Lighthouse de Lange Jaap

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.

Beach entrance Huisduinen lies almost under de most beautiful and oldest lighthouse of the Netherlands, called ''de Lange Jaap'' and is named after the old village Huisduinen, which lies directly next to it. This beach is a nice and quiet family beach, with its own paviljon ''Factor 30''. You can find the toilets and beach shower here. In de surrounding area there is a beautiful old fort - ''Fort Kijkduin'', which you can visit. It has a magnificent sea fish tank, and a overview of the history of this fort. You can walk and cycle in a big dune area ''de Grafelijkheidsduinen''.

Discover Napoleon's fort and walk among sharks in the aquarium

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

Would you like to have a diner at a beautiful location, with hospitable service and culinary indulgence, while you enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea? Then restaurant C'est la vie "Wine & Dine" is great for you! Our restaurant is known for its atmosphere and comfort. Fresh, regional and seasonal products characterize the menu of our chef Raymond van Veen.

On our visit address at Huisduinen (art workplace LDS46) we organize, in addition to changing exhibits, regular events. Here you will find performances of classical and modern music, festive receipts, workshop dinners and personal explanations of displayed works of art. Furthermore, we participate in various cultural manifestations and art routes.

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.

Sleeping in the house of Fort Kijkduin, the Fortwachters house in Huisduinen. Fort Kijkduin is part of the defence line of Den Helder, a unique heritage, includes six fortresses.