Huizen lies between the heathland of the Goois Natuurreservaat and Gooimeer. Alongside its Zuiderzee fishing heritage and historic buildings, the area offers individual cycling and walking routes such as the Beeldenroute, the Huizer Melkmeisjeroute and the Natuurboulevard.
Water, harbour and historic buildings
Huizen’s beach on Gooimeer includes the sandy Zomerkade, with a gently sloping shoreline. The beach area has a surf club, a skate park, a basketball court and a volleyball court. As facilities may change, check which amenities are currently available before your visit.
The harbour and its surroundings also tell the story of Huizen’s maritime history. The Nautisch Kwartier lies at the tip of the old Huizer harbour and is a nautical centre designed to evoke an earlier Zuiderzee village. Its buildings resemble a village school, a harbour café and a town hall from around 1860. Beside the water is De Kalkovens, a monument overlooking Gooimeer, the Nautisch Kwartier and the old Huizer harbour. The historic lime kilns were originally used to burn shells from the sea into quicklime.
The Botterwerf presents Huizen’s Zuiderzee fishing heritage through traditional botter fishing boats. The shipyard includes a forge where you can attend workshops; check availability before travelling. Preserved Huizer botters can be hired for boat trips, including a crew. Packages may vary, so it is worth checking the terms in advance.
Huizer history and local stories
The Huizer Museum houses both one of the most important collections of traditional Dutch costumes and the core collection of the Huizer ceramics factory Potterie De Driehoek. The costume collection and the ceramics represent two different aspects of local cultural history: clothing and craftsmanship. The Oude Dorp adds another perspective on Huizen. It is designated as a protected village view, where historic features, old farmhouses, fishermen’s houses and distinctive streetscapes remain visible.
The Huizer Melkmeisjeroute offers another way to discover a local legend. It follows Huizen’s folk story about a miserly farmer and a milkmaid. Along the route, you can scan QR codes and discover, step by step, the miracle of the Huizer milkmaid from the 16th century. The route starts outside the Huizer Museum, is designated as a themed route, and is suitable for wheelchair users, pushchairs and children.
Walking and cycling routes
The information about duration and route provides a concrete basis for comparing cycling options. The Beeldenroute in Huizen takes approximately an hour and a half by bike and passes through the Oude Dorp and the city’s newer neighbourhoods. The renovated cycle path at Gooierhoofd forms part of the Zuiderzeeroute and is combined with a walking route. The Natuurboulevard is a 22-kilometre cycling and walking route along the coast between Diemen and Huizen, on the IJmeer and Gooimeer. The three descriptions therefore differ in their approximate time required, the areas they pass through and their length.
The “Erfgoedrondje naar Huizen langs Naarden-Vesting” has a different focus. This cycling route runs from Naarden-Bussum railway station via the heathland of the Goois Natuurreservaat to the former fishing village of Huizen. It can be ridden from the TOP Nautisch Kwartier Huizen. The Nautisch Kwartier is designated as a Toeristisch Overstap Punt and offers bicycle and e-bike hire.
Huizen therefore offers several distinct starting points for planning a trip: the coastal landscape at Zomerkade, the protected village view, and routes that differ in their course or duration. Which one shapes your stay depends on whether you want to focus on local history, maritime traditions, or a cycling or walking route. For getting your bearings at the harbour, Huizen also has four marinas; the configuration may change, so it is advisable to check the latest harbour information before your visit.
For the main travel overview: Huizen.
