The sandy beach extends to the water, with some people relaxing. Waves gently break on the shore, and piers are visible in the background. A couple stands by a wooden fence, gazing at the sparkling sea, surrounded by grass and sand.
Netherlands

Domburg: A Healing Seaside Resort

Together by the Sea: A Quiet Moment on the Dunes.
Domburg, Netherlands, July 2022

Domburg is a seaside town with a past. Once a colony for artists, today it’s mostly known as a beach resort—an award-winning one, at that. “Recognized as a Healing Seaside Resort,” Domburg earns this title for its beaches and seawater, said to promote the health of both visitors and locals. I haven’t tested that claim. But it’s certainly a beautiful place.

Despite its popularity, Domburg never feels hectic. Chic beach pavilions invite you to wrap yourself in a blanket and gaze out at the sea, while small cafés in the town center fill with a mix of tourists and locals. The view of the water is vast, the sand almost white, and between the dunes, you’ll always find a sheltered spot to sit and enjoy the moment.

One of the town’s quirks is its seemingly random collection of houses scattered across the dunes—almost as if town planning had been left to the wind. It adds to Domburg’s charm, though it doesn’t do much for navigation or parking. Speaking of which, parking here costs 50 euros per partial day. Not exactly a bargain for my two-hour visit. Next time, I’m taking the train.

Map of Domburg
Tall green grasses in the foreground, with a church tower and a serene rural landscape in the background.
A white historic building with a black roof, surrounded by green grass and a yellow wooden gate.
A church with a distinctive pointed tower rises above buildings and trees under a clear sky.
Blooming plants surround a terrace in front of a stylish building with a tower, where guests relax in sunny weather.
The Badpaviljoen in Domburg has stood above the dunes since 1889. Once a luxurious seaside retreat, this historic landmark now houses a restaurant and apartments.
A modern house with large glass windows and wooden cladding, surrounded by lush green grass and trees.
A modern building with a glass facade is nestled among hilly dunes and greenery. People walk along a path in the background.
A red house with a pointed roof stands among green bushes and shrubs against a clear sky.
The sandy beach extends to the water, with some people relaxing. Waves gently break on the shore, and piers are visible in the background.
The wide beaches of Domburg. From the grassy dunes to the wooden breakwaters, this stretch of coastline has drawn visitors for centuries, offering space, sea, and endless horizon views.
A post with rope in the foreground, with a wide sandy beach and people standing and moving near the water in the background.
A wooden easel stands in the foreground, while a round gray tower is visible on a hill in the background.
Colorful beach huts lined up on bright sand, surrounded by gentle green dunes in the background.
A modern building with a curved roof labeled Oaxaca, featuring a wooden walkway leading to the entrance.
A couple stands by a wooden fence, gazing at the sparkling sea, surrounded by grass and sand.
Framed by dune grass and wooden railings, a couple watches the shimmering horizon where sky and water meet.
A wide beach with sunbathers, deck chairs, and colorful umbrellas, surrounded by gentle dunes.
A line of bicycles is parked by a path, with a tall stone tower and lush greenery in the background.