the town’s history and life: from the landmark tower on the dune to the former church building and the nursing home that houses the museum.

Bus services connect Egmond aan Zee with the railway stations in Alkmaar and Heiloo. If you are planning to travel by train, check the connections and timetables before setting off. This lets you coordinate your journey with the beach, dunes or cultural attractions and decide which aspects are important for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Egmond-Binnen, Bergen, Egmond Aan Den Hoef, Schoorl, Groet, Bergen Aan Zee.

Return to the main travel overview: Bergen.