“Fortwachtershuis”

The 'Stelling of Den Helder' is one of the oldest stll presence military defensive lines in the Netherlands. The 'stelling' is build in commisioned by Napoleon as a protection of navy base Willemsoord. The city of Den Helder got his shape because of the 'Stelling' which is still seeable in the landscape. The 'Stelling of Den Helder' is very important for the authenticity and identity of Den Helder.

Follow in the footsteps of Napoleon Did you know that sharks live in the North Sea? Would you dare to feed them? This is possible in the North Sea aquarium of Fort Kijkduin! A visit to the aquarium is an exciting and educational adventure where you learn everything about the underwater life in the Wadden and North Sea. Spectacular is the 15-metre-long walk-through tunnel. The historical museum of the fort is also very interesting. Walk through underground tunnels and discover 200 years of military history about Den Helder and the Napoleonic fortress itself. The new family exhibition explores the lives and work of the soldiers stationed in the fort in 1939 during the mobilization of the Dutch army.

Uniquely situated in the coastal village of Huisduinen, surrounded by sea, beach, dune, forest, polders and the Wadden Islands Texel and De Razende Bol, you can enjoy the beautiful nature, quiet and clean beaches and fresh air. The hotel offers 55 rooms and suites, an award-winning fine dining restaurant "C'est la vie Wine & Dine", a bistro with grill, live sports and a wellness center with swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and squash courts.

Visit this striking building and discover the story of the Atlantic Wall

At a 5 minutes walk from beach, sea and dunes lies horse riding school Bruin. From the age of 7 you can join our world of horse riding. We are a 3-star FNRS horse riding school. For both the beginning and the experienced horse rider, you have come to the right place. You are also welcome for jumping and dressage lessons. But we do more than just lessons. During the summer you can enjoy outside rides across beaches and dunes. We organise dressage and jumping competitions, variety shows, ridercamps, moonrides and we help you get rider certificate 1, 2 and 3, and the rider's license.

The FL250 was nicknamed 'Kroontjesbunker' because of the shape of the tower. In the bunker the flight movements of aircraft were coordinated. This bunker is located in a nature reserve.

The nature that surrounds Den Helder is fairly unknown, but certainly worth the effort. For example the "Huisduinerpolder". Located behind the hospital of Den Helder starts a path to the marshy polder, next to Fort Erfprins. The brackish influence of the North Sea water is noticeable in the vegetation due to the presence of salt-loving plants. In spring and autumn there are large numbers of curlews, sandpipers and oystercatchers at high tide. Brent geese, snow buntings and moorhens look for food in the winter. The polder is a breeding ground for reed singers and redshanks.

Deze 11 km wandelroute voort u langs de forten, verbonden door de Liniedijk, samen vormen ze de Stelling van Den Helder. U wandelt deze route aan de hand van een boekje, met veel achtergrondinformatie over de tijd van Napoleon in dit gebied en landschappelijke aspecten. Dit boekje is verkrijgbaar bij de VVV's voor €2,50. Langs de route staan ook verschillende informatiepanelen behorend bij deze route.

When you look towards Den Helder, at night you can see a bright light shining from miles away (33,5 miles to be exact!). It's ''De Lange Jaap''; the symbol of Den Helder. It is the tallest cast-iron lighthouse of Europa, and the second-highest lighthouse in the Netherlands. It towers above everything else at 63 meters tall.