Villages & Towns
Visit the nicest village centres and the most beautiful towns around your holiday accommodation.
The Helder
Den Helder is a maritime city at the northernmost tip of North Holland, known as the home port of the Royal Netherlands Navy. By 2026, the city will offer a mix of cultural heritage and natural recreation.
"Schagen"
Schagen, looking for culture and excitement? Then be sure to visit the town of Schagen, just 8 kilometers from your holiday home. The charming, small town center of Schagen offers plenty of shopping opportunities (including indoor shopping), delicious restaurants, and inviting terraces. Various activities are organized here year-round, from beach volleyball tournaments to food tastings, livestock markets, and open-air concerts.
"The Shore"
Den Oever is a characteristic fishing village in the municipality of Hollands Kroon (North Holland), situated at the beginning of the Afsluitdijk. It is best known for its shrimp fishing and its connection to the Wadden Sea.
Anna Paulowna
Anna Paulowna was the beautiful Russian wife of King William II, who gave her name to this polder. Centuries later, Anna Paulowna's beauty still shines through. The bulb-growing region is at its most beautiful in spring; the fields are ablaze with color. It's even the largest contiguous flower-bulb region in the world! It's no wonder, then, that the bulb-growing industry is flourishing here and that many events are organized where flowers take center stage.
"Old Lock"
Oudesluis is a historic dike village. Originally situated on the Zuiderzee, it served as a mooring for VOC ships. The eponymous 16th-century lock can still be visited. The village boasts three historic windmills dating from 1764, 1848, and 1896, which once controlled the water level.
Alkmaar
Alkmaar has a historic center with 399 national monuments and 700 municipal monuments. The city is known as "the cheese city." A traditional cheese market is held weekly from early April to late September. A resident of Alkmaar is called an Alkmaarder, but is colloquially called "kaaskop" (cheese head). The city has two railway stations: Alkmaar Station and Alkmaar Noord Station.
Callantsoog
Callantsoog is one of the oldest and most popular seaside resorts in the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland. The village boasts a wide, white sandy beach with five beach access points and several beach pavilions. Uniquely, the narrow dune line here allows the beach to border the village. Immediately south lies the protected nature reserve Het Zwanenwater, known for its dune lakes and diverse bird species. Popular activities include blowkarting, surfing, and hiking. Families can visit the Beachcombers Museum Callantsoog and nearby parks such as Attractiepark De Goudvis.
Heerhugowaard
Heerhugowaard is known as the "city of opportunities" and was built on the former Groot-Huijgenwaard polder. The Middenwaard shopping center is one of the largest in North Holland, with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and a cinema. On the outskirts of the city lies Luna Park, a large recreational area where you can walk, cycle, and swim at Luna Beach.
"Amsterdam"
Amsterdam is just an hour's drive away. Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is known for its iconic canals, rich history, and vibrant culture. Often called the "Venice of the North," the city offers a wide range of attractions, from world-renowned museums to cozy traditional Dutch pubs.
"Horn"
Hoorn is a historic city in North Holland on Lake Markermeer, known for its rich Dutch East India Company (VOC) history and charming harbor. Hoorn boasts the largest city beach in the Netherlands, perfect for a waterside stroll. The historic harbor, with its striking 16th-century defense tower, is unique. Here you'll find the Hoorn-Medemblik museum steam tram, a traveling museum that brings the history of the railway to life. Hoorn Water Week 2026 will take place from June 30th to July 5th in Hoorn's harbor. The event promises a week full of water activities and festivities.
Volendam
Volendam, from a small fishing village to a global brand. Music, sports, fishing, traditional costumes, art, the maze, and Volendam's famously charming dike. These are the ingredients that have made Volendam a global brand, attracting nearly two million visitors annually from all over the world.
Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen is known for its herring fishing industry, numerous seed farms, and the Dutch East India Company (VOC) era. The old town center is largely surrounded by an old rampart. Numerous historical buildings from the past have been preserved in the old town center.













