Julianadorp aan Zee & Surroundings

Julianadorp aan Zee is in the north of the province of North Holland, between the North Sea, dunes, expansive polder landscapes, and the tulip and flower fields typical of the region. Villa Beach & Spa is located in Beach Resort Ooghduyne. From here, many destinations can be reached on foot or by bike. Julianadorp is also a great base for longer trips. To the north are Den Helder and the Wadden island of Texel, while further beach resorts and nature areas line the coast. Alkmaar, the historic port towns on the IJsselmeer, and Amsterdam are also easy to reach.

Right on the doorstep: Holiday Park OoghduyneVilla Beach & Spa is peacefully situated within the expansive Ooghduyne Holiday Park. Alongside the house and its fenced garden, guests can enjoy a wide range of activities for children, adults and groups of friends.Ooghduyne offers plenty to keep families entertained. At the park’s centre is an indoor swimming pool with a 62.5-metre slide, a lazy river, whirlpool and children’s pool. There is also an indoor play zone for climbing, sliding and running around, as well as several outdoor playgrounds. On weekends and during Dutch school holidays, there is also a children’s and family programme.The park also has plenty to offer for sports: bowling, tennis, mini golf, a multi-purpose sports court, pétanque, canoeing and fishing. There is also a 9-hole golf course right next to the holiday park, along with a par-3 family course where beginners can try golf and a driving range.Brasserie Sandz serves food and drinks right in the park. Other offerings include breakfast, a bread delivery service, and various takeaway and delivery options.The bike rental at reception is handy for exploring the surrounding area. In addition to standard bicycles, you can rent children’s bikes, child seats and bicycle trailers.Some holiday park facilities are subject to a charge or only open seasonally. Opening hours and programmes may change.Through the dunes to the North SeaThe dunes begin right next to the holiday park to the west. Paths lead through the dunes to the wide sandy beach at Julianadorp aan Zee, about a 25-minute walk from the park.Julianadorp’s approximately four-kilometre stretch of beach is part of the expansive sandy coastline of Kop van Noord-Holland. Along the coast, busy beach areas with restaurants and sports facilities alternate with quieter, more natural stretches.There are several beach pavilions at Julianadorp beach. At De Zandloper beach entrance, Strandpaviljoen Zee van Tijd is open year-round, with another beach pavilion, Paal 6, a little further along.Water sports are also a popular feature of this coastline. Surfschool High5 offers lessons for beginners and advanced surfers at the beach. Along with surfing, Julianadorp is a popular kitesurfing spot, with other beach and water sports available too.The wide sandy beach also has plenty of space for long walks, flying kites, collecting shells or building sandcastles. During the summer season, selected sections of the beach are patrolled by lifeguards.Holidaying with a dogJulianadorp aan Zee is especially suitable for a holiday with a dog, as dogs are allowed on the beach all year round.From 1 October to 1 May, dogs may run off leash on the beach at any time. From 1 May to 1 October, they are also allowed on the beach, but must be kept on a leash between 10:00 and 19:00. They may run off leash before 10:00 and after 19:00. Dogs must always be kept on a leash in the dunes.

Julianadorp Just beyond the holiday park is the town of Julianadorp, with supermarkets, shops, restaurants and other everyday amenities. For a wider choice, visit Winkelcentrum De Riepel, with more than 20 shops. Alongside several supermarkets, you’ll find a drugstore, bakery, butcher, pet supplies and other specialist shops. The shopping centre is around two kilometres from the villa. Another option is the covered Winkelcentrum Dorperweerth, with a supermarket and various shops for groceries, everyday essentials and more. Dorperweerth is also just a few minutes from the holiday park. Around Loopuytpark is another small centre in Julianadorp, with restaurants and places to eat. You can also explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike. Numerous cycling and walking routes run through Julianadorp and the surrounding polder landscape. Canoes can also be rented at ’t Noorder Sandt, where waterways lead through the countryside around Julianadorp. The area is especially striking in spring. Fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths stretch across the countryside around Julianadorp. During the blooming season, numerous routes pass right by the colourful flower fields. ### North: Den Helder and Texel Just a few kilometres north of Julianadorp is Den Helder. The city has close ties to the Dutch Navy and is home to a large port, where ferries to Texel also depart. At the Marinemuseum, you can visit historic naval ships. Highlights include the former submarine Tonijn, which visitors can explore inside. Interactive exhibits also offer insights into the history and work of the Dutch Navy. Just west of Den Helder is Huisduinen, home to the historic Fort Kijkduin. This former Napoleonic fort houses a museum and a North Sea aquarium. One of its highlights is a 15-metre underwater tunnel where you can see North Sea marine life up close. ### Cycle and take the ferry to Texel The TESO ferry to Texel departs from the port of Den Helder. The crossing takes around 20 minutes. You don’t need to reserve a specific departure time for the regular ferry; the ticket is valid for a return trip. It’s particularly easy to combine the trip with a bike ride. A return ticket for one person with a bicycle currently costs 6 euros. Children under four travel free. Texel has an extensive cycling network that runs through dunes, nature reserves and small villages. Along with beaches and numerous walking trails, Ecomare is a popular destination for families. The centre cares for seals and other marine animals, among others, and its exhibitions explore the North Sea and Wadden Sea. ### South: Coastal towns and nature Following the coast south from Julianadorp, you’ll first reach Groote Keeten and then Callantsoog. Callantsoog is a small, traditional Dutch seaside resort with a village centre, shops, restaurants and direct access to the wide North Sea beach. Several beach pavilions line the shore. Just behind the village is the Zwanenwater nature reserve, with dunes, lakes and signposted walking trails. ### Alkmaar — the city of cheese Around 35 kilometres south of Julianadorp is Alkmaar. Canals, narrow streets, old houses, small shops and cafés shape the cityscape. Alkmaar is best known for its traditional cheese market on Waagplein. In 2027, the cheese market runs every Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., from March 26 to September 24. Traditional cheese porters carry, weigh and trade the large wheels of cheese. In July and August, there is also a cheese market on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Alongside the cheese market, Alkmaar is home to the Dutch Cheese Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and canal cruises around the city. ### East: IJsselmeer and historic harbour towns Head inland towards the east and you’ll reach the other side of North Holland, on the IJsselmeer. Historic harbour towns such as Hoorn, Medemblik and Enkhuizen lie along the water. Enkhuizen is home to the Zuiderzeemuseum. The open-air museum features more than 140 historic buildings from towns around the former Zuiderzee. Houses, workshops, shops and harbour buildings show how people lived and worked here in the past. There are plenty of hands-on activities for children, too. They can try traditional Dutch games, sit at old-fashioned school desks, make their own skipping rope with a rope maker, dress up or build small boats from wooden clogs. There’s also a water play area and other seasonal family activities. ### Amsterdam — the capital of the Netherlands Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is around 80 kilometres from Julianadorp. If you’d rather not drive into the city centre, you can drive to Den Helder or Alkmaar and continue by train. Amsterdam is best known for its extensive canal belt, historic merchant houses, narrow bridges and distinctive canal houses. A canal cruise passes through much of the city centre and gives you a good overview of its different neighbourhoods. Amsterdam also has an exceptionally rich range of museums. Around Museumplein are several of the country’s best-known museums: the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum. The NEMO Science Museum is an interactive science museum that’s especially interesting for families. One of the city’s most famous historic sites is the Anne Frank House on Prinsengracht. The former hiding place of Anne Frank and her family is now a museum that tells their story through original objects, photographs, documents and personal accounts. Tickets must be booked online in advance for a specific time slot. Other places to visit include the Maritime Museum, the historic ARTIS Zoo, the flower market, and the many markets and shops across the city’s different neighbourhoods. Even away from the famous sights, the city centre is shaped by its small streets, bridges, cafés and numerous canals.