12 Travel Tips in IJmuiden & Velsen
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.
- Popular: Most recommended attraction is Forteiland Bunker Complex
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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!
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
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!
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
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.
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 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.
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
Do you want more travel tips for IJmuiden + Velsen?
- Rent your bicycles at the Bike Guru in IJmuiden!
- Attend the Sail tall ships festival and watch thousands of ships cruise through the North-sea-canal. Next event is in 2020!
- More information (in English) on the IJmuiden tourism website
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