Themes

The culture of North Holland has been shaped by the landscape and activities such as trade, water management, agriculture, and shipping. This is reflected in windmills, dikes, farmhouses, forts, and historic villages. Many routes follow old trade routes and 17th-century land reclamation projects and pass through landscapes shaped by peat extraction, fishing, and shipping. Along the way, you’ll pass historic sites such as forts, harbors, dunes, peat meadows, lakes, and canals.

The landscape and nature of North Holland are diverse and constantly changing. From dunes and beaches to peat meadows, polders, forests, and lakes: each area has its own unique character. Many routes on the route platform take you through these varied landscapes and show how nature and water have shaped the region. Along the way, you’ll pass nature reserves with meadow birds, expansive dune landscapes, reed beds, and water-rich polders. Some routes run through protected nature areas or past unique plants and animals that are typical of North Holland. On the map, you can discover nature reserves and scenic highlights or choose a route that fits this theme.

For centuries, water and the coast have shaped the landscape of North Holland. The province is surrounded by the sea, lakes, canals, and rivers. The water brought trade, fishing, and transportation, but it also required protection in the form of dikes, dunes, and waterworks. Many routes on the route platform let you experience this water-rich environment. You can walk along the coast, cycle across dikes and polders, or sail across lakes and canals. This way, you’ll discover places where fresh and salt water meet, historic port towns, and vast coastal landscapes.

Art and creativity bring color to North Holland. In cities, towns, and across the countryside, you’ll find art in all sorts of places: from street art and sculptures to galleries and creative hubs. Artists are often inspired by the surroundings, the history, and everyday life in the province. Routes within this theme take you past striking murals, public art installations, and unique creative spaces. You’ll discover works by local creators and international artists, sometimes right in the heart of the city and sometimes surprisingly out in the countryside.

Culinary delights are a hallmark of North Holland. The province boasts a rich tradition of local products from land and sea, such as cheese, fish, vegetables, and fruit. Many regional products are still made by farmers, fishermen, and artisanal producers from the area. Itineraries within this theme take you past farm shops, markets, restaurants, and other places where you can taste and buy local products. Along the way, you’ll discover where the food comes from and get to know the flavors of North Holland.