Kijkduin between dunes, art and coastal history

Kijkduin brings together expansive dunes, landscape art, coastal protection and traces of history. This combination offers different ways to discover the area: on foot through the dune landscape, by bike along the North Sea, or by exploring its art and historical heritage. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to consider in advance which of these interests you would like to shape your stay.

Art you can step into

James Turrell’s large-scale landscape artwork Hemels Gewelf is an unusual cultural highlight. The elliptical earthwork installation measures 40 by 30 metres. Visitors can enter it through a six-metre-long tunnel. This makes the entrance more than just a way to reach the artwork: it is part of the spatial experience, as you walk into the installation. Anyone interested in outdoor art will find a clearly defined attraction here; its form, scale and entrance can all be experienced together.

Dunes, a recreational landscape and the coastal environment

The Puinduinen on Machiel Vrijenhoeklaan are a recreation area with an unusual history: they were created in the 1950s and 1960s from demolition rubble. The combination of a recreational area and former construction waste gives this landscape a different background from the expansive dunes used for walking in Kijkduin. The origins of the Puinduinen and the dunes’ role as a place for walking offer different points of interest: at the Puinduinen, the story of how they came to be is part of the landscape; in the dunes, outdoor activity takes centre stage. Kijkduin is also connected to the coast by bike: the area lies on the LF1, a long-distance cycle route along the North Sea. Walking in the dunes and cycling the route therefore offer different ways to get around on your trip.

Between Kijkduin and Monster lies the Zandmotor, an innovative form of coastal protection that also offers space for recreation and nature. Here, coastal protection, leisure and nature come together. Those interested in the landscape not only as a backdrop but also in how it is shaped will find another perspective on the coastal environment here.

Coastal history and small discoveries

Widerstandsnest 67 HL is a Second World War relic in Kijkduin. The site has around 130 metres of tunnels and six bunkers. Part of the complex lies beneath the dunes near Kijkduin’s beach promenade. Its scale and location in the coastal environment give this historic site a tangible setting. Finds are displayed at the Jutterskeet. You can also borrow a sea-fishing net there; if you plan to do so, check before your visit whether this is currently available.

Choose the right focus for your trip

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like your holiday to centre on getting out and about in the dunes and along the LF1, or would you prefer to give more emphasis to art and coastal history?

Discover more destinations: Geuzenkwartier, Vissershaven, Centrum, Haagse Hout, Scheveningen.

Return to the main travel overview: The Hague.