Wervershoof, Bovenkarspel, Enkhuizen and Hem (West-Friesland)
This is where most of our Noord-Holland houses are, in flat farmland on the IJsselmeer between Enkhuizen and Medemblik. Enkhuizen has a big harbour and the Zuiderzeemuseum, whose open-air part is a reassembled fishing village. Medemblik has a moated castle and a steam tram to Hoorn. A summer foot and bike ferry crosses from Enkhuizen to Stavoren in Friesland. Amsterdam is about an hour by car or train.
Best for: Families who want lake water, old harbour towns and cycling
Not for you if: You want North Sea surf: this shore faces the IJsselmeer, a freshwater lake.
Callantsoog, Julianadorp aan Zee, Petten and 't Zand (north coast)
Callantsoog sits behind a long beach with dunes, and the Zwanenwater reserve next to it has dune lakes and nesting spoonbills. At Petten the old sea dike now has new dunes and a beach in front of it. Inland, around 't Zand and St. Maartensvlotbrug, the bulb fields flower in April. Den Helder and the 20-minute ferry to Texel are close. Amsterdam is around an hour's drive.
Best for: Beach families who want wide sand and dunes without big resorts
Not for you if: You want restaurants and shops in walking distance: these are small, spread-out villages.
Egmond aan Zee, Egmond aan den Hoef and Schoorl
Egmond aan Zee is a seaside village with a lighthouse, beach pavilions and a short shopping street. Egmond aan den Hoef, just inland, has the ruins of the counts' castle. Schoorl has the tallest dunes in the Netherlands, with woodland trails, cycle paths and a bare climbing dune children love. Alkmaar, with its Friday cheese market from spring to September, is around 15 to 20 minutes away.
Best for: Walkers, cyclists and anyone who wants the highest dunes on the coast
Not for you if: You dislike crowds: Egmond's beach and boulevard fill up on sunny summer weekends.
Uitgeest, Zaandam, IJmuiden, Zandvoort and Vogelenzang (nearest Amsterdam)
Uitgeest is a lake village with a station around half an hour from Amsterdam by train. Zaandam is closer still, near the windmills at Zaanse Schans. On the coast, IJmuiden has the sea locks and the overnight ferry from Newcastle, and Wijk aan Zee and Zandvoort have broad beaches. Vogelenzang sits by the bulb fields and dune reserves south of Haarlem. Schiphol is 20 to 40 minutes away.
Best for: Couples and first-timers who want Amsterdam days and a beach
Not for you if: You want a house in Amsterdam: our nearest is in Zaandam, and the city is a day trip.
Wieringen, Den Oever, Dirkshorn and Oudesluis (the far north)
Wieringen was an island until the polder around it was drained in the 1930s, and it still feels apart, with small hills, farms and the fishing harbour at Den Oever. Den Oever is where the Afsluitdijk dam starts its 32-kilometre run to Friesland, with a cycle path alongside. Dirkshorn and Oudesluis are farming villages near Schagen. The North Sea beaches at Callantsoog are around 20 to 30 minutes by car.
Best for: Quiet, cheaper stays with the Afsluitdijk and the Wadden Sea close by
Not for you if: You want the beach on your doorstep: most of these houses are inland or on the Wadden shore.
Loosdrecht (Het Gooi lakes)
Loosdrecht is spread along the Loosdrechtse Plassen, a chain of lakes dug out by peat cutting, with marinas, boat hire and swimming spots. Hilversum is a few minutes away and Utrecht about 25 minutes. Amsterdam is around 35 to 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic, and there is no beach nearby.
Best for: Sailors and anyone who wants lakes between Amsterdam and Utrecht
Not for you if: You want a choice of houses: we have only a handful here.
