Located near the mouth of the North Sea Canal, Wijk aan Zee is a small coastal town famed for hosting the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. It was occupied by German forces during World War II and is home to a sculptural park that was inspired by its steel industry.

Things to do

Fronting the town of Wijk aan Zee is a wide stretch of sand, which is the perfect spot for relaxing and swimming in the summer months. You can soak up the North Sea views during a stroll along the beach or grab a bite to eat at the waterfront Het Strandhuis.

On the edge of Wijk aan Zee is the Beeldenpark "Een Zee Van Staal”, a sculpture park backed by Tata Steel’s manufacturing site. It was created in 1999 when 11 sculptors from different European countries were commissioned to create works on the theme “A Sea of Steel”. Walking trails lead between each of the monumental sculptures, all of which are constructed from steel.

The dunes surrounding Wijk aan Zee are dotted with bunkers that were built by the occupying German forces between 1940 and 1944 as part of the Atlantic Wall. Together with tank ditches, dams and minefields, they were designed to protect the port of IJmuiden and the nearby steelworks against Allied attack. Several bunkers are now accessible to the public and illustrate what life was like in Wijk aan Zee during World War II.

Getting around

Wijk aan Zee is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Amsterdam and 25 minutes from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Regular trains connect to the Beverwijk railway station, from where buses continue to Wijk aan Zee. The town centre and beachside area are compact enough to explore on foot.