Beach Trip to Katwijk aan Zee, The Netherlands

Blue skies and sunshine provided us a perfect day out as a beach trip to Katwijk Aan Zee. A popular seaside destination for Dutchies looking for sand between their toes and a dip in the sea. Unlike Scheveningen, which is very touristic within the summer period, Katwijk has the neighbourly feeling of only Dutchies and locals.

I had visited Katwijk once before, for a family gathering on a beautiful summers day, so when my Mum and Sister visited in August it was time for a revisit.Arriving by 11:30am with the bus from Leiden, we headed straight for some lunch and stopped at the Sunset Blvd for some delicious burgers and salads. Taking a day for a beach trip is always good for some vitamin D and some relaxation, most needed in the Netherlands too with the changing weather!

While taking a long walk along the beach we dipped our feet into the sea water while enjoying each others company. As it was a Saturday, there wasn’t an inch of the beach not being used by families and groups of friends enjoying the weather. We also passed the famous beach huts at Katwijk too!

By 16:30 we went in search for an ice cream, the best thing to eat while on our beach trip. Finding a place was easy, but choosing the flavours was the hardest! I settled for a Tony’s Chocoloney chocolate & strawberry filled cone! From here we started walking back along the boulevard to relax before heading home for the day.

During World War II, most of the buildings of Katwijk aan Zee were demolished by the Germans to make way for the Atlantic Wall. In the dunes south of Katwijk, many bunkers from World War II can still be found too. The gothic style white church, Andreaskerk was first built in the 13th century that was fully expanded and redesigned, until World War II when the tower was demolished and rebuilt differently.

Tips when visiting Katwijk aan Zee: Don’t forget your flip flops, suncream & take money for an ice cream! Unless you are reading this in winter, then wrap up warm!!