9 Reasons to Visit Texel – An Island Escape in the Netherlands

If you are living in Europe, you don’t need to travel all the seven seas to the earth’s end to find the ultimate island escape. Just head to the Netherlands. Yep! I know it’s hard to believe it, but Texel is simply amazing: large white-sand beaches, beautiful nature, quaint villages, quietness. The only thing you can’t find there are the palm trees. But who wants palm trees, if there are sheep, lots of sheep. This island has everything you need for a peaceful getaway, and if you’re wondering whether you should visit Texel, the short answer is: absolutely.

We were driving back home on the busy highway from Alkmaar to Amsterdam and then it occurred to me. I had fallen in love with Texel. It’s one of those places where you can escape from the everyday hectic, from the traffic, from the concrete jungle, from the modern urban cliché we are living in. And you don’t need to travel far to find this blissful place. It’s right there, at the edge of Europe, only 100 km to the north of Amsterdam, waiting for you to discover your own reasons to visit Texel

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How to Get to Texel

Texel is the largest of the Dutch West Frisian Islands (Dutch Wadden Islands) and one of the easiest island getaways from Amsterdam. With wide beaches, dunes, cycling paths, wildlife, and quaint villages, Texel is ideal for weekend trips, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a peaceful escape in the Netherlands.

If you are driving, you need first to get to Den Helder and then take the ferry to the island. If you need to rent a car, compare prices and options at DiscoverCars. The trip from Amsterdam to Den Helder takes about 1 hr and 20 min and the ferry trip is about 20 min.

Getting by train is also easy. Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Den Helder (about 1 hr and 15 min) and then the ferry. On the island you can use the Texelhopper or just rent a bike.

If you are staying in Amsterdam and you have only a day for Texel, the best will be to join a a small group tour to the island.

Check the availability here:

Read more: What to do on Texel? 12 ideas for the best things to do on the island.

Why Visit Texel

Here are my 9 reasons to visit Texel. Number 10 might be a good reason for someone, but not for me. Either way, these are the things that make Texel such a special place to visit.

1. Nature That Feels Almost Untouched

Well, almost untouched, given that the Dutch played God there as well and in the 17^th c. connected two islands in one that we know today as Texel. Or that they have planted a whole pine forest, which was initially meant for the production of wood. In the last century, however, the nature has been left to itself.

In 2002 the east coast of the island has been proclaimed a nature reserve and it became one of the 20 National Parks in the Netherlands under the name of Dunes of Texel National Park (Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel). The best way to discover Texel is by walking or biking, after all it’s an island 20 km long and 7 km wide.

2. Endless White-Sand Beaches

I was totally blown away by the large white-sand beaches stretching along the western side of the island. And they were empty. There was a couple walking a dog, a kid with a kite and us. The overcrowded Holland was gone. It felt almost surreal as if we were on an uninhabited island.

3. Sunsets You Won’t Forget

And when the clock strikes the golden hour and the sun heads to its final resting place, make sure you are sitting at the beach on the west coast of the island for the grand show of the day – the sunset. The sun touches the water and turns heaven and earth on fire. Texel has unexpectedly the most amazing sunsets I have ever seen.

4. A Haven for Birds and Birdwatchers

Texel is a paradise for the birdwatchers. Well, the birds have also a lovely place to live in. They say that one can see more than 100 different birds in one day on Texel. We are not much of bird-lovers, but we enjoyed seeing them taking off the ground in flocks (not that we could tell which birds they were).

5. Villages Where Time Slows Down

Den Hoorn is absolutely adorable with its timber gabled fisherman houses and white church. Take a walk and get back in the time. Another lovely place to visit is the biggest village on the island – Den Burg.

6. Texel’s Amazing Local Products

Cheese, smoked fish, jam, beer, wine are only some of the local produce you can find on Texel. What we loved are those improvised little shops in front of almost every house. You could take what you want and leave the money in a box or a jar. When on Texel you should try the local beer – Texels. We loved the Skuumkoppe, but they have 10 more sorts to try from.

7. A Food Scene That Surprises

What a bigger recognition for Texel’s great food, than its very own Michelin-star restaurant! For a great culinary experience you should visit Bij Jef in Den Hoorn. We utterly enjoyed our dinner there prepared exclusively from local products. There are quite a lot good restaurants on Texel! We tried a few in Den Hoorn and Den Burg and we were never disappointed.

8. Idyllic Landscapes Filled With Sheep

Texel is famous for its sheep. They say that there live more sheep on Texel than people. And it’s kind of true, as the population on the island is only about 14.000 (not counting the tourists, of course) and there are more than 17.000 sheep. Texel has even their own breed – the Texel (sheep). You can have those pastoral views with sheep grazing on the fields everywhere on the island.

9. Sweeping Views From the Lighthouse

For the most breathtaking views on Texel, climb the 153 stairs of the Texel’s Eierland Lighthouse in De Cocksdorp! From there you can see the seals sunbathing on the next from the row of West Frisian Islands – Vlieland. You will be surrounded on the three sides by the sea.

(10.) The One Side of Texel I Didn’t Fall For

Well, I won’t lie to you, Texel is not only white-sand beaches and sheep grazing peacefully on the fields. Texel has also a touristic side. If you have too much of idyllic life and quietness, go to De Koog – overcrowded beaches, shops, night life, bars and lots of people.

Otherwise, just avoid it, which is easily done.

What’s Your Reason to Visit Texel?

Have you been to Texel? Tell us why you loved it in the comments below! Or perhaps why you didn’t like it, but I am sure you had. Still wondering whether you should go? Needing more reasons to visit Texel? Ask your question in the comments and I will gladly help you.