Zuidpier Ijmuiden
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IJmuiden

The pier, the mighty locks, the industry, the fish auction and nature. IJmuiden is not the raw brother of Zandvoort for nothing. You’ll find IJmuiden at the north end of Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.

IJmuiden & Velsen 2 faces

IJmuiden, together with Santpoort and Velsen, among others, forms the municipality of Velsen. A municipality with 2 faces traversed by the North Sea Canal. Raw IJmuiden with the mighty locks, which connect the North Sea from the North Sea Canal to Amsterdam, the steel industry and the port with its fish auction. And Velsen with the Ruïne van Brederode and recreational area Spaarnwoude, where you can MTB, ski and more.

Seeing and doing in IJmuiden

IJmuiden: Raw by the sea

Zuidpier Ijmuiden

The South Pier a safe passage

The south pier is located in IJmuiden at the mouth of the North Sea Canal and is accessible from seaport Marina IJmuiden. In good weather, it is accessible to cyclists and walkers and you can walk for kilometres ‘into the sea’ up to the lighthouse. Along the way, you’ll encounter fishermen and birdwatchers, and see large ocean-going vessels sail by. From wind force 6, the pier is closed to the public.

Locks and fish auction Ijmuiden

Locks and fish auction

The IJmuiden sea lock has a length of 500 metres, width of 70 metres wide and depth of 18 metres, with space for 630 million litres of water. It is the gateway to metropolis Amsterdam and can accommodate ships nearly 400 metres long. Apart from the lock complex, you will also find the port with its fish auction, where fresh fish is traded daily. Through the Sea and Port Museum, you can book both a guided tour of the locks and a tour to the fish auction.

National Park Zuid Kennemerland near Zandvoort

Nature and bunkers

Bordering the southern edge of IJmuiden is Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. A beautiful nature area where you can enjoy cycling, including to Zandvoort, and where you can encounter numerous animals. Apart from animals, you will also find bunkers from World War II as part of the Atlantic Wall. In the bunker museum, you learn all about the concrete colossi and their function.

Beautiful raw beach

IJmuiden beach may not be the sophisticated beach, but in its rawness it is absolutely spectacular, especially on stormy days. It is certainly not crowded and has great beaches. Its proximity to the ‘North Sea Canal’ provides extra fun when you see many ships of all shapes and sizes (including the occasional cruise ship), entering or leaving the waterway to Amsterdam. This is one of those hidden gems.

– Reno –

Velsen: Estates and more

Estate Duin & Kruidberg in Sandpoort-Noord

Landgoed Dune & Kruidberg

In the 19th century, the area around IJmuiden and Zandvoort was a popular refuge for rich merchants from Amsterdam to escape the filth of the city. They bought up land for this reason and had their country houses built on it. So there are several estates in the area, of which Duin & Kruidberg is one. Today, the country house serves as a hotel and restaurant and you can also just have a cup of coffee and enjoy the estate.

More estates
Ruins of Brederode

Ruin of Brederode

Brederode Ruins are the remains of Brederode Castle, the home of the noble Brederode family. The original castle was built in the late 13th century. Over the years, the castle has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today, you can visit the castle’s ruins between April and October for a small entrance fee.

Outside art object and climbing wall in Spaarnwoude park.

Recreation area Spaarnwoude

Spaarnwoude is the largest recreational area in the region alongside the national park and the waterleidingduinen. Here you will find the most beautiful cycling paths and MTB trails, and you can walk for hours. Snowworld is also home to a ski slope, climbing, golfing, paintballing and various major (music) festivals such as Dance Valley and Latin Village.

Explore the region