Where to stay in Castricum: dunes, beach and Alkmaar-Amsterdam access
Castricum doubles average €95-140, the beach at Castricum aan Zee is a 15-minute bike ride from the station, and direct trains reach Amsterdam Centraal in 30 minutes.
Who Castricum suits
Castricum is quietly one of the best-value bases in Noord-Holland — a small town between Alkmaar and Zaandam with easy trains both ways, immediate access to the Noordhollands Duinreservaat (thousands of hectares of dune and forest walking), and a proper North Sea beach 4 km west. It suits active travellers who want to walk or cycle daily and still be able to reach Amsterdam in under 30 minutes.
It doesn’t suit anyone wanting historic-town atmosphere — Castricum itself is functional rather than pretty. For that, sleep in Alkmaar 10 minutes north on the same line.
Positioning
Near Castricum station for train access; the town centre is 5 minutes' walk. Bakkum, the northern part of the village, is closer to the dune reserve entrance. Castricum aan Zee at the beach has a handful of hotels and a summer-season feel.
Questions answered
Is the dune reserve free?
You need an entry ticket (day pass around €2-3) available at machines at the entrances. Cyclists and walkers only in most sections.
Castricum or Egmond for a beach base?
Castricum for better train links and dune walking, Egmond for a bigger beach village with more restaurants. Beaches themselves are comparable.
Every stay booked through Stay Noord-Holland funds one verified tonne of carbon removal — same room, same price, the climate action already built into checkout.
You're not charged more and the hotel isn't paid less. It's just what happens when you tap Reserve.