This small seaside town is located next to Noordwijk, also facing the North Sea, just northwest of Leiden and 16 kms from The Hague. It has 4 kms of award-winning beaches with many beach pavilions, built up in between March and October. The artworks along the 2 km long walking boulevard and buzzing shopping street Zeezijde (Sea Side) just behind it, make Katwijk attractive, yet with a laid-back atmosphere.

Although less vibrant, we found Katwijk more quaint, and less commercial than Noordwijk, with the boulevard still unspoiled by large hotels or apartment blocks. The boulevard has direct access to a big underground parking with several access points, and the Zeezijde shopping street offers quaint terraces and cute shops, unique for Katwijk.