I love Noordwijk, the people, the beach, the ocean and its history.
Fun for everyone: young, old, couples, family. I especially love the restaurants at the beach. Every restaurant has its own specialty and I do not have a favorite one. They are all worth visiting. Noordwijk is my favourite city at the Northsea.
I do have one favorite store: Huize van Wely. It is a patiserie, and in the summer Huize van Wely sells ice cream as well. Since 1922 Huize Van Wely stands for craftsmanship and quality.
I love marzipan and during the Christmas holiday they have a marzipan Christmas tree with real small candles you can light. In the summer I love their brownie ice cream.
Huize van Wely has different stores also in Haarlem, Heemstede and the Gelderlandplein (on the border between Amstelveen and Amsterdam.
Noordwijk is a beautiful coastal town on the Dutch North Sea, known for its wide sandy beaches, dunes and lively village centre.
Things to do in Noordwijk:
Enjoy the beach and the dunes
Noordwijk is especially popular for its beautiful beaches, perfect for a day of relaxation or being active:
Sun, sea and beach. With a vast sandy beach, Noordwijk is the perfect place for a day of sunbathing, swimming or a long walk on the beach. In the summer there are plenty of opportunities to rent beach beds and enjoy the sun.
Activities on the water. For the more active beachgoer, Noordwijk offers water sports options such as windsurfing, kite surfing, and stand-up paddling. There are several rental points along the beach for equipment.
Walking and Cycling through the dunes. The dunes around Noordwijk are ideal for walking and cycling trips. There are beautiful paths that take you through the nature reserve, with stunning views of the sea and the dunes.
The nearby Hollandse Duinen National Park offers plenty of opportunities for nature lovers.
Visit the Noordwijk Lighthouse
The iconic Noordwijk Lighthouse is a beautiful monument and a landmark on the coast. You can admire the lighthouse while strolling along the promenade and the beach. The area around the lighthouse also offers cozy cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a snack and drink.
NOORDWIJK MUSEUM
The Netherlands has so many wonderful museums, but the Noordwijk Museum is one of my personal favourites. The museum is small, but it would be a shame if not included in your visit.
Noordwijk Museum tells about the history of Noordwijk. The museum is housed in an old fisherman’s cottage and gives a nice overview of local history, from fishing to the rise of Noordwijk as a seaside resort. The large collection of old black and white photos is impressive and worth a visit.
The entrance is free with the Dutch Museumjaarkaart.
Shopping in Noordwijk aan Zee
The centre of Noordwijk aan Zee offers a mix of cozy boutiques, beach shops and well-known brands, including the Huize van Wely store. You can shop for (beach) fashion, souvenirs or local products. The shopping street also has all the main stores like HEMA, Blokker, Kruitvat, Etos, Rituals.
Plenty of restaurants to choose from, either on the beach, on the boulevard or in the shopping streets.
The Tourist Information Center is located in the shopping street and is definitely worth a visit. The Tourist Information Center has free brochures, maps and information. They also sell Dutch souvenirs, art and local products.
Especially in the summer or during event parking your car can be a challenge. No one wants to be driving around looking for a parking spot. Recently I found an outdoor paid public parking area that even when it is busy there is still parking available.
https://www.noordwijk.info/nl/bezoek-noordwijk/shoppen
An added bonus is that you can walk through the main shopping street to get to the beach and you can stroll along the shops and restaurants first.
Nieuwe Zeeweg 102, 2202 HB Noordwijk
https://g.co/kgs/a9izGqP
Noordwijk Binnen: The historic center
Noordwijk is not only a modern seaside village, but also has a historic part, Noordwijk Binnen, which is worth a visit as well. This charming village has narrow streets, old buildings and a beautiful village square.
The Gothic Oude Jeroenskerk is an impressive structure dating from the 13th century, which offers a rustic contrast to the modern coast.
Do you love books, a cup of tea, meet and greet, book events and games? Vandermeer/Cultuurcafe is worth a visit.
On Thursdays Noordwijk Binnen has a weekly market.
Space Expo
For space enthusiasts, Space Expo is an absolute must. This is the official visitor centre of the European Space Agency (ESA), located near Noordwijk. Here you can learn all about space travel, satellites, and even see a real Soyuz capsule up close. It is an educational experience that fascinates children and adults alike.
Entrance is free with the Dutch Museumjaarkaart.
Engelandvaarders Museum and Atlantikwall Museum
Engelandvaarders were men and women with the Dutch nationality or a residents of the Netherlands, who secretly traveled from occupied Dutch territory to England during World War II to contribute to the fight against the German occupier.
Their stories are told in the very impressive (interactive) Engelvaarders Museum.
https://www.museumengelandvaarders.nl/
The Atlantwall Museum is located in the dunes near Noordwijk, and consists of a series of bunkers. During your visit you can see how the Dutch coast was fortified to repel an invasion from the Allies
THE MUSEUM IS OPEN on Sunday Oct 20, Oct 27 and Nov 3 from 10:30 am – 4:00 pm (for more details check their website)
For more information about Noordwijk go to
https://noordwijk.org/nl/ and
https://www.noordwijk.info/nl/bezoek-noordwijk