Wassenaar is one of the chicest places in Netherlands, with the most millionaires in our country. You can see this immediately when you walk or drive around the leafy avenues of this wooded village. Hidden behind hedges, rhododendrons and bushes are untold numbers of stately mansions, country houses, villas and estates. Houses under 1 million euros are far outnumbered.
However, you don't have to come to Wassenaar just to spot rich people (including very many greybeards). There is much more to do and see in this villa village. For Wassenaar is also a dune village with a beautiful quiet beach and a vast nature reserve. Busy Scheveningen is nearby, but the differences couldn't be greater. Here you will also find the popular amusement park Duinrell, where you can spend a whole day anyway. For modern art and antique cars, Wassenaar has two top museums that are definitely worth a visit. Of course, if you're planning to stay in the region for a while, it's worth considering some of the luxurious accommodation options available. You could, for instance, experience the opulence of the 5 star hotels in Amsterdam on www.hotels-in-netherlands.com. These world-class establishments are bound to make your stay in the Netherlands even more memorable. This way, you can not only explore the lovely villa village of Wassenaar, the attractions of Scheveningen, and the excitement of Duinrell but also experience the city life in Amsterdam. Traveling between these areas can provide a diverse and enriching holiday experience.
It is also nice to take a look in the village centre, which is remarkably cosy. Here you won't find a parade of Ferrari's and Rolls-Royces, but just join the queue for perhaps the best ice cream parlour in the Netherlands. Want to visit a lesser-known seaside resort on the Zuid-Holland coast? Here are 10 tips what to do in Wassenaar!
Visit Duinrell amusement park
A day at Duinrell has been the most popular outing in Wassenaar for 80 years. After opening in 1935, it was a modest family park with a restaurant and a few toys, now it is a large amusement park with more than 40 attractions and the largest water park in the Benelux. Tikibad has really put Duinrell on the map, a water paradise with a wave pool, a whirlpool, a lazy river, a heated outdoor pool and no less than 21 water slides. This is a must for water rats, as some of the slides are hair-raisingly spectacular. Take the Typhoon once and you will (never) want to go back ????
Attractions range from thrilling roller coasters to convivial entertainment for the very young. For quiet entertainment, take a ride on the monorail or the Ferris wheel for a nice view over Duinrell. Do you have a strong stomach? Then take a seat in the Waterspin and you'll go over the top countless times. Take a dive and a looping in the Falcon, while you will probably get wet in the Splash (although fortunately there is also a covered version).
Duinrell has a pancake restaurant, two La Place self-service restaurants, food stalls and shops where you can buy a souvenir from Rick the Frog. This green frog is the theme park's mascot who greets you as soon as you enter. Should you wish to stay overnight, you can do so at Duinrell's holiday park and campsite. A visit to this fun amusement park is something you should definitely do in Wassenaar! Address: Duinrell 1, 2242 JP Wassenaar. Website: www.duinrell.nl
Museum Voorlinden
As an art lover, you should definitely visit Museum Voorlinden, one of the best museums for modern and contemporary art in the Netherlands. The museum opened in 2016 on the estate of the same name in Wassenaar. A brilliant white building houses an extensive and distinguished collection gathered over 50 years by Dutch industrialist and art collector Joop van Caldenborgh (1940).
In the museum, you will find artworks beyond your imagination, such as the hyper-realistic human figures by Australian sculptor Ron Mueck. You will feel insignificant in front of this elderly couple who seem to be just flesh and blood. You can literally take a stroll through the huge artwork Open Ended, an immense sculpture made of steel walls. Descend into the Swimming Pool, a pool by Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich that won't get you wet.
Museum Voorlinden is also fun if you want to do something with children in Wassenaar, as you are really immersed in the artworks. Be sure to keep an eye on the temporary exhibitions, which are very worthwhile. Have lunch or a drink in the pleasant restaurant located in a monumental country house on the estate. And in sunny weather, take a stroll through the garden, designed by renowned garden architect Piet Oudolf. Address: Buurtweg 90, 2244 AG Wassenaar. Website: www.voorlinden.nl
Chilling out on Wassenaar beach
Wassenaar is not really known as a seaside resort, but it does have a beautiful 8-kilometre-long beach. This beach is called De Wassenaarse Slag and is the ideal place to get a breath of fresh air, sunbathe, (kite)surf or swim. Despite its proximity to The Hague, it feels pretty remote here, especially since you first have to cross a vast dune area to get there. It is not very busy and there is no boulevard with fish stalls and garish souvenir shops, but there are a few beach pavilions.
Most beach pavilions are closed in the winter months, but Brasserie de Badmeester(www.debadmeester.nl) is open all year round. The pavilion is located on a dune with great views over the beach and the sea. You can also rent bathing cabins there.
You can reach the beach via two beach entrances: the Wassenaarse Slag on the north side and Meyendel on the south side. At the Wassenaarse Slag you can park your car, Meyendel can only be reached by bicycle. In the summer months of July and August, lifeguards are present every day. Dogs and horses are not allowed between mid-May and mid-September. Outside that period, you might see Princess Beatrix riding horses on the Wassenaar beach from time to time.
Walking and cycling in Meijendel
Want to do something active in Wassenaar? Take a walk or bike ride in Meijendel, a vast nature reserve between Wassenaar and Scheveningen with woods, lakes and open sandy plains. This is the largest interconnected dune area in Zuid-Holland, which in turn is part of Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen. The best way to experience nature is via one of the walking routes marked out in the area. Along the way, you can stop at the viewpoints Meijendelse Berg, Abelentop or Ganzenhoek for a nice view of the dune landscape.
Perhaps you will meet animals during your walk, as Meijendel is home to Konik horses, roe deer, rabbits and Galloway cattle. Children can romp and climb in the Monkeybos, a free playground with cable car and watchtower.
Recuperate with a cup of coffee or a pan book at Boerderij Meyendel(www.meyendel.nl), which is open 365 days a year. By bike, you can traverse the nature reserve via the long-distance cycle route LF1, which runs all the way along the North Sea. De Tapuit is the visitor centre where you can get more information on walking and cycling routes. Address: Meijendelseweg 40-42, 2243 GN Wassenaar. Website: www.dunea.nl
Get an ice cream at Luciano
If you want to do something with children in Wassenaar, you should definitely get an ice cream at Luciano. This famous ice cream parlour has been awarded as the best in the Netherlands for several years and is even on the ranking of best ice cream parlours in the world. Luciano already has 14 establishments in the Netherlands, but laid the foundations for its success in Wassenaar. In 1996, master ice cream maker Luc Blok sold his first ice cream there, which quickly caught on among connoisseurs because of its special flavour.
You don't eat ice cream there, but "experience" ice cream, they say. At the ice cream parlour, you can choose from 32 different flavours, from raspberry crumble pie to honey figs. You can also get macarons and own-label coffee. In hot weather, there can be a long queue, which used to include King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. The ice cream shop can be found in Wassenaar's village centre and open every day from 10am to 10pm. Address: Van Hogendorpstraat 53, 2242 KX Wassenaar. Website: www.ijssalonluciano.nl
Cars in the Louwman Museum
Actually, the Louwman Museum is located just across the city border in The Hague, but it is an attraction not to be missed on the list of things to do in Wassenaar. Step into automotive history with the world's largest private collection of special cars. The collection consists of as many as 275 classic models, including old Dafjes, antique Dutch Spyker brand cars and vintage racing cars by Ferrari and Maserati.
The oldest example is an 1887 De Dion-Bouton & Trepardoux, one of the oldest surviving automobiles in the world. But you can also see the original Aston Martin that James Bond(Sean Connery) drove around in the 1964 film Goldfinger. This car had technical gadgets like a retractable bulletproof screen and a rotating number plate with English, Swiss and French license plates ???? Address: Leidsestraatweg 57, 2594 BB The Hague (near Wassenaar). Website: www.louwmanmuseum.nl
Betting on Duindigt racetrack
It is a must for horse lovers, but Renbaan Duindigt is also fun if you do not gallop on a horse every day. This is the only track in the Netherlands where you can admire horse racing. Watching the horses and their riders dash across the track is a spectacular sight. You can also make a lot of money, as this is the only place in the Netherlands where you can bet on horse races. Besides races, there are also trotting events and you can join a guided tour for a look behind the scenes. Duindigt is located on a beautiful estate, a few kilometres from The Hague. Address: Waalsdorperlaan 29, 2244 BN Wassenaar. Website: www.renbaanduindigt.nl
Shopping in the centre of Wassenaar
Wassenaar is a sprawling place with many green avenues and villas, but also has a charming village centre where you can enjoy shopping. Here you will find a colourful collection of boutiques, specialty shops, delicatessens and some national chains. The main shopping street is the Langstraat, a car-free area where you can mainly find many fashion shops (besides HEMA, Zeeman and Blokker). Queen Máxima also used to regularly do her shopping here, when she still lived in Wassenaar with Willem-Alexander and her three daughters.
An unusual shop is The Little Bookshop(www.the-little-bookshop.nl), specialising in English children's books. This indicates that many expats live in Wassenaar. For great gifts, visit Poush(www.poush.nl), a concept store with products by small entrepreneurs who each share a small space. The assortment ranges from clothes and jewellery to home accessories and lifestyle products.
Every Tuesday, Berkheiveld (opposite Duinrell) hosts the weekly market with vegetables, fruit, fish, nuts, cheese and other fresh goods. There is also the Puur Natuur Markt (www.puurnatuurmarkt.nl) on Van Hogendorpstraat, often held monthly on Saturdays. Everything here is homemade or pure nature, from organic cakes to olive oil from Italy. Website: www.winkelsinwassenaar.nl
Dive into the bunkers of Wassenaar
So close to the sea, Wassenaar was a strategic spot for the Germans during World War II. Here, too, they built the so-called Atlantic Wall, a 5,000-kilometre-long coastal defence line stretching all the way from Norway Spain. In Wassenaar, two bunkers remain from that time. Near the beach is the Bat bunker, where many bats congregate in winter to take shelter from the cold.
The Forestry Commission organises guided tours of the bunker's dark underground passages. Towards the village lies Bunker Complex Rijksdorp. The bunker complex is hidden among expensive villas, covered by leaves of oak, beech and chestnut trees. The Nazis used this bunker as a command post to direct the defence line. Here, the Forestry Commission organises guided tours from June to September. Great if you want to do something exciting in Wassenaar! Address: Wassenaarseslag 33, 2242 PG Wassenaar. Website: www.staatsbosbeheer.nl
Wassenaar Fire Brigade Museum
The Fire Museum houses a unique, complete collection of historical equipment in the field of fire fighting in Wassenaar. For example, you can see hand fire sprayers, old uniforms and leather buckets that were used to extinguish small and large fires in the 18th century. The museum has existed since 1923 and is located in the basement of Wassenaar's distinguished town hall, known as 'Huize De Paauw'. Visits are only possible on Mondays. Address: Raadhuislaan 22, 2242 CP Wassenaar. Website: www.brandweermuseumwassenaar.nl
What to do in Wassenaar: practical tips
Staying overnight in Wassenaar
The choice of accommodation is limited in Wassenaar. In the centre and near the important Rijksstraatweg (N44) you will find a handful of hotels and bed & breakfasts. Near the beach, only one hotel can be found. There is, of course, ample supply in nearby The Hague or the more northern seaside resort Katwijk aan Zee.
Looking for cheap accommodation during your holiday in Wassenaar?
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Holiday park Duinrell
The most popular place to stay in Wassenaar is Holiday park Duinrell, where you can stay in cosy lodge tents and comfortable 'duingalows'. There is also a lovely large campsite, awarded 4.5 stars by the ANWB. You can also book a camping pitch with private sanitary facilities. The big advantage of staying at the holiday park is that you have free access to Duinrell's attractions and Tiki Pool. Other facilities on site include a supermarket, games hall, bowling alley, mini golf course and bike rental.
Fletcher Boutique Hotel Duinoord
Would you like to stay near the beach? Then Fletcher Boutique Hotel Duinoord is a great place. The 4-star hotel is 1 km from the Wassenaarse Slag and overlooks the Meijendel nature reserve. The rooms are modernly decorated and some have a balcony where you have views over the dune landscape. The hotel has a large terrace in the dunes, a bar and a restaurant where you can also enjoy high tea. By bike, you can get to Duinrell 2 kilometres away in no time. ► Book an overnight stay at Fletcher Boutique Hotel Duinoord from € 45
De Wittenburg Castle
Spend the night in style at Kasteel De Wittenburg, an opulent retreat built in 1899 in Dutch neo-Renaissance style for a squire (who only got to enjoy it until his death in 1910). Since 1963, it has been open for guests, weddings, corporate events and royal receptions. You can sleep in one of the 10 castle rooms, elegantly decorated with parquet floors, beautiful large windows and fireplaces. There is an excellent restaurant and you can take walks on the vast estate surrounding the castle. To explore the area, you can rent a city bike. ► Book an overnight stay at Kasteel De Wittenburg from €102
Eating and drinking in Wassenaar
For a high-class culinary evening, book a table at Restaurant Sophie(www.restaurantsophie.nl), arguably the best restaurant in Wassenaar. It is located in the former wine cellar of Kasteel De Wittenburg, so you also dine in a very romantic spot. The restaurant is named after Baroness Sophie, wife of jonkheer Speelman who had the castle built in 1899. The menu is inspired by classic French cuisine, enriched with spices, products and preparation techniques from Asia.
A nice place for lunch and high tea is Tea Pavilion De Horsten(www.theepaviljoendehorsten.nl), hidden among the trees on the royal estate De Horsten. It sits in a former shooting lodge built in 1861 by Prince Frederik, King William II's brother. You drink tea here among hunting trophies once captured by the prince. Incidentally, the estate is still owned by King Willem-Alexander, who also lived here with his family (in villa De Eikenhorst).
Travelling to Wassenaar
Wassenaar is located on the South Holland coast, just north of The Hague and Scheveningen. Wassenaar is easy to reach by car, as the place is right next to the motorway/main road A44/N44 (from Amsterdam to The Hague). There are two car parks in the centre of Wassenaar, under the Luifelbaan and under the HEMA. With a parking disc, you can park here for free for a maximum of 2 hours.
The Wassenaarse Slag beach is about 5 kilometres from the centre of Wassenaar. Near the beach are two large paid parking areas: Car park Zeelust and Parking lot De Kuil. A day's parking will cost you €3 (winter) to €5 (summer).
If you use public transport, it is best to take the train to Leiden or The Hague. Wassenaar itself does not have a train station. From Leiden Central Station, bus 43 runs every 15 minutes to the centre of Wassenaar. The ride takes 15 minutes and the bus company is EBS(www.ebs-ov.nl). From The Hague Central Station, several buses run to Wassenaar, from EBS and Arriva (journey time 21 to 26 minutes). Bus 44 from The Hague is best taken to Duinrell (10-minute walk from the bus stop).