The Netherlands is full of charming villages that rarely make it into travel guides, places that remain quiet treasures known only to the locals and few other lucky ones.

One such gem is Warmond, a picturesque village just north of Leiden, in the heart of the Bollenstreek region (the main bulbs region). Situated on the banks of the Kagerplassen lake system, Warmond is surrounded by water, greenery, colourful flowers in spring and it features a beautiful country estate that reminds of times gone by.

Warmond was first mentioned as “Uuarmelde” in a 9th century goods list of the church of Utrecht. Its chapel appears in records from 1049 but archeological finds show that people lived in this area as early as 4,500 years ago, with evidence of settlements during the Iron Age and later in Roman times.

In the Middle Ages, the history of the village became closely linked to the lords of Warmond, who built castles and fought in key regional battles as knights. Warmond was an influential place and, as a reward for the bravery of these knights, it was granted “high and free lordship” in 1402, becoming semi-independent, a position held until 1848, during the Napoleonic era.

In more recent decades, Warmond developed as a water sports village, home to several marinas and a variety of activities on the nearby lakes.

Five things to do in Warmond

Check out a country estate

A visit to Warmond should start with Huys te Warmont, an elegant country estate located at the northern entrance to the village in a park forest. The history of this place begins around 1303, when a fortified farm was founded here, which would be home to the free lords of Warmond for the following centuries.

That original building didn’t survive the turmoil of history: it was destroyed by the Spaniards in 1574, then rebuilt just a few years later using salvaged materials from other ruined buildings, including bricks from the church. The structure we see today is the result of a 1774 major renovation. And if you’re into old treasures, look for the bell in one of the towers. Cast in 1392, this is one of the oldest in the Netherlands.

Visit a ruined church

Don’t miss Ruïne De Oude Toren, the hauntingly beautiful ruins of Warmond’s old church, destroyed during the siege of Leiden in 1573. With the old towers still standing tall, the ruins of the church watch over the old cemetery where the lords of Warmond found their final resting place.

Walk around the village

Roam through the village to admire its mansions and listed buildings – there are 95 of them. You’ll pass the house of Dutch painter Jan Steen, De Oude School (the former primary school from 1861, now a charming café) with the Doorpspomp (the old water pump of the village) and the “Old Doctor’s House”.

Visit an island

Visit the Koudenhoorn island – a recreational area connected to the village by a beautiful wooden drawbridge. The island features a beach, a petting zoo, a play forest, boat moorings, and a two-kilometre walk. It’s a place where both locals and visitors go for sport or a relaxing time.

Explore the great outdoors

Get out and explore the great outdoors – on foot, by bike, or best of all, by boat. Take a boat out on the lake system surrounding the village, to admire a picture-perfect Dutch landscape, completed with meadows where cows graze peacefully, windmills, more islands, and picturesque villages.

The Kagerplassen are an old peat meadow area stretching from the Haarlemmermeer to Leiden, offering a serene escape for nature lovers. With several marinas and a long-standing boating tradition, Warmond is considered the oldest water sports area in the Netherlands, and it’s still going strong.

You can join the buzz at one of the events like Kaagweek (this weekend), the Schippertjesdagen in September, the Turfrace and the Strontrace, or take it slow with a canoe, a boat, or a SUP whenever the mood strikes.

Where to eat

When it comes to food, Warmond won’t leave you hungry. A great place to start is Grand-café De Oude School, in the centre of the village. They have a great choice for lunch and dinner, and you can book a “happy afternoon” – a five course treat (vegetarian also possible).

Every second Sunday of the month they have live jazz concerts. If you’d rather pair your food with fresh air and a walk, Brasserie Coazy, on Koudenhoorn island, is a lovely choice for a coffee break, lunch or dinner.

For a dinner in an 130-year-old restaurant, head to Het Wapen van Warmond, where you’ll find a classical Dutch menu, including spare ribs, steak, chicken sate, vegetarian risotto and more.

For a taste of Italian food, Pizzeria Caruso is the place to go, while Bistro La Croûte and Bistro Amice are classic restaurants perfect for drinks or a delicious dinner. Craving lunch or dinner with a special view? In the summer months you can sail your boat to Waterlust The Kaag Society, the clubhouse of the Royal Watersports Association “De Kaag”.

Just want a quick snack? Stop by one of the village’s fish stalls for a fresh sandwich – simple, tasty, and very Dutch.

Where to stay

For a unique stay in a historic setting, consider Boutique Hotel Huys Oud Teylingen. If waking up to water views sounds appealing, Kaag Resort is a perfect choice, while Green Field View Warmond offers a view over the surrounding polders.

There are also charming guest houses like Lake House 74 or Lake House 21, where you can relax and enjoy a sauna, and, of course, if you come to Warmond with your yacht, there are several mooring spots where you can dock and stay for a few days.

How to get there

Getting to Warmond by car takes about half an hour from Amsterdam. By train: take a train to Sassenheim, and from there you can either walk the two kilometres to the village (among fields and farms) or take the free 150 minibus.

Anything else: In February 2018, ESA launched a satellite equipped with a state-of-the-art camera built by the Warmond-based company Cosine. With that, this little village proudly became part of space history.