Callantsoog is a small village on the North Holland coast with a beach and dunes, and nearly all homes here have a garden. With only a couple of thousand residents, expect a village rather than a resort town.
Callantsoog is a village of about 2,400 people in the municipality of Schagen, about 18 km south of Den Helder. It began developing as a tourist resort in the early twentieth century. Its church was built in 1580 and 1581 and still has a bell dating from 1491. Homes sit close together around the village, nearly all with a garden and mostly sleeping two to four, with a minority having a private pool. A sandy beach lies about 1.5 km south of the centre, and that stretch is the official naturist beach, the oldest in the Netherlands, so check which part of the sand you have chosen. The coast is exposed to wind, and the dunes are the place for long walks.
Port town about 18 km north, home to the country's main naval base and the Dutch Navy Museum.
Wadden island reached by the TESO ferry from Den Helder; check sailing times before you plan a day trip.
The municipal centre Callantsoog belongs to, reached by train from Amsterdam Sloterdijk about every half hour.
Schiphol is the practical airport, about an hour by car. Trains from Amsterdam run on to Schagen every half hour or so, and the last stretch to the coast needs local transport, so a car is simpler for beach days and shopping.
Summer is the swimming season and the beach days. Autumn suits walks along the sand, while winter and spring bring the strong winds that draw water sports and make the beach a coat-and-scarf place. Check opening times for shops and restaurants before a winter trip.
Yes, for families who like dunes, bikes and a garden. Nearly all homes here have a garden and many sleep two to four people, though the village itself is quiet.
Yes. A sandy beach about 1.5 km south of the village is the official naturist beach, the oldest in the Netherlands, dating from 1973, so ask your host which stretch is the clothed one.
Drive north to Den Helder, about 18 km away, and take the TESO ferry to the island. Sailing frequency and crossing time should be checked with the operator.
Often, outside summer. The Dutch coast has strong winds in winter and spring that draw water sports, so pack windproof clothes for any beach walk then.
Only partly. The rail route runs from Amsterdam to Schagen about every half hour, and you then need a local connection or taxi for the last stretch to the coast.
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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