Rising from an oasis of green is the village green of Wijk aan Zee. For a long time this was a typical fishing village, where sailing ships were hauled onto the beach, but nowadays it is primarily a well-known resort. Located beside the unique dune reserve and boasting the best surfing beach in the Netherlands at the North Pier, Wijk is still as popular as ever. Not surprising, as from Amsterdam you can be sitting on the terrace of cool beach pavilions such as Timboektoe and Aloa within thirty minutes, obviously for the most beautiful sunset.
A step ahead of the rest
With the widest sandy beach in the Netherlands, Wijk aan Zee is certainly a step ahead of the rest. Because what better place can you go for kite surfing, swimming or landboarding than here? Or even quietly fishing off the pier is an option. Cycling and hiking can be done in the dunes on the north side of the village. Wijk aan Zee is connected to the North Holland dune reserve that with 5300 hectares is one of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands. Almost forty signposted hiking routes run through the reserve. The dunes stretch from Wijk aan Zee to Schoorl and have a large diversity of plants and animals.
Zee van Staal
Wijk aan Zee is traditionally a family resort and has enough to entertain the very youngest visitors. Not only can children play endlessly on the beach, but there is also a mini golf (Duinpark Paasdal) and restaurant, which with its cheerful clothing and flowering plants is a party in itself! During the summer, children love playing in Warners Beach Pavilion with its trampolines, air cushions and the ball mountain. Parents who are less keen to jump around on a trampoline are also catered for: pay a visit to sculpture park Een Zee van Staal, for example. With sculptures made of steel and nearby steel factory Tata Steel in the background it creates a spectacular image.
And for those who are not yet weary at the end of the day? They simply take the water taxi to IJmuiden. Because another totally new world awaits you there. Also on the magnificent North Sea coast. Don't forget to try a Hollandse Nieuwe herring at the fish stall.