Holiday apartment in Huisduinen – lighthouse, dunes and culture

Huisduinen combines military history, an extraordinary lighthouse, culture in historic buildings and varied dune landscapes. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Huisduinen can therefore explore the village according to different interests: from museum experiences, walks, nature observation, cultural events and challenging kitesurfing.

History and distinctive landmarks

Fort Kijkduin was built between 1811 and 1813 on the orders of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte as part of the Stelling van Den Helder. The fort is a significant part of Den Helder’s fortifications and is of great importance to Dutch military history. Today, Fort Kijkduin offers a historical museum, the North Sea Aquarium, underground passage systems and a bunker route.

The Atlantikwall Centrum is housed in a historic building from the Second World War era in Huisduinen. It presents the role of Den Helder in the German defensive line and during the Second World War. During opening hours, the Centrum offers a daily photo puzzle tour for children, providing a personal way to engage with history.

Holiday apartment in Huisduinen for culture and shared discoveries

The Huisduiner Kerkje has been at the heart of Huisduinen since 1896. Its origins date back to around the year 1000, when Huisduinen was still an island. The church is recognised as a provincial monument and has a valuable historic interior, including an organ. After its restoration, the Huisduiner Kerkje was given a new role as a cultural centre and is used for concerts, readings and exhibitions.

The Rondje Cultuur Huisduinen also combines various forms of discovery: sculptures, ceramics and paintings are displayed in private gardens and buildings. These include music at various locations and poetry in the Dichtershuisje. On 31 May 2026, the twelfth Rondje Cultuur Huisduinen took place as a cycling and walking route through Huisduinen.

Routes between dunes, sea and history

The Bunkerroute Den Helder is a walking route through Huisduinen and Den Helder that visits seven locations connected with the Second World War. It begins at the Galgenveld, where the Atlantikwall Centrum is now located. The Huisduinerkerkje is also the official starting and finishing point of Het Ziltepad. The Redders op zee-route continues to Huisduinen and includes a long walking section along the sea.

For shorter or clearly defined hiking days, the red Grafelijkheidsduinenroute is a good option. It is 8.72 kilometres long and runs along the edge of the dunes to Fort Kijkduin in Huisduinen. The different route lengths help you adapt your planning to the desired length of each day and the focus of your trip.

Nature experiences around Huisduinen

The approximately 40-hectare Huisduinerpolder is an NNN nature area between Huisduinen, Fort Erfprins and the sea dike. It is a marshy polder where the brackish influence of North Sea water is reflected in the vegetation. During high tide in spring and autumn, large numbers of curlews, sandpipers and oystercatchers can be found there.

Around Huisduinen, the Grafelijkheidsduinen offer opportunities for walks, moss observation and birdwatching around the Harmplas dune lake. Several walking paths lead through moss-covered dune slopes, where species including black-throated divers, wheatears and woodlarks can be observed.

Water sports as a distinct travel focus

The Den Helder kitesurfing spot is located in Huisduinen and is intended for advanced kitesurfers, with strong currents and powerful waves. The coast and sea therefore add a distinctly more sporting dimension to the historical, cultural and nature-based opportunities.

When choosing your holiday apartment in Huisduinen, you can weigh these priorities directly against one another: museums and military history, culture in the Huisduiner Kerkje, designated walking routes, nature observation in the dunes and polder, or kitesurfing. This allows your choice of location to be guided by the experiences that are most important for your trip.

Other destinations for planning your trip include Den Helder, Julianadorp Aan Zee and Julianadorp.

Go to the overarching travel overview: Den Helder.