A holiday home in Noordwijk takes you to a coastal town where there’s much more to discover than just the beach. Here, you’ll find 13 kilometers of sandy beach right on your doorstep; you can walk straight from the coast into Hollands Duin and, in the spring, enjoy views of colorful bulb fields. And Noordwijk has another unexpected side: thanks to ESA ESTEC and Space Expo, the town plays an important role in European space exploration. On Vipio, you’ll find unique holiday homes in and around Noordwijk for a beach vacation, a romantic weekend getaway, or a few days spent between the sea and the dunes.
Holiday Home in Noordwijk
A holiday home nestled between the beach, dunes, and tulip fields
Near Noordwijk, three distinct landscapes lie almost side by side. On one side is the North Sea with a sandy beach stretching for kilometers. Directly behind it lie the dunes and forests of Hollands Duin, and a little further inland begins the Bollenstreek.
This means you don’t have to choose between the beach and nature during your holiday. In the morning, you can take a walk along the sea; later, you can bike through the dunes; and in the spring, you can find yourself standing among the blooming tulip fields all in the same day.
This is especially appealing for a holiday home. You can head in a different direction every day without having to travel long distances.
Noordwijk aan Zee or perhaps Noordwijk-Binnen?
The location of your holiday home largely determines what your stay in Noordwijk will be like.
Noordwijk aan Zee is the logical choice if the beach is the main reason for your holiday. You’re close to the sea, the boardwalk, and the beach pavilions, and you can easily pop down to the beach without making a full day of it.
Further toward Noordwijk-Binnen, the atmosphere changes. Here, the focus is less on touristy beach life and more on the village and the surrounding countryside.
If you head even further north and east, you’ll get closer to Noordwijkerhout and the tulip fields. So a holiday home certainly doesn’t have to be right on the boardwalk to serve as a great base for exploring Noordwijk.
13 kilometers of beach offers plenty of space
Noordwijk boasts 13 kilometers of sandy beach. That means there can be quite a bit of variation between the different stretches of coastline.
Close to the boardwalk, you’ll find more amenities and beach pavilions. As you walk further, the landscape becomes quieter, and the beach and dunes gradually take over.
That makes the beach attractive even outside of hot summer days. In the spring and fall, you can take long walks along the beach, and in the winter, the coast takes on a rougher, more rugged character.
As a result, a holiday home by the sea isn’t just ideal for a summer beach vacation. Noordwijk is also perfect for a weekend getaway to get some fresh air, even when swimming isn’t on the agenda at all.
Behind the beach lies Hollands Duin
If you walk inland from the sea, you’ll find yourself in a completely different landscape. Hollands Duin stretches along the South Holland coast and consists of a mix of open dunes and sheltered dune forests.
You can go hiking, biking, and mountain biking there. From the higher dune peaks, you’ll have views of the surrounding area, and in various spots, bunkers and other remnants from World War II are still visible.
A beautiful hiking option starting from Noordwijk is the Boswachterspad Kachelduin and Malote trail. This route is 7.6 kilometers long and winds through dune forests, open dune landscapes, and sections of loose sand.
Behind the well-known seaside resort lies a landscape where you can easily spend half a day or a full day of your vacation.
In the spring, Noordwijk is completely transformed
Anyone visiting Noordwijk in the spring is treated to an extra scenic experience.
Noordwijk is part of the Bollenstreek, and surrounding the coastal town are fields where tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, among other flowers, are grown. When the fields are in bloom, they create a striking contrast with the beach and the dunes.
Cycling is a great way to explore these different landscapes. From Noordwijk, you can take routes that take you away from the coast and deeper into the Bollenstreek.
The exact blooming period varies by year and by flower type. If you’re planning a trip specifically to see the flowers, be sure to check the blooming status shortly before you leave.
Cycling without losing sight of the coast
Noordwijk is a destination where a bike can come in very handy during your holiday.
You can cycle along and through the dunes toward Katwijk, while in the other direction you can ride through the coastal and dune landscape toward Noordwijkerhout and on to the Bollenstreek.
That makes cycling here very varied. You don’t have to choose between spending a full day in just the dunes or just the flower fields; you can combine both landscapes in a single route.
Bringing your own bikes? Then a holiday home with a secure storage area is ideal. Otherwise, there are several options for renting bikes in Noordwijk.
A beach vacation with kids doesn’t have to revolve solely around the beach
For families, the variety is precisely one of Noordwijk’s advantages.
On warm days, the beach is the obvious choice. If the weather isn’t so great, you can visit Space Expo, for example. On other days, you can go biking, hike through the dunes, or explore the Bollenstreek.
A holiday home also gives you more freedom than a hotel room. Having your own kitchen is convenient with young children, and with separate bedrooms, you don’t all have to follow the same vacation schedule.
When booking, also consider the distance to the beach. A cottage right on the water sounds appealing, but a more spacious accommodation a little further from the coast can sometimes be more practical for a family.
A cottage by the sea for two
Noordwijk is also perfect for a romantic weekend by the sea.
You don’t need a complicated itinerary for that. Take a long walk on the beach, have a drink at a beach pavilion, and then head into the dunes. For dinner, you can head back to Noordwijk aan Zee.
A unique holiday home makes such a weekend extra special. Think of a small cottage for two, a place surrounded by nature, or a stay with its own wellness facilities.
Especially outside the peak season, a cottage with a sauna, hot tub, jacuzzi, or fireplace is a great fit for a few days at the coast. Then the stay is less about sunbathing and more about getting some fresh air and relaxing.
Noordwijk as a Base for the Bollenstreek
Noordwijk is also a great choice if you want to explore more of the Bollenstreek.
Lisse, Noordwijkerhout, and other towns nestled among the tulip fields are nearby. In the spring, this makes it easy to combine a stay by the sea with walks through the flower fields.
This gives Noordwijk an advantage over staying further inland. You can explore the Bollenstreek, but still have the beach and the sea within easy reach in the evening.
Leiden is also easily accessible from Noordwijk. This means that during a longer stay, you can alternate a day at the beach with a day in the city filled with museums, canals, and restaurants.
Noordwijk or Katwijk?
Noordwijk and Katwijk are close to each other and both offer beaches, dunes, and the North Sea. Yet a stay in each feels slightly different.
Noordwijk has a distinct character as a seaside resort and combines the coast with the Bulb Region and space exploration. In particular, Space Expo and the proximity to ESA ESTEC give the town a unique flair that you won’t easily find elsewhere along the Dutch coast.
Katwijk, on the other hand, has a rich fishing history and its own village charm.
Since both places are so close to each other, you don’t really have to choose between them during your holiday. A bike ride through the dunes is a great way to combine them.
When is Noordwijk at its best?
That depends mainly on why you’re visiting.
Spring is special because of the blooming tulip fields. In the summer, beach life takes center stage, and you can spend long days by the sea.
In September and October, the beach gets quieter, while hiking and biking are often still excellent options. Winter is ideal if you mainly want to get some fresh air and then return to a comfortable holiday home.
That’s why Noordwijk is more than just a destination for a few warm weeks a year. The beach, dunes, and sea take on a different character with each season.
Discover more unique accommodations along the Dutch coast
See also:
- Unique Accommodations in South Holland
- Holiday Homes by the Sea in the Netherlands
- Beach cottage in the Netherlands
- Holiday home by the sea where dogs are welcome
- Holiday homes with a jacuzzi in the Netherlands
- Holiday home with a sauna in the Netherlands
Rent out your own holiday home in Noordwijk
Do you own a unique holiday home, beach cottage, tiny house, or other type of accommodation in Noordwijk or the surrounding area? Through Vipio, you can reach travelers who are specifically looking for unique places to stay on the Dutch coast. List your accommodation at vipio.com/nl/aanbieden or contact us at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
How long is the beach in Noordwijk?
Noordwijk has about 13 kilometers of sandy beach. Along the boardwalk, you’ll find more amenities and beach pavilions, while other parts of the coast are quieter. This makes it the perfect spot for both a day at the beach and a long walk by the sea.
When can you see the tulip fields around Noordwijk?
The flower fields bloom in the spring, but the exact timing varies by flower type and year. Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips each have their own blooming season. Therefore, check shortly before your stay to see how far along the flowers are at that time.
What can you do in Noordwijk when the weather isn't suitable for the beach?
One unique option is Space Expo, the Netherlands’ space museum. Among other things, you can touch a real meteorite, view a model of the ISS, and see astronaut André Kuipers’ original Soyuz capsule.
Are there good hiking trails in the dunes starting from Noordwijk?
Yes. Just behind the coast lies Hollands Duin, where forests and open dune landscapes alternate. One example is the 7.6-kilometer-long Boswachterspad Kachelduin and Malote trail, which winds through the dune forest and along sandy paths.
Is Noordwijk a good place for a holiday outside of the summer?
Yes. In the spring, the tulip fields are another reason to visit Noordwijk. In the fall and winter, you can enjoy peaceful walks along the beach and through the dunes. A holiday home with wellness or a fireplace is a great choice for a stay during the colder months.