Right around the corner
From the front door straight into the dunes
Castricum lies between the dunes and the polder, next to one of the widest dune areas in the Netherlands. From our house it’s a ten-minute bike ride to the beach at Castricum aan Zee.
Whether you’re here to blow away the cobwebs, go hiking or simply do nothing at all, here are our favourite spots.
Tips from Sanne and Ruben
Our favourites
The beach at Castricum aan Zee
A ten-minute ride through the dunes and you’re standing by the North Sea. Wide, clean and wonderfully quiet outside peak season. Take the beach towels from your room.
Ruben: “Go at low tide and you can walk for miles on the firm sand.”
Noordhollands Duinreservaat
The dune reserve between Castricum and Bergen: heathland, woods, dune lakes and, with a bit of luck, fallow deer or Highland cattle. To walk off the cycle paths you need a walking permit, which you can buy online.
Sanne: “Early morning is the best time to spot deer.”
Cycling along the coast
Plan your own route using the cycle junction network. Head north through the dunes to Egmond aan Zee and Bergen, or south towards Heemskerk and Wijk aan Zee.
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
A little further south, between IJmuiden and Zandvoort: a large dune area with European bison, dune lakes and lookout points. A great day trip by car, or a solid bike ride.
Castricum and the villages
In the village you’ll find the baker who makes our breakfast bread, plus shops and terraces. Bakkum, Limmen and Akersloot are right next door, and the station gets you to Alkmaar, Haarlem or Amsterdam in no time.
Alkmaar
A lively old town with canals, about fifteen minutes away by train or car. Famous for its cheese market, held on Friday mornings from April to September.
Ready to unwind by the sea?
Choose your dates and room, send your request and we’ll confirm it as soon as we can. You only pay on arrival.