Texel island guide: beaches, seals, things to do, where to stay & the ferry

E By Emma · Updated 21 October 2026 · 3 min read

Airports

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

Best time to go

May-September

Type

Island

Texel is the largest and westernmost of the Wadden Islands, lying just off the northern tip of North Holland. Despite being only a short ferry ride from the mainland, it feels a world away, with a long west coast of sandy beaches and dunes, a patchwork of sheep pastures in the middle, and mudflats and birdlife along the Wadden Sea shore.

It is a favourite with Dutch and German families and increasingly with UK visitors who want a beach and cycling holiday that is easy to reach by public transport from Amsterdam. For the quieter islands further east, see our Wadden Islands guide, and our Netherlands guide for the country as a whole.

Things to do on Texel

1. Beaches – the west coast is one long stretch of wide sand, with beach pavilions in the main resort areas, which locals locate by the numbered beach posts (paal). De Koog is the liveliest stretch; further south and north it gets quieter.
2. Ecomare – a nature centre and seal sanctuary near De Koog, where rescued seals and porpoises are cared for, with exhibitions on the dunes and Wadden Sea.
3. Dunes of Texel National Park – a band of dunes, heath, woodland and salt marsh along the west coast, crossed by walking and cycling trails. De Slufter, a tidal inlet in the north, is especially striking.
4. Texel Lighthouse – the red lighthouse at the northern tip near De Cocksdorp can be climbed for views over the island and across to Vlieland.
5. Den Burg – the island's main village and shopping centre, busy on market days.
6. Oudeschild and Kaap Skil – the harbour village is home to Kaap Skil, a maritime and beachcombers' museum, and boats that offer seal-spotting and fishing trips.
7. Cycling – Texel has an extensive network of cycle paths, and bike hire is available near the ferry and in every village.
8. Local food – look out for Texel lamb, island cheese and the local beers from the island brewery.

Where to stay

Getting there

Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and take the train to Den Helder, about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on connections. A bus links Den Helder station with the ferry terminal, and TESO ferries cross to 't Horntje on Texel in about 20 minutes, usually hourly. On the island, buses connect the main villages.

From London, you can take the Eurostar to Amsterdam and continue by train. Drivers from the Hook of Holland should allow around 2 hours to Den Helder, and you can take your car on the ferry. The Newcastle-IJmuiden ferry is about an hour's drive from Den Helder.

Best time to visit

May to September is best for beaches and cycling, with July and August the warmest and busiest months, when Dutch school holidays fill accommodation. Spring is great for lambs and birdwatching, while autumn brings quieter beaches and migrating birds. Winter is peaceful and wild, but some restaurants close.

Top attractions in Texel

Museum

Anne Frank House

The canal house where Anne Frank hid for two years and wrote her diary, now a moving museum on the Prinsengracht.

Museum

Rijksmuseum

The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and 800 years of Dutch…

Texel on the map

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