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12 Travel Tips in IJmuiden & Velsen

12 Travel Tips in IJmuiden & Velsen

Published on Apr. 4, 2017 by

These are my carefully selected 12 travel tips in IJmuiden & Velsen, if you are considering sightseeing just outside of Amsterdam! Including hidden gems like Duin & Kruidberg, Brederode Castle, IJmuiden Beach and Fortress Island.

Tips & Advice

county estate: duin & kruidberg and its beautiful patio in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsdinner at Zilt-aan-Zee on the IJmuiden beach in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsa Dutch tradition, raw herring with onions in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsthe IJmuiden beach, one of the best in Holland in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlands

Amsterdam is overloaded with tourists during the summer months that's why IJmuiden & Velsen are great destinations for a quick day trip just 30 minutes west of Amsterdam. Velsen is an area you won't find in any Amsterdam tourist guide

Places

  • 1. Fortress Island

    Known in Dutch as Forteiland, built in 1881 and part of the defense line of Amsterdam. Biggest bunker complex on the coast line of Holland.

  • 2. Sea & Harbor Museum

    Outlines the history of the IJmuiden harbor town and the construction of the North-sea-canal which connects Amsterdam directly to the North-Sea.

  • 3. Bunch

    One of the best restaurants in IJmuiden with a bunch of fantastic burgers!

  • 4. Boschbeek

    Alternatively, grab brunch at the Boscbeek, a cozy up-scale restaurant near the outer region of Velsen.

  • 5. Brederode Castle

    The oldest castle of Holland is located in Velsen and was built in 700 AD by the Brederode family. Sadly it has been through many wars and a few ruins are left standing.

  • 6. Duin & Kruidberg

    A fully restored country estate with one of the most gorgeous patio bars in Holland, this place is worth a coffee pitstop while cycling through the country side. Don't forget to try the bitterballs!

  • 7. Velsen-South

    The oldest part of the region, Village Velsen was split in half due to the construction of the north-sea-canal, it is a tiny little gem with the oldest church of Holland: the Engelmunduskerk.

  • 8. Dance Valley

    One of the biggest music festivals of the Netherlands takes place the second Saturday of August and usually enjoy 6 to 7 stages with different music genres. It is a must-visit for any EDM fan.

  • 9. IJmuiden Beach

    The largest and best beach in Holland, this widely stretched beach is just a 40 minute bus ride from Amsterdam central station, make sure to check it out on a sunny Dutch day.

  • 10. Zilt-aan-Zee

    While at the IJmuiden Beach grab a delicious fish dish at Zilt-aan-Zee or any of the other beach pavilions like the Beach-inn, these places won't disappoint!

  • 11. Snowplanet

    The oddest place in IJmuiden must be Snowplanet, an entire indoor snow hill for skiers and snowboarders to brush up on their skills before the winter.

  • 12. Santpoort Festival Week

    The most popular festival in Velsen is called the Santpoortse Feestweek where locals party every day for a week straight during the second week of August. A true place to connect with the Dutch locals!

popular Dance Valley festival in Spaarnwoude, Velsen in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsDance Valley festival hammocks in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsDance Valley main stage with family in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsretro-ravers! in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlands

I was born & raised in IJmuiden but never considered making a travel guide for the region since it includes some of the largest festivals in Holland: Dance Valley!

brunch at bunch - one of the better restaurants in IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsbrunch at bunch - one of the better restaurants in IJmuiden

Hungry? Grab a burger at Bunch, located on the Langenieuw shopping street in the heart of IJmuiden. Order a side dish of Indonesian sate with sauce!

dinner at Zilt-aan-Zee with my mom in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsgorgeous Boschbeek restaurant in Velsen in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsdinner at Boschbeek in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandseducational Sea & Harbor Museum - showcasing the history of IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsold painting of the early coastline of IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsthe large harbor of IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandscity hall in IJmuiden, Velsen in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsVelserhof shopping center in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlands

In Velsen you can have brunch or dinner at great restaurants like the Boschbeek, Zilt-aan-Zee and Duin & Kruidberg. All great places with incredible local cuisine.

entrance to the extremely large IJmuiden beach in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsentrance to the extremely large IJmuiden beach

IJmuiden is best known for the most incredible beach in Holland so on a sunny summer day in Amsterdam it is worth the 40 min road trip from Amsterdam Central Station or 1 hour by bus.

ancient Dutch hut in which people lived while constructing the North-sea-canal in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsnice glass pieces at the museum in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandssea & harbor museum in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsDutch herring & onions in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsbrunch on the Dutch IJmuiderbeach in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsDutch deep fried heaven in IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsDutch Sate croquette in IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsDutch beach huts on the IJmuiderbeach in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlands

If you really want to venture out try a Dutch sate or goulash croquette at the local snackbars, you'll be able to find one on the main shopping streets. IJmuiden is also known for its humongous fishing harbors, so make sure to grab a traditional Dutch herring with onions at the many fish shops. You won't be disappointed!

ancient Castle Brederode in Velsen which was almost completely destroyed in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsancient Castle Brederode in Velsen which was almost completely destroyed

In the country side you'll find the remains of Brederode Castle, one of the oldest castles of Holland. Sadly, it was destroyed through many wars but luckily one last tower remains. It will guarantee a great day trip, especially for the kids.

visiting Brederode with my mom in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsmy mom at Brederode in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsBrederode Castle in Velsen, Noord Holland, NetherlandsBrederode Castle in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsmeeting classmates in IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsdinner at my best buddy in IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandshanging with my amazing friends in IJmuiden in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsreunion with friends at the Santpoortse Feestweek in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlands

There is nothing more satifying than meeting up with friends & family each year in my home town. The Santpoort Festival Week is perhaps one of the best places to mingle with the local Dutchies. I would love to know if my article was helpful and if so, please leave a comment below and let me know which place seems most interesting to you? Please let me know if you want more information about a specific place I mentioned.

reunion with friends at the Santpoortse Feestweek in Velsen, Noord Holland, Netherlandsreunion with friends at the Santpoortse Feestweek

Do you want more travel tips for IJmuiden + Velsen? 

  1. Rent your bicycles at the Bike Guru in IJmuiden!
  2. Attend the Sail tall ships festival and watch thousands of ships cruise through the North-sea-canal. Next event is in 2020!
  3. More information (in English) on the IJmuiden tourism website

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