One day in Bergen? Then you want art, nature and the sea. That is perfectly possible, because everything is close together. Guests often ask us what they should see; this is our answer, hour by hour. You do it on foot and by bike.
The day in short
- 09:30 · breakfast in the village
- 10:30 · the Ruïnekerk and the streets around it
- 11:30 · Museum Kranenburgh
- 13:00 · lunch
- 14:30 · through woods and dunes to the sea
- 16:00 · the beach at Bergen aan Zee
- 18:30 · drinks and dinner
09:30 · Breakfast
Start gently, in the heart of the village. With us you choose from coffee with fresh cake from Patisserie Roos, a yoghurt bowl, a smoothie or an uitsmijter (fried eggs on bread). On Saturdays we open at 09:00, on Sundays at 10:00. After breakfast you are standing right in front of the first sight.
10:30 · The Ruïnekerk
The Ruïnekerk is the heart of Bergen: half church, half ruin since a fire in 1574. Walk along the old walls and through the churchyard. Curious how it came to be? Read the history of the Ruïnekerk.
Then wander through the small streets around the church, past galleries and studios. If it is Saturday, the weekly market will be there. Museum Het Sterkenhuis, about the history of the village, is within walking distance.
The light drew the painters; the light is still there.
11:30 · Museum Kranenburgh
Bergen is an artists’ village, and at Kranenburgh you see why. From around 1915 painters such as Leo Gestel, Charley Toorop and Dirk Filarski worked here: the Bergen School. Their work forms the core of the collection. After the galleries, take time for the sculpture garden too, with rhododendrons and maritime pines that have stood there since the nineteenth century.
You will find the museum on Hoflaan, a ten-minute walk from the church. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:30 to 17:00. Allow an hour and a half.
13:00 · Lunch
Back in the centre it is time for lunch. With us you choose from salads, wraps, sandwiches and soup, always with vegetarian and vegan options. Fancy something special? Try the bún gà nướng, the Vietnamese rice noodle salad by our chef Trang. Read more in lunch in Bergen NH.
14:30 · Through woods and dunes
Grab a bike and head for the sea. You first ride through the Bergen Woods and then into the dunes: woodland, heath and dunes within a few kilometres. No bike with you? You can hire one in the village, including directly opposite the Ruïnekerk.
16:00 · At the sea
In Bergen aan Zee you walk straight onto the beach. Blow away the cobwebs, have a drink at a beach pavilion, or take the children to the Zee Aquarium, which is open every day. Not quite sure where you are? Read the difference between Bergen and Bergen aan Zee.
In summer, stay for the sunset. In winter, cycle back before dark.
18:30 · Drinks and dinner
Back in the village you end the day where it began. In the evening the Ruïnekerk is illuminated and the terrace is at its liveliest. Start with an antipasti board to share and stay for dinner. The kitchen is open until 22:00, on Fridays and Saturdays until 22:30.
Good to know
- Monday? Kranenburgh is closed. Swap the museum for the galleries and a longer walk.
- Rain? Have a look at our tips for Bergen when it rains.
- October? During the Kunst10Daagse art festival there is art to see at some 130 locations in Bergen and Bergen aan Zee.
- August? The first Wednesday is Lichtjesavond, the evening of lights.
- By car? The website of the municipality of Bergen lists the car parks in the centre.
Fabel’s tip
Coming with six people or more? Book for dinner, and we will keep a table for you. With fewer, just walk in.
Is Bergen a good day out?
Yes. In one day you combine art, the Ruïnekerk, woods, dunes and the beach at Bergen aan Zee. Everything is within cycling distance.
Why is Bergen called an artists’ village?
From the start of the twentieth century many painters came to Bergen for the light and the landscape. Around 1915 the Bergen School was born here.
How do you get from Bergen to the beach?
Cycle through the Bergen Woods and the dunes to Bergen aan Zee, or drive there in about ten minutes.
Written by the team at Fabel’s eten & drinken, Oude Prinsweg 9, Bergen (NH), the Netherlands. Last updated on 9 November 2026.