Visitor Center de Hoep
Here both young as old visitors get information about the nature of the Northolland Dune Reserve and the function of our dunes within the drinkingwater purification system, in a fascinating way. Pay a visit to the butterfly garden and the bird observation point, or take a hike or bike route along birdwatching huts and the water bubble. Weekly excursions are being organized. Kids may look for gnomes, learn about the indians, or become a deputy forester. Adults can go on an interesting excursion with the forester or help with the Dune working day. Traveling by car? There's a large parkinglot. Have a nice cup of coffee and some cake, lunch or diner at the nigh restaurant Johanna's Hof.
Markets in the area
Throughout the year, a variety of markets are being held within Castricum and surrounding cities. There's a common weekly market on Friday and in spring and summer an extra seasonal sundaymarket is being organized in the centre. This market takes place in the months April to August and offers a nice fair with a lot of different stalls and many local products. Sometimes there's a theme active, like the fleemarket where kids can sell their stuff on the square, or the wellknown Oldtimer market. Regularly after the market there's some nice live music on the town square. Get yourself a drink at the surrounding cafés like Johnny's, Balu and Restaurant Brutaal. Enjoy the vibe and have a nice day!
Surfing at the HangOut
What can be more fun than surfing with your friends? For kids and teenagers we offer special 90 minute courses at the HangOut. Get familiar with golfsurfing or improve your skills. Of course mum and dad may join too. The focus lays on learning the right technique for paddling, catching waves, get up on the board and balancing while riding the waves. Safety comes first and it's all about having the time of your life in the water!
Swimmingpool De Waterakkers
De Waterakkers in Heemskerk is a swimming, sports and recreational centre with a pool, sauna facilities, sport court, sunbathing meadow, snackbar and seperate restaurant. To releave yourself from life's everyday stress, a visit to the spa facilities of De Waterakkers is highly recommended! The sauna has another entrance fee than the pool's admission. Swimmingpool de Waterakkers offers three bassins. The recreational pool with waterslide is open every day, visitors can come here the whole day. The instruction bath and competition bath have limited opening hours due to other activities. Fancy a nice day swimming? Get your entrance tickets with a discount at our reception.
Cheesemarket Alkmaar
Discover the cheese city of Holland! Alkmaar's cheesemarket takes place every Friday morning from March 31 to September 29 from 10 am to 1 pm. It's truly a spectacular view, this square filled with cheeses and the shows being performed by cheesecarriers in traditional clothing. Besides that, eveningmarkets are being held every Tuesday evening in July and August from 7 pm to 9 pm. Around the market there's often a fun and atmospheric crafts market or fair with stalls and activities for the whole family. The special cheesemarket for children is in the same months, within the high season. There are two timeslots, 10.30 to 11 am and 11 to 11.30 am. Tickets are available at the website of the VVV office or by phone via 0031-72-5114284.
Haarlem
Haarlem is well known for its extensive culinary offerings and has been 'shopping city of the year'. After Maastricht, the city counts the most cafés and restaurants of the Netherlands. From trendy cofeebars and excellent lunchrooms, to cozy pubs and special restaurants. Famous are the Botermarkt and the Grote Markt, where you'll find great bars but most of all a weekly market with hundreds of stalls with local products. The monumental and historic centre is almost car free and has many shops, trendy clothingstores, charming antique- and curiosity shops and countless specialty stores in every possible direction. Of course there's a lot to discover considering culture, as for example a visit to the renowned Frans Hals museum!
Alkmaar
From Castricum station, you'll arrive in the vibrant city centre of Alkmaar within 15 minuten. You may walk to the station, go by bike or use the free Q+R parking at Castricum. Have a lovely shopping day, enjoy the monumental views and cultural experiences, or settle down on a nice terrace and have some good food. Enjoy the beautiful centre of Alkmaar where you'll able to see the history in every wonderful building and activity. How about the Stedelijk Museum, the Cheese museum or the house with the bullet. Within the historic city, you have many options to go sightseeing or do a boat tour. When the wether is good, the lake 'Alkmaardermeer' is the perfect spot to relax.
Amsterdam
Taking the train at Castricum, you'll arive at Amsterdam Central Station within 30 minutes to enjoy our vibrant capital. The ideal city for a shopping spree combined with good food and drinks, to breathe in culture and nostalgia. Amsterdam offers endless shopping experiences and culinary discoveries. Besides that, there are a lot of possibilities for sightseeing boat tours to have a view from the water of the canals. When at the station, walk outside straight ahead to find the boats. Are you a history or art fanatic? Amsterdam has a lot of famous museums, think of the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh, Moco Museum, NEMO Science Centre, Madame Tussauds and the Anne Frank House.
Hortus Bulborum
The Hortus Bulborum in the town Limmen is the only garden in thw world with an enormous collection of historical spring bulbs. Over 4500 different types of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses and fritillaria's show their amazing colours every spring. The most unique thing about the garden is that it contains bulbs dated from far before 1900, which are no longer being cultivated and sold (or barely). The first part of the Hortus Bulborum was laid by a schoolmaster from Limmen, Pieter Boschman. It really shows the interesting and amazing changes all popular flower types have been making throughout the centuries.
De Woude
De Woude is a convivial island within the Alkmaardermeer. The idyllic village counts no more than around 160 residents. The island is only reachable by ferry, suitable mostly for visitors by foot or bike. De Woude has a unique nature area with a lot of (rare) meadow birds and the polder scenery is outstanding. Around 1800 the island arose, after digging the Markervaart. At De Woude there are two restaurants alongside the Kogerpolder canal; Diner/café Salsuta and Restaurant 't Kombof. Both offer a nice various menu for drinks, lunch and dinner with a terrace near the water. 't Kombof ones started off as De Hoop Inn, the oldest documents about this historic fact date from 1807.
Castricum
Geversduin lays just a stone's throw away from the cozy village of Castricum. Nice nature viewings, cultural locations, great events, fine restaurants, snug bars and cool clubs are located here. Discover the various destinations and interesting sights which Castricum has to offer. Visit the most beautiful places in nature to unwind. For eating out or party advice, please have a look at the local online calendar. There's much to enjoy for all ages. On Castricum.info you'll find all important information about the area, handy and practical tips about the beach, the dunes, the weather and the tides, coastal webcams, community affairs, local news, photo's, the history of Castricum and much more.
Club Zand
Club Zand is an openminded and laidback beach pavilion in Castricum aan Zee. The wooden interior, lounge music and Balinese parasols all contribute to the great beachvibe. Just chill and enjoy something of the extensive menu for the most relaxing day ever, all year round! Life's a beach! Club Zand is open every day from 9.30 am, also in winter time when the complete location is warm and cozy. At Club Zand it's possible to just walk in spontaniously. Just because you fancy a nice breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks at the beach! Many of the tables, lounge area and seats are for walk-ins so no reservation is needed in advance. Club Zand is also a nice place for working remotely, amidst nature.
Beachpavilion de Vrijheit
The beach of Heemskerk lays beautifully at the coastline of the Northolland Dunereserve, where Highlander cattle, sheep and wild horses graze the dunes. There, where you may only travel by bike or by foot. On this unique beach, close to shipwreck 'de Vrijheit', stands beach pavilion de Vrijheit. The cargo ship ran aground on a sandbank in 1903 during a storm. The boat split into two, lost its load and sank. The kettlehouse is still visible today and rises above the waves. Pavilion de Vrijheit had a relaxed vibe and you may enjoy fresh coffee, good sandwiches, a cold beer and various other dishes and drinks. The dog is welcome, within the high season make sure he is on the leash and consider the beachrules.
Het Ruiterhuys
Restaurant het Ruiterhuys lays amidst the beautiful nature, surrounded by animals. An area perfect for lovely hikes, bike rides and horsebackriding through the dunes. Guesthouse het Ruiterhuys is located at the edge of the extensive Noortholland Dunereserve, about 1500 metres from the beach. Long story short: the ideal place to enjoy nature and hospitality. Het Ruiterhuys is open every day for a nice cup of coffee with some cake, lunch or fantastic dinner. The place excists of a countryside type of restaurant, a terrace, playground with safe equippment, a petting zoo, horse riding school and a small but cute B&B with optional stabling of your own horse.
Guesthouse Kruisberg
At Guesthouse Kruisberg a good cook is just as important as great service. Six days a week you're able to enjoy the hospitality at the Kruisberg, alone, with the two of you or the whole family. Just enjoy some great pancakes and have a cup of coffee. Guesthouse de Kruisberg is the place to be. This beautiful restaurant has a country vibe and look to it, and is located within the forest of the Northholland Dunereserve. It's only reachable by foot and bike. The hiking routes around the guesthouse are astonishing and who knows; you'll walk into some Scottisch Highlanders of which their amazing burgers are made.
Johanna's Hof
Located on a beautiful spot within the forest of the Northholland Dunereserve is Restaurant Johanna's Hof. Easy to reach from the campsite, by foot, bike or car, there's a big parkinglot in front. Wellknown for her hospitality, coziness and above all child friendly environment. At Johanna's Hof is a lovely playground where kids may enjoy themselfs for hours. And... here they have the best pancakes! There also is a petting zoo where in spring young goats, ponies and chickens walk around. The neighboring Visitors centre de Hoep with its beautiful garden is also recommended!
Lookout point Papenberg
Do you want to have a look at Castricum from great distance? Come and climb the lookout point near the Papenberg. There's so much to see when you're on top! Firstly, climb the stairs with 149 steps, now you're quite high already. Walking the big stairs is a fun challenge for both young as old. When you're at the top, you'll see the lookout tower! Just a few steps and your effort will be rewarded with an amazing view from Wijk aan Zee, Heemskerk and Castricum all the way to Egmond, with the breathtaking nature surrounding the tower. De lookout point/tower is easy reachable from trainstation Castricum, the stairs begin near museum Huis van Hilde.
Huis van Hilde
Across Castricum trainstation, archeological museum Huis van Hilde is located. Have a look and discover how our ancestors lived. They were just like us, but different nonetheless... Come on in and meet Hilde, from Castricum, Cees the Stoneage man, Lady Brecht from Alkmaar and many others. Archeologists dug into the soil we are standing on and found the skelletons of former inhabitants. They've managed ro reconstruct the faces in a brilliant manner, as if they travelled time effortlessly to the here and now! Keep an eye on the calendar for exhibitions and activities.
Heemskerk
Close to Camping Geversduin, the always lively village of Heemskerk is located. The centre and surrounding area offer enough shops and restaurants to spend the day. Every friday there's a market, starting at the church in the middle of the town. In Heemskerk there's a variety of activities to participate to, cultural sights and nice bars. for example, pay a visit to Castle Assumburg and the beautiful, prize-winning garden surrounding it, the old town hall, the Marquette Estate and chateau or one of the astonishing churches. Have a nice drink or outstanding meal at Brafoer, Grand Café Ruysdael, Jacks, Het Dorrup, Brasserie 38 or Meesters & Juffen.
Duin en Bos bootcamp
This summer holiday Duin en Bos Bootcamp provides lessons at and around the campsite. Do you want to challenge yourself for an ultimately fit summer? The excercises are adjustable to every level, physical and mental conditions. So, even when you're not looking to push your boundaries, but just want to work out and move a little more, you're welcome to join the training. These focus on having fun, executing the excercises technically correct and work out in a responsible manner. It offers many advantages; you are active, have social interactions, you're focussing on the excercises instead of other issues and you're away from your screen for a while. Family bootcamp is a posibility.
De Oude Keuken
A lunchroom and café with a nice atmosphere in a monumental building, with a big sunny terrace. Within the green area of the Duin en Bosch estate, De Oude Keuken takes a central place. Here people with a disctance to the regular working culture participate at the tasks and learn by doing. Also neigbours and residents of the Parnassia institution meet each other at DOK. Enjoy the varying exhibitions and music on sundays. It's an excellent place to have a break from walking or cycling around the forest and dunereserve of Castricum, and have a nice cup of cofee or some lunch. The products are artisanal, biological and come from fellow social-entrepeneurs.
Summer bridgedrives
Bridge club Bricas organizes summer evening bridgedrives twice a week. Participating is possible via the website of Bricas (4003.bridge.nl), by phone or at the door. Costs are 7 Euros with kind prizes for all the winners and by drawing lots. Address: De Bloemen 71 1902 GT Castricum. After participating 4 times you may join the final with prizes for everybody.
