Texel

Texel is the largest and most populated of the West Frisian Islands, lying in the Wadden Sea just north of Den Helder. The whole western dune system and the coastal plain behind it form the Duinen van Texel National Park, a run of dunes, valleys, heath and salt marsh backed by the island’s sheep pastures, which gave their name to the Texel breed. Common and grey seals haul out on the sandbanks offshore and porpoises work the surrounding water; Ecomare, the island’s natural history museum, doubles as a seal and bird sanctuary. The island received city rights in 1415.