When choosing a holiday rental in Kijkduin, it is worth first considering the character of the area: extensive dunes and the LF1 long-distance cycle route sit alongside land art, a recreational area with a unique history, and traces of coastal protection. The legacy of the Second World War is also present here. These highlights appeal to different interests and can be weighed separately, rather than treated as a single type of outing.
Dunes, hiking and cycling
Kijkduin’s extensive dunes are used for hiking. This makes choosing the area relevant to a specific activity, not just to the scenery. The LF1 long-distance cycle route along the North Sea, which passes through Kijkduin, is another attraction. Hiking in the dunes and cycling on a long-distance route are two clearly distinct ways to get around and can each be the main focus of a trip.
The Puinduinen, a recreational area created from demolition rubble in the 1950s and 1960s, are located on Machiel Vrijenhoeklaan. So the area’s history is part of its character as well as its role as a recreational area. Unlike the extensive dunes used for hiking, the Puinduinen are defined by their origins in demolition rubble.
The Zandmotor between Kijkduin and Monster offers a different focus: it is an innovative form of coastal protection that also provides space for recreation and nature. So it is not just about coastal protection, but also about how a coastal project incorporates recreation and nature. Compared with the Puinduinen, the emphasis is less on how the landscape was formed and more on the project’s functions.
Art and history
The Hemels Gewelf in Kijkduin is a large-scale land art installation by James Turrell. The elliptical earthwork installation measures 40 by 30 metres and can be entered through a six-metre-long tunnel. Its earthwork form connects the piece to the landscape, while its dimensions give a sense of its scale. Those looking for art connected to a landform will find a specific alternative here to hiking or cycling.
Resistance Nest 67 HL provides a historical counterpoint. The complex includes around 130 metres of tunnels and six bunkers; part of it lies beneath the dunes near Kijkduin’s beach promenade. As a legacy of the Second World War, it is clearly different from the Hemels Gewelf: the latter is about land art, while this is a historic complex of tunnels and bunkers.
Finds and a hands-on activity
Finds are displayed at the Jutterskeet in Kijkduin. You can also borrow a fishing net there to fish in the sea; check in advance whether this is currently available. The exhibition offers something to look at, while the net provides a more active way to engage with the sea.
Discover more destinations: Haagse Hout, Geuzenkwartier, Centrum, Vissershaven, Scheveningen
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