Katwijk aan Zee

Netherlands, Netherlands

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Katwijk aan Zee is a charming seaside resort town in South Holland, Netherlands, located along the North Sea at the mouth of the Old Rhine River, about 5 kilometers long and part of the larger Katwijk municipality.

It has been a popular seaside resort since 1848, featuring a wide sandy beach, a promenade, and one of the cleanest beaches in South Holland, making it a traditional family-friendly destination with plenty of facilities and activities for children and parents.

The town is known for its rich maritime heritage as a fishing village, with the historic Vuurbaak lighthouse (the second oldest preserved lighthouse building in the Netherlands after Brandaris), the 17th-century Oude Kerk (white church by the sea), and the old fish market area where echoes of maritime life still linger in narrow streets and small family shops.

Katwijk aan Zee is a haven for art lovers, being home to the Katwijks Museum which celebrates the town's connection to the Hague School of painters who captured the serene coastal light in their canvases, and its peaceful dune landscapes in the Katwijkse Duinen are part of the Hollandse Duinen National Park with wildflowers, migratory birds, and breathtaking sea views perfect for cycling.