Hook of Holland

Netherlands

Hook of Holland (Dutch: Hoek van Holland or De Hoek, literally "The Corner") is a small town on the Nieuwe Waterweg ship canal near the North Sea coast in Rijnmond. It is well connected to the nearby regional hub, Rotterdam. Most notable for travellers is Hook's ferry port, which has had services to the East of England since 1893.

The Hook of Holland is not an autonomous municipality, but part of the municipality of Rotterdam, although there is an advisory council for local affairs. The settlement came into existence when the Nieuwe Waterweg was dug to create a better waterway from the harbor of Rotterdam to the sea.

The enormous arms of the Maeslant Barrier can close off the mouth of the waterway to protect against storm surges

  • Maeslant Barrier, Havennummer 882, +31 174-511222. M–F 10:00–16:00, Sa Su hols 11:00–17:00. Storm surge barrier that is one of the largest moving structures in the world. The Maeslantkering is one of a series of surge barriers, locks, and dikes in the Netherlands, further described in the Delta Works article. The visitors' center (het Keringhuis, €2 per person) explains the history of Maeslantkering as well as the wider context of Dutch water management, but exhibits are in Dutch only. Several times per day, guided tours are provided for €4 per person (most are in Dutch, some in English); check the website for time and reservations. It's also possible to get a good, free view of the barrier from the top of the dune next to the visitors center. Once a year (usually in September), the barrier is closed and re-opened for testing. On that day, the place will be relatively crowded.
  • Europoort — The largest port in the world (by some measures) sits on a series of islands facing the Hook of Holland. You can drive or bicycle here on your own, or take Rondvaart Europoort's harbour tour departing from the mainland:
    • You can get to the port on foot or bicycle via the RET Fast Ferry from Hoek van Holland Haven, departing hourly from 06:06 to 19:06. (You'll probably want a bike to get around upon arriving at the sprawling Europoort.) Round-trip ferry tickets €5.60.
    • FutureLand visitor center & tours, Europaweg 902. Tu–F 10:00–17:00, Su 11:00–17:00, sometimes Sat. The Port Authority offers 60- and 90-minute catamaran tours and 60-minute bus tours (€9–11 for the boat or bus tour, €15 combo for both), departing from the visitor center (i.e. you must get to the port on your own).
    • Rondvaart Europoort, +31 174-820374. see website for sailing schedule. Harbor cruise tour of the port. Reservations recommended. €17.50 adults for 1½ hour tour, €21–€25 for 2½–3½ hour tours..
    • Driving to the port is possible, but you'll have to go almost all the way to Rotterdam to get to the tunnel.

The Atlantikwall Museum is set in an old bunker

  • Atlantikwall Museum, Widerstandsnest 17. open a few days a month (see website). A bunker-turned-museum about the strategic importance of Netherlands' Atlantic coast in World War II. Hook of Holland was one of the most important places for the Germans to hold in the war because of the harbour. Not in English. €2.50, cash only.
  • Kustverlichtingsmuseum, Willem van Houtenstraat 102, +31 703 912 448.
  • Fort 1881, Stationsweg 80 – 82, +31 881 881 500. Over 12 years old: €6, between 4 and 12: €4.50, under 4 years of age: Free..

Maeslant Barrier, Havennummer 882, +31 174-511222. M–F 10:00–16:00, Sa Su hols 11:00–17:00. Storm surge barrier that is one of the largest moving structures in the world. The Maeslantkering is one of a series of surge barriers, locks, and dikes in the Netherlands, further described in the [[Delta Works]] article. The visitors' center (het Keringhuis, €2 per person) explains the history of Maeslantkering as well as the wider context of Dutch water management, but exhibits are in Dutch only. Several times per day, guided tours are provided for €4 per person (most are in Dutch, some in English); check the website for time and reservations. It's also possible to get a good, free view of the barrier from the top of the dune next to the visitors center. Once a year (usually in September), the barrier is closed and re-opened for testing. On that day, the place will be relatively crowded.

Europoort — The largest port in the world (by some measures) sits on a series of islands facing the Hook of Holland. You can drive or bicycle here on your own, or take Rondvaart Europoort's harbour tour departing from the mainland:

  • You can get to the port on foot or bicycle via the RET Fast Ferry from Hoek van Holland Haven, departing hourly from 06:06 to 19:06. (You'll probably want a bike to get around upon arriving at the sprawling Europoort.) Round-trip ferry tickets €5.60.
  • FutureLand visitor center & tours, Europaweg 902. Tu–F 10:00–17:00, Su 11:00–17:00, sometimes Sat. The Port Authority offers 60- and 90-minute catamaran tours and 60-minute bus tours (€9–11 for the boat or bus tour, €15 combo for both), departing from the visitor center (i.e. you must get to the port on your own).
  • Rondvaart Europoort, +31 174-820374. see website for sailing schedule. Harbor cruise tour of the port. Reservations recommended. €17.50 adults for 1½ hour tour, €21–€25 for 2½–3½ hour tours..
  • Driving to the port is possible, but you'll have to go almost all the way to Rotterdam to get to the tunnel.

Europoort — The largest port in the world (by some measures) sits on a series of islands facing the Hook of Holland. You can drive or bicycle here on your own, or take Rondvaart Europoort's harbour tour departing from the mainland:

  • You can get to the port on foot or bicycle via the RET Fast Ferry from Hoek van Holland Haven, departing hourly from 06:06 to 19:06. (You'll probably want a bike to get around upon arriving at the sprawling Europoort.) Round-trip ferry tickets €5.60.
  • FutureLand visitor center & tours, Europaweg 902. Tu–F 10:00–17:00, Su 11:00–17:00, sometimes Sat. The Port Authority offers 60- and 90-minute catamaran tours and 60-minute bus tours (€9–11 for the boat or bus tour, €15 combo for both), departing from the visitor center (i.e. you must get to the port on your own).
  • Rondvaart Europoort, +31 174-820374. see website for sailing schedule. Harbor cruise tour of the port. Reservations recommended. €17.50 adults for 1½ hour tour, €21–€25 for 2½–3½ hour tours..
  • Driving to the port is possible, but you'll have to go almost all the way to Rotterdam to get to the tunnel.

Atlantikwall Museum, Widerstandsnest 17. open a few days a month (see website). A bunker-turned-museum about the strategic importance of Netherlands' Atlantic coast in [[World War II in Europe|World War II]]. Hook of Holland was one of the most important places for the Germans to hold in the war because of the harbour. Not in English. €2.50, cash only.

Kustverlichtingsmuseum, Willem van Houtenstraat 102, +31 703 912 448.

Fort 1881, Stationsweg 80 – 82, +31 881 881 500. Over 12 years old: €6, between 4 and 12: €4.50, under 4 years of age: Free..

Hook of Holland's beach, on the North Sea

  • Beach. The 18 km long sand beach is one of the nicest in the Netherlands. Some affordable restaurants and clubs stretch out from the access roads, or you can find a tranquil spot by walking a bit farther along the beach. Free.
  • Bike or hike in the dunes. Separating Hook of Holland from the beach are some lightly forested sand dunes with great bike/hiking/dogwalking paths. Good birdwatching too. Free.

Beach. The 18 km long sand beach is one of the nicest in the Netherlands. Some affordable restaurants and clubs stretch out from the access roads, or you can find a tranquil spot by walking a bit farther along the beach. Free.

Bike or hike in the dunes. Separating Hook of Holland from the beach are some lightly forested sand dunes with great bike/hiking/dogwalking paths. Good birdwatching too. Free.

  • De Boulevard, Badweg 8, +31 174 382 595.
  • La Porte Salute, Paviljoensweg 2, +31 174 382 656.
  • Unicum Waterweg, Koningin Emmaboulevard 5, +31 174 387 635.
  • Vispaleis, Koningin Emmaboulevard 1, +31 174 385 555. 11:00 - 20:00.
  • Jutter, Koningin Emmaboulevard 4, +31 6 3005 9624.
  • Ocean City, Rietdijkstraat 104, +31 174 382 515.
  • SAAM, Prins Hendrikstraat 287, +31 174 848 010. Tu - Su: 11:00-20:30.
  • L'americain, Rietdijkstraat 96, +31 174 310 660.

De Boulevard, Badweg 8, +31 174 382 595.

La Porte Salute, Paviljoensweg 2, +31 174 382 656.

Unicum Waterweg, Koningin Emmaboulevard 5, +31 174 387 635.

Vispaleis, Koningin Emmaboulevard 1, +31 174 385 555. 11:00 - 20:00.

Jutter, Koningin Emmaboulevard 4, +31 6 3005 9624.

Ocean City, Rietdijkstraat 104, +31 174 382 515.

SAAM, Prins Hendrikstraat 287, +31 174 848 010. Tu - Su: 11:00-20:30.

L'americain, Rietdijkstraat 96, +31 174 310 660.

  • Rotterdam — Major multicultural city known for its modern architecture.
  • Delft — Arguably the country's most picturesque canal-lined town. Home of the famous Delft Blue pottery (or Delftware), and the home of Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.
  • The Hague — The seat of the Dutch parliament and government, and home to Scheveningen, the most popular seaside resort of the Netherlands.
  • East of England by ferry

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