Wassenaar brings together a dune landscape, nature reserves and cultural attractions. Its varied landscape includes many country estates, villas and farms; forests and pastureland lie close to the extensive dune area and the beach. If you want to explore the area on foot, you can choose trails through coastal landscapes, wetlands and woodland—and complement your stay with poetry in public spaces, a theatre performance or a visit to a garden.

Dunes, Wetlands and Trails

The Hollands Duin dune belt stretches from Wassenaar to the tip of Zuid-Holland. You can hike, cycle and mountain bike there. The trails each offer a different focus: the Rondje Wassenaar Slag route runs through the dunes and along the sea, as well as through wet dune valleys and pine forest and past small lakes. The nine-kilometre “Wandelen door de open kust” hike through Hollands Duin passes bunkers and an anti-tank wall that winds through the landscape. These routes therefore differ not only in length, but also in the landscapes and features they pass.

Lentevreugd also shows how the landscape has changed. The area was once used to grow flower bulbs and was later converted into wet grassland with ditches and pools. Today it lies between the dunes and the polder and includes three ponds. The central pond may dry up temporarily in summer—a detail that helps shape the character of this nature reserve throughout the year.

The Meta Jochemspad passes through the Lentevreugd nature reserve in Hollands Duin. Along the way, you may encounter Scottish Highland cattle. Panbos, in turn, is all about woodland walks and recreation: it has duck ponds, play equipment for children, a deer enclosure and grassy areas. The nature spots also differ in what you can discover there—from wet grassland and ponds to woodland and play areas.

Culture, Gardens and Leisure

The Poëzieroute features 21 poems on façades, pavements and other areas of public space. It can add a literary touch to your exploration of Wassenaar’s streets. Theater Warenar offers a range of performances, including plays, musicals and cabaret. For a garden visit, consider the Piet Oudolf Garden around Museum Voorlinden: it features more than 60 species of perennials and ornamental grasses and can be viewed from both outside and inside. Museum Voorlinden was opened in Wassenaar by King Willem-Alexander on 10 September 2016.

De Horsten offers a different perspective: a walking route leads alongside a large pond. Landscaped islands create changing sightlines and viewpoints. A valid parking ticket is required to park in the car park at Koninklijke Landgoederen De Horsten, either for one day or for one year. The annual ticket is valid for one year from the date of purchase. As parking rules may change, check the current conditions before your visit.

If you want to include leisure activities, Duinrell amusement park offers more than 40 attractions for all ages. The Tiki Pool has 21 unique slides with a total length of 1.5 kilometres. Figures and facilities may change; check the latest information before your visit.

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