Gravestones with curved tops are lined along a gravel path, surrounded by red flowers and lush greenery. A large buoy with red and white stripes and a conical top stands on a hill, surrounded by grass and bushes.
Netherlands

Callantsoog: Sun, Sand, and Gravestones

A bright red buoy stands majestically in the dunes of Callantsoog.
 Callantsoog, Netherlands, July 2022

Callantsoog is small, but it has a towering dune. Seinpost—the highest sand dune in North Holland—rises above the town, the holiday homes, the beach cafés. A short climb rewards you with the best view: the sea stretching endlessly ahead, the town behind, framed by fields and open space.

The oldest building visible from up here is the church from 1581. It has no name, but its history lives on in the weathered gravestones along the fence. The inscriptions have faded over time, but the dates remain: the 17th century, the 18th century. A quiet contrast to the livelier main street lined with cafés and beach shops.

When I visited early in the morning, the town still lay asleep beneath the dune. The streets were empty, and if there was life somewhere, it hid itself well. But I imagine that doesn’t last. As the day unfolds, Callantsoog likely fills with sun-seeking visitors making a beeline for the beach, with children building sandcastles, and with parents realizing—once again—that sand finds its way into absolutely everything.

I wasn’t there long enough to see it, but I’d be shocked if it didn’t play out exactly that way.

Map of Callantsoog
Colorful houses under a clear sky, surrounded by green shrubs with pink flowers in the foreground.
Colorful houses and flowering shrubs characterize the image of the Dutch coastal town of Callantsoog.
Beach at Callantsoog: Gentle hills and flowers lead to the shore, where people stroll along the coast and the sea sparkles in the distance.
A large buoy with red and white stripes and a conical top stands on a hill, surrounded by grass and bushes.
A bright red buoy stands majestically in the dunes of Callantsoog.
A black bicycle leans against a lamp post adorned with colorful flowers, a restaurant visible in the background.
Colorful buildings in a coastal village, surrounded by dunes and green grass, with a few patio umbrellas.
House in Callantsoog: A white building with a black roof and red tiled roofs, surrounded by blooming plants and a smooth road.
Wip In in Callantsoog: A modern glass building with a large ice cream sign and colorful trash bins in the plaza.
The image shows a modern building with seating and flower boxes in a square.
Shopping street in Callantsoog: Modern buildings with cafés and flowers, paved square with a bicycle and few pedestrians.
Storefront in Callantsoog: A vibrant shop front showcasing various souvenirs and leisure items.
Market in Callantsoog: A blue clock tower with a pointed roof above a clothing store featuring racks of clothing.
A white church with a red-tiled roof, surrounded by grass and gravel paths, under a cloudy sky.
The white church of Callantsoog, dating back to the 17th century, stands as a landmark in this coastal village
Church in Callantsoog: A slate tower with a clock, surrounded by green shrubs, with a cloudy sky in the background.
The 17th-century church of Callantsoog features a distinctive wooden bell tower, a rare sight in the Netherlands.
Gravestones with curved tops are lined along a gravel path, surrounded by red flowers and lush greenery.