"Welcome to Noordwijk aan Zee" Top 5 Page for this destination Noordwijk aan Zee by yumyum

Noordwijk aan Zee Travel Guide: 64 reviews and 163 photos

I first came to Noordwijk when I was about 10 years old for a beach holiday. We stayed in a bed and breakfast with my parents and my granddad. The Vuurtorenplein on the picture played an important role when I was there as a kid, as this was a busy place where to buy my then favourite fast food "Frikadellen". It's a big difference to see Noordwijk off season like on this visit. This time we walked here from Katwijk an Zee and then back again.

Noordwijk aan Zee was first settled by fishermen in the 15th century. In the 18th century the fishermen were restricted under Napoleon Bonaparte who feared that they would trade with England. The fishing industry declined further in the 19th century with even more restrictions from the new monarchy government. The last fishing boat left Noordwijk in 1913.

From 1866 the beach resort started to develop. First, it was only for the rich people who also visited the nearby flower farms when holidaying.

Today, you can find all kind of accomodation from Bed and Breakfast to 5 star hotels. When we were there the Dutch National Football team was just about to leave the 5 star hotel to be driven with police escort to their match in Amsterdam that evening.

Welcome to Noordwijk aan Zee - Noordwijk aan Zee

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:A busy beach resort in summer!

Last visit to Noordwijk aan Zee: Sep 2007
Intro Updated Nov 12, 2007
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Reviews (5)

Small church in the town center Things to Do (3)

When we visited, it was the day of the open monuments. So this church was open to the public. In the first room there is... more travel advice

Beware sneaky birds! Warnings and Dangers (1)

After we bought our fish snack we sat on a bench nearby to eat them. The bird on the picture took several attempts to... more travel advice

Fish take away Restaurants (1)

We ate each a fish snack from this Kiosk by the town center. It’s just next to the path going down to the beach. I had... more travel advice

Lighthouse Things to Do (3)

Noordwijk’s lighthouse or Vuurtoren in Dutch was built in 1922. Its light range is 18 sea miles and the height of the... more travel advice

Comments (8)

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Trekki Dec 3, 2007 at 10:11 PM

Haha, these birds... Incredible, how cheeky they are ! I also remember Noordwijk from my childhood, we have been in Katwijk aan Zee :-))
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Bwana_Brown Nov 26, 2007 at 4:32 PM

That's quite a long beach and a unique looking lighthouse too! I always like the coast, no matter what the season.
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Kuznetsov_Sergey Nov 22, 2007 at 1:33 AM

I liked "Beware sneaky birds" tip! I think Noordwijk is a dangerous place because one can stay hungry because of birds! Ha-Ha!
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deecat Nov 18, 2007 at 11:52 AM

What an informative introduction. The fish hut looks like an interesting place to order food, and the birds do become bothersome, don't they.
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bugulma Nov 12, 2007 at 11:02 AM

oh, yeah, dangerous birds! even in Moscow that happens in the open-air cafes!! :-)
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globetrott Nov 11, 2007 at 11:54 AM

Englische Vogeltouristen auf "Fischfang" bei Holländischen Fischbuden ?? ;~)
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HORSCHECK Nov 11, 2007 at 9:25 AM

It looks like the English starlings just flew over to the Dutch coast to steal some fresh Dutch fish. *verybigsmile*
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Mariajoy Nov 11, 2007 at 8:20 AM

Those birds are called starlings - I see the Dutch ones are just as cheeky as the English ones! :))