Noordkaap—did I just misspell the North Cape, or is that its name in Dutch? Actually, the Netherlands has its own “North Cape,” located at the very northern tip of the mainland, and it was given this name in 2002 to attract tourists. Two decades later, I became one of those tourists, eager to see how Noordkaap, one of the country’s extreme points, really looks.
If you’re visiting Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, or Maastricht, Noordkaap isn’t exactly the most convenient side trip. That said, the Netherlands isn’t a huge country, so “far” is relative. For anyone near Groningen or driving toward Hamburg, a visit to the northernmost point of mainland Netherlands might make sense. I, for example, was on my way to the Nordics, had spent the night near Groningen, and visiting Noordkaap wasn’t much of a detour.
This part of the Netherlands is exactly as you imagine it: low-lying fields stretching endlessly in all directions, dotted with windmills. Near the sea lies Eemshaven, a harbor area very close to Noordkaap. From the map, it isn’t super easy to locate the very northernmost point—the sea dike here curves gently, and I ended up at Eemshaven’s sightseeing spot first. Even on its own, it was worth the visit: a 180-degree view over the calm sea to the north, and over the fields and harbor area to the south. The flatness of the landscape feels almost surreal.
The wind was strong, giving me a new hairstyle, but the sun was shining. On the horizon, about 10 kilometers away, lay islands, and I tried to spot Rottumerplaat—the northernmost point of the “proper” Netherlands, an uninhabited island where landing is permitted. To the east, Germany is visible. This is near the same latitude of Hamburg, so it’s to the east from there two hundred kilometers away.
But I reminded myself of my actual destination slightly west of Eemshaven, and jumped into the car. It’s possible to drive quite close, but a barricade stops cars from reaching the very tip. A short walk from there, however, lies the artwork Poort Kaap Noord, colloquially called De Hemelpoort, marking the true northernmost point. The wind blew hard as I approached. It was a beautiful, warmish day, but I couldn’t help imagining what it must be like during a storm.
Next to the artwork stands a Royal Air Force memorial, dedicated to the crew who lost their lives after ditching into the sea in 1940. It adds a quiet depth to the place, a reminder of history amidst the vast openness.
Noordkaap is a beautiful spot with its own charm—easily accessible for anyone nearby—but my thoughts kept drifting to the islands on the horizon, especially Rottumerplaat. Perhaps one day, I’ll visit it too.