De Koog, the beach paradise of Texel

De Koog is the tourist heart of Texel, a lively seaside resort on the west coast, with the North Sea and the dunes literally round the corner.

• By the widest beach: only a narrow ridge of dunes separates De Koog from the North Sea, so from the village you step straight onto one of the finest and broadest beaches on the island.
• The buzzing centre: De Koog is the liveliest spot on Texel, with the most shops, terraces and the busiest nightlife of all the Wadden Islands.
• Surrounded by nature: to the east the village borders the Dunes of Texel National Park, with high dunes, woodland and heath stretching to the horizon.

The village and the Dorpsstraat

The beating heart of De Koog is the car-free Dorpsstraat, a pleasant shopping street by day and the island's nightlife centre by evening.

• Shopping without cars: the Dorpsstraat is a pedestrian zone full of souvenir, fashion and speciality shops, interspersed with supermarkets, so you have both your holiday keepsake and your groceries close at hand.
• Food from around the world: the restaurants and cafés range from Texel specialities to international cuisines, with plenty of terraces on which to soak up the lively atmosphere.
• The busiest nightlife on the Wadden: as soon as the sun goes down the Dorpsstraat turns into a nightlife centre with many cosy pubs and bars, something unique for a Wadden island.
• The Koger Church: amid the bustle stands the Reformed Koger Church of 1719, an atmospheric listed monument and the oldest building in the village.

Beaches and nature

De Koog lies right by the sea and up against the largest nature area on Texel, a rare combination of beach, dune and woodland.

• Straight to the beach: the main beaches are reached via the Badweg, where the sand stretches as far as the eye can see, with room to spare even on the busiest summer days.
• Comfort by the sea: at the beach pavilions you sit outside with a view over the water, and at many of them you can hire a beach chair or windbreak for a day of lazing in the shelter.
• Dunes of Texel National Park: the national park begins right behind the village. Explore the challenging Duinpark, with its high crests and deep valleys, on foot or by bike.
• Where wind and sand rule: between De Koog and De Slufter lies the rugged De Nederlanden dune area, a special corner of Texel where nature is still left entirely to its own devices.

Activities and attractions

Besides the beach and nature, De Koog offers some of the best-known attractions on the island, ideal for a day of less kindly weather.

• Ecomare: on the Ruijslaan you will find Ecomare, a nature museum, seal sanctuary and sea aquarium in one, and the most visited attraction on all of Texel.
• Dive into beachcombing: the Maritiem & Juttersmuseum Flora on the Pontweg lets young and old experience the rugged world of beachcombing and the island's maritime history.
• Swimming at Calluna: at the Calluna swimming paradise on the Schumakersweg you can enjoy a day of slides, wave pools and relaxation, whatever the weather does outside.
• The island at its finest: gallop along the tideline with Elzenhof riding stables, or let yourself be carried at a gentle pace in a nostalgic covered wagon from Jan Plezier.

With children in De Koog

Few places on Texel are as child-friendly as De Koog, with the beach as the biggest playground of all and plenty of fun for when the sand does not tempt for a while.

• Adventure in the woods: the Sommeltjespad in the De Dennen woodland is Texel's children's nature trail par excellence, full of playful discoveries among the trees.
• Clambering and climbing: at the Bregkoog playground and the friendly Vredelust playground children can let off steam for hours.
• Playing without sand: raining? Then the indoor play centre at Kogerstrand offers dry fun with climbing frames and slides.
• Animals up close: at Ecomare children see the seals from very close by and learn all about the sea and the dunes as they play.

Nature around De Koog

Around the village lie some of the finest and quietest nature areas on Texel, all within cycling or walking distance.

• Het Alloo: between Ecomare and the Californiëbos lies Het Alloo, a peaceful and varied nature area that many visitors overlook.
• The Californiëbos: this atmospheric wood close to the village offers shade, calm and adventure, a fine contrast to the open beach.
• Looking out over De Muy: the viewpoint in the De Muy nature area and the nearby Bertusnol, one of the highest dunes on the island, offer a sweeping panorama full of birds.
• Ancient dunes: the Bleekersvallei ranks among the oldest nature areas on Texel, with a beautiful interplay of heath and dune valleys.

Events

Throughout the year, and above all in summer, there is always something going on in De Koog.

• Summer market: in the summer months a cheerful street market sets up weekly in the Dorpsstraat, with stalls full of regional produce and crafts.
• Parties on the beach: events such as the SunBeats Beach Party and various music festivals make De Koog a real party destination in high season.
• More on the island: a full overview of festivities, from folklore to sport, can be found on Texel's events page.

Staying in De Koog

As the tourist heart of the island, De Koog has the widest choice of accommodation on all of Texel, with something for every budget.

• Camping by the beach: at Camping Kogerstrand you sleep literally among the dunes, within walking distance of both the beach and the village.
• Comfort in a hotel: from the four-star Grand Hotel Opduin to cosy family hotels, De Koog offers the largest choice of hotels on the island.
• Apartments and houses: an apartment or holiday home gives you complete freedom, often with the dunes or the beach right on your doorstep.
• Booked sharp: flexible with your dates? Then be sure to check the last minutes for a good-value stay.

Near De Koog

In short, De Koog offers a dynamic blend of broad beach, striking nature, lively streets and plenty of activities, which is why it has been Texel's most popular destination for young and old for years.

Discover more beautiful places on Texel!

There is so much more to explore on this beautiful island! Each village has its own unique charm, and by exploring them all, you can determine your personal favorite:

• Den Burg: Discover the vibrant heart of Texel, where you can enjoy cozy shopping streets, atmospheric terraces, and a lively atmosphere.

• Den Hoorn: Explore the enchanting south of Texel, with its picturesque landscapes and breathtaking views.

• De Cocksdorp: Experience the tranquility and beauty of this charming village, located on the beautiful Waddendijk.

• Oudeschild: Learn more about the rich maritime history of Texel in Oudeschild, the home port of the Texel fishing fleet.

• De Waal: Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of the smallest village on Texel, where tranquility and rural beauty come together.

• Oosterend: Discover why Oosterend is known as the most beautiful village on Texel, with its picturesque streets and breathtaking landscapes.