Famously depicted by the Dutch Golden Age painters Cornelis Beelt and Jacob van Ruisdael, Egmond aan Zee is a charming coastal village overlooking the North Sea. Its long stretch of sand is fringed by historic fishermen’s cottages and beach pavilions while the cheese-making town of Alkmaar is just a short drive away.
Delve into the local history at the Museum van Egmond and learn about the village church that sank into the sea. If you want to stretch your legs, follow one of the well-maintained walking trails leading through the North Holland Dune Reserve just south of Egmond aan Zee.
Rent a bicycle to visit the famous cheese market in nearby Alkmaar or cycle along the gable house-lined canals of Haarlem. Egmond aan Zee can also be used as a base for exploring the glorious Dutch tulip fields, which typically bloom in a vibrant array of colours in mid-April.
Getting there
Egmond aan Zee is around 45 minutes’ drive from Amsterdam and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, with the closest train station a 10-minute bus ride away in Alkmaar. Buses travel throughout Egmond aan Zee, although the village is compact enough to explore on foot.