A Family Vacation Close to Home: Texel
Last Updated: November 5th 2025.
This blog post was written in 2020, when there was a pandemic. That’s obviously not the case anymore. So not all discussed here still applies, however Texel is an incredible destination. Which we’ve been to several times. When the intelligent lockdown in 2020 was declared all our vacation and getaway weekend planning was put on hold. When they say stay home and only go out for necessary stuff, I’m not making plans for outings let alone a vacation. After a few months restrictions were slightly loosened, so we booked a long weekend getaway for Acension weekend, a vacation close to home. One of our first 2020 travels.
We opted for Texel, an island in the northwest of The Netherlands. The reasons for choosing Texel are that it has beautiful nature, we’ve been here before, social distancing seemed achievable, biking is great on Texel and there are plenty of beaches. All in all perfect for a vacation close to home during a pandemic, and if you have a couple of days when in the Netherlands and want to see something else besides Amsterdam.
Vacation Close to Home (and Amsterdam): Texel
Accommodation
For our vacation close to home we opted for an apartment from Roompot Vakantieparken. Namely Appartementencomplex Bosch en Zee. We wanted a kitchen, so that we could prepare our own meals. Ordering out would always be an option, but we wouldn’t be depending on it. We had been to these holiday rentals before, so they were familiar. We needed a change of scenery, but still wanted to be able to abide social distancing regulations. Next to that the apartments are acceptably priced. They’re close to the beach and to the town of De Koog.
We loved our little apartment with terrace, and had a lovely time here.
Ferry
You can reach Texel by ferry only. On the way to our weekend getaway, we had to wait 2 hours. There was a ferry leaving every hour and the first 2 were already packed. On the way home we had more luck and could drive on the ferry straight away.
On the waiting dock people got out of their cars for some fresh air. You can also wait in your car, whatever suits you.
You’ll be on the island before you know it. You can go out of your car on the ferry.
Beach
We choose Texel for several reasons, one of them being we wanted to go to the beach again. We don’t live close to the beach, we were missing going to the beach. So our vacation close to home wouldn’t have been complete without a visit to the beach. Luckily the beach wasn’t overcrowded when we went. There were people everywhere.
Swimming
We went to the swimming pool one afternoon.
We had a great time in the swimming pool. The swimming pool can be packed, especially on the weekend.
Biking
We rented bikes for 3 days, so we could explore the island. Paul and Yuri went on a tandem and I had a regular bike. We biked around and enjoy the nature. There are several museums on the island. We made 2 bike rides and checked beforehand if the things were open were we were going to. No point in biking 45 minutes, to find out the ice cream parlor is closed.
There are so many beautiful spots on Texel, it’s a joy biking around here (except for the heavy wind one day).
Weather
The weather has a huge influence on your vacation close to home. We had 2 days with rain, one day with sunshine and a lot of wind and days with sunshine. On the rainy days we stayed at the apartment and only went swimming. On the sunny days we went exploring.
Take Out.
We ordered buns and bread for breakfast and lunch each day. We placed our order on the day of arrival at a local bakery through the reception. It was delivered to the apartment each morning. This was perfect and gave that special holiday feeling. Fresh croissants and buns for breakfast each morning says vacation like nothing else.
We also went for ice cream to Labora, a cow farm who makes their own ice cream with cow’s milk. It’s so delicious, their flavors are so good. It was totally worth biking 45 minutes to and back again. They normally have seating and a whole playground for kids, you can check the cows.
We also went for cake at a local bakery. A rectangle cake topped with fruit from the Echte Bakker Timmer. It was delicious.
One day we had lunch with fish in Oudeschild at the Viswinkel De Texelse Visspecialist. When you’re at the coast you just have to have some fried breaded fish and buns with fresh fish.
Towns
We visited the centers of De Koog and Den Burg shortly. They’re both small cute towns.
Den Burg still has beautiful old traditional houses. We walked into the center, holding our bikes.
That’s a Wrap on Our Vacation Close to Home
We had a great long weekend, despite some rain. The change of scenery was great. Keeping social distance was doable most of the time. Texel is just a beautiful island and this won’t be the last time we visit! This was our first vacation with a tween, here are our tips for a road trip with tweens. Read here about our experience of Disney during Covid.
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29 Comments
Stuart Forster
Texel is on my list of places to visit after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted. I first became aware of it after drink Texels beer, which I enjoyed.
Cosette
If you like Texels beer, you can visit their brewery with a tour and tasting.
Jenn | By Land and Sea
Even though it may not have been your dream trip, I’m sure it was nice to get away for a bit! Glad you enjoyed your time in Texel!
Cosette
Yes, it was definitely a great trip and nice to be away for a few days.
Mikaela Musa
It’s nice to read about your vacation in Texel despite the ongoing situation. I’m so jealous that you could spend some time away and have a good time. Safe travels always!
Cosette
Yes, it was great to spend some time away. Hope you get to have a weekend getaway soon (safely).
Rob + Ann @TravelLatte
We’ve heard that Texel is really pretty, and would love to visit! Love the beach huts, and the farmland looks so pretty. But…homemade ice cream? Yes please! Glad you got to get to get a beach break in. Just that little break can be so helpful!
Cosette
Texel is indeed pretty, when you get the chance definitely visit. And Labora is something you have to make a stop. Their homemade ice cream is really that good.
Cindy Ladage
Looks like a great place to get away and do so many things safely.
Cosette
Yes, it was a great place to have a vacation feeling, but still do things safely.
Rhonda Albom
Texel looks like a nice place for a family getaway. It’s great that things are opening up a bit and you can enjoy some close by travel while maintaining distances.
Cosette
Texel is perfect for a family getaway. And yes luckily things are opening up and it’s going great and we get to do things again.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
How nice that you got away and managed with all of the restrictions. I am not sure I am quite ready for it yet but you have proved it is possible. #WeekendWanderlust
Cosette
YEs, restrictions are lifting here in The Netherlands. We also are allowed to go to several countries in Europe, but I don’t feel ready for that yet. If you’re not ready for traveling yet, I wouldn’t do it. It will come again.
Katie
Texel looks like a great place for a close to home trip. So happy to read you were able to make the most of it during these times!
Cosette
Yes, Texel is perfect for a close to home trip.
Sophie
It sounds like a lovely little escape. I’ve also enjoyed exploring places closer to home, even if they hadn’t been my first choice! The beach there and the little huts look gorgeous.
Cosette
The beach is great and long on Texel, so ideal. Exploring places close to home is the one thing we can do now. It’s still exploring which I would miss otherwise and supporting locals.
Taylor
Texel looks like a wonderful spot to enjoy a peaceful vacation. I never heard of it before, but I like how there is a lot of outdoor activities. 🙂
Cosette
Texel is very known as a perfect vacation destination in the Netherlands and Germany, but not so much outside those 2 countries.
Kristina
Texel looks like a brilliant spot for a family vacation. I love the bread delivery service for each day!
Jennifer Record
Great post! I hope to visit the Netherlands some day.. I wish it was as “close” for me 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!
Adriane
This is not close to our home, but it looks like such a fun getaway. My kids would love it.
Kelly
Looks like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing. We’ve discovered so much locally with the pandemic. It’s been a blessing.
Sharyn McCullum
What a gorgeous place for a getaway amidst the drama that was covid lockdowns.
Travelling Teacher Shenanigans
Great post! I visited Texel just this Summer and loved it!! I can’t wait to return sometime soon. I will be sure to visit the ice cream farm when I do!
Annie
Texel has a reputation as being good for nature, so it’s on my list to visit one day. I hadn’t really thought about what else it had to offer – or even that there were towns there. Thanks for the enlightenment.
Laureen Lund
This is a new to me place and I am intrigued. Looks like fun. thanks for the inspiration.
Anukrati
Fun to read about how you made a close-to-home trip still feel special. Texel looks like such an easy, peaceful place for a family break.