Vuurbaak van Katwijk – complete visitor guide

What makes the Vuurbaak special?

The Vuurbaak van Katwijk, also known as the Vierboet, is much more than a picturesque coastal tower. It is a survivor from the days when Katwijk fishermen launched their boats directly from the beach and depended on a signal light to find their way home. The present lighthouse is linked with a request made in 1605 for a fire beacon.

It is considered the second-oldest surviving lighthouse building in the Netherlands, after the Brandaris on Terschelling. The square, whitewashed stone tower looks different from the tall rotating coastal lighthouses many visitors expect. That difference is part of its character: this was originally a practical beacon for a working fishing community.

The Vuurbaak stands at the southern end of Katwijk’s seafront, close to the beach and an easy addition to a stroll from the village centre.

History: from wood fires to oil lamps

In the early seventeenth century the sea could be a dangerous place for small fishing vessels. A fire lit high above the shore was a recognisable guide after dark. The original beacon made use of an iron grate for a wood fire; later coal was burned, and by the nineteenth century oil lamps with reflectors offered a more controlled light.

The light was not operated in the same way as modern navigational lighthouses. It was closely associated with Katwijk’s own fishing fleet and historically would be lit when the village boats were at sea. A seventeenth-century arrangement even allowed the keepers to draw support for fuel and maintenance from fishing proceeds.

When the old flat-bottomed bomschuiten disappeared from the beach around the beginning of the twentieth century, the beacon gradually lost its original purpose. Unlike larger modern lights, it was never converted into a powerful electrically rotating beacon. The monument is now preserved as part of Katwijk’s heritage.

Its role as a visitor attraction is also a long-standing tradition: volunteers connected with Katwijks Museum have welcomed summer visitors to the tower since the late 1960s.

Can you climb the Vuurbaak?

Yes, when it is open to visitors. A staircase leads to the upper gallery. The tower itself is roughly 14 metres high; because it stands on higher ground, the viewing position is approximately 30 metres above sea level. This offers a rewarding panorama despite the modest height of the structure.

Look west towards the open North Sea and Katwijk beach. To the north you may spot Noordwijk and farther coastal landmarks, while the view towards the south reaches the dunes and, in clear conditions, the direction of Scheveningen. Inland, the roofs of Katwijk and the wider landscape unfold beyond the dunes.

The stairs are part of an old lighthouse, so expect a relatively confined historic climb rather than a modern lift-accessible viewing deck. Hold the handrail, supervise children and follow volunteers’ directions. If you dislike enclosed stairs or have limited mobility, the tower is still worth seeing from the outside.

When is the lighthouse open?

Katwijks Museum and the local tourist information currently describe the usual opening season as June, July and August. In good weather the lighthouse may also be open on some days in May or September. A useful local tip is to look for the flag flying from the tower, which indicates that it is open to visitors.

The lighthouse is not a daily year-round attraction. Outdoor viewing of the building is possible without entering, but an internal climb is dependent on the opening schedule, staff and conditions. For visits outside the main season, contact Katwijks Museum about advance arrangements.

If you are visiting after Keukenhof in March, April or early May, plan on admiring the outside unless the museum confirms a special opening. Check before making a long detour solely to climb the tower.

Check the official Vuurbaak visitor information →

Ticket prices and groups

The official museum’s lighthouse page currently lists €2.00 per adult and €0.50 for visitors under 17. Debit and contactless card payments are accepted. These are the published lighthouse admission prices, not the separate Katwijks Museum entrance fees. Always recheck the rates for your travel date.

Groups wishing to climb together must arrange their visit in advance. This is especially important for schools, excursions, birthday parties and larger family outings because space and supervision inside a historic tower are limited.

For enquiries about groups, out-of-season visits or access, contact info@katwijksmuseum.nl or telephone +31 (0)71 401 3047.

The boat KW 88 Zorg en Hoop

Another interesting sight at the foot of the Vuurbaak is the historic KW 88 Zorg en Hoop, an example of the flat-bottomed fishing-boats once associated with Katwijk. The preserved boat gives a physical sense of how local fishermen reached the sea before a modern harbour.

The boat is historically connected with displays at the lighthouse during the summer. Availability of any outdoor display or close-up access may vary, so regard it as an extra highlight rather than something guaranteed on every visit.

Where is the Vuurbaak? Address and directions

Vuurbaakplein 3, 2225 JB Katwijk aan Zee. The lighthouse is close to the southern end of the beach and promenade. From central Katwijk, follow the seafront south towards the Vuurbaakplein area. It is an attractive stop on a village-to-beach walking route.

By car, follow signs to central Katwijk or the boulevard. Underground parking around the boulevard is convenient for a visit that also includes the shops or museum; the charges and operating conditions vary by season. Check local parking information rather than relying on an old tariff. Bus links run from Leiden towards Katwijk, followed by a short walk.

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Accessibility, toilets and families

There is no public lift to the historic viewing gallery. The climb involves stairs and is not suitable for wheelchair access. Visitors with balance, mobility or other access concerns should contact the museum before attempting the climb. The surrounding promenade provides a much easier way to appreciate the building from outside.

Because the lighthouse is a heritage site rather than a full-service visitor centre, do not assume public toilets or baby-changing rooms are available inside. Use facilities in the village or ask locally for the nearest public toilet. Families with younger children should check the suitability of the stairs and any age-related guidance with staff.

If the flag is not flying, make the exterior a photo stop and spend the rest of your time at the beach or museum rather than waiting for an opening that has not been announced.

Combine Vuurbaak with the museum, beach and dunes

An easy Katwijk route is to begin at Katwijks Museum in Voorstraat, walk through the centre to the coast, see the lighthouse, and then continue along the beach. If you enjoy history, the museum’s fishing collections explain the boats and maritime community that the beacon once served.

For a longer afternoon, head towards the dunes at Vlaggeduin, where the coastal landscape opens out from a much higher natural viewpoint. Or simply enjoy the promenade, fish restaurants and a sunset over the sea. You do not need a ticket to admire the lighthouse itself from the public area.

Read the Katwijks Museum guide and Vlaggeduin guide for a well-rounded Katwijk day trip.

Frequently asked questions