In the stunning North Sea lies a chain of windswept islands conveniently located right off the coast of the Netherlands (as well as Germany and Denmark.) The Dutch Wadden Islands consist of five main islands: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, and Schiermonnikoog. Each island has its own unique character, culture, and attractions, with Texel being the biggest, closest, and most-visited– located a stone’s throw from the coastal city of Den Helder.
The Wadden Islands form part of the aptly-named Wadden Sea, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ecological importance– home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including seals and migratory birds. Known for their stunning natural landscapes, sandy beaches, sweeping dunes, salt marshes, and tidal flats, aptly called “wadden.”
The islands are packed with outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and birdwatching, as well as water sports like swimming (if you can brave the frigid waters!), windsurfing, and kiteboarding.
The Wadden Islands are a fantastic off-the-beaten-path summer destination. They offer a range of accommodations, from cozy guest houses to luxury hotels and beach camping, as well as a distinctive regional cuisine and ample opportunities for outdoor fun. A weekend is the perfect amount of time to spend on any of the islands, but for our first visit, we decided to check out Texel.
Texel is known for its sweeping natural landscapes, from picturesque sandy beaches along its western coastline, to its famous dunes in the national park and postcard-perfect towns.
Inland, you’ll find lush green pastures, meadows, and polders (low-lying areas reclaimed from the sea, common in the Netherlands.) The island is home to loads of bird species, like seagulls, terns, spoonbills, and oystercatchers, as well as to an adorable population of harbor seals and gray seals, both in the wild and in sanctuaries.
It’s so close to the Dutch mainland you can see it, but still feels like an escape.
Texel has a long and rich history, with archaeological evidence suggesting human habitation dating back to the Stone Age. In the Middle Ages, Texel was an important trading and fishing center and part of the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading alliance in Northern Europe. The island was naturally heavily involved in maritime activities, like whaling and shipping, particularly during the Dutch Golden Age, when the Netherlands was a prominent maritime nation.
Intriguingly, Texel also bore witness to various conflicts over the centuries. During the Anglo-Russian Invasion of 1799, Texel became a battleground between British and Russian forces, and in the 20th century, Texel was occupied by German forces during World War II. The island was the site of the Georgian Uprising in 1945, in which Soviet Georgian prisoners of war rebelled against their German captors.
Today, Texel is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and agricultural traditions. We were absolutely charmed by the island, and can’t wait to go back every summer.
Getting There & Staying There
The easiest way to get to Texel is by a train + ferry combo. The Wadden Islands in general are pretty well-connected to the mainland by ferry services, making them easily accessible for visitors. You can simply take the NS train to Den Helder, then take the ferry to the island of your choice.
There are ferries going to Texel about every 20 minutes and should cost about 5€ round-trip for “voetgangers”, or those going on by foot. The most common company seems to be TESO (Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming.)
Pro tip: you can purchase your ferry tickets online to avoid waiting in line! You can also bring your car or bicycle on board (as well as furry friends!) but this costs extra.
The island is about 25 kilometers long and 9 kilometers wide, eminently explorable via bike over the course of a weekend. There are a few bike rental spots around the island, but it’s definitely the most convenient to go with Fietsverhuur Veerhaven Texel, which is located right at the port. They have “omafiets” (typical Dutch bikes), mountain bikes, or e-bikes available. The daily rate isn’t too expensive, and definitely better than relying on the buses or trying to attempt too much by foot.
If you do prefer to get around via bus, line 28 runs between the ferry terminal and the bigger towns of Den Burg and De Koog about once per hour. While you can bring a car, we saw very few cars while we were here, with probably 95% of folks getting around by bike. It’s way more fun this way!
Note: we strongly recommend renting e-bikes in Texel. The wind is really intense and you’ll spend the whole visit fighting it on a regular bicycle. While riding an e-bike is definitely still a workout here, you can go faster, farther, and have a little assistance with the headwinds. We were able to bike over 100km in a weekend with the e-bikes, and while we were totally exhausted by the end, we had the best time!
While on the topic of recommendations, you should definitely bring lots of layers and lots of sunscreen to Texel, as well as a refillable water bottle. While the Netherlands has pretty volatile weather, the Wadden Islands are next level, and the sun exposure can be intense. There are free refilling spots for water located in all the towns, and tap water is definitely fine to drink.
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The Perfect Weekend in Texel
While small in size, Texel is the ideal weekend destination, though you can likely squeeze your visit into a day trip from Amsterdam if you’re a bit shorter on time. Here are our top tips for your visit.
1. Explore Texel's beaches and dunes:
Texel boasts around 30 kilometers of sandy beaches where you can relax, sunbathe, swim, or take long walks along the shore. Popular beach areas include Paal 9, Paal 17, Paal 27, and Paal 31.
We stayed in a lovely Airbnb in De Koog, about a 45-minute e-bike ride from the port known for its gorgeous beaches and proximity to the dunes.
FYI: the beaches are numbered by posts (called “paal”) starting with Paal 6 (marking the 6 km distance to Den Helder from that point) all the way up to Paal 33 in the northern part of the island. Most of the beaches will also have a pavilion cafe area great for a cold beer or a snack.
While there, be sure to check out the dunes: Texel is home to stunning dunes that are perfect for nature lovers in the Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel. You can DIY a hike or take a guided tour, looking out for unique flora and fauna, such as orchids and wild rabbits. The dike at De Slufter offers great panoramic views, and it’s also an estuary– so a fabulous place to spot all sorts of migratory birds.
There are fabulous bike paths spanning the dunes that are an absolute must– we came back to this area over and over again during our visit.
2. Cycle around the island:
Texel is perfect for cycling enthusiasts, as it offers numerous well-marked cycling paths. As mentioned above, you can rent a bike and explore the island’s picturesque landscapes, including dunes, forests, and polders. The Texel Lighthouse, known as “Eierland Lighthouse,” is a popular destination. Built in 1864 due to the dangerous nature of that part of the island, it sustained heavy damage during World War II but is still open for climbing and is really picturesque, painted a charming red color.
3. Discover Texel's adorable villages:
Texel is dotted with charming villages, each with its own distinct character.
- Den Burg, the main town, is known for its historic streets, shops, restaurants, and the iconic Burght Church (and tower, open for climbing).
- De Koog, situated near the beach, is a popular tourist destination with hotels, cafes, and lively nightlife.
- Other villages like Oudeschild, Den Hoorn, and De Cocksdorp also offer their own charm and local culture. A great photo opportunity is the reformed church outside Den Hoorn, which dates back to 1425.
4. Visit Ecomare
Ecomare is a renowned nature center and seal sanctuary. You can learn about Texel’s unique ecosystem, marine life, and conservation efforts. Ecomare also houses a museum, aquarium, and a bird sanctuary.
In addition to Ecomare, you can visit other seal sanctuaries on the island, such as the “Zeehondenopvangcentrum” in Pieterburen. These sanctuaries rescue and rehabilitate injured or orphaned seals, providing a chance to see these adorable little critters up close.
Fun fact: the Dutch word for seal is “zeehond” which means sea dog. Cute!
If birds are more your scene than seals, Texel is a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts. Its diverse bird population includes spoonbills, avocets, sandpipers, and more. Don’t forget your binoculars!
5. Check out some museums:
Texel also has several interesting museums to explore.
- The Kaap Skil Maritime and Beachcombers Museum offers insights into Texel’s maritime history.
- The Cultural Historical Museum Texel provides a glimpse into the island’s past.
- The Aviation & War Museum honors Texel’s World War II history.
- The Shipwreck and Beachcombing Museum showcases artifacts and stories from shipwrecks that occurred off the coast of Texel.
6. Get ice cream at Labora:
This place deserves its own bullet point! Ijsboerderij Labora is more than just an ice cream spot– they make their dairy products from their own cows, which you can go say hi to in the barn behind the shop, and who graze in the surrounding meadows. While not centrally-located, it’s worth the trek. You’ll get a sweet treat after your bike ride, as well as views of the nature reserve De Roggesloot surrounding the area.
The cherry flavor was among the best ice creams we’ve ever had, but we also recommend checking out their strawberry flavor, made with strawberries from De Reuze Aardbei farm near Oosterend. If you visit during strawberry season, you can also get their specialty dessert, a massive “Aardbei Knoert”, a giant waffle cone filled with ice cream, fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, and whipped cream. We’ll have to try this one next time 😉
They also have an automatic milk dispenser (photo above) which we thought was pretty dang cool!
7. Take a boat trip:
If you’re looking for a break from biking, consider taking a boat trip around Texel’s coastline or venturing out to nearby islands like Vlieland or Terschelling. These trips provide opportunities for birdwatching, seal spotting, and enjoying the stunning views of the Wadden Sea. Texel also offers excellent fishing opportunities, whether you prefer freshwater fishing in the lakes and canals or saltwater fishing in the North Sea. You can fish from the shore or join a fishing excursion.
8. Enjoy some outdoor activities:
Again, for those not seeking to spend the whole weekend biking like we did, Texel offers loads of other outdoor activities, including horseback riding, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and golfing. You can also go hiking in the nature reserves such as De Slufter or the national park in the dune area. Watersports enthusiasts can engage in activities like windsurfing, kiteboarding, and sailing. The island also has several golf courses and horse riding opportunities, as well as wellness spas.
9. Buy local
Texel is known for its local culinary delights. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Texel’s famous sheep cheese, fresh seafood, and locally brewed beers. Visit a farm or a brewery, indulge in fresh seafood (including mussels, oysters, and North Sea shrimp), and check out locally-made jams, among other things. For great fish and chips, check out Vispaleis en Rokerij Van Der Star, in Oudeschild.
Relatedly, Texel’s sheep cheese is renowned for its quality and flavor. Visit a cheese farm or a local cheese shop to sample different varieties of sheep cheese and learn about the cheese-making process.
10. Visit the Texel Brewery:
If you’re a beer enthusiast, head to the Texel Brewery in Oudeschild. You can take a tour to learn about the beer-making process and enjoy a tasting of their locally brewed beers, or just chill at the beer garden and enjoy a few pints. Texels Skuumkoppe is probably their most famous, served in a distinctive glass. If you don’t make it out to Oudeschild, they also have a tasting room inside Cafe De Zwaan in Den Burg.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to a weekend in beautiful Texel. We absolutely can’t wait to go back and can’t recommend a visit enough, even as a day trip. For more Benelux content, check out our guides to our current “stomping grounds” in the Netherlands, as well as Belgium– always with more on the way! well as our varied content on day trips from Amsterdam and the Netherlands in general, Why Not Walk’s home base 😉
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