Katwijk is a family-friendly resort fringed by a sandy beach and a breezy promenade. The town enjoys a picturesque seaside location, where the Oude Rijn River flows into the North Sea. Bask in the sunshine, swim in the North Sea and explore picturesque seaside cycle trails.
Things to do in Katwijk
Katwijk Beach stretches for five kilometres and is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the Netherlands. There’s plenty of space, making Katwijk Beach ideal for swimming, sunbathing and building sandcastles. The beach is a short stroll from the town centre, where you’ll find a collection of cafes, bakeries and restaurants. Save your appetite for Dutch specialties like Gouda cheese, fresh-baked raisin bread and syrup-covered waffles.
Katwijk aan Zee Lighthouse was built in the 1600s and is one of the oldest and best-preserved lighthouses in the country. Climb the stairs to the observation deck for sweeping views over the town centre and the North Sea. Katwijk’s 15th-century church is another historic gem. It overlooks a small courtyard lined with colourful townhouses built by local fishmongers.
A scenic cycling trail hugs the coastline and takes you past sandy beaches and flower-filled fields. In spring, the fields are blanketed in colourful tulips, narcissi and hyacinths. Katwijk is also a great base for visiting Keukenhof, one of the largest flower gardens in the world.
For a livelier atmosphere, head inland to the university city of Leiden. The city will charm you with its centuries-old architecture and world-class attractions like Museum de Lakenhal, where you can admire works by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt.
Getting around Katwijk
Katwijk is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The resort is a 15-minute drive from Leiden and 25 minutes from The Hague. Local buses run between Katwijk and Leiden in around 20 minutes. Katwijk is a one-hour drive from Rotterdam The Hague Airport and 40 minutes from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.