Discover Texel

in a budget-friendly way

Free activities on Texel


Discover Texel with our tips for free activities! This beautiful island offers many opportunities for free trips. From free cycle routes and hiking trails to bird watching and picnics on the beach. There are also fun free activities to do with children. As true Texel experts, we are here to help you find the free activities. Be surprised by these unforgettable experiences in the nature of Texel. 

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Top 5 free activities on Texel

1. Enjoy the sunset
Texel offers spectacular sunsets, especially on the west coast. The beach at Paal 17, De Koog or by the lighthouse are great places to end the day.
2. Take a walk on the beach
Texel has around 30 kilometres of sandy beaches. A walk along the beach is relaxing and gives you a chance to get a breath of fresh air. Discover the most beautiful beaches
3. Cycle over the dunes and through nature
There are many free cycle routes on Texel that take you past beautiful nature reserves and dunes, such as De Slufter or De Hoge Berg.
4. Picnic on the beach or in the woods
Bring a basket full of goodies and find a quiet spot on the beach, in the dunes or in the Texel forest area De Dennen to enjoy a delicious picnic.
5. Stroll through the picturesque villages
Texel has several cosy villages such as Den Burg, De Koog and Oosterend. It's fun to stroll through the streets and soak up the local atmosphere.

Top 5 free activities for children

1. Kite flying on the beach
Texel has wide sandy beaches with often strong winds, ideal for kite flying. Bring your own kite and enjoy an afternoon of fun.
2. Building sand castles
With many kilometres of beach, there is plenty of room to build sandcastles. Bring shovels and buckets, and let your creativity run wild!
3. Take a walk along Het Sommeltjespad
This is a short walk in the forest especially for children. Along the way, you will come across ‘sommeltjes’, Texel earthmen, and learn more about nature in a playful way. Read more about Het Sommeltjespad.
4. Catching crabs in the harbour of Oudeschild
In the harbour of Oudeschild, children can catch crabs with a piece of string and a piece of bait. An educational activity that is always popular. Read more about Oudeschild
5. Indoor playgrounds
De Krim Texel has two fun free indoor playgrounds where children can let off steam. It's a nice change after a day out. View the indoor playgrounds

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More free Texel tips

The Sommeltjespad

The Sommeltjespad

De Koog

Follow the directions of the Sommeltjes on the 1.5 km long Sommeltjespad.

Night of the Night

Night of the Night

Multiple locations
26-10-2024

Experience the darkness at its darkest, the activities will show you how special dark is.

Lights-Tour

Lights-Tour

Den Burg
26-10-2024

Walk along with the Lights-Tour and illuminate the streets of Den Burg!

Autumn market De Waal

Autumn market De Waal

De Waal
27-10-2024

Come to the autumn market in De Waal and stroll along the various stands.

Durpermarkt in De Cocksdorp

Durpermarkt in De Cocksdorp

De Cocksdorp
05-07-2025 - 30-08-2025

Every Thursday in summer a lively market.

Zandkes

Zandkes

Oosterend

Walk or cycle along this beautiful area, make a stop to enjoy the many birds! 

Winter fair

Winter fair

Event hall Texel
27-12-2024 - 28-12-2024

All kinds of fun stalls at the winter fair in the Event Hall Texel!

Cheese farm

Cheese farm

Den Burg

Enjoy the taste of real Texel cheese.

Westerduinen

Westerduinen

Den Hoorn

Enjoy the bird-rich Westerduinen and perhaps spot the rare Hen Harrier! 

Water playground

Water playground

De Cocksdorp

Have a joyful day with water and fun at the water playground! 

Wagejot

Wagejot

Oosterend

Spot the chicks of different species of birds and enjoy the view from the dike! 

Wadden Bird Festival

Wadden Bird Festival

De Cocksdorp
10-05-2025 - 11-05-2025

Discover the different bird species in the most bird-rich municipality of the Netherlands!

Waalenburg

Waalenburg

De Waal

Would you like to experience the area by bike or on foot? Enjoy nature and birds guaranteed! 

Food Forest

Food Forest

Oudeschild

Come and enjoy picking your fruit and flowers at the self pick garden!

De Texelse Chocolaterie

De Texelse Chocolaterie

Den Burg

Are you also a chocolate lover? Come visit De Texelse Chocolaterie!

SunBeats festival

SunBeats festival

De Koog
12-07-2025

Dance until the sun sets at this annual beach festival!

OERRR's Play Nature

OERRR's Play Nature

De Waal

Go on an adventure by clambering & splashing around in nature!

Specialty Beer Festival

Specialty Beer Festival

Den Burg
06-06-2025 - 08-06-2025

Taste the special beers from all over the country and enjoy live music.

Skéép en Lantskap

Skéép en Lantskap

Den Hoorn

Discover everything about the Texel sheep farming during a walk in the open-air museum.

Seetingsnollen

Seetingsnollen

De Koog

Visit Texel's highest point during a hike in the diverse area. 

Prins Hendrikzanddijk

Prins Hendrikzanddijk

Den Hoorn

Discover Texel's newest nature reserve where there is plenty to admire!

Easter egg hunt

Easter egg hunt

Multiple locations
20-04-2025 - 21-04-2025

The Easter Bunny has hidden his eggs in various places again. Can you find them all? 

Ottersaat

Ottersaat

Oudeschild

The Ottersaat is the breeding ground for shorebirds, watch the birds in their natural habitat! 

Novalishoeve farm

Novalishoeve farm

Den Hoorn

The farm with day cafe, bakery, eating garden, shop, ice-cream workshop and cheese factory!

North Sea Coast

North Sea Coast

North Sea

An area with a great diversity of flora and fauna and fun activities!

Nieuw Buitenheim

Nieuw Buitenheim

Oudeschild

A beautiful nature reserve for beach-breeding birds!

Nature reserve Utopia

Nature reserve Utopia

Oosterend

Utopia is a beautiful nature reserve situated next to the dike. Spot several birds here! 

Nature Centre De Marel

Nature Centre De Marel

De Waal

Discover how beautiful nature is from Nature Centre De Marel!

 Museum Gallery RAT

Museum Gallery RAT

Den Burg

Take a look at the special art made from materials washed ashore on the beach.

MTB Route

MTB Route

De Koog

A challenging MTB route through the De Dennen forest area.

De Mokbaai

De Mokbaai

Den Hoorn

Come and surprise your eyes at the Mokbaai, the ideal place to spot birds.

Bonfire Meierblis

Bonfire Meierblis

Multiple locations
30-04-2025

Warm up by the big fire and bake sandwiches or marshmallows by the small fires!

Markets on Texel

Markets on Texel

Multiple locations

There are all kinds of nice markets on Texel, come and visit one!

Lambs bike route

Lambs bike route

The bike route takes you through the beautiful National Park Dunes of Texel and the island's vast farmlands.

Uitmarkt BuitenGewoon Texel

Uitmarkt BuitenGewoon Texel

Den Burg
29-05-2025

From music events to museums, come and see what Texel has to offer in terms of culture!

Art on Texel

Art on Texel

Multiple locations
01-04-2024 - 31-10-2024

Three routes lead you along galleries, exhibitions and artists on Texel!

Krim forest

Krim forest

De Cocksdorp

The youngest forest area on Texel. Come here for walking, cycling, running or horse riding. 

King's Day

King's Day

Multiple locations
26-04-2025

Discover how the various villages on Texel celebrate King's Day and have a great day!

Christmas market Oosterend

Christmas market Oosterend

Oosterend
14-12-2024

Stroll along the stalls at the Christmas market in Oosterend! 

The Iron Beacon

The Iron Beacon

Oosterend

A striking landmark, both from the water and from the land.

Horspolders and Kreeftpolders

Horspolders and Kreeftpolders

Den Hoorn

Take a look at these special dune valleys and discover the wealth of birds and rare plants!

Hoeve Vrij & Blij farm

Hoeve Vrij & Blij farm

Den Hoorn

Hoeve Vrij & Blij has a lot to offer. Take a look at the farm shop, for example.

Dune valley Het Grote Vlak

Dune valley Het Grote Vlak

Den Hoorn

Discover one of the largest wet dune valleys of the Netherlands!

The Barefoot path

The Barefoot path

De Cocksdorp

Walk 150 metres barefoot and experience 6 different surfaces! 

Het Alloo

Het Alloo

De Koog

Visit nature reserve Het Alloo and spot beautiful birds and wild horses! 

Galerie Posthuys

Galerie Posthuys

De Koog

The meeting place where art, artists, visitors and buyers come together.

Galerie Klif Art

Galerie Klif Art

De Koog

Admire art from Texel, oil paintings, Murano glass and much more at Gallery Cliff Art. 

Fort De Schans

Fort De Schans

Oudeschild

Take a step into this extraordinary fortress and discover Texel's rich cultural history.

Fonteinsnol

Fonteinsnol

Den Burg

An amazing viewpoint and play forest for the children!

Cycling and bird spotting

Cycling and bird spotting

Multiple locations

Spot various birds during the 32 km cycling route.

The Eiland Galerij

The Eiland Galerij

De Cocksdorp

Island art inspired by water, clouds, wind and sea currents.

Dutch Birding

Dutch Birding

De Cocksdorp
11-10-2024 - 13-10-2024

Go out with other bird lovers to spot the most interesting birds.

Book your stay on Texel

The accommodations of De Krim Texel are located next to the Texel nature, ideal for long walking and cycling trips. Whether you choose a compact Tiny House, spacious bungalow or luxury villa, after an active day in the open air, it is great to come home to your comfortable accommodation. Relax and experience Texel at your own pace, surrounded by peace and quiet.

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