gemeente Schagen
Schagen exudes the warmth of a rich trading history. Around the Grote Kerk and the rebuilt Slot Schagen, you can feel the town’s centuries-old spirit. Every alleyway in the centre tells a story, from the sturdy farmhouses in the surrounding villages to the famous West Frisian folklore that brings the town to life during the summer months. In Schagen, history is not only tangible in the monuments, but above all in the traditions that are proudly kept alive here.
Schagen is a town best explored at your leisure. Stroll through the charming streets with their historic facades, or hop on a bike for a ride through the expansive countryside, where the West Frisian Omringdijk shows you the way. The routes take you from the lively terraces on the Markt to the tranquil polders and the nearby coast at Callantsoog. There’s always a welcoming stop along the way: from unique specialist shops in the covered Makado centre to roadside stalls selling fresh local produce.
With the Markt as its bustling centre, there is always something going on in Schagen. From the famous West Frisian Thursdays with their parades in traditional costume to the Easter livestock show and atmospheric music festivals – Schagen celebrates the good life. Culture lovers will enjoy small-scale theatres, museums about farm life and creative events that give the town its unique character. Here, tradition and contemporary conviviality come together at every street party.
Whether you want to enjoy a sumptuous meal, soak up some culture or seek the tranquillity of nature, in Schagen everything is within easy reach. The town is compact and welcoming, yet offers a wealth of experiences. Stroll past the boutiques, savour the flavours of the countryside on a sunny terrace, or seek out the open spaces of the polders. And for those who hear the sea calling: within fifteen minutes, you’ll have your feet in the sand of the North Sea coast.
Schagen is unpretentious and laid-back, with a down-to-earth West Frisian charm and a warm heart. Here, you’ll immediately feel part of the town. Choose your route and discover why Schagen is the shining centre of the Kop van Noord-Holland!
Kolhorn lies amidst the meadows. If you look closely at the picturesque location of this small village behind the dike, you can easily imagine that Kolhorn used to be situated on the Zuiderzee. Since the land reclamation, the former fishing village lies in the heart of the West Frisian landscape and has a protected village appearance.
Fancy heading out on the water in a canoe, SUP, or kayak? Then come to Kolhorn! Three jetties have been built along the recently constructed waterway where you can moor for a short break.
With this stage, we make a brief leap to the other end of North Holland. To Den Oever, where the Afsluitdijk is located—the dike between North Holland and Friesland that separates the IJsselmeer from the Wadden Sea. Here, you walk straight across the former island of Wieringen, with its quintessential Dutch nature and panoramic views.
The car museum houses a collection of cars from various years and countries. The Dutch DAF brand features prominently, and the German NSU brand is also well represented. In addition to cars, there are also motorbikes, mopeds, bicycles, old farming tools, model cars and transport-related displays such as petrol pumps, enamel signs and neon signs. The collection is regularly expanded with special cars or motorbikes from people in the region.
According to Texel’s beachcombers, Flora is the world’s first and largest beachcombing museum. At the heart of the exhibition is a colourful collection of objects that have washed up on Texel’s beaches over the past 75 years. You’ll be amazed by the sheer number of quirky, funny, charming and unusual items on display. Many of the unusual objects in the large outdoor area and the courtyard were partly salvaged by Texel’s North Sea fishermen. Anchors, buoys, rudders; even real aeroplane engines. You won’t believe your eyes!
Come and see seals, seabirds and other marine animals at the Ecomare seal sanctuary. Learn all about life in the Wadden Sea and the North Sea, and the natural world on Texel.
Overcast, 17.2°C
Wind speed: 8 knots / 14.9 km/h
Wind direction: West
Schagen is an inviting destination all year round. Spring brings the surrounding bulb fields to life, summer brings sun-drenched market days, autumn turns the polders golden, and winter casts a cosy, warm glow over the historic Market Square.