Velsen is a town and municipality located at the mouth of the North Sea Channel. There are sandy beaches and a lot of post-military facilities that defended the Dutch coast in the past.
The mouth of the North Sea Canal is sheltered on both sides by the northern pier and the southern Ijmuiden pier. Next to it, there is a wide and sandy beach IJmuiden, which in summer is used for relaxation and water sports, and in winter it is a perfect place for walks with sea views.
A big attraction that can be seen while visiting Velsen are the coastal fortifications. The coast and the mouth of the canal were of strategic importance and therefore well defended. The northern fort Spaarndam, which was also used during World War II, and the perfectly preserved Fort IJmuiden, which is open to the public, come from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
