Discover holiday homes on Texel

Not every holiday home on Texel is the same. The stays range from simple cottages in a vacation park to completely detached villas with private gardens, outdoor pools and designer interiors. What makes a stay truly special is in the combination of location, atmosphere and what the house itself has to offer. Specifically, a special overnight stay on Texel means waking up with a view of the dunes, or a cottage so close to the beach that you can smell the salt from the living room.

The most requested stays on Texel are villas at vacation parks and apartments near De Koog, the island's beach village. This is no coincidence, De Koog is right next to the wide North Sea beach and is the most popular part of Texel. A villa at a park gives you the space and privacy of your own home, with often shared facilities such as a swimming pool or playground on site. Compact but smartly furnished, the apartments are within walking distance of the beach and restaurants of De Koog and often have a balcony or terrace overlooking the dunes or sea. This makes even a short stay immediately more special. 

Texel is small enough to be everywhere quickly, but large enough that the location of your holiday home really matters. De Koog is the most popular beach village and is right next to the wide North Sea beach. If you want your children to be on the beach in five minutes, or if you want a terrace in the evening in a village with life, then a holiday home in De Koog on Texel is the logical choice. It is also the busiest village in summer, keep that in mind.

If you want more peace and quiet, look toward De Cocksdorp in the north or Oosterend in the center of the island. Den Burg is the village center of Texel, conveniently located for shopping and restaurants, but less directly on the beach. Oudeschild is the fishing harbor on the Wadden side, ideal for those who like atmosphere and do not necessarily want to go on the beach.

Villas on Texel are often in or near the dunes, for example between De Koog and Den Hoorn. That location gives you the best of both worlds: nature around you and a beach you can cycle to in fifteen minutes. If you prefer views of the mud flats to the North Sea, you'll find that especially around Oudeschild and De Cocksdorp. There you will experience a completely different kind of tranquility than on the west side of the island.

A cottage with hot tub on Texel is one of the most sought-after types of accommodation on the island, and that's understandable when you consider how wonderful it is to sit outside in warm water while the wind blows over the dunes. The stays are there, but the best houses are quickly booked up in high season. If you are booking a Texel villa with hot tub in July or August, you would do well to book at least three to four months in advance.

A cottage with sauna on Texel is often a little easier to find than a hot tub, because a sauna requires less maintenance for the landlord. You will find them mainly in detached villas at vacation parks. When booking, always pay attention to whether the sauna is private (i.e. only for your group) or shared with other guests at the park, which makes a big difference in experience.

The combination hot tub and sauna in one house is the most sought after and also the fastest to sell out. If this is a must-have for you, filter directly on that amenity and look not only at the price but also at the outdoor space, a hot tub in a private garden or with dune views gives a very different experience than one on a concrete patio.

Texel is one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the Netherlands. Outside of the bathing season (roughly September through April), large parts of the North Sea beach are accessible to dogs, and the island has hundreds of kilometers of hiking and biking trails where your dog can just come along. For those planning a holiday with dogs, Texel is actually an obvious choice.

Many villas and apartments on Texel are explicitly dog-friendly, but there are differences. Some accommodations accept one dog, others two or more. Always pay attention to additional costs: a dog surcharge of €10 to €30 per stay is common. And check if there is an enclosed garden if you have a dog that likes to play outside.

In summer (May 15 to September 15), many beach paths and the busiest part of the beach are subject to leash obligation or prohibition. If you want to be free with your dog on the beach even in the summer, look for accommodations close to the northern or southern tip of the island, where the rules are slightly less strict.

Texel has been one of the most popular family destinations in the Netherlands for decades. The island is safe, manageable and has plenty to do for children of all ages. If you are going with children, the location of your accommodation is extra important. Then a villa on a vacation park is often the best choice. You have your own garden, enough bedrooms so parents and children have their own space and facilities such as a playground or swimming pool are nearby. Vacation parks on Texel do differ greatly from one another. There are larger parks with recreational programs and supermarkets on site, convenient if you have young children. But there are also quieter, small-scale parks where you have more privacy. Look carefully at what suits your situation, because the difference in experience is great.

A weekend getaway to Texel is feasible, but requires a little more planning than a mainland destination. The TESO ferry departs from Den Helder and sails year-round, with additional sailings in the summer. The crossing takes about 20 minutes and costs roughly €30 to €50 return for a car with two people, depending on the season. During the summer vacations and on busy weekends, reservations are recommended, otherwise you will find yourself with your car in front of a boat that is already full.

Many holiday homes on Texel have a minimum stay of two or three nights, especially in the high season. In the early and late season (April, May, September, October) there is more flexibility and you will also find houses that accept shorter stays. This makes those periods extra attractive, by the way; it's quiet, affordable and the island is at its most beautiful when the tourist crowd is not yet or no longer there.

For a short stay, De Koog or Den Burg is most convenient, you walk to the beach, to a restaurant and don't need a car for basic needs. If you want a special holiday home in De Koog on Texel for a long weekend, book early, these are the most requested houses on the island.

The rule of thumb is simple: the more popular the type of house and the busier the period, the earlier you should book. The summer holiday period (mid-July to late August) is the busiest. Villas with hot tub or sauna in those weeks are often fully booked as early as January or February. Those who want to rent a cheap cottage on Texel in the summer have a better chance if they are willing to choose a simpler accommodation in a less centrally located village.

The early and late season offers the best combination of price and availability. May and June are quiet, the island is green, the beaches are empty and prices are 30 to 50 percent lower than in summer. September and October are favored by hikers and nature lovers. The weather is more erratic than in summer, but Texel always has something to offer, and with a house with a sauna or fireplace, it really doesn't matter much.

Texel has more to do per square kilometer than you might expect. Texel's lighthouse near De Cocksdorp is one of the most famous sights and on a clear day gives a wide view of the island. Ecomare is Texel's nature and animal center, with seals, birds and a permanent exhibition on the Wadden Sea, also recommended with children.

Cycling is the most popular way to explore the island. Texel has more than 100 kilometers of bike paths, and a rental bike can be arranged anywhere on the island. Many of the routes automatically lead to the beach where there is plenty to do. The beach near De Koog is the busiest and has a beach pavilion. The north beach towards De Cocksdorp is quieter and a favorite with kitesurfers.

For those seeking a little more adrenaline, it is possible to parachute jump on Texel. The island's own drop zone offers tandem jumps for beginners, and in clear weather you'll have a view of the entire island, the Wadden Sea and the mainland during the jump that you won't get anywhere else. It's one of the more unexpected things to do on Texel, but those who have done it once won't soon forget it.

Those who love good food will find more than expected on Texel. The island has its own dairy, a winery and restaurants that work with local ingredients, from lamb to samphire. Den Burg has the most restaurant choices, but you'll also find good spots in De Koog and Oudeschild. Combine a visit to Oudeschild harbor with a plate of fresh shrimp, which is Texel at its best.