August day trips round & about the Haarlemmermeer

This summer is probably the weirdest, since many of us don’t know what to do and where to go in order to keep safe but also entertained. A lot of people are not traveling this summer, and this is probably the best decision in order to avoid stress and health issues. This gives us a unique opportunity to explore the area near home. From the Haarlemmermeer you can hike, cycle or drive to many beautiful nearby places. Find below my suggestions for day trips around the Haarlemmermeer and let’s enjoy the last month of the summer as much as we can.

Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. You can find the entrance between Vogelenzang and Aerdenhout on the Vogelenzangseweg. You have to pay a small admission for yourself, family members and car. If you want to visit more than once, it is better to buy the annual ticket. This way it will cost you much less while giving you unlimited access to the Amsterdamse Waterleiding duinen for a whole year. In the Amsterdamse Waterleiding duinen you can walk for miles in the beautiful forest and dunes. During a walk, there is a big possibility that you will meet deers, squirrels, hares and all sorts of birds. When it is not too busy, the silence is positively overwhelming. No matter if you take a long walk or a short one, this place is a good way to charge the battery of daily life.

Kennemerduinen. You can easily cycle from the Haarlemmermeer to the Kennemerduinen. Otherwise you can take the car and leave it in the parking lot (for a small fee). In the Kennemerduinen there are plenty opportunities to relax. You can swim in the lake, or  just take a walk through the dunes to the beach. On hot summer days, if you want to avoid the crowds, it is better to go early in the morning, because in the afternoons it can be very busy.

Buitenplaats Beekestijn in Velsen-Zuid. From the Haarlemmermeer it is an easy drive by car via the Viermerenweg and the A9 towards Alkmaar. Beekestijn has a long history that goes back to the 15th century. It is an estate with a beautiful garden where you can walk. From there you can also walk further to the Driehuis or Velsen. From the estate there are five options for a walk. You can choose between a short walk or a long walk. All the walks start and end on Beekestijn. The entrance to Beekestijn is free from charge. You can also combine a visit to Beekestijn with IJmuiden beach, were you can eat fresh fish in one of the restaurants in the harbour.

If you really love cycling, you can find buy maps with cycling routs at the Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB) or at the VVV-information point in Boekhandel Stevens in Hoofddorp. You can have a picnic in nature or have lunch at one of the restaurants you will find on your way. From the Haarlemmermeer it is not that far to go to the beach at Langervelderslag. You can have a fabulous cycle tour through the Haarlemmermeer, Hillegom and the the Zilk.

For the more advanced cyclists, you can cycle back home via Zandvoort, Bentvelt, Vogelenzang and Bennebroek. In the Haarlemmermeer you can cycle on the airplanes’ runways, close to the village of Vijfhuizen. While you cycle in the typicl Dutch meadows, you can count the many different planes that are parked there. You can also cycle to the Amsterdamse Bos or to Amstelveen.

If you are not a very advanced cyclist or you have small children, there is a an easier way to explore the area near home. You can cycle from playground to playground. Last summer I did this with my son and he absolutely loved it. You can end the tour in your neighbourhood with a delicious ice cream. A lovely playground to visit with your children is Linnaeushof. It is the biggest playground in Europe and situated in Bennebroek. Your children will love it and so will you!

*Always remember to follow the safety guidelines for the coronavirus and before you start your day trip make any reservations on time, as in most places a maximum number of people is allowed.