Texel was a highlight of our Netherlands trip. All accommodations and excursion tips in Netherlands with children.

Texel is one of those places that immediately feels like a holiday. You don't drive far, you board the ferry in Den Helder and a few minutes later you are on an island that smells of dunes, beach, sheep, pancakes and lots of fresh air. It is here, in the heart of Texel, that Niyunā Wellness Apartments is being created, a new place for families who are not necessarily looking for a classic children's hotel, but rather accommodation with style, space, peace and quiet, and yet everything that makes travelling with children easier.

Niyunā is located in Den Burg, the central main town on the island, quietly on the edge of the village yet close to restaurants, cafés, small shops and excursion destinations. From Amsterdam, Texel can be reached in about an hour by car plus around 20 minutes by ferry, making it perfect for a long weekend by the sea or a relaxing holiday week without the stress of flying.

Niyunā: Boutique Apartment instead of classic Hotel

Niyunā is not a large resort or a noisy family hotel. It is a small, high-quality apartment complex with a total of ten fully equipped wellness apartments in Den Burg. The idea: plenty of privacy, peace and quiet, private rooms and the feeling of having a small home on Texel, but with significantly more design and wellness than at home. Many apartments have private wellness elements such as a Finnish sauna and a freestanding bathtub.

Especially nice for families: You are independent here. No fixed breakfast slot, no crowds at the buffet, no reception where you have to wait with tired children. Instead, you open your apartment door, put down your bags and you've arrived. Niyunā relies on self-service, privacy and 24/7 self check-in.

The former Hotel Koogerend has been gradually transformed into Niyunā since 2025. The former hotel is thus becoming a modern boutique accommodation with ten luxurious wellness apartments.

Why Niyunā is perfect for families

What makes Niyunā so exciting for families is the combination of holiday apartment and boutique hotel feeling. You have the space and flexibility of an apartment, but you don't have to do without beautiful furnishings, high-quality materials and a special holiday experience.

Depending on the type, the apartments are suitable for two to six guests and have a fully equipped kitchen, a living area and partly a terrace or balcony. Some apartments are particularly generously proportioned, others have several bedrooms or even a bunk bed.

Especially with children, having your own kitchen makes a huge difference. Quickly making muesli, fruit or pancakes in the morning, cooking pasta in the evening after a long day at the beach, having snacks in the fridge - all of this makes family holidays much more relaxed. At the same time, Den Burg is central enough to reach restaurants, cafés and small shops easily.

Practical details have also been thought of: a baby cot can be requested when booking, the ground-floor apartments are barrier-free, there is a large car park right next to the apartment complex and also a charging facility for electric cars. Dogs are also welcome for an extra charge!

Which Niyunā apartment is suitable for families?

For families, it's particularly worthwhile to look at the larger apartments. The Wellness Main House is the largest apartment in the complex, is on the ground floor, has three double bedrooms, a private terrace, a fully equipped kitchen and a large living and dining area. It is therefore particularly suitable for families who want a lot of space or are travelling with grandparents.

The Luxe Apartment is exciting for families with smaller children, as it has two bedrooms, including a second bedroom with a full bunk bed. There is also a kitchen, a living and dining area, a bathroom with a walk-in shower, a separate toilet and a private terrace. 

If you fancy a bit of wellness after a day at the beach or a bike tour across the island, you should take a look at the wellness apartments for four or six people. Depending on the type, they offer several bedrooms, a private sauna, and partly a freestanding bathtub.

The location: Den Burg as a relaxed base on Texel

Den Burg is an ideal starting point if you want to explore Texel with children. You live centrally, can reach many places on the island quickly and yet don't feel like you're in the middle of the hustle and bustle. The beach is only about a 15-minute bike ride away. There are several bike rentals very close by.

So you can start relaxed in the morning, spontaneously decide whether to go to the beach, the forest, to the sheep or to a café, and be back in your apartment quickly in the evening. 

Texel with children: What you can do

Texel is a real family destination. A lot happens outdoors, in nature, on the beach, among sheep, dunes and the sea. That's what makes the island so special. We loved it there with the children!

A classic is, of course, the beach, especially the beach pavilions Paal 17, Paal 9 and Kaap Noord. 

A must-do with children is Ecomare. Here, children can experience seals and porpoises and learn a lot about the North Sea, the Wadden Sea and the nature of the island. Especially the feedings stand out, where children can get up close to the animals. Especially when the weather doesn't cooperate, Ecomare is a great excursion destination! We had really bad weather when we were there, and the visit was still very worthwhile.

Also very family-friendly is the Schapenboerderij Texel, the Texel sheep farm. There, children can experience lambs and other animals up close, there are petting opportunities, pony rides, a playground and a farm shop, among other things. 

For small nature explorers, the Voedselbos with self-picking garden is a nice idea. There, families can pick fruit, vegetables and flowers depending on the season, then enjoy homemade cakes, smoothies or lemonade and take home Texel products from the farm shop. The garden is open from the beginning of May to the end of October.

The Texel lighthouse is also on the list. The red Eierland lighthouse looks almost like something out of a children's book, can be visited and offers a wide view over the island, the sea and as far as Vlieland on a clear day.

For younger children, the Sommeltjespad, a 1.5-kilometre nature trail in the Texel forest for children aged about three to eight, is also recommended. Also great: the pirate ship at the marina in Oudeschild, eating ice cream at Labora, mudflat hiking, looking for mussels and a boat trip where children can, with a bit of luck, spot seals on sandbanks. As you can see, the list is long! Texel is really a wonderful holiday destination with children and not overcrowded.

Eating on Texel: uncomplicated with children

Because Niyunā does not have its own restaurant, the concept is particularly well suited for families who like to remain flexible: breakfast in pyjamas in the apartment, preparing snacks for on the go and in the evening either cooking themselves or trying one of the many restaurants on Texel. Especially great if you want to have breakfast out: Texelse Branding, a coffee roastery, bakery and coffee bar only about ten minutes walk from Niyunā, as well as Lokaal 16 for breakfast and lunch in Den Burg. 

For beach days, the pavilions Paal 9, Paal 17 or Kaap Noord are ideal. There you can simply sit down after building sandcastles, feeling the wind in your face and long walks, eat something, watch the children play and enjoy that typical Texel moment: uncomplicated, outdoors, relaxed.

Good to know - getting there 

Getting to Texel is uncomplicated. The ferry runs between Den Helder and Texel. No reservation is necessary. So you can arrive whenever it suits you. An online ticket is recommended as it simplifies the process.

Conclusion: Niyunā is for families who like it beautiful, quiet and uncomplicated

For us, Niyunā is a perfect Kidswelltraveled place: stylish, relaxed, family-friendly, but not obviously "children's hotel-like". An apartment hotel for families who want to travel together without sacrificing peace, aesthetics and comfort.

FAQ: Niyunā Texel with children

Is Niyunā on Texel suitable for families?

Yes, Niyunā is particularly suitable for families who like to travel independently and stylishly. Depending on the type, the apartments offer space for up to six guests, sometimes with an additional baby cot, private kitchen, living area, terrace or balcony and private wellness elements. 

Where is Niyunā on Texel?

Niyunā is located in Den Burg, the central town on Texel, quietly on the edge of the village. According to the accommodation, the beach is about a 15-minute bike ride away. 

Does Niyunā have a restaurant?

No, Niyunā does not have its own restaurant. However, the apartments have fully equipped kitchens, and there are many cafés and restaurants in Den Burg and on the island. 

What can you do on Texel with children?

The most beautiful activities with children on Texel include beach days, Ecomare, the Schapenboerderij Texel, the lighthouse, the Sommeltjespad, the pirate ship in Oudeschild, mudflat hiking, boat trips to see seals and eating ice cream at Labora. 

Our excursion tips on the Dutch mainland can be found here.

Do you need a reservation for the ferry to Texel?

No, according to TESO, no reservation for date or time of departure is necessary. An online ticket is recommended to speed up the process.

To the Niyunā Website