Over the years Noordwijk has changed from a fishing village into a lively coastal town with international allure, set in the heart of the famous bulb-growing region. The thirteen-kilometre sandy beach, the atmospheric promenades, the old centre and the beautiful dunes and woods together form the backdrop. With a wide choice of accommodation, restaurants and terraces, Noordwijk is the ultimate dream destination for anyone who loves the sea.
The beach
Thirteen kilometres of sand mean one thing above all here: there is room for everyone, and for almost anything.
Space in abundance: the beach at Noordwijk offers endless scope for enjoyment, sport, cycling and walking in the beautiful nature all around.
Accessible to all: the beach is child-friendly and also accessible to people with a physical disability, and surfers are more than welcome.
Riding through the surf: to the north lies the Duindamseslag, the stretch of beach where you can canter on horseback through the waves. One of the finest ways to experience this coast.
Two naturist beaches: Noordwijk has two official naturist beaches, a rarity for a resort of this size.
Beach pavilions: pavilions and restaurants line the whole coast, so you are never far from a drink or a spot of lunch.
The town and its two promenades
Noordwijk has two faces by the sea and one in the green, and all three are worth your time.
Two promenades, two moods: north of Huis ter Duin lies the modern Koningin Wilhelmina Boulevard. Head south and you reach the older, more traditional Koningin Astrid Boulevard.
Always something on: apartment blocks, hotels, restaurants and terraces alternate along the front, with a beautiful walk on the doorstep all year round.
Noordwijk-Binnen: within walking distance lies the old village, with lime trees, old houses and even two village pumps. Here you still sense the calm and the atmosphere of times past.
All year round: in spring and summer it is all about sun, sea and sand; in autumn and winter about fresh air, bracing walks and the museums.
Noordwijk and space travel
Few visitors realise it, but Noordwijk is the beating heart of European space travel.
Space Expo: this permanent exhibition tells you almost everything about space, with scale models of rockets, space stations and astronauts.
The real thing next door: Space Expo is the visitor entrance to the technology centre of the European space organisation, which sits right next to it. Here satellites are tested before they head into orbit.
For young and old: rockets, satellites and the story of European space travel make this one of the few outings that children and adults enjoy just as much.
The lighthouse: closer to home, you cannot miss the lighthouse. Built in 1921 and around 25 metres tall, while the first light on this beach dates all the way back to 1444.
The bulb region
In spring the countryside behind Noordwijk turns millions of shades, and the bike is the best form of transport there is.
The bulb route: from Noordwijk you set off on a sixty-kilometre route that takes you past the finest bulb fields of Noordwijk, Hillegom, Lisse and Sassenheim, by bike or by car.
The Keukenhof: the most famous flower garden in the world lies just round the corner. A visit to the Keukenhof simply belongs on the list in spring.
The flower parade: every spring the Bollenstreek flower parade passes through the region, with floats built entirely from flowers.
Living up to its name: surrounded by grassy woods and rugged dunes and set in the heart of the bulb region, Noordwijk lives up to its name as a flower resort every spring anew.
Dunes and nature
Behind the promenade begins a dune area that runs for kilometres, and it is surprisingly quiet.
Endless routes: through the large dune area you can take almost endless walking and cycling routes, straight through grassy woods and rugged dunes.
Rich in plants and wildlife: sea buckthorn, marram grass, rabbits and a host of bird species thrive in this landscape of sand, salt and shelter. Do bring a pair of binoculars.
Different every season: in spring the dunes flower, in summer they hum with life, and in winter you often have the paths entirely to yourself.
Golf among the dunes: nearby lie fine golf courses set in genuine dune landscape.
Food, drink and nightlife
Noordwijk is known for its nightlife, but the day of course simply begins on a terrace.
Surprisingly varied: the atmospheric restaurants along the promenade offer a surprising range of colours, flavours and prices, from simple to distinctly smart.
North Sea fish: fresh fish and seafood naturally feature on the menu here, with a herring or a portion of kibbeling as a true Dutch classic.
The nightlife: Noordwijk is famous for it, with pubs and clubs that keep going into the small hours.
Shopping in the centre: the centre and the historic part of Noordwijk are excellent for shopping, with the atmosphere of times past thrown in.
Wellness and relaxation
Few resorts on the Dutch coast have as much to offer in the way of relaxation as Noordwijk.
Extensive packages: the wellness packages in the area let you unwind completely in fine style.
Sea and spa: the combination of sea air, beach and a sauna or treatment afterwards can turn a long weekend into a short holiday.
Plenty of choice: from hotels with their own spa to standalone wellness centres, there is something for every budget.
When it rains too: on a grey day this is the ideal alternative to the beach.
With children in Noordwijk
Noordwijk is very much a family destination, where the beach is the biggest playground of all.
Safe paddling: the wide, child-friendly beach is perfect for sandcastles, kite flying and playing at the water's edge.
Watching rockets: a visit to Space Expo is the highlight of the week for most children.
On horseback: at the Duindamseslag children too can head onto the beach with a horse under supervision.
Events
In summer the festivities in Noordwijk follow one another in quick succession.
A summer of festivals: in high season plenty of events and festivals are held, on the beach and in the village.
The flower parade: in spring the flower parade is the event of the region, and Noordwijk is one of the places the procession passes through.
Sport by the sea: beach runs, surfing competitions and other sporting events are naturally part of the summer.
Out of season: even in the quiet months there is plenty on, from markets to music in the bars and cafés along the promenade.
Explore the surroundings
Noordwijk lies centrally in the Randstad, which means the big cities are all within reach.
Cities round the corner:Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam are all reachable within an hour, by car or by public transport.
Neighbours by the sea: to the south lies easy-going Katwijk, to the north lively Zandvoort, both reachable along the coast.
Into the bulb region: the Bollenstreek begins literally behind the dunes, with the Keukenhof and the bulb fields as a spring classic.
Nature further afield: the Hollands Duin nature reserve runs the length of the coastal strip, linking Noordwijk with the dune areas of North Holland.
Staying in Noordwijk
From a grand hotel on the promenade to a tent among the dunes, there is an option here for every budget.
Hotels of every kind: Noordwijk has one of the richest ranges of hotels on the Dutch coast, from classic grand hotels to modern beach hotels.
Apartments by the sea: an apartment on the promenade means waking up to a view of the surf.
Holiday homes and parks: anyone coming with the family or a larger group has plenty of room in a holiday home, often surrounded by greenery and within cycling distance of the beach.
A few things are handy to know before you set off for the coast.
Getting there: Noordwijk is easily reached by car via the A44 or the N206, with Schiphol around half an hour's drive away.
By public transport: Noordwijk has no station of its own; get off the train at Leiden Centraal and take the bus, which brings you to the coast in around half an hour.
Parking: in high season finding a space near the promenade takes patience, and charges apply there too. Come early, or park a little further out and walk or cycle the last stretch.
Best time to visit: spring is unique thanks to the bulb fields and the Keukenhof, summer is all about beach and festivals, and in autumn and winter a bracing walk followed by a spa day comes highly recommended.
