Scenic Outdoor Adventures

This collection spans Noord-Holland’s diverse landscapes, from the urban heights of A’dam Lookout to the tidal flats of the Wadden Sea. It features specialized golf courses set within historic polders like the UNESCO-listed Beemster, alongside bird-watching sites in the Balgzandpolder. Visitors can explore the 19th-century Keukenhofmolen windmill, the salt marshes of De Slufter on Texel, and waterfront terraces such as Brouwerij 't IJ, which is housed in a former bathhouse next to a traditional windmill.

Scenic Outdoor Adventures — Map

Vera De Sousa Fava / CC-BY-SA

A

A'dam Lookout

Observation deck atop a tower featuring panoramic aerial views of the city, a swing over the edge, virtual reality rides, and a sky bar.

A. Bakker / CC BY 3.0

B

Café de Jaren

The view from this café is amazing. It's undeniably one of the most popular cafés in Amsterdam, thanks to its outdoor terrace overlooking…

C

Keukenhofmolen

A 19th-century smock mill relocated to the Keukenhof grounds in 1957, providing elevated views of the surrounding flower fields.

DaBler / Public domain

D

The IJ Brewery

Brouwerij 't IJ is a small brewery in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is located in a former bath house named Funen, next to the De Gooyer…

Pvt pauline / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Houtrak Golf Course

The 18-hole course with challenging layout and length is located on polders not far from Amsterdam. Relatively new, built in 1990s.

F

Amsterdamse Golf Club

This golf course boasts an undulating terrain that is more challenging than it seems - there are also many water hazards.

G

Golf Club Waterland Amsterdam

A public golf club known for its water hazards: they can be really tricky. This is an interesting course to play.

H

De Zaanse

Easily accessible from the city, the course is unsurprisingly big in water hazards - there are even polders!

I

Golfbaan Beemster

A 9-hole course situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Beemster Polder, featuring fairways integrated with historic fortifications and water-filled dikes.

J

Spaarnwoude Golf Club

This club features several courses with varied difficulty, all open to guests all year round. There's also a neat practice area.

K

Golfbaan De Vlietlanden

An 18-hole public course in Wervershoof characterized by its proximity to the IJsselmeer and a layout heavily influenced by local water hazards.

L

Golf- & Countryclub Heiloo

A 9-hole parkland course featuring narrow fairways and strategic water hazards located near the historic Alkmaarderhout forest.

M

Golfbaan Spierdijk

A 9-hole A-status course set in the West Friesland countryside, designed around traditional North Holland polder landscapes.

N

Golfclub Dirkshorn

An 18-hole championship course designed by Alan Rijks, featuring fast greens and an open layout typical of the regional polder terrain.

O

Marine Golfclub Nieuwediep

A 9-hole course located on military grounds in Den Helder, positioned near the coast with views of the surrounding naval area.

Marcel Stijkel / CC-BY-SA

P

Balgzandpolder - Vogelkijkscherm

A bird observation screen overlooking a 6,000-hectare tidal area, used for viewing migratory species in the Wadden Sea region.

Michielverbeek / CC BY-SA 3.0

Q

Balgzand

A 6,000-hectare tidal flat and nature reserve between Den Helder and Wieringen, serving as a critical habitat for wading birds within the Wadden Sea.

Gretha Vroonland-Zweers / CC-BY-SA

R

Natuurreservaat De Slufter

A nature reserve on Texel featuring a salt marsh with an open connection to the North Sea, subject to regular tidal flooding.

S

De Slufter

An elevated vantage point on the island of Texel offering panoramic views across the tidal salt marshes and the North Sea inlet.

Marcel Stijkel / CC-BY-SA

T

Uitkijkpunt Landsend

A coastal viewpoint located at the northern tip of mainland Noord-Holland, overlooking the Marsdiep strait toward the island of Texel.

Other Lists

Noord-Holland's Crown Jewels Historic Heritage Sites Iconic Dutch Windmills Historic Churches of the Netherlands Amsterdam Museums & Galleries Parks and Gardens Castles, Forts & Bunkers