Den Helder

67km (42 miles) N of Amsterdam; 31km (19 miles) NW of Medemblik

Den Helder used to have Holland's most important navy base, and still hosts the annual Navy Days, the national fleet festival, in July.

Getting There

Trains depart at least every hour from Amsterdam Centraal Station for Den Helder. By car from Amsterdam, take A8, A9, and N9 north.

Visitor Information

VVV Den Helder, Bernhardplein 18, 1781 HH Den Helder (tel. 022/362-5544; fax 022/361-4888; www.kopvannoordholland.nl), beside the rail station. The office is open Monday from 1 to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday from 9:30am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9:30am to 5pm.

What to See & Do

For an insight into the Royal Netherlands Navy's illustrious past, by way of models, marine paintings, weapons and equipment, and some real live warships, visit the Marinemuseum (Navy Museum), Hoofdgracht 3 (tel. 0223/657-534; www.marinemuseum.nl), just 200m (220 yards) west of the Texel ferry dock. Among several retired combatants on display at this extensive facility is the steam-and-sail ram De Schorpioen, built in France for the Dutch Navy in 1868. Now tied up to a dock, the "Scorpion" was once a vessel with a sting in its bow, where a below-the-water-line ram could deal fatal blows to enemy ships -- not that it ever did. The steam engine still works, and you can visit the captain's cabin and crew's quarters. Equally fascinating is the dry-landed coastal submarine Tonijn (Tunny), which has a torpedo emerging from its front tube and which you can go aboard to experience the claustrophobic quarters of a submariner's world. The museum is open May to October, Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from noon to 5pm; November to April, Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from noon to 5pm; closed January 1 and December 25. Admission is 4.50€ ($5.65) for adults, 4€ ($5) for seniors, 2.30€ ($2.90) for children ages 5 to 15, and free for children under 5.

While you're in naval mode, visit the Nationaal Reddingmuseum Dorus Rijkers (Dorus Rijkers National Lifeboat Museum), Willemsoord 60G (tel. 0223/618-320; www.reddingmuseum.nl), which chronicles the history of the service. The museum is open April to October, daily from 10am to 5pm; November to March, Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Closed January 1 and December 25. Admission (which includes access to the Cape Holland Attractions Park) is 12€ ($15) for adults, 11€ ($13) for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children under 3.

The Bulb District between Leiden and Haarlem may be better known, but in the hinterland of Den Helder is the largest area of bulb fields in the country, and the serried ranks of spring tulips look every bit as colorful here as there.