Holiday apartment in Velsen between coast, dunes and history

Velsen combines wide beaches, extensive dune areas, rugged harbours, wooded country estates and green recreational areas. In this combination, coast, nature, maritime history and routes through different landscapes lie close together – from IJmuiden aan Zee to the parks and wet meadows in the surrounding area.

Coast and nature

Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is a special natural area between IJmuiden and Haarlem. Walking, cycling, horse riding and swimming are possible there. Most areas of the national park are freely accessible between sunrise and sunset, provided you stay on the paths. Between Haarlem, Amsterdam and Velsen, Spaarnwoude Park also offers walking and cycling routes through a typical Dutch wet meadow landscape. Rare breeds of farm animals are raised at the farm there.

At the beach of IJmuiden aan Zee, there are opportunities for wind sports and water sports, including surfing, kitesurfing and blokarting. Five beach pavilions are open there all year round. Bus 382 runs directly from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station to the beach of IJmuiden aan Zee.

Culture

The Pieter Vermeulen Museum is the centre for nature and environmental education in the municipality of Velsen. Its permanent exhibition focuses on the nature of Kennemerland and the tensions between people, nature and the economy. The museum also presents temporary exhibitions with a strong emphasis on participation and discovery.

The BunkerMuseum IJmuiden conveys the history of the Second World War, the area’s incorporation into the German Atlantic Wall and the role of the bunkers in coastal defence, both inside and around authentic bunkers. The museum consists of six fully furnished bunkers. Guided tours take place accompanied by an experienced guide, including tours of Kustbatterij Heerenduin and Flakbatterij Olmen.

The IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum covers the history of the Noordzeekanaal, the construction of the locks and piers, and the subsequent development of IJmuiden and its maritime activities. Other topics include fishing, pilotage, salvage and towing. Old ship engines are run there on the last Saturday afternoon of every month.

History

Brederode finally fell into ruin in 1573 during the siege of Haarlem by the Spanish. The Ruïne van Brederode offers a High Tea in the monumental former steward’s house, which can be combined with a visit to the ruins.

Buitenplaats Beeckestijn, including its buildings and the entire parkland, is a Rijksmonument, meaning a Dutch national monument. A cultural-historical walking route on the grounds leads through formally designed ornamental gardens and shady parkland, providing information about the history of the country estate. Museumhuis Beeckestijn is an 18th-century country estate with a geometrically designed French Baroque garden and an adjoining, more natural-looking English landscape park. The gardens of Buitenplaats Beeckestijn are open at all times and freely accessible to the public.

Routes

The 30-kilometre Velserpad connects the various village centres of Velsen and passes cultural-historical and scenic highlights. The historical walking tour through Oud-IJmuiden is 5.5 kilometres long and uses 25 information panels featuring historical photographs. The Bunkerroute is shorter at 2.5 kilometres. Panels with QR codes provide background information about the defensive structures built by the Germans during the Second World War.

The IJmuiden Rauw aan Zee cycling route is 24 kilometres long and runs along the beach, the harbours and the lock complex with the world’s largest sea lock. It crosses the Noordzeekanaal by ferry. The IJmond-Bunkers-&-Forten cycling route is approximately 60 kilometres long and passes through IJmuiden, Beverwijk, Wijk aan Zee and Heemskerk. Even longer is the 42.2-kilometre Marathon IJmuiden cycling route: it leads from the Spaarnwoude recreational area via Spaarndam and the dune landscape of Zuid-Kennemerland National Park to the beaches and harbours of Velsen.

More pages about local areas: Velsen-Zuid, Santpoort-Noord, Ijmuiden, Velsen-Noord, Driehuis.

To the higher-level travel overview: North Holland.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Oostzaan, Langedijk, Schermer.