Hoek van HollandNetherlands · Ferry Destinations

All About Hoek van Holland

A seaside retreat more famous with locals than tourists. An iconic destination located next to a metropolitan city, yet oozing of small-town vibe. Hoek van Holland is a summer getaway for the Dutch and the perfect day trip option from Rotterdam or Amsterdam. As a desired holiday spot to overcome city blues, locals often rush here throughout the year, occupying the town’s many cottages and making the most of its beaches that receive plenty of rays. Taking a ferry to Hoek van Holland is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

Hoek van Holland (called Hook of Holland in English) has many names. For some, it is ‘Rotterdam by the Sea’ or simply De Hoek. Others know it by its literal translation, ‘Corner of Holland’ so-called because it lies in the corner of the New Waterway adjoining the North Sea. Good for ship-spotting, better for a laidback coastal vacation, Hoek van Holland will enrapture you with its modest appeal.
 

Routes and Ferries to Hoek van Holland

Reaching Hoek van Holland through the sea route means being part of maritime history. Boats from Harwich in England have been sailing across the North Sea to the Dutch town since 1893. These days, Stena Line has two modern vessels making the trip daily, either of which you can book via Ferryscanner. The voyage takes from six to nine hours and costs €70 for a single passenger traveling without a vehicle. The overnight connection is popular as it arrives at Hoek van Holland in the morning, saving you one night’s hotel charge.

Hoek van Holland is linked by road and train with the rest of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is just over an hour by car. Buses and trains from across the country first reach Rotterdam from where connecting trains to De Hoek are plenty.
 

Ports of Hoek Van Holland

The Port of Hoek van Holland is a specific purpose terminal catering primarily to a few domestic ferries and boats arriving from Harwich, England. It is located in the New Waterway canal that links the Port of Rotterdam with the North Sea. Due to the route’s popularity, the terminal sees quite a bit of traffic, especially during the summer months. Amenities at the harbor include a café and a ticket office. The local train and bus stations are next door, and taxis usually wait for passengers around the time of ferry arrivals. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Hoek van Holland.
 

Best Beaches

Hoek van Holland’s shore is one long stretch of sandy paradise that goes on for miles. It is, however, divided into sections, or individual beaches, each with its own unique offerings.

Hoek van Holland Beach

As the main beach in Hoek van Holland, this 250-meter-wide sandy playground attracts the maximum number of visitors. It is also the most developed in terms of offering shopping and eating options. In the south of the coast, the beach starts off from De Pier, which extends deep into the sea. A beautiful but sometimes risky spot, it’s an excellent place to take photos and enjoy a memorable sunset. Hoek van Holland has lovely villas to rent, right on the sand. The massive container ships sailing in the distance are often an exciting sight for both children and adults.

Hoekse Beach

The beaches in Hoek van Holland might get crowded, but there is an ever-present natural, non-commercial charm to them. The sand dunes lining the shores are one reason why the region has a rustic feel. Hoekse Beach, though, is all about action and thrill. You can partake in multiple watersports here, particularly wind and kite surfing. There is also a surfing school onsite where you can take your very first surf lesson.

Naakstrand Hoek van Holland

The nude beach in Hoek van Holland has a relaxed and casual atmosphere and comes with free parking. There aren’t any facilities here, but the beach remains uncrowded, and the water is perfect for swimming. However, since walking and cycling tracks run through the dunes on the beach’s edge, naturists aren’t allowed in that section.

Vlugtenburg Beach

By the time you reach Vlugtenburg Beach, you are already in the neighboring town of s’Gravenzande. Opening up into the North Sea, the area has a lively music-filled atmosphere throughout the day due to its three beach clubs – De Pit, Elements, and Paviljoen Zomertijd. Vlugtenburg is home to the Dutch Surf Academy, where you can get private surf lessons for €75.

Slag Beukel Beach

Keep walking further north, and you’ll reach Slag Beukel Beach. It’s one of the few places to enjoy blokarting, which is surfing on land in a single-seater yacht with wheels. Beachclub Breez provides entertainment and nourishment during your day in the sun. And while you’re here, go slightly inland to De Banken for a peaceful walk amongst nature and for some birdwatching.
 

Places To Visit

Hoek van Holland’s compact size means there aren’t any neighborhoods to discover. The town, though, is strategic in its location and acts as an ideal base to explore nearby cities.

Hoek van Holland

So, you’ve hit the beach a couple of times, walked around town, and taken a boat tour of Rotterdam Port. Now what? Surprisingly, Hoek van Holland has not one, not two, but six museums you need to tour. Among the two must-visits is Het Keringhui, an ingenious barricade built to stop flooding. The museum has guided walks and provides insight into how the Dutch control water to their benefit. Museum RockArt will captivate music lovers with its exhibitions, collection of pop memorabilia, and a gift shop selling vinyl, art, clothes, and CDs. If still free, then drop by the Jan Lels Museum, Fort 1881, and Antlantikwall Museum.

Rotterdam

Half an hour from Hoek van Holland, Rotterdam is a city of endless possibilities. A day here is an architecture enthusiast’s dream come true. The horseshoe-shaped Markthal, the famous cube houses, and the imposing design of Rotterdam Centraal are fascinating, to say the least. Children will especially relish their time at Rotterdam Zoo, and on the ss Rotterdam, a ship converted into a hotel, where non-guests can have lunch or dinner.

The Hague

A trip half an hour to the north from Hoek van Holland will lead you straight to the city of The Hague. Known for its 13th-century gothic building Bennenhof and 15th-century church Grote of Sint Jacobskerk, The Hague is where the Dutch government presides. Kid and adults will love seeing the Netherlands in miniature at Madurodam, whereas art lovers can drool over iconic paintings like “The Girl with the Pearl Earring” at Mauritshuis Museum. With several more attractions and museums in The Hague, you need to make at least two trips to the third-largest city in Holland to see it all.

Delft

Delf might give the impression of a quiet village, but it is thronged by tourist buses on most days. The main attraction here being the white and blue colored handmade Delft-blue pottery. Make sure you spend time watching the artisans work their magic on plates, vases, boxes, and smaller objects that are excellent showpieces and souvenirs to take home. Delft’s Oude Kerk is where master artist Johannes Vermeer is buried.

Leiden

Home to the Netherlands’ oldest university, Leiden is a busy town that tourists often overlook. You’ll have to go through Rotterdam to reach here from Hoek van Holland, but the trouble is worth it. Offbeat travelers should stop at the medical museum Boerhaave and at the obscure washbasin that is now a tourist site because Einstein once used it. Leiden’s lit-up floating Christmas Market is unique and pretty beyond words, as is the city’s take on street art. Instead of murals, they hand-write poems by famous literary figures such as Shakespeare, Dylan Thomas, and Pablo Neruda on city walls.
 

Transportation Around Hoek van Holland

Hoek van Holland is a small town, easily navigable on foot. The beach, local bars, and the ferry terminal are never too far. However, since you are in the Netherlands, renting a bike for the day is almost obligatory. Hoek van Holland has excellent bike paths and compared to the larger cities, there is less traffic to worry about.

In case of luggage, local taxis are available at the port, or your hotel can call for one as required. Since most tourist sites are at a distance, use the metro, bus, or train to visit Rotterdam or The Hague.