The westernmost and largest Dutch island in the Wadden Sea is Texel. Not only the Dutch, but also the Germans love their holidays on Texel and come to the island again and again.
Texel was formed during an ice age and differs geologically from the other Frisian islands, which consist mainly of dunes. In addition to the “newly” created land areas, Texel consists of so-called end moraine ridges, which form small elevations in the landscape. These have been settled as early as 800-500 BC. From around 1300, the islanders began to connect the higher-lying areas with dams and gradually dyked areas. Thus the island grew bit by bit and even today new dikes are being built and the island continues to change.
Long walks on the beach, swimming in the sea, stroking sheep, crabbing, cycling, flying kites,…. Holidays on Texel simply offer everything – rest, enjoyment, relaxation, action, feel-good time!
Holiday on Texel – Tips for excursions
Cheese, sheep and Texel belong together like the wind and the sea. The Wezenspyk cheese factory not only offers the opportunity to buy cheese in a farm shop, you can also take a look at the production facility.
The Eierland lighthouse stands at the northern tip of Texel. This is actually nothing special, because many island coasts have lighthouses that serve as orientation aids for ships.
The beautiful landscape on Texel is an invitation to go hiking. We did a hike inland on Texel, a "Knapzaktocht", which we enjoyed very much.
The fishing boats are moored in the harbour of Oudeschild on Texel. Some fishermen were out early and have already finished work, others are waiting for their customers to take their crab cutter for a trip into the Wadden Sea.
In De Koog on Texel is the Ecomare, one of the most popular destinations on the Dutch island. Besides a natural history museum, there is also an aquarium and a bird and seal sanctuary.
Anyone who walks along the beach has certainly discovered the most incredible objects washed up by the sea. The Maritiem- en Juttersmuseum Flora (Flora Maritime and Beach Museum on Texel) has collected countless of these finds and exhibits them in an impressive museum.
Information about holidays
From the ferry to accommodation and tips for good food – everything you need to know.
There is hardly a country that has such an affinity for the bicycle as the Netherlands. Riding a bike on Texel is the ideal way for us to get around the island.
Texel is an island in the Dutch Wadden Sea. If you want to spend your holiday on Texel, you should inform yourself well in advance about how to get there.
There are not only sheep on Texel, beer is also brewed on Texel - and really well. Texelse Bierbrouwerij has been brewing special beers that accurately describe life on the island since 1999.
Den Burg is the main town and administrative centre of Texel. The town is wonderfully central and is therefore an ideal starting point for small and large island adventures. Hotel De Lindeboom is centrally located and easy to reach.
It's a well-known fact that food keeps body and soul together - if that's what it takes, the people of Tessel / Tessela must be the most satisfied people in the Netherlands, I've never eaten better. The restaurants on Texel have inspired me.
Travel information for Texel
Arrival
By car
By car, you can reach the ferry port in Den Helder via the N99 and N250 (from Den Over) and via the A2 from Amsterdam.
By train and bus
From Amsterdam Centraal there is a regional train to Den Helder station (journey time 1:14 h). Bus 33 leaves from in front of the station to the ferry port.
By ferry
The TESO ferries run from 6:30 to 21:30. On Sundays, the first ferry leaves one or two hours later, depending on the season. Normally there is a ship every hour, but during the peak season the ferries leave every 30 minutes.
By plane
There is a small airfield at Zuid Eierland.
On the way on …
By car
You are allowed to travel by car on Texel. There are a few main roads that connect the main towns. You can reach the less frequented places on Texel via small roads and country lanes.
By bus
A bus line (number 28) runs from the ferry port to Den Burg and De Koog. The timetables are based on the departure times of the ferry. In addition, there are Texelhopper minibuses that run on pre-booking.
There is no bus service on Texel outside the ferry times.
Bus tickets are only sold without cash.
By taxi
There are a few taxi companies that will transport you around the island if you book in advance.
By bike
There are a total of 135 kilometres of very well-maintained cycle paths on Texel. There are rental stations all over the island.
On foot
There are many well-marked walking trails on Texel.
Parking
There is a parking fee in all villages and at the beach entrances on Texel (Monday to Sunday from 08.00 to 20.00). A single parking ticket costs €2.50 per hour at the ticket machine and you cannot pay with coins.
With the Texel e-vignette you can park anywhere on the island. You buy this digital parking permit online. It costs €10 a day, €20 a week (8 days) or €30 a year (365 days). If you have a European disabled parking permit, you do not need a parking ticket. The card must be visibly displayed in the car.
The number plate and the desired parking duration are entered online with the provider. If an inspector checks the car, he scans the licence plate and can see whether payment has been made.
There are a few locations where parking with a parking disc is free of charge. These are signposted.
Best time to travel
On Texel, the average sunshine duration is 2046 hours per year. This is mainly due to the predominantly westerly wind direction, which quickly transports the clouds further.
But even without the sun, the island is worth a visit at any time of year.
Language
Texel is part of the Netherlands, so of course Dutch is spoken here. Some of the Texelaars still speak the old Texel dialect, the Tessels. In this dialect, for example, the “x” in the pronunciation is replaced by “ss”. Consequently, “Texel” is pronounced like “Tessel”.