Beach scene in Domburg featuring golden sand, sunbathers, and calm waves under a clear sky, with dunes and wooden barriers in view. A couple standing on a wooden fence overlooking the beach in Domburg, with sunlit sea in the background.
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
A panoramic view of Domburg showcasing a church tower among lush greenery and traditional Dutch architecture under a clear blue sky.
A classic beach pavilion in Domburg, featuring white walls, large windows, and a yellow gate amidst lush green grass.
A scenic view of a historic church tower in Domburg, surrounded by tree-lined streets and traditional rooftops.
A sunny view of the Bad Pavilion in Domburg, showcasing outdoor dining and the striking architecture of the building.
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 in Domburg surrounded by lush greenery and pathways leading to the entrance.
A modern building amidst greenery in Domburg, with a unique chimney and panoramic windows, overlooking dunes under clear skies.
A charming house with a red-tiled roof surrounded by lush greenery in Domburg.
Beach scene in Domburg featuring golden sand, sunbathers, and calm waves under a clear sky, with dunes and wooden barriers in view.
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 beach scene in Domburg featuring a weathered post with rope and visitors enjoying the shoreline under clear skies.
A wooden easel in the foreground with a historic cylindrical tower in Domburg surrounded by tall grass under a clear blue sky.
Colorful beach huts in Domburg lined along sandy shore with grassy dunes in the background under a clear blue sky.
A modern building labeled "Oaxaca" in Domburg with a curved roof and wooden walkway, leading to outdoor seating.
A couple standing on a wooden fence overlooking the beach in Domburg, with sunlit sea in the background.
Framed by dune grass and wooden railings, a couple watches the shimmering horizon where sky and water meet.
A sunny beach in Domburg, with sunbathers, colorful umbrellas, and gentle waves along the shoreline. Dunes in the foreground.
Bicycles lined up near a historic tower in Domburg, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky.