Summary
An artistic and affluent coastal village situated just minutes from Alkmaar, Bergen aan Zee is nestled amid the sandy contours of the North Holland dunes.
Since the 1600s, the dunes, sky, and sea have served as a muse for various artists.
However, it was the Expressionists and Cubists of the early 20th century who significantly influenced the artistic landscape, becoming collectively known as the Bergen School.
One can familiarize oneself with the works of artists such as Charley Toorop and John Rädeker at Museum Kranenburgh located in the inland town of Bergen, a mere couple of kilometers away.
On a sunny summer day, the Blue Flag beach embodies a slice of paradise, while the protected dune area offers adventure and an unexpectedly diverse array of flora and fauna, facilitated by a network of well-maintained walking and cycling trails.
1. Bergen aan Zee Beach
Extending north and south as far as the eye can see, the beach at Bergen aan Zee aligns closely with many individuals’ vision of perfection.
First and foremost, it maintains a minimum width of 100 meters, so those who seek privacy need only stroll a short distance.
The water quality is exceptional, and Bergen aan Zee consistently receives a Blue Flag designation each year.
The beach slopes gently, making swimming generally safe for children.
Despite its seemingly remote locale, there are excellent facilities available in the summer, including lifeguards, beach huts, a surf school/watersports center (more on that later), and numerous dining options.
The North and South Pavilions feature sheltered terraces to protect against the beach’s only potential drawback: the occasional brisk wind.
2. Nordholländisches Dünenreservat
Bergen aan Zee is located in the northern sector of one of the Netherlands’ largest nature reserves, spanning 20 kilometers of dunes and the highly varied ecosystems they support.
The pristine Sahara-like dunes can exhibit dramatic features; however, the reserve is not solely sandy terrain as it also contains oak and pine forests along with grasslands.
Herds of hardy highland cattle help manage the encroachment of woodland into the dunes, and wild horses can often be spotted in the distance.
Upon obtaining a “Duincard” for reserve entry, a series of biking and walking trails guide visitors through some breathtaking scenery, making it clear why the artists of the Bergen School were so captivated by the area’s light.
A surprising find among the pines is a dune-side ski resort, Il Primo, offering winter sports for eight months of the year.
3. Buitencentrum Schoorlse Duinen
As you navigate through North Holland’s dunes, inquiries may arise about the origins of this environment, its maintenance, and the wildlife that resides here.
These questions can be addressed at the visitor center located north of Bergen in Schoorlse Duinen.
This center is situated in the shadow of the tallest sand dune in the Netherlands, featuring exhibitions that delve into the dunes, their human history, and the delicate ecosystems they encompass.
A notable fact: over 800 species of mushrooms have been documented in the Schoorlse Duinen during the autumn season.
The center functions as a hub for a network of walking trails and bike paths that meander through woodlands, where exquisite pine orchids bloom in July, and into grasslands where highland cattle graze peacefully.
4. Museum Kranenburgh
A Neoclassical villa complemented by a modern extension, Kranenburgh was established as an art museum in 1993. The building itself dates back to 1882 and previously served as the residence of artist and writer Ans Wortel from 1968 to 1992.
The museum was inaugurated by KunstenaarsCentrumBergen, an artists’ association founded in 1947, which has included prominent figures such as Charley Toorop, Constant Nieuwenhuijs, and Adriaan Roland Holst among its members.
This venue is ideal for immersing oneself in the artistry of the Bergen School alongside contemporaries such as Else Berg, Gerrit van Blaaderen, Henri Le Fauconnier, and Leo Gestel.
The groundbreaking COBRA artist and poet Lucebert is featured in both the graphic collection and the sculpture garden, which houses works by Jan Willem Rädeker and Jan Toorop.
5. Cycling
One of the many delightful features of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat is the paved trail that winds through this surreal landscape.
Naturally, traversing the dunes by bicycle affords a broader experience and allows access to more remote stretches of beach.
Cyclists are well accommodated, with bicycle parking facilities and establishments where one can rent or service a bike.
The local Foets E-bike rental service can deliver an E-bike to your residence and retrieve it once you are finished using it.
For traditional bicycles, there is a large rental center, BikeMike, located further down the coast in Egmond aan Zee.
If visiting in the spring, be sure not to miss the vibrant bulb fields at the edge of the dunes, which burst into bloom during this season.
6. Ruïnekerk (Bergen)
This church, situated in the heart of inland Bergen, is a remarkable historic structure.
Currently referred to as the Ruïnekerk (Ruined Church), it evolved from a chapel in the 15th century into one of the largest churches in the Netherlands.
However, in 1574, during the Eighty Years’ War, the edifice was looted and set ablaze.
Ultimately, while the choir was restored, both the nave and tower fell into disrepair, leaving behind only a faint resemblance of what once was.
The church was further embroiled in conflict during the Battle of Bergen in 1799, and its outer walls still bear the scars of bullet holes.
In the lantern atop the roof, a carillon consisting of 27 bells was installed in 1970. Visitors can explore the organ crafted by Johan Frederik Kruse in 1886, which was relocated here in 1913.
7. J.C.J. van Speijk Lighthouse
Situated on elevated ground at Egmond aan Zee, this lighthouse possesses an intriguing history.
Constructed in the early 1830s, its funding came from an auction selling off memorabilia related to Jan van Speyk (1802-1831), a naval lieutenant hailed as a national hero after he detonated his gunboat rather than surrender when a storm driven it into port at Antwerp during the Belgian War of Independence.
This act of defiance resulted in the loss of numerous Belgian lives, as well as approximately 25 crew members aboard his vessel.
The base of the lighthouse is designed in the shape of a tomb in Van Speyk’s honor.
During the summer months, visitors can access the lighthouse between 11:00 and 13:00, where they can view a small exhibit about the lighthouse’s history and ascend to take in the vistas of the North Holland coastline.
8. Zee Aquarium
A suitable option for a rainy day, this aquarium located behind the beach houses more than 300 species of fish, in addition to a variety of other marine life including seahorses and seals.
The facility encompasses over 40 distinct habitats, including an Amazon exhibit where piranhas swim, along with dedicated tanks for the Mediterranean, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Tropics.
Children can experience the texture of rays at the Roggenrief tank, and observe venomous lionfish, sharks, moray eels, and more at a close range.
Additionally, the aquarium features a diverse collection of shells from around the globe, while suspended from the ceiling is an actual skeleton of an adult sperm whale.
9. Outdoor Activities Watersports
The beach features a modest yet consistent wave break, making it an excellent location for children or beginners to take their initial lessons.
The Bergen aan Zee Surf School boasts enthusiastic, certified instructors and provides equipment rentals and instruction for kite-surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and bodyboarding.
Without the need for prior arrangements, you can drop in for a private lesson, while week-long surf camps are available for children during the summer.
The school is located at the De Jongens pavilion on the beach.
For those desiring a slower pace, the Sluispolder Golf Club is situated in the water-abundant countryside between Bergen and Alkmaar.
The main 18-hole course features nine holes within a low polder landscape characterized by numerous challenging water hazards (holes 10-18), while the newer front nine are set on more hilly terrain with additional sand traps to navigate.
The club also offers a nine-hole par-3 course, putting green, and driving range, all conveniently located just ten minutes from Bergen aan Zee.
10. De Kunst10daagse
Bergen continues to thrive as a creative epicenter, as evidenced by this ten-day festival that coincides with the autumn holiday in late October.
Approximately 260 artists showcase their work across 160 venues throughout Bergen and Bergen aan Zee.
Notably, Kranenburgh and Bergen’s collection of galleries open their doors for this event, yet several unconventional and intimate exhibition spaces like shop fronts, cozy gardens, and artists’ own studios also participate.
Exhibitions include painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, graphic art, and installation art.
The De Kunst10daagse festival has been held annually since 1993, attracting around 40,000 attendees to the area each year.
On the final Sunday of the event, there is an art auction along with film screenings at Bergen’s Filmtheater CineBergen and outdoor concerts at the atmospheric Ruïnekerk.
