The large dunes, big horizons and vibrant colors of the seaside of North Holland drew many Dutch artists to visit Bergen a century ago. Bring your camera or paintbrush to capture its beautiful coastline for yourself and enjoy the heritage attractions in the heart of this artistic town.
Bergen is just a 45-minute drive northwest of the Dutch capital Amsterdam and also part of the Noord Holland province. This destination is hugely popular with mainly sun-seeking Germans in summer and Dutch tourists during the Christmas holidays, but is blissfully quiet during the low season.
Start your discovery tour of Bergen in the heart of town. Join the locals on the covered café terraces in the central Plein (“Square”) and honor Dutch traditions by ordering a coffee with apple pie or a beer with deep-fried croquettes.
Set out on foot or rent an E-bike and head to Het Sterkenhuis, Bergen’s oldest residence, which was turned into a house museum.
Next up, admire the 15th-century Ruïnekerk (Ruined Church) on your way to the Museum Kranenburgh with its sculpture garden and figurative landscape paintings by the artists of the Bergen School.
Don’t miss the nearby Park Meerwijk, a wooded villa estate from 1915. Admire the park’s unusual brick and wood houses with thatched roofs, which showcase the Amsterdamse School style of architecture.
There are many scenic forested and coastal walking trails around Bergen. You can also cycle to the coast and through the Schoorlse Duinen to other picturesque Dutch towns in the municipality of Bergen by following the De Brede Duinen (The Wide Dunes)route. The seaside town of Egmond, to the south, has a ruined medieval castle.
Beach-front vacation homes line the coast of Bergen aan Zee, the closest seaside community to Bergen. Admire the small town’s picturesque Vredeskerkje (Peace Church) and visit its Sea Aquarium.
After spending a few hours relaxing on the beach, enjoy refreshments or hot drinks at the Strandpaviljoen SB Noord (North Beach Pavilion), which is a bit of a local icon and a good place for people-watching. Seeing the sunset from this magical spot on the beach is the perfect finale to your Bergen visit.
