Culture Food

A guide to Oudeschild, Texel

Texel, The Netherlands: Oudeschild | Your Dutch Guide

Texel is one of the pretty islands in the north of The Netherlands, surrounded by the UNESCO protected Waddenzee. During our holiday I completely fell in love with Oudeschild, which I think is the prettiest and most authentic village on Texel. So, let me tell you why I feel you have yo visit Oudeschild Texel during your holiday.

Holidaying on Texel is such a treat. Even we Dutch think so. The Wadden Islands, of which Texel is the largest island, have an atmosphere all of their own. As soon as you get off the ferry, you automatically fall into holiday-mode. Or as my dear father would say: you won’t get out of first gear as soon as you set foot on Texel. The island has gorgeous national parks, dramatic dunes and the light is somewhat softer, making it a favourite spot for painters and photographers. I thought Oudeschild, with its busy harbour and fine dining options, was maybe the loveliest village on Texel.

Texel, The Netherlands: De Ruyterstraat in Oudeschild | Your Dutch Guide

About Oudeschild Texel

Oudeschild is the only village on Texel directly by the sea and therefore has its own harbour. And even though small, the fleet is quite large and there’s always something to do. From Oudeschild you can take a trip out to the UNESCO protected Waddenzee on a traditional shrimping boat (no Forest Gump drama included, promise).

Even though the picturesque village doesn’t look like it, it used to be of great importance during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, when VOC ships rode at anchor at Texel before heading to Amsterdam or going out on their new far east adventure. The ships needed supplies and brought wealth to the community of Texel, who built Oudeschild to meet the needs of the VOC. This immediately turned Oudeschild from a sleepy fisherman’s village into a bustling place of trade. The most beautiful traditional houses can be spotted in De Ruyterstraat.

Texel, The Netherlands: De Ruyterstraat in Oudeschild | Your Dutch Guide

What too see and do in Oudeschild, Texel (The Netherlands) | Your Dutch Guide

What to see and do in Oudeschild, Texel

Kaap Skil Museum

This Maritime and Beachcombers Museum (Kaap Skil Museum) has been completely built from recycled materials and is probably the best museum to be found on Texel. Outside demonstrations by fish-smokers and rope-makers can be enjoyed while indoors the enormous collection of items recovered from the shore and sunken ships will blow your mind.

Windmill de Traanroeier

Some beautiful windmills are to be spotted on Texel and de Traanroeier is Oudeschild’s windmill. It’s a still working grain grinding mill and the mill can be visited as part of Kaap Skil Museum. When the windmill won a prize as most beautiful windmill in The Netherlands in 2017, it was completely renovated and given a new thatched roof and hull.

De oude vismarkt

Technically De oude vismarkt is a large fish shop, but it is set in Oudeschild’s historical fish markets and it’s got to be the most beautiful fish shop I’ve ever set foot in. First of all, it’s a joy to walk around and take in the traditional building as well as the small expo on the first floor about modern fishing. Second of all, let’s eat. Lots of locals and tourists flock inside during lunchtime for a portion of fried fish or fish and chips. But if you’d like to shop for something nice to cook that night, I can only encourage it. The fish couldn’t be fresher and was brought into the harbour in the morning.

Oudeschild, Texel (The Netherlands): De Oude Vismarkt | Your Dutch Guide

Fishing on Waddenzee

Waddenzee, or Wadden Sea in English, is on the UNESCO World Heritage list as it is a unique ecosystem. I must say that yes, Waddenzee is absolutely mesmerizing and should be looked at from up close. In Oudeschild you can join one of the shrimp cutters heading out to sea to give you a real (salty…) taste of fishing for shrimp on this special part of The Netherlands. Shortly after leaving the shore the fishermen will cast their nets, after a while the catch will be put on the deck to be sorted. It’s a really unique experience and you may even spot a seal or two.

Texel Brewery

The unique beers by de Texelse Bierbrouwerij are draughted and sold all over The Netherlands, so when you’re visiting Texel you better visit the Brewery just outside of Oudschild. The taste of Texel’s beer is unique as the soft tasting water from the local dunes is used in the brewing process. The short tour through the brewery shows you a film about the recent history of the brewery and you’ll get to see the entire brewing process up close and personal. Of course, a small beer tasting is waiting for you at the end and you will be able to shop for your favourite beers in the brewery shop.

Oudeschild, Texel (The Netherlands): Texelse Bierbrouwerij | Your Dutch Guide

Pick your own fruit and vegetables

There’s something really wholesome about picking your own fruit and vegetables, I find. Just across the road from the brewery, you can pick your own fruit, veggies and even flowers at Zelfpluktuin. It’s one of my favourite places on the entire island. And since everything is seasonal, what you’ll get to pick really depends on the month you’re visiting. When I visited Zelfpluktuin in Oudeschild I was able to pick cherry tomatoes, blackberries, strawberries and a nice bunch of dahlias. If you’re not into picking fruit, take a seat in the café for some coffee and cake and maybe bring home some freshly made jams of juices.

Pick your own fruit: Oudeschild, Texel (The Netherlands) | Your Dutch Guide

Pick your own flowers: Oudeschild, Texel (The Netherlands) | Your Dutch Guide

Check out 16 great things to do on Texel

Eat at ‘t Pakhuus, Oudeschild

Since Oudeschild is right by the sea and has its own harbour, it goes without saying that all fish and seafood to be had in any of the cafés and restaurants is excellent. If you rather eat more formally than at De oude vismarkt, I can highly recommend the following ‘t Pakhuus for either lunch or dinner.

Oudeschild, Texel: 't Pakhuus | Your Dutch Guide

Oudeschild, Texel: 't Pakhuus | Your Dutch Guide

If, by any chance, you’re only able to eat out once during your entire stay on Texel, ‘t Pakhuus is the place to go to. Yes, this is my favourite restaurant on Texel and it’s actually the main reason why I am pitching Oudeschild as a Texel hotspot. What can I say, the way to my heart is through my stomach.

My husband and I went there, with a sleeping baby in tow, for a three-course lunch and oh my. What a lunch it was. We started off with fresh oysters from Waddenzee, which were small but sparkling full of flavour. Our main was a combination of lobster bisque, a shrimp roll and a tuna roll. And oh, it was so good. ‘t Pakhuus is also the best place to have freshly steamed mussels.

Actually, Texel is full of amazing food. Not just fresh fish. But also great lamb, cheeses and even wine. Check out my self-guided food tour Texel on the best food spots to visit.

Hotel Oudeschild Texel: Hotel Havenzicht

We stayed on a holiday park during our stay on Texel, Landal Sluftervallei which I highly recommend when you’re travelling to Texel with kids. It’s a large park in the beautiful Texel dunes, with loads of playgrounds, an indoor swimming pool and a very good restaurant.

Oudeschild, Texel: Hotel Havenzicht | Your Dutch Guide

Oudeschild Texel, Hotel Havenzicht | Your Dutch Guide

However, if you’d like to stay somewhere less quiet, Oudeschild is a nice place to stay on Texel. There are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants to keep you entertained. Texel is only a small island, so it doesn’t matter where you’ll be staying on the island, it’s easy enough to see the entire island from wherever you’re staying.

Hotel Havenzicht is perched right at the harbour’s edge overlooking all the fishing cutters and the Wadden Sea in the distance. The windmill of Oudeschild is right behind the hotel, it doesn’t get more Dutch than that. The hotel offers cosy rooms with beams and love seats overlooking the bustling Oudeschild harbour. The café and restaurant downstairs offer seafood specials or dishes made with real Texel lamb.

Travel to Texel, The Netherlands

  • It’s not that hard to get to Texel from Amsterdam. Take the train to Den Helder, from there catch a bus to the ferry terminal. Foot passenger can just buy a ticket when walking up.
  • If you’re relying on public transport De Texelhopper will get you anywhere on the island.
  • Buy an OV Chip Card to travel on all public transport in The Netherlands. You can charge the card as you go.
  • If you’ve rented a car, reservations for the ferries are advisable.
  • Travelling to Texel with kids? Check out the top things to do.
  • Plan your trip using my complete Texel travel guide.

Save on Pinterest

A guide to Oudeschild, Texel (The Netherlands) | Your Dutch Guide

A guide to Oudeschild, Texel (The Netherlands) | Your Dutch Guide

You Might Also Like

12 Comments

  • Reply
    Shona Grant
    April 26, 2019 at 9:42 am

    Oudeschild looks great. A brewery and a fish market will get me every time. The town itself is so picturesque I can imagine not getting out of first gear. LOL.

  • Reply
    Erin Gustafson
    April 26, 2019 at 2:06 pm

    It looks just my style – a charming village by the seaside with fresh seafood? Yes please! And my husband would be very interested in the local brew too! Thanks for sharing – I hear a lot about Wadden Sea, but nice to have a quaint place to put with that area. Cheers from Copenhagen. Erin #FarawayFiles

  • Reply
    Cristina
    April 26, 2019 at 10:21 pm

    Thanks for introducing me to Oudeschild! I had never heard of it before and now I’m in love with it. I always fall for charming villages 🙂

    • Reply
      Esther
      May 1, 2019 at 10:30 pm

      I can only imagine you never heard of it, it’s just a small place! I hope you will have the chance to visit someday.

  • Reply
    Sharon
    April 28, 2019 at 5:59 pm

    Oudeschild has so much charm — and a harbor! You really sold me talking about the fresh seafood. I can see why this is a wonderful getaway even for locals. Lobster bisque — yummm!

  • Reply
    Lolo
    April 28, 2019 at 9:34 pm

    What a lovely holiday place. I feel like I learned a lot about islands in the Netherlands. It does look very relaxing, and I would really enjoy eating the yummy seafood

  • Reply
    Katherine
    May 1, 2019 at 7:39 pm

    Does soft water equal soft tasting beer? I don’t really know what I mean by that, maybe just not a strong hopps taste that sometimes turns me off beer. Because I’d be up for a tour of Tezelse Bierbrouwerij if that was the case!

    • Reply
      Esther
      May 1, 2019 at 10:28 pm

      I know exactly what you mean! The beer is indeed very, very smooth and the only one that tastes rather hoppy is the red ale, so you’d be more than alright with the rest. Very citrussy too.

  • Reply
    Allison
    May 1, 2019 at 8:04 pm

    I love harbor towns. There’s just a feel about them and I’m convinced that I belong near the water. #wanderfulwednesday

    • Reply
      Esther
      May 1, 2019 at 10:29 pm

      Haha, that means you should come and live in Holland as you’re never far from water here! Sometimes a lor closer than you’d like to be.

  • Reply
    Rhonda Albom
    May 2, 2019 at 12:26 am

    I love little quaint seaside towns like this. The fresh seafood sounds wonderful. It sounds like a great place to go to and be in ‘holiday mode’.

  • Reply
    Anna
    May 2, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    I always enjoy learning about new places in the Neverlands from your blog! Texel looks like such a pretty island, wish I could visit one day!

Leave a Reply