Castricum lies at the meeting point of dunes, polders and the North Sea. In the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat, dunes, beaches and dune forests are protected while also being made accessible to the public; check the current access rules before your visit. The peatland areas around Akersloot and De Woude offer a different landscape: they are part of the Laag Holland National Landscape, whose open landscape consists largely of water-rich peat meadows.
From Castricum station, it takes five minutes to reach the dunes via the Zanderij dune entrance. The nearby De Zanderij walking area combines gentle dunes with bodies of water and boardwalks. At the Duin en Bosch estate, walks lead through oak and beech forest, past small dunes and quiet, reed-fringed pools. This means a nature reserve near the station and a woodland area with dunes and water offer two distinct landscape experiences.
Archaeology and traces of history
Huis van Hilde in Castricum is the archaeological museum of the province of Noord-Holland. Its permanent exhibition tells the story of the province through archaeological finds and includes life-size reconstructions of former inhabitants. Temporary exhibitions and events add further topics to the permanent display.
The historical timeline of Historisch Limmen also traces the history of a place: it was officially opened on 18 April 2026 and consists of 26 panels. By contrast, the history of bulbous plants takes center stage at Hortus Bulborum. The collection comprises more than 4,500 historic spring-flowering bulbs and hundreds of varieties dating from before 1900, including varieties from the 16th century. One of the oldest is Fritillaria persica, dating from 1577. Check seasonal visitor access in advance.
The old cemetery at Duin en Bosch is the burial place of people who were laid to rest there between 1909 and 1963 as patients, staff or relatives of the psychiatric hospital. If you would like to visit this historic site, check access arrangements locally.
Nature, learning and events
At Bezoekerscentrum De Hoep, you can learn how plants and animals live in the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat and how nature is used to produce drinking water. The center runs nature activities and excursions throughout the year. You can also get route tips there and buy dune and walking maps; check the current program for specific dates.
The Bloemendagen in Limmen take place every spring and are free to attend. Mosaics and artworks made from hyacinth flowers are displayed in residents’ gardens throughout the village. A marked route of about eight kilometers leads visitors on foot through Limmen. If you plan to attend the event, check the dates in advance.
Throughout the season, Museumgemaal 1879 features a permanent exhibition on the upper floor where you can learn more about the Oer-IJ. The ground floor hosts three annual art exhibitions by amateur and professional artists. During the exhibition period, Stichting Oer-IJ runs a short walk from Museumgemaal at 1 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month.
Markets and regional products
A weekly market takes place every Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 on Dorpsstraat in the center of Castricum. Fresh products there include cheese, nuts, vegetables and stroopwafels. Check the market hours and selection before your arrival. In Akersloot, Korenmolen de Oude Knegt mills flour in good weather. It is sold in the mill shop on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the shop also stocks Akersloter kruidenlikeur. Other regional products from the municipality include fresh fish from Alkmaardermeer, organic raw milk from a farm, locally brewed beer and flour from the mill.
Walking, water and the beach
For a walk of manageable length, try Hildes rondje: this three-kilometer route takes you through the area around Huis van Hilde. Another walking route is about eight kilometers long and follows the inner edge of the dunes, crossing extensive polders and a section of village before reaching the center of Castricum. On De Woude, you can spot numerous meadow birds on a walk of about seven kilometers along ditches and reed beds.
There is plenty to discover on the water, too. The approximately 31-kilometer Schulpvaartroute is an audio tour through pastureland, along old waterways and through nature reserves and village centers, passing mills and following historic dike routes. In the nature reserve at Akersloot, you can canoe from Camping de Boekel, including on the Limmerdie and Kerkermeer. Check current route conditions before setting out.
Castricum’s family beach offers opportunities for kitesurfing and relaxation, as well as several beach pavilions. A watersports center on the beach offers workshops, clinics and lessons in beach and water sports throughout the summer season, including kiteboarding, windsurfing, surfing and stand-up paddling. Check the specific seasonal offerings before your visit.
The municipality comprises the five village centers of Castricum, Bakkum, Akersloot, Limmen and De Woude.
Discover more destinations: Haarlemmerliede En Spaarnwoude, Zijpe, Anna Paulowna, Muiden.
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