De Cocksdorp, De Koog, Oosterend

Texel is an island full of contrasts, where an incredible variety of landscapes comes together in a small area. On the east side lies the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most dynamic nature areas in Europe. The tides make sandbanks and channels appear and disappear twice a day, creating the perfect habitat for millions of migratory birds and countless shellfish and fish.

The west side is dominated by wide beaches and tall dunes, where marram grass holds the sand together and where vast forests and wet dune valleys lie behind. This is the domain of orchids, butterflies and countless breeding birds. In spring, the meadows are full of lapwings, godwits and redshanks, which build their nests here.

Also special are the Slufter and the salt marshes, where salty seawater flows in during storms and plants like sea lavender and samphire bloom. These salty landscapes turn purple in summer and attract thousands of geese and wading birds.

Texel offers a complete cross-section of Dutch nature in a small area: from mudflats to forest, from meadows to beach. This richness makes the island not only attractive to birds and other animals, but also to anyone who wants to experience the beauty and energy of the Dutch coastal landscape up close. As the cherry on top, we found a few stop-off spots that turn this route into a full day out.