From spontaneously booking a weekend getaway with friends to a long-awaited family holiday: for the ultimate holiday feeling close to home, simply hop on the ferry to Texel.
Of course, we have our favourite spots on the island, and we’re more than happy to share them with you. From the best activities and the most original shops to the top lunch spots, the finest coffee with treats, and even fine dining.
Read more below about our favourite places and must-do’s on Texel!
Explore Texel
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Activities
Whatever the weather, if you're on Texel, you're going to the beach.
Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing walk or a sunny day of lounging, the beach on Texel is always a good idea! There are plenty of great beach clubs, but our favourites are Kaap Noord, Paal 17, and Paal 9.
Strandpaviljoen Paal 17 is also a lovely spot for a drink or bite to eat.
Tip: Start your walk at Paal 17, stroll along the shoreline to Paal 15, and loop back through the forest and dunes. It's about a 5 km walk – perfect for a breath of fresh air before settling down for a well-deserved drink. Cheers!
Visiting Texel with kids? Then Ecomare is a must.
Every day at 11:30 and 15:30, the seals and porpoises are fed – and it’s quite a show. You can get surprisingly close to the animals, which makes it an unforgettable experience for little ones.
Looking for something relaxing to do? Head to het Voedselbos met een zelfpluktuin (Pick-Your-Own Garden). Pick your own fruits, vegetables, and flowers – a fun activity for all ages. Afterwards, enjoy homemade pies, smoothies, and lemonades on the terrace or in the greenhouse. Don’t forget to visit the Farm Shop for authentic Texel products. Great as a souvenir! The garden is open from May 1st until the end of October.
Love oysters? Meet the Oysterman!
He’ll teach you all about finding, opening, cleaning, and tasting fresh oysters – straight from the Wadden Sea. You can also go foraging on your own! Head to De Mok or Mokbaai, a bay in the south of Texel, near the village of Den Hoorn. It's a perfect habitat for shellfish like oysters and mussels.
Cuddling lambs is one of the most heartwarming things to do on Texel.
At Texel Sheep Farm, there’s a lot to experience: sip tea surrounded by guinea pigs, bring your own beer and enjoy the meadow views, browse the farm shop for souvenirs, and of course, pet the sheep. A fantastic outing for animal lovers and a unique spot for a relaxed break. Make sure to book your tickets beforehand online ;)
Visiting Texel in late September? Don’t miss Texel Culinair.
This delightful food festival takes place in the heart of De Koog and is a must for food lovers. The intimate atmosphere and high-quality dishes make it one of the island’s best events.
Texel’s lighthouse looks like it’s straight out of a storybook.
Painted bright red and standing proudly above everything else, the Eierland Lighthouse is open for visitors – and the climb is absolutely worth it. On a clear day, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the island and even spot neighbouring Vlieland in the distance.
Want to admire Texel from above? Book a sightseeing flight!
Take a short flight over the island or go all out with a one-hour tour over Texel, Vlieland, and Terschelling. It’s a great way to spot landmarks from the sky. For those feeling brave, Texel Airport also offers trial flying lessons and even skydiving. Dare to try?
Food & Drinks
Beach Pavilion Paal 9
Texel has 33 white beach poles, and at number nine, you'll find Paal 9. The building itself is a true eye-catcher — a stunning glass structure — and the nachos are absolutely divine. The staff is friendly and the terrace is, to put it mildly, HUGE. A perfect spot to settle in early and (so to speak) never leave.
Texelse Branding
Looking for the best coffee on Texel? Just a 10-minute walk from Koogerend, you’ll find Texelse Branding: a roastery, bakery, and coffee bar all in one. They roast their coffee on-site and it's incredibly tasty. Besides coffee, you can treat yourself to delicious goodies like their cheesecake and the best cinnamon rolls ever. Trust us — you don’t want to miss these.
Restaurant Peek
Formerly located in Den Burg, but now at Paal 15 is Restaurant Peek, a true hotspot for drinks and dinner. Almost everything is locally made using ingredients from the island, with no artificial additives or unnecessary extras. Their stars? The Wadden croquettes and bitterballen — perfect for a drink. But they also serve juicy burgers, large cuts of tenderloin, and côte de boeuf. Even the fries are freshly made each day and are simply the bomb.
’t Pakhuus
Seafood lover? Then a visit to ‘t Pakhuus is a must while you're on Texel. This seafood restaurant is located in the harbour of Oudeschild, and — you guessed it — offers a wide variety of fish and shellfish from the North Sea and Wadden Sea. They’re open for lunch and dinner, but you can also grab a fresh fish sandwich to-go.
Beach Pavilion Kaap Noord
In the mood for some fresh air? Head to the northern tip of the island to Beach Pavilion Kaap Noord. Located just east of the lighthouse, it offers views of Vlieland. This is also where the ferry to Vlieland departs, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot seals. Don’t miss their famous “Juttersplank” — a luxurious tasting board filled with island delicacies.
Lokaal 16
An absolute favourite for breakfast and lunch is Lokaal 16. They serve up fresh smoothies, heavenly banana bread, sandwiches with mashed avocado and poached eggs. It’s cosy and tucked away in a small street behind Den Burg’s main shopping area. Also worth a visit if you're craving a chai latte or a slice of cake ;)
Shopping
Stek Concept Store
STEK is one of those stores where you want to take everything home — and we really mean everything. The plants (because you can never have too many), genuine Texel coffee beans, minimalist jewelry, ceramic plates, thoughtful gifts, and all those other lovely little things you technically already own, but still need — because yes, they’re just a little different. Obviously.
Depot 33
Depot 33 is a spacious concept store in De Koog that opened its doors in the summer of 2022. With 400 m² of space, it’s packed with inspiration for fashion, interiors, gifts, and a more sustainable lifestyle. A place to wander, browse, and get inspired.
Eiland Baby
This sweet shop is dedicated to the little ones. At Eiland Baby you’ll find modern baby and kids' clothing, toys, and accessories for the nursery. Bonus points: part of the clothing collection is handmade by the owner herself.
Pier 53
Looking for unique home finds? Pier 53 in De Cocksdorp is the place to be. This shop has a wide selection of furniture and home accessories — from retro lamps and industrial sideboards to golden vases, alpaca wool blankets, handmade Italian ceramics, and decorative surfboards. They also stock fashion, accessories, skincare, souvenirs, and a variety of teas. Spoiler: you probably won’t leave empty-handed.
Mood Adventures
This Instagram-worthy interiors shop in De Koog is a hidden gem. Mood Adventures offers a large collection of handmade hanging chairs in white, black and neutral tones. Their home and lifestyle collection changes regularly and much of the furniture is handcrafted in their own workshop. You'll also find original pieces like Icelandic sheepskins and one-of-a-kind decor items.
