What to do in Castricum?
Castricum combines a Blue Flag beach with the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, a Kidsproof archaeology museum and the village-like Bakkum. These are the best things to do, tipped by the team of Strandpaviljoen Zeezicht.
Blue Flag beach and 5,300 ha dune reserve
Huis van Hilde: Kidsproof Museum 2024
Papenberg lookout tower: free and always open
Alkmaar just ±10 minutes away by train
Sea, dune and village all within cycling distance
Everything in Castricum lies close together: the supervised Blue Flag beach at the end of the Zeeweg, the Noordhollands Duinreservaat right behind it, and the village-like Bakkum with its historic campsite. You can cycle from one to the other without ever spending long on a busy road.
Afterwards, join us at Zeezicht
A day of dunes, museum or beach leaves you wanting more. Strandpaviljoen Zeezicht sits directly to the left of the beach entrance and is open all year, for coffee, lunch, drinks or dinner while the sun sinks into the sea.
12 things to do in Castricum
- 1
Castricum aan Zee Beach
Supervised during the beach season and awarded the Blue Flag.
- 2
Noordhollands Duinreservaat
5,300 hectares of dunes with walking and cycling routes. A dune pass is mandatory from age 18; a day pass costs approx. €2 from the vending machine, among other places at Johanna's Hof.
- 3
Papenberg lookout tower
Corten steel tower on the highest dune of Castricum (±38 m, 149 steps), free to enter and always open, close to the station.
- 4
Huis van Hilde
Archaeology museum next to the station. Tue–Fri 10:00–17:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–17:00. Adults €10, child (5–17 years) €6, free with a Museumkaart. Kidsproof Museum 2024.
- 5
Visitor centre De Hoep (PWN)
Free entry, with children's treasure hunts (€8): the Kaboutertocht (4–6 years) and De Hulpboswachter (7–13 years).
- 6
Play forest at Johanna's Hof
Free hut-building, roughly 100 metres into the dunes.
- 7
Camping Bakkum & the village of Bakkum
Campsite in the dunes since 1914. One of the oldest campsites in the Netherlands, in the village-like Bakkum.
- 8
Petting farm 't Dierenduintje (Bakkum)
Small petting farm with a butterfly garden. Opening times: check dierenduintje.nl.
- 9
Duinwater cycle route (ANWB, 35 km)
A loop around Castricum through dune and polder. Bicycle rental at NH Cycling (station), Johanna's Hof and Camping Bakkum.
- 10
Kitesurfing & watersports
Fixed kite zones next to the beach entrance; lessons via local surf schools.
- 11
Horse riding on the beach
Allowed all day outside the summer season, in summer before 10:00 and after 19:00, not via the beach plateau.
- 12
Day trips nearby
The cheese market in Alkmaar (Friday 10:00–13:00, late March to late September, ±10 minutes by train), Egmond aan Zee (±7 km) and Bergen aan Zee with the Zee Aquarium.
With kids: top 5
- Play forest at Johanna's Hof. Free hut-building
- Huis van Hilde. Kidsproof Museum 2024
- Treasure hunts at visitor centre De Hoep
- Petting farm 't Dierenduintje in Bakkum
- The beach itself, and a kids' menu at Zeezicht
On a rainy day
- Huis van Hilde
- Visitor centre De Hoep
- Cinema Corso
- Zee Aquarium in Bergen aan Zee
Out and about with the whole family? Take a look at our family day by the sea or simply join us afterwards with the menu.
Frequently asked questions
Join us at Zeezicht
Strandpaviljoen Zeezicht sits just to the left of the beach entrance and is open all year round. Drop by for coffee, lunch or dinner with a sea view.
More about Castricum
Beach guide
Castricum aan Zee Beach: the complete guide
Blue Flag, lifeguard-supervised during the beach season and five pavilions: everything you need to know about the beach at Castricum aan Zee.
Lees verder
Practical
Parking at Castricum aan Zee
P aan ZEE, license plate recognition, free alternatives in the village and what to do when the car park is full.
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With your dog
Castricum Dog Beach: rules per season
When your dog may run free, where it's welcome during the day in summer and what applies in the dunes.
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