Best of Bergen, Netherlands

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Bergen
Picturesque seascapes and rolling dunes form the backdrop to this creative enclave in North Holland province. Artists have been coming to the small settlement of Bergen for over 120 years, and an expressionist movement known as the Bergense School put the town on the map in the 1920s. Bergen’s creative spirit continues to live on in galleries and museums around town, though many visitors also come to relax at seaside bars and cafes.  

You can explore Bergen’s artistic heritage at the Kranenburgh, a museum and sculpture garden with works by both contemporary artists and those from the Bergense School. Near the center of town, the Ruïnekerk (Ruin Church) contains the remains of a partially rebuilt 15th-century church that stages concerts and other events. Cycling trips take you through the dramatic scenery just west of town. The North Holland Dune Reserve is one of the Netherlands’ largest protected areas and you can look for marsh harriers, nightingales and many other animal species on trails through forests and across sandy dunes.
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The coast of the North Sea
Explore Coastal Landscapes & Dutch Villages by the North Sea - 5 Days

Discover the coastline of the North Sea on this active 5-day adventure. Start the trip in historic Haarlem, where you'll see original works by the great painter Frans Hals before setting off on a self-guided e-bike trip to a beach resort. Ride over to National Park Zuid-Kennemerduine, home to the largest dune area in Holland. Then continue to Bergen, a scenic village that's long been popular with artists. You'll base yourself here for the last few days of the itinerary, riding to a pair of resort towns, visiting the famous cheese market of Alkmaar, and seeing the windmills of Zaanse Schans before the trip ends in Amsterdam.

On the carousel at Efteling theme park
Family Adventure in the Netherlands & Belgium - 14 Days

Bring the whole family along on this kid-friendly journey around the Netherlands and Belgium! Start with a cruise along the canals of Amsterdam and a visit to a futuristic science museum. Then ride an old steam train to Medemblik, where you'll board an antique ship to Enkhuizen, known for its cheese markets. Cycle through the sand dunes to the North Sea, spot colorful tulip fields, and feast on traditional stroopwafels before spending three days at a popular Dutch theme park. Then cross the border to Belgium, where you'll go on a food tour of Antwerp, stay at a real Belgian farm, and relax at the beach resort of De Panne. Offering a great mix of outdoor adventure and cultural education, this itinerary is a hit with travelers of all ages.

Children playing on the rocky shore of the North Sea
Family Tour of The Netherlands - 5 Days

Filled with outdoor adventures and cultural highlights, this family-friendly tour is a wonderful introduction to the Netherlands. Cruise the canals of Amsterdam in a private boat, take a steam train to Medemblik, and cycle through the sand dunes to the North Sea. If you're traveling in spring, you'll see colorful fields of tulips, but this five-day journey is a pleasure throughout the year.

Sailboats in the harbor of a Dutch fishing village
Map of Cycle Tour of North Holland - 5 Days
Cycle Tour of North Holland - 5 Days

Welcome to a self-guided cycling tour of the northern Netherlands! Windmills, tulips, cheese, clogs: these and other Dutch classics await you as you cycle through a region famous for its flower fields and coastline. You'll learn how local cheese is made, tour historic villages, and sleep on a restored cargo boat. March through May is the best time for this itinerary, but it's a great trip any time of year.

Other popular travel destinations in The Netherlands
Amsterdam · Rotterdam · Leiden · Haarlem · The Hague · Dordrecht · Delft · Texel · Hoorn · Utrecht · Gouda · Nijmegen · Terschelling