Noordwijk can be planned around three distinct themes: the coast of Noordwijk aan Zee, the history of the Atlantic Wall and the art of Max Liebermann. The beach is at the heart of the coastal theme; the museum and walking route focus on bunkers and the defensive line, while the Max Liebermann Route connects artworks with the places where they were created. When planning, you can start by asking yourself which theme you would like to give more time to during your stay.

The beach and coast of Noordwijk aan Zee

Noordwijk aan Zee has a 13-kilometre-long beach and has been an attractive seaside resort for tourists since 1866. The coast is therefore a distinct focus alongside the cultural and historical sights. If you mainly want to experience the beach landscape, it offers a different focus from a visit centred on individual buildings or works of art. The long stretch of beach and the clearly themed routes represent different ways to get to know Noordwijk.

The Atlantic Wall walking route and museum

The Atlantic Wall walking route starts at the Atlantic Wall Museum Noordwijk and follows the remains of the Second World War Atlantic Wall defensive line through the dunes north of Noordwijk. The route is accessible even when the museum is closed. You can therefore treat the walk as a separate part of your stay, rather than making access to it dependent on a museum visit.

The Atlantic Wall Museum is housed in the former S414 fire-control post, a three-storey bunker. Visitors can explore a gun bunker and two personnel bunkers via a tunnel system more than 400 metres long. The museum thus brings together several architectural aspects: the building’s former function as a fire-control post and the different types of bunker accessible via the tunnel system. Along the walking route, bunkers serve as a bat sanctuary and are therefore protected. The historic defensive line is thus also connected to a present-day conservation function.

The lighthouse and art by Max Liebermann

Construction of Vuurtoren Noordwijk began in 1922. This date provides a different historical reference point from the remains of the Second World War Atlantic Wall defensive line. Anyone interested in the history of buildings can explore these two distinct historical contexts without combining them into a single theme.

The Max Liebermann Route leads to 24 works of art at the places in Noordwijk where Max Liebermann actually painted. Its distinctive feature is therefore both the works themselves and their connection to the places where they were created. This sets it apart from viewing a single building: here, the guiding idea leads from a work of art to the place where it was created. For art lovers, the route thus offers a distinct way to explore the area, separate from the history of the Atlantic Wall.

Thalasso resting spot on the beach

At beach entrance 10 in Noordwijk aan Zee, a platform has been set up as a Thalasso resting spot. From there, you can enjoy views of the sea, the beach and the surf line. Take a seat on one of the benches and experience the effect for yourself. While the Atlantic Wall and Max Liebermann routes each follow a historical or artistic theme, the platform is a specific place to linger and enjoy views of the coastal landscape. It adds another clearly defined option to the choice between the beach, history and art.

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