Discover Heemskerk: Dunes, History and Country Estates

Heemskerk combines a dune landscape, sandy beach, historic country estates and a town centre with distinctive churches. A holiday apartment in Heemskerk offers a destination where cultural history, nature observation, walks and cycling tours shape a variety of holiday days. Train connections to Alkmaar, Haarlem and Amsterdam further enhance its position as a base.

History between Church and Castle

Simon van Haerlem had Kasteel Oud Haerlem built in 1248; in 1351, it was besieged and destroyed during the Hook and Cod Wars, and it has remained hidden underground ever since. The present building of the Laurentiuskerk was constructed in 1891 to a design by the architect J.H. Tonnaer. Its tower is 54 metres high, and since 1976 the church has been recognised as a protected Rijksmonument, meaning a national monument of the Netherlands. The Mariakerk complex on Spoellaan was built in the Bossche School style and has large sections of figurative, coloured leaded glass. South of the church stands a replica of the stone obelisk that the painter Maerten van Heemskerck had erected in 1570 for his father, Jacob Willemzn van Veen. Maerten van Heemskerck was born in Heemskerk in 1498. The Historische Kring Heemskerk organises activities, walks and lectures.

Castle Gardens and Historic Landscapes

In the 13th century, Slot Assumburg was the residence of several noble families, including the lords of Heemskerk. Kasteeltuin Assumburg occupies the same site as a garden from 300 years ago and is laid out in the French classical style; it includes a rose garden, an orchard, and a herb and vegetable garden. Kasteeltuin is open to visitors every day. The Koetshuijs provides extensive information about the garden, the castle, the surrounding area and the activities. Landgoed Marquette in Heemskerk is a historic natural area where visitors can go for walks. It preserves features of an English landscape park laid out in the 19th century: a round pond, meandering streams, parkland forests and meadows with solitary oak trees. The 2-kilometre walk on Landgoed Marquette passes herbs, wild plants, stinzen plants, shrubs and trees. Fort bij Veldhuis served to defend the dike road coming from Heemskerk or Assumburg.

Dunes, Beach and Wide Views

The dunes and beach of Heemskerk lie in the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, which stretches from Wijk aan Zee to Bergen. The dunes have various walking and cycling routes as well as a network of walking and cycling junctions. Heemskerk’s sandy beach can only be reached by bicycle or on foot. The Uitkijktoren Kruisberg viewing tower stands on the 26-metre-high Kruisberg; from there, visitors can look out over the dune area, beach and sea, and in clear weather the view extends for several kilometres. The parabolic dunes in the Heemskerkerduin are up to 1.5 kilometres long and are considered the largest in Europe. Everyone aged 18 or over requires a Duinkaart in the Noordhollands Duinreservaat. There is a Duinkaart machine at the De Vlotter / Kraaiennest location in Heemskerk.

Routes for Short and Extended Tours

Several routes offer different points of focus. Rondje Gezellig Heemskerk is a 2.1-kilometre, easily walkable circular route with 25 stations covering the history and culture of the town. In summer, the IJmondpad is a 77-kilometre circular hiking route through the municipalities of Heemskerk, Beverwijk and Velsen. The 12-kilometre Buitenplaatsroute passes historic country estates and old buildings in and around Heemskerk, as well as through the town centre. The Pareltjes route starts at Heemskerk railway station. You can also explore Heemskerk’s horticultural area by bicycle or on foot; various farm and market stalls sell ingredients for dinner as well as flowers.

Holiday Apartment in Heemskerk as a Base

When choosing a holiday apartment in Heemskerk, the differences between the town’s history, dune routes and beach-focused activities provide practical guidance. You can choose accommodation based on your preferred daily rhythm and surroundings. Heemskerk can be reached by train from Alkmaar and Haarlem in 15 minutes and is less than half an hour from Amsterdam Central Station.

For the higher-level travel overview: Heemskerk.