Major city · Netherlands
Bergen, North HollandBergen (NH)
Base in Alkmaar and give Bergen one day: bus 160 from Alkmaar station takes about 10 min, dunes and beach are free, museum tickets cost a few euros.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep for beach and dunes; late Mar–late May for bulb fields
- avoid Nov–Feb (cold, wet, many seasonal places shut)
- Airport
- AMS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Benelux ↗Dutch and Belgian police can ask anyone to show identification (in the Netherlands from age 14): carry the original passport or EU ID card — a photocopy is not accepted.
- Benelux ↗Tap-in fares, Dutch and Belgian domestic tickets and Luxembourg's free transport all stop at the border: buy an international ticket for cross-border legs, or you will be fined on board.
- Netherlands ↗The Netherlands is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Dutch sources for your passport.
- Netherlands ↗Red or marked bike lanes are for bikes: do not walk or stand in them, and look for cyclists before crossing.
- Netherlands ↗Amsterdam has local rules on public drinking, cannabis use in some areas and short-term rentals; check the city's current rules and book licensed accommodation.
- Netherlands ↗The Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Keukenhof sell timed tickets online only or mostly; book before you arrive rather than queueing.
Bergen (NH) is a small artists' village behind the North Sea dunes, about 6 km from the coast and roughly 10 minutes by bus from Alkmaar. It has two museums, an art centre, and the dune reserves and a 25 km beach on its doorstep. Most travellers see it as a day trip from Alkmaar; a night here buys you the beach at Bergen aan Zee and the Schoorlse Duinen at opening time.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bergen, North Holland, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Netherlands-wide
- SIM or eSIMKPN, Vodafone and Odido run the networks; Lebara and Lyca sell cheap prepaid SIMs in supermarkets and at Schiphol.Netherlands-wide
- Tap waterTap water is among the best in Europe; restaurants may charge for it, so ask.Netherlands-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% for good service; tell the server the total when paying by card.Netherlands-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Netherlands-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
- RestroomsStations charge about €0.70–1 (≈ US$1–2); cafés expect you to buy something; free urinals (and a few public toilets) in city centres.Netherlands-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums open daily; shops open on Sunday afternoon in cities but close early in villages.Netherlands-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAMS Amsterdam Schiphol (Train to Alkmaar, then bus 160 to Bergen; about 1 h 15 min door to door).
- Getting aroundcheckBike is the practical way to link Bergen, Bergen aan Zee and the dunes; rentals are in the villages (check opening).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Sit-down mealDinner main, village restaurant€16–26 (≈ US$19–35)
- Street or quick mealLunch, sandwich or soup€8–15 (≈ US$10–18)
- Beerdraught€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus single ride, Alkmaar–Bergen€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€8–20 (≈ US$10–25)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Kranenburgh, Sea Aquarium)€7.50–15 (≈ US$9–18)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€35 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AMS Amsterdam Schiphol (Train to Alkmaar, then bus 160 to Bergen; about 1 h 15 min door to door)
Weather and climate
Bergen, North Holland: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
12 rd
Feb
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
10 rd
Mar
9°C48°F
3°C37°F
10 rd
Apr
13°C55°F
5°C41°F
9 rd
May
17°C63°F
9°C48°F
9 rd
Jun
20°C68°F
12°C54°F
9 rd
Jul
22°C72°F
14°C57°F
10 rd
Aug
22°C72°F
14°C57°F
10 rd
Sep
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
11 rd
Oct
15°C59°F
8°C46°F
12 rd
Nov
10°C50°F
4°C39°F
13 rd
Dec
7°C45°F
2°C36°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bike is the practical way to link Bergen, Bergen aan Zee and the dunes; rentals are in the villages (check opening). Bus 160 links Alkmaar station and Bergen, bus 407 continues to Bergen aan Zee, and bus 151 serves Schoorl and Groet. Buses thin out in the evening, so check the last departure before you go out for dinner.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Alkmaar
goDoor to door: About 10–20 min
Bus 160 from Bergen to Alkmaar station
Cheese market on Fridays in season; the practical rail hub for the whole region.
Schoorl and the Schoorlse Duinen
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Bus 151 from Alkmaar, or bike north from Bergen
Free dune reserve, 1,900 ha, visitor centre at Oorsprongweg 1 with a play forest.
Egmond aan Zee and Egmond-Binnen
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Bus 165 from Alkmaar, or bike south along the dunes
Beach village plus the Abbey of Egmond and its candle shop; check shop hours.
Castricum
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Train to Castricum, then bike or bus to the dunes
Bulb fields late Mar–late May; the strip runs south through Heemskerk.
Hoorn
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train from Alkmaar to Hoorn
Historic harbour town; pair with Enkhuizen if you have a full day.
Enkhuizen
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train from Alkmaar via Hoorn
Zuiderzee Museum; a full day, not a half.
Den Helder
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train from Alkmaar, or cycle LF1 north
Ferry onward to Texel; only worth it as a link, not a day in itself.
Broek op Langedijk
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or bike from Alkmaar
Broeker Veiling auction museum; check seasonal opening.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bergen village centre
Around Dorpstraat and Plein; museums, restaurants and the bus stop on foot, about 6 km from the beach.Around Dorpstraat and Plein; museums, restaurants and the bus stop on foot, about 3.7 mi from the beach.
Bergen aan Zee
Seaside strip at the end of the road; beach and Sea Aquarium on foot, fewer restaurants, higher summer prices.
Egmond aan Zee
Larger seaside village about 8 km south; bus 165 from Alkmaar, more hotels and a boulevard.Larger seaside village about 5 mi south; bus 165 from Alkmaar, more hotels and a boulevard.
Alkmaar
Cheapest and best-connected base; bus 160 runs roughly every 15 min in the daytime.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–140 (≈ US$95–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €130 | €130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| Bus Alkmaar–Bergen return2 × €8 | €16 |
| PWN dune day ticket2 × €1 | €2 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × €15 | €30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €39 |
| Trip total≈ €214 per person per day, bed included | €427≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch, sandwich or soup | €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) |
| Dinner main, village restaurant | €16–26 (≈ US$19–35) |
| Beer, draught | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Museum entry (Kranenburgh, Sea Aquarium) | €7.50–15 (≈ US$9–18) |
| Bus single ride, Alkmaar–Bergen | €2–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €8–20 (≈ US$10–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Noordhollands Duinreservaat (PWN) needs a day ticket, about €1.20 (≈ US$2) from machines at the main entrances; the Schoorlse Duinen reserve is free.
- Do not cycle the asphalt seaward face of the Hondsbossche Zeewering in wind or storm; use the landward road.
- Many hotels, beach bars and museums are seasonal — check opening before booking a winter trip.
- Bergen (NH) is not Bergen in Limburg or Bergen in Norway; check the province when booking trains and buses.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Bergen, North HollandBergen (NH)
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Naar dit adres, alstublieftTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
Embassy
No embassies in Bergen; most are in The Hague, some consulates in Amsterdam. US citizens: see the embassy in The Hague (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Alkmaar station → Bergen: bus 160, about 10 min
- Bus Bergen → Bergen aan Zee: bus 407, limited service; extra buses on summer weekends (line 262)
- PWN dune day ticket: about €1.20 (≈ US$2) from entrance machines
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (HAH-loh)
- Dank je wel — Thank you (dahnk yuh vel)
- Spreekt u Engels? — Do you speak English? (spraykt u ENG-uls)
- Een kaartje naar Bergen, alstublieft — One ticket to Bergen, please (un KAART-yuh naar BERR-gun)
- Kan ik met de kaart betalen? — Can I pay by card? (kan ik met duh kaart buh-TAH-lun)
- Waar is het strand? — Where is the beach? (vaar is hut strant)
Bergen (NH) is one of several Bergens — check the province on your ticket.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bergen, North Holland. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep for beach and dunes; late Mar–late May for bulb fields · avoid Nov–Feb (cold, wet, many seasonal places shut) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for AMS: Schiphol–Alkmaar train times, bus 160 last departure, taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Bergen centre, Park Meerwijk, Bergen aan Zee, Schoorl visitor centre.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Museum Kranenburgh, Kunstcentrum Bergen, Sea Aquarium, Het Zandspoor) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.