Hard to pronounce but easy to enjoy, Schoorl is an idyllic holiday location in North Holland. Surrounded by over 40 miles of continuous pristine sand beach, there’s no need to worry about finding a quiet place to put down your towel. The Netherlands is famous for being the flattest country in Europe (and the flattest non-island nation in the world). Schoorl is home to the tallest, widest, and wildest dunes in the Netherlands, the captivating exception to the country’s topographical trend.
The dunes and the beaches they guard are the highlights of a trip to Schoorl. Trees sprout seemingly miraculously from sandy soil providing a haven for wildlife in an otherwise urban country. Hundreds of miles of trails provide access to breathtaking spots of beauty for hikers, beachgoers, equestrians, and cyclists. The windswept beaches are generally seen as the best place in Europe to learn to kite or windsurf. The village of Schoorl and others like it that surround the dunes are quaint and peaceful postcard-perfect pictures of rural life in Holland.
Whether you are drawn to outdoor adventure, beach-based bummery, or traditional Dutch village life, these ten properties are ideal bases for your next vacation.
Farmside Chalet$100.91/nightly avg
Just 3.5 miles from the famous Schoorl dunes, this property features an active farm, flower fields, and six pretty vacation chalets. Any couple in search of a shared retreat will appreciate the cozy pseudo-A-frame design and modern facilities. Frills-free, pet friendly, and far from the busy cities of Alkmaar and Amsterdam (but close enough to take an excursion to the famous cheese markets), these cottages offer a means of diving into nature and a quieter life, even if only for a few days.
Bungalow On Forest’s Edge$95.40/nightly avg
This detached bungalow is perfect for those who want to be close to all the outdoor activities that the Schoorl dunes offer. Built in 2015 with modern amenities like underfloor heating to withstand the Dutch winter, this house has deep roots. It includes furniture and other elements from the 1700s, grounding this contemporary structure in local tradition.
Enjoy yourself after a long day hiking or strolling village streets on a private terrace. The kitchen comes fully equipped for you to make use of — if, for whatever reason, you need a break from the dozens of local restaurants within walking distance.
House In Groet$212/nightly avg
Groet is a tiny village, smaller than Schoorl but with just as much access to the dunes and beach. This house is ideal for a family or small group of friends looking for a rural retreat. It abuts the dune forest, mere minutes away from hiking and mountain biking trails. It is also quite close to the unfairly overlooked Schoorl disc golf course. If disc golf isn’t your thing, take a bounce or two on the trampoline found in the property’s spacious and private backyard!
Cottage In The Heart Of Schoorl$106/nightly avg
This studio-style cottage is a comfy home-away-from-home right in the middle of the village of Schoorl. It is in a quiet residential area but mere minutes away from Klimduin, one of Schoorl’s steepest faces and a remarkable sight in and of itself.
Several restaurants line the base of the Klimduin, offering delicious food to hikers setting out on or returning from expeditions into the remarkable sandy forest that is the Schoorl dunes. Modest but modernly furnished, this cottage is perfect for couples looking to get closer to nature and to each other.
Countryhouse In Dune Country$715.50/nightly avg
This large and luxurious estate is a remarkable property in an even more remarkable location. It is situated on prime real estate for access to nature reserves, hiking trails, and some of the most scenic bike paths in the Netherlands — all just minutes away!
The long beach at Bergen (whose sands cover a stretch of land over 40 miles long) is just 6 minutes away by car. The house itself is splendid, boasting plentiful skylights, expansive rooms, and a modern kitchen. Relax with friends in the common areas that are found both indoors and out.
If you and your friends are yearning for a week or weekend away in a stunning and isolated spot, this house just might be the perfect option.
Beachside Villa In Bergen Aan Zee$371/nightly avg
The seaside town of Bergen Aan Zee sits on the southern end of Schoorl dunes. A mere 2-minute walk from the sand, this fabulous villa is a perfect way to enjoy a beach vacation. Began aan Zee has all the amenities to make your holiday the best. The local wind, kite, and traditional surfing school is a great way to take advantage of the prevailing winds that run parallel to the coast: ideal conditions for surfing. Bergen Aan Zee also boasts a dog-friendly (!) aquarium with over 300 fish species from all over the world.
But this property has more going for it than just an ideal location. It has four bedrooms, eight beds, and enough common space (indoors and out) for everyone to relax comfortably.
Modern A-Frame In The Coastal Countryside$129.32/nightly avg
Situated just outside of town in a small cluster with just four other houses, this A-frame home is well-equipped to give visitors a slice of rural idyll. Just about everything there is to love about the Dutch countryside is a stone’s throw away: flower fields, canals, sheep, and a windmill. The beach and dunes are just 15 minutes away by bike.
No need to bring your own bikes to this fine house; the owners have several to rent to visitors keen to get the real Dutch experience. There’s no reason not to take advantage of Holland’s stunning canalside bike paths. It’s the best way to see the tulips bloom and the sheep graze.
Spacious Summer Home In Quiet Camperduin$160.17/nightly avg
The tiny hamlet of Camperduin has a lot going for it. One of those advantages is this property, a detached summer house that was renovated and fully modernized just last year. Located where the sand, sea, and polder (as the Dutch call their canal-crisscrossed countryside) meet, Camperduin is a restful place, as Dutch and as lovely as a slice of appeltaart.
The polder stretches for miles north and east of Camperduin. A nearby dike protects a nature reserve. The beach is just minutes away by foot.
The house itself is a wonder, too, from the patio to the fully furnished kitchen and eccentric touches of Dutch design. If you’re looking for a quiet retreat where the landscapes meet the seascapes, this placid and picturesque rental will serve perfectly.
Beach-Style Home In Petten$102.82/nightly avg
Make the most of all North Holland has to offer in this bright and cozy beach house in Petten, located just minutes away from the long sandy beach that stretches for miles to the north of the Schoorl dunes. This house has a fully equipped kitchen and also boasts a spacious private patio area, complete with an outdoor grill. Large windows ensure anyone inside will bask in sunlight. The property also has a communal pool for those days when even the nearby beach feels too far away.
Petten itself has beachside restaurants, a surf school where guests can learn to kite surf, and bike rentals. That last part is not to be missed. The largest dunes in Holland are just 15 minutes away and best experienced by bike.
Modern Apartment In Groet$108.12/nightly avg
This spacious apartment is an ideal starting point for your dune vacation. Brightly colored and tastefully decorated, the property even has a furnished balcony with a view of the historic Groet church. There are multiple bike shops offering mountain, tandem, road, and beach bikes just down the road.
This apartment offers easy access to scenic dune trails. Looking for a relaxed ride to the beach on paved trails? Want to test yourself on intense single tracks? Whatever your taste, there is great cycling to be had in the area. This apartment offers a comfortable but low-on-frills space to launch your next journey.
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