Beloved by the Dutch but largely overlooked by international travellers, Texel rewards visitors with a pace of life that feels increasingly rare
A Weekend In… is a series exploring easy weekend escapes from the cities Singapore Airlines flies to. From charming islands and countryside retreats to historic towns and hidden gems, each guide highlights destinations that can be discovered in just a few days.
On a wind-whipped afternoon in the Wadden Sea, the shrimp boat’s twin nets emerge from the waters and spill their haul onto the deck in a clattering cascade of marine life.
Out tumbles an astonishing cast of creatures: crabs scrambling sideways for freedom, translucent jellyfish glistening in the sun, starfish, flatfish and creatures I cannot immediately identify. Around us, dozens of seagulls wheel and shriek overhead, aware that lunch has just arrived.
Most of the catch is swiftly returned to the sea but one prized resident of these waters stays behind: the North Sea shrimp. Hundreds upon hundreds of them bounce across the deck like living confetti.
After the shrimps are boiled on board, the fisherman shows us how locals eat them. First, twist off the tail. Then, with a practised pinch of the fingers, slide the shell away. The entire process takes less than five seconds.
The reward is immediate. The shrimp may be small, but their flavour is remarkably sweet and briny – the taste of the Wadden Sea distilled into a single bite. Around us, the seagulls happily finish whatever is left behind.
It is a fitting introduction to Texel, the largest of the Dutch Wadden Islands, where life moves at a gentler pace. Just two hours from Amsterdam, including a 20-minute ferry ride across the Wadden Sea, Texel feels a world away from the Dutch capital’s crowds.
Unlike Amsterdam, where tourists often outnumber locals, most visitors here are Dutch families returning year after year to windswept beaches that give way to grass-topped dunes, forest trails and nature reserves teeming with wildlife.
Despite being one of the Netherlands’ most beloved holiday destinations, Texel remains surprisingly under the radar for international travellers. The result is an island that still feels authentically local, with charming villages, excellent seafood and prices that, by Dutch standards, remain refreshingly reasonable.
"Despite being one of the Netherlands' most beloved holiday destinations, Texel remains surprisingly under the radar for international travellers"
How to get around
The best way to experience Texel is on two wheels. The island is crisscrossed by hundreds of kilometres of dedicated bike paths linking beaches, villages, forests and nature reserves.
Much of the island is flat enough for leisurely bike rides, but those looking for a little more exertion can follow trails that weave through the windswept dunes of Duinen van Texel National Park.
Better still, cycling here is wonderfully hassle-free. Numerous rental companies operate across the island, and many will deliver bikes directly to your hotel, holiday home or campsite before collecting them again at the end of your stay. Just be sure to book a day or two in advance.
What to see and do
Then, there is also the trip aboard a shrimp trawler. The experience offers a fascinating glimpse into the maritime traditions that have shaped the island for generations.
The commentary is almost entirely in Dutch, so international visitors may not catch every detail, but it hardly matters. Between the seals lolling around on nearby sandbanks, the sea breeze and the spectacle unfolding on deck, it remains one of the most memorable ways to experience Texel.
Those wanting a closer encounter with Texel’s most famous residents should make a beeline for Ecomare, a seal rescue and rehabilitation centre nestled among the dunes.
Every year, sick, injured or orphaned seals are brought here for treatment before being released back into the wild. Visitors can watch them torpedo through the water, laze by the pool or stare back with the sort of soulful expression that makes you wonder who is really observing whom.
Some are local residents; others have wandered into the Wadden Sea from surprisingly distant waters in search of food.
Animal lovers should not miss Schapenboerderij Texel, a sheep farm housed on a historic property. The square base of the traditional farmhouse dates back to around 1700 and was built using timber salvaged from the masts of wrecked Dutch East India Company ships.
Today, it is run by the Witte family, who transformed it into one of the island’s most beloved attractions. Visitors can bottle-feed lambs, cuddle chickens and guinea pigs, meet pigs and goats, and watch intelligent sheepdogs round up entire flocks with military precision.
Should the famously unpredictable Dutch weather fail to cooperate – or even if it does – head for Museum Kaap Skil.
Dedicated to Texel’s maritime history, it tells the story of the island’s centuries-long relationship with the sea through shipwrecks and recovered treasures. The highlight is a remarkably well-preserved 17th-century silk dress recovered from the Palmwood shipwreck after spending centuries beneath the seabed.
Don’t leave without visiting the museum’s beachcombers’ shed outdoors. Filled from floor to ceiling with objects washed ashore over the decades, it is part curiosity cabinet, part treasure chest.
Beachcombing runs deep in Texel culture and, in earlier times, islanders combed the shoreline out of necessity, salvaging driftwood for fuel and building materials.
Where to eat
Texel may be best known for its beaches and wildlife, but its food scene punches well above its weight. Thanks to an abundance of fresh seafood, dairy farms and local producers, many restaurants embrace a distinctly farm-to-table philosophy.
For lunch with a view, head to Club 17. Texel is dotted with beach restaurants and cafes, but few are as stylish as this sprawling beachfront spot, where Mediterranean-inspired dishes are served against a backdrop of rolling dunes and endless sea views.
Don’t miss the Waddenkokkels – sweet, briny cockles sustainably harvested from the Wadden Sea – or the shrimp burger, an indulgent creation made from North Sea shrimp compressed into a patty.
If you’re struggling to choose, the butcher’s choice and catch of the day are reliable options. On an island surrounded by sea and blanketed by farmland, ingredients rarely travel far.
For a memorable dinner, book a table at Oudeland Texel. The contemporary restaurant is run by chef-owner Daan Kappert, who moved to Texel with his wife several years ago and, like many visitors before him, never quite left.
His monthly changing three-, four- and five-course surprise menus showcase Texel’s seasonal produce through a contemporary Dutch lens, combining bold flavours with elegant presentation. Wine pairings are available, though the non-alcoholic pairings are just as compelling.
One savoury concoction served alongside a main course tasted more like a refined broth than a mocktail – unusual, yes, but surprisingly effective. Kappert also owns the neighbouring Pommes Paul, a local favourite serving excellent fries and Texel beef burgers.
And then there is dessert. At IJsboerderij Labora, an ice cream farm set amid Texel’s countryside, visitors can watch cows being milked by a robot before sampling ice cream made from the same fresh milk.
"Thanks to an abundance of fresh seafood, dairy farms and local producers, many restaurants embrace a distinctly farm-to-table philosophy"
Where to stay
For families, De Krim Texel is one of the island’s most popular options. Our family of four stayed in a two-bedroom chalet complete with a private sauna, which cost EUR 762 (S$1,100) for three nights during our June visit, excluding meals.
While the accommodation itself was comfortable, the real appeal lies in the facilities. The sprawling holiday park features an indoor swimming complex with water slides, multiple playgrounds and a children’s club offering organised activities, conducted in Dutch.
Couples seeking a quieter escape will find no shortage of alternatives. Texel is home to a number of charming boutique hotels and guesthouses, many located near the island’s beaches, dunes and villages.
Wherever you choose to stay, the emphasis tends to be less on luxury and more on easy access to nature, fresh air and the island’s famously relaxed pace of life.
How to get there
Reaching Texel is surprisingly simple. If you’re driving, head for the TESO ferry terminal in Den Helder, the northernmost town on the Dutch mainland. The route to the port is well signposted and difficult to miss.
From Den Helder, ferries depart roughly every hour for the 20-minute crossing to Texel. Tickets can be purchased online via the TESO website or at the terminal, although booking online allows you to take advantage of licence-plate recognition for faster access to the port.
The fare covers both the outbound and return journeys, so there is no need to purchase a separate ticket for the trip back to the mainland. If you have time before boarding, consider a stop at the town’s excellent navy museum, where visitors can explore a real submarine from the inside.
Those travelling without a car can take a direct 90-minute or under NS Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal or Schiphol Airport to Den Helder, followed by the ferry crossing.
Once on Texel, Bus 28 connects the ferry terminal with major towns such as Den Burg and De Koog, while the Texelhopper shared minibus service can take you to destinations further afield.
For more information on Singapore Airlines’ flights to Amsterdam, visit singaporeair.com
