Texel Travel Guide: 15 Things You Must Do!
This is my new travel guide for one of the most gorgeous islands in the Netherlands called Texel which is a 1 hour road trip north of Amsterdam and includes activities like skydiving, oyster harvesting, a cheese cafe and a booby trap hotel.
- Notes: Go early to the TESO ferry to avoid long waiting lines
- Food: Learn more about the produce, snacks & drinks of Texel
- Popular: Most recommended attraction: Texel Skydive
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Texel is a popular tourist destination in the Netherlands, sadly not many people outside of the Netherlands are familiar or have even heard of this unique island that is why I felt it was time to expose Texel to the rest of the world with this uniquely crafted YouTube video and travel guide loaded with tips and my personal advise.
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Best Places for Travel in Texel
1. TESO Ferry
A 20 minute boat ride will take you to the northern Dutch island of Texel.
2. Texel Brewery
Known for its iconic Dutch beer "Skuumkoppe" which translates to "White Caps" a delicious 6% wheat beer made with fresh filtered dune waters.
3. Texel Skydiving
Skydiving on Texel is epic! A tandem jump costs 200 euros and a private camera man 100 euros + visit the War Museum of Texel next door.
4. Den Burg
Biggest village on the island with and cute public square, cozy patios and the largest church on the island.
5. De Koog
The party town of Texel with many great restaurants like "Eigeweis" try their local lamb stew and the unique ice cream flavours: Duindoorn and Advocaat.
6. Fireworks & Kermis
Enjoy the annual fireworks spectacle and the local funfair for its Dutch candy shop, Dutch oliebollen and its many attractions.
Upon arrival on Texel treat yourself to the most popular local beer on the island; Skuumkoppe. A delicious 6% wheat beer made with fresh filtered dune water, also opt-in for a guided tour through the beer brewery and learn about the local Texel brewering processes.
7. De Slufter
Gorgeous national park located within the Wadden Sea, an UNESCO world heritage site and part of the largest tidel area in the entire world.
8. Oysters Hunt
Craving for oysters? Definitely do the oyster hunt for the freshest oysters you will ever eat in your entire life! Do not forget to bring rain boats!
9. Timmer Bakery
After the salty oysters opt in for something sweet from the bakery, try a Texels Kiekje and the Hongerpunt.
10. Labora Ice Cream Farm
Unique ice cream farm with the dairy cows literally on-site and milked by a milk-robot, try the unique flavours: Boerenjongens and Kwak.
11. Kaap Skil Museum
Go back in time to the Dutch Golden Age when the Texel coastline was swarming with thousands of Dutch merchant vessels ready to set sail to the rest of the world.
12. Texel Lighthouse
Enjoy the incredible views of Texel and the Wadden Sea from the Texel lighthouse on the most northern tip of the island.
enjoy the purple sea lavenders at De Slufter Nation Park on Texel
If you are a big nature buff, definitely checkout the gorgeous De Slufter national park which is part of the Wadden Sea, a massive UNESCO world heritage site and the largest tidel area in the world. Make sure to taste a fresh sea lavender leave for its sea salt content.
13. Cheese Cafe Wezenspijk
Texel even has its own cheese tasting cafe called Wezenspijk, try the bizarre flavours: Beercheese and Stinging Nettle cheese.
14. Ecomare
Learn everything about the animals of Texel especially the super cute seals and harbour porpoises.
15. De Kievit Hotel
For a hilarious accommodation, checkout De Kievit hotel, transformed by owner Dirk into a booby trap hotel where he controls furniture by strings from behind his bar.
Texel is primarily known for skydiving and oyster harvesting, these activities are absolutely worth in participating, especially the Texel Skydive, go watch my dedicated YouTube video and complete article on the skydiving experience on Texel. Oyster harvesting must have been my second favorite activity on the island, never in my life have I ever tasted such incredible oysters, the oysters from the Wadden Sea were massive and extremely creamy due to their size.
the Texel oyster hunt was an incredible experience
One important note on oyster harvesting, bring tall rain boats, the blubber will completely ruin your shoes. After those salty oysters, you may be in the mood for something sweet, if that is the case, drop by Bakery Timmer and try a local Tessels Kiekje and Hongerpunt which are Dutch cakes.
In the evening have dinner in village De Koog, the party town of Texel for its bars and night clubs. Definitely try the lamb stew at restaurant Eigeweis! If you visit Texel during the summer, you can also watch the fireworks show and ride fairs during the summer funfair.
dinner at Restaurant de Worsteltent on Texel
Other great places are De Worsteltent restaurant for a quality dinner experience and ice cream farm Labora at which you should try the local flavours; Boerenjongens and Kwark. What makes Labora unique is the cows producing the milk literally on-site, go watch the automatic milk-robot at work.
Additionally, go back in time to the Dutch Golden Age at museum Kaap Skil to learn everything about the many Dutch merchant vessels laying anchorage at Oudeschild, Texel waiting for the right winds to set sail to the rest of the world. Texel used to be world's largest anchorage spot. Top it off at cheese cafe Wezenspyk and try the local stinging nettle and beer cheeses, you may be pleasantly surprised, bring those cheeses for the roadtrip back.
Cheese Cafe Wezenspyk on Texel
Basically Texel is a small island consisting of 7 villages on the northern tip of the Netherlands. Texel receives 30% more sun compared to any other part of the Netherlands. In conclusion, consider Texel for a day trip or stay the night at the funky booby trap hotel De Kievit for a few laughs. If you like natural beauty, beaches, oysters, getting a bit dirty and local Dutch culture than Texel is for you!
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