Different layers of time come together in Heemskerk: Kasteel Oud Haerlem has lain underground since its destruction, while the tower of Laurentiuskerk rises 54 metres into the sky. There are also paths through the dunes, a beach you can reach on foot or by bike, and gardens with very different designs. When planning your trip, it’s worth deciding in advance whether nature, local history or both will be the main focus.
Dunes, beach and views
The dunes and beach of Heemskerk are part of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, which stretches from Wijk aan Zee to Bergen. The dune area has walking and cycling routes, as well as junctions for both activities. The sandy beach can only be reached on foot or by bike. If you’d first like to take in the landscape from above, you’ll find the Uitkijktoren Kruisberg on the 26-metre-high Kruisberg. From there, you can see the dunes, beach and sea; visibility can extend for several kilometres on a clear day.
If you visit the Duinreservaat, be aware of the Duinkaart rule: everyone aged 18 or over needs a Duinkaart. A Duinkaart vending machine is located at De Vlotter / Kraaiennest in Heemskerk. For a longer hike, the IJmondpad is a 77-kilometre circular walking route that runs through the municipalities of Heemskerk, Beverwijk and Velsen in summer. This route is on a different scale from the shorter paths in the area.
Walks and gardens
A shorter walk on Landgoed Marquette is two kilometres long and passes herbs, wild plants, spring-flowering plants, shrubs and trees. This historic natural area preserves features of an English landscape park laid out in the 19th century, including a circular pond, winding streams, parkland woods and meadows dotted with individual oak trees. The landscape and the particular variety of plants each give the walk a distinct focus.
Another short option is Rondje Gezellig Heemskerk: this easy-to-walk 2.1-kilometre circular route has 25 stops about the history and culture of the town. The 12-kilometre Buitenplaatsroute offers a different focus. It passes historic estates and old buildings in and around Heemskerk, and also runs through the town centre. If you’d like to discover the town’s agricultural side, you can explore the horticultural area on foot or by bike. Various farm and market stalls sell ingredients for dinner as well as flowers.
Kasteeltuin Assumburg brings together several garden areas: it includes a rose garden, an orchard, and an herb and vegetable garden. Designed in the style of French classicism, the grounds stand on the same site as a garden from 300 years ago. They are open to visitors every day. Koetshuijs has extensive information about the garden, the castle, the surrounding area and activities.
Local history and architecture
The history of Kasteel Oud Haerlem dates back to 1248, when Simon van Haerlem had the castle built. It was besieged and destroyed in 1351 during the Hook and Cod Wars, and has lain hidden underground ever since. Slot Assumburg is also historically significant: in the 13th century, it was home to several noble families, including the Lords of Heemskerk.
Laurentiuskerk represents a different era. Its current building was constructed in 1891 to a design by architect J.H. Tonnaer; since 1976, it has been recognised as a Rijksmonument, or national monument of the Netherlands. South of the church stands a replica of a stone obelisk that the painter Maerten van Heemskerck had erected in 1570 for his father, Jacob Willemzn van Veen. Maerten van Heemskerck was born in Heemskerk in 1498.
Mariakerk is another architectural landmark: the complex on Spoellaan was built in the Bosschen School style and has large windows with figurative, coloured leaded glass. The Historische Kring Heemskerk also organises activities, walks and lectures in Heemskerk. Another trace of history is Fort bij Veldhuis, which served to defend the dike road coming from Heemskerk or Assumburg.
Getting here and accommodation
Heemskerk is 15 minutes by train from Alkmaar and Haarlem, and less than half an hour from Amsterdam Central Station. When choosing a hotel in Heemskerk, use your planned focus as a guide: would you mainly like to walk or cycle through the dunes, visit the beach, or explore gardens and local history?
For the main travel overview: Heemskerk.
