Texel is the largest and southernmost of the Dutch Wadden Islands, reached by the TESO ferry from Den Helder in 20 minutes. It is 30 km long and 8 km wide, roughly half farmland (with 14,000 sheep and 14,000 people) and half nature — dunes, salt marshes, pine woods, and 30 km of North Sea beach on the west coast. Seven villages, each with its own character: Den Burg is the capital (only real 'town'), De Koog is the beach resort, Oudeschild is the harbour village, and the others are smaller and quieter. The dark sky reserve status means the night sky is properly, memorably black.
This suits everyone from birdwatchers and cyclists to families and couples wanting a proper break from the mainland. The island runs on bikes — 140 km of cycle paths, and it is flat. It does not suit anyone in a hurry — you need at least three nights to feel the pace, ideally five. It also does not suit budget travellers in July-August: rooms hit $180-$260 and everything books out by April. Shoulder season (May, September) is the sweet spot: mild weather, half the crowd, half the price.
Where to stay in Texel
De Koog is the beach resort with the widest choice, $120-$240 in high season. Den Burg is quieter, more of a real town, $100-$180. Oudeschild has the harbour and fewer hotels but great sunset views over the Wadden Sea. B&Bs and holiday cottages ('bungalowparken') are often better value than hotels for stays of three nights or more — Texel has an enormous cottage market. Book by March for July-August or you will find nothing. Camping is huge on Texel and cheap ($25-$45) if you have gear.
Hotels in Texel
Free cancellation on most rooms · 1t CO₂ removed per booking
Things to do in Texel
- Ecomare seal centre and dunesRuijslaan 92, De Koog, $18. Seal rehabilitation centre plus dune museum. Feeding times at 11am and 3pm. Combine with the dune reserve behind it — free, marked trails from 1 to 8 km.
- De Koog beach and Paal 20The main resort beach, wide sand, several beach pavilions (Paal 17, Paal 20). Paal 20 Beachclub is the sunset spot, cocktails $12-$15. The 'palen' (posts) are the standard way of navigating Texel beaches — every kilometre has a numbered post.
- Vuurtoren lighthouse at De CocksdorpVuurtorenweg 184, at the northern tip. $9 to climb the red iron lighthouse. Panoramic views over the Wadden Sea and Vlieland. Combine with the beach at Paal 33 — usually empty even in summer.
- Sheep cheese at WezenspykHoornderweg 29, Den Hoorn. Working sheep-cheese farm, tastings and shop, free entry. Texel lamb and sheep cheese are the island specialities. The nearby village of Den Hoorn is the prettiest on the island — go for a coffee at Loodsmans Welvaren.
Getting there & around
Enter the De Slufter nature reserve from Slufterweg near De Koog — a rare Dutch tidal salt marsh where the North Sea flows through a gap in the dunes. Marked path along the dune ridge with the marsh below full of sea lavender in July and August, down onto the beach at Paal 15, back along the beach and over the dunes.
TESO ferry from Den Helder to 't Horntje, every 30 minutes 6:30am-9:30pm summer, less frequent winter, 20 minutes, $6 return foot passenger, $50 with car. From Amsterdam total 2h15 by train + ferry. On the island: Texelhopper on-demand bus, book by app, $4 per trip anywhere on Texel. Better: bikes — rent at the ferry terminal for $12-$18 a day, half the island cycles. Cars work but are unnecessary and expensive to bring.
Questions answered
How many days do I need on Texel?
Minimum three nights to feel it, ideally five. One day for the beaches and De Koog area, one for the north (De Cocksdorp, De Slufter, lighthouse), one for Den Burg and the south villages. A week is not too much if you like cycling and beaches. A single day trip from the mainland is not worth the ferry effort.
When do I need to book Texel accommodation?
For July-August, by March. For May-June and September, by end of April. For October-April you can usually find something a week ahead. Cottage rentals in particular vanish early — the Dutch domestic market books Texel a year in advance for peak summer.
Nearby areas
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