Information about Bergen (NH)

For a relaxing day at the beach, Bergen and Schoorl are lovely seaside villages to visit. Bergen is a traditional village in Noord-Holland located in a beautiful wooded landscape, where you can enjoy nature to the full. Beyond the dunes lies Bergen aan Zee with its fantastic long beaches. An extraordinary area for great walks and cycling trips.

Bergen is known as an artists’ village and attracts many painters, writers and architects. The village therefore organizes many art activities. It also has an atmospheric village centre where you can enjoy a delicious drink or a meal in the many pubs and restaurants, or browse in the little shops.

The location and surrounding area of Bergen

Bergen and Bergen aan Zee are very close to Alkmaar and easy to reach by car. Schoorl and the former fishing village of Egmond are also part of the municipality of Bergen.
During the summer months, many visitors flock to the seaside resort of Bergen aan Zee, to enjoy a day in the sun, and the sea and the sand. This sometimes means queues of traffic and, on very busy days, the access road might even be closed.
From Alkmaar it is easiest to take the bus to Bergen, with a service twice every hour. Of course, you could also cycle here and enjoy the beautiful countryside.

Bergen aan Zee

Bergen aan Zee is a characteristic beach resort with a combination of ancient forests, beaches, sea and dunes. The beaches are long and wide and there are various beach restaurants and cafés, open every day in the summer when the weather is nice, where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a lunch. You will also find various restaurants along the Zeiler Boulevard, the road along by the dunes. In addition, Bergen aan Zee boasts an impressive sea aquarium where you can admire the wonders of the sea.

Art and culture in Bergen

For art lovers, Bergen is the place to visit, all year round. The village is the favoured residence of many artists, who feel very inspired by the tranquillity and spaciousness of the village. Bergen has many galleries and an artists’ centre.
In the summer, you can enjoy browsing round the arts and crafts markets. In October, the Kunst10daagse 10-day art event is held, where interesting works by various artists are exhibited throughout the village. In the Kranenburgh museum, you will find paintings by artists from the Bergen School. In July, music lovers can enjoy the evening concerts, Holland Music Sessions, with enrapturing music by young and talented international musicians.

The Sterkenhuis museum is also referred to as the treasure trove of Bergen, where you can find out about the cultural history of the municipality of Bergen. The museum has a period room with furniture dating from the 19th century, costumes and a period kitchen.

Amidst the restaurants and pubs in the village centre, you will find the Ruïnekerk restored church. The church has a mosaic floor with countless tiny mosaics in different colours and the arched roof is magnificently painted. This special location can also be hired out.

Sports

Anyone in search of more challenging activities can go to Schoorl, with its beach pavilion where you can rent out kayaks, rafts, surfboards and much much more. There is also the Divecenter in Schoorl where you can go for a trial diving lesson.

Shopping in Bergen

Bergen may be a small village but still has plenty to offer shopaholics. The shops are also open every Sunday. Bergen has charming little interior design boutiques and fashion boutiques. Combine a day’s shopping with a drink or meal at one of the atmospheric pavement cafés.

Dining out in Bergen

The village of Bergen can be described as cosy and atmospheric with its many traditional pavement cafés that immediately catch the eye. There is a variety of restaurants and pubs in the centre and near the Ruïnekerk church. Located between the forest and the dunes is the Duinvermaak pancake-pizza restaurant, which also has a children’s playground.

Events in the artists’ village of Bergen

As already mentioned, Bergen has a wide range of museums and art markets to offer. In addition, there is the annual lichtjesavond candle-lit evening, when the villagers light up the whole village with candles. The Jazz & Sail event held in the first weekend of September also attracts many visitors each year.

Tip

Hire a bicycle in Schoorl and follow the cycling route to Bergen, shown in the Freebee Map. This route takes you past the dunes of Schoorl, you will discover all the lovely hidden treasures of the area, and have a relaxing time in the fresh air.