Den Helder is a down-to-earth maritime city perched at the tip of the North Holland Peninsula. There are excellent maritime and military museums to discover, as well as a family-friendly aquarium. Ferries depart for Texel and make Den Helder a popular launchpad for trips to the Dutch Wadden Islands.
Things to do in Den Helder
The Marine Museum occupies an armoury once used by the Dutch Royal Navy and charts the city’s proud maritime heritage. A trio of ships are docked in the marina, including a heavily armoured Schorpioen-class monitor and HNLMS Abraham Crijnssen, a Jan van Amstel-class minesweeper. You can also descend into the command centre of a 78-metre-long submarine.
After visiting the museum, enjoy dinner and drinks in the lively historic port district. Many of the maritime buildings have been reimagined as trendy bars and restaurants where you can dine al fresco by the water.
Fort Kijkduin guards the entrance to Den Helder and is surrounded by imposing stone walls. In addition to a small but captivating history museum, Fort Kijkduin houses a family-friendly aquarium where you can view North Sea marine life.
Venture out of the city to discover the beautiful coastal landscapes surrounding Den Helder. Tours of the mudflats are a great chance to discover the unique coastal habitat. Ferries depart from the marina and take you to Texel in the Dutch Wadden Islands. Explore 30 kilometres of sandy beaches and hike through pristine coastal nature reserves. If you’d rather stay in the city, Den Helder has an excellent Blue Flag beach.
Getting there
Den Helder is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. Trains run between Den Helder and Amsterdam Centraal Station in around one hour. Ferries to Texel take around 20 minutes. Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is a one-hour drive away.