Beelden aan Zee

Beelden aan Zee opened in 1994 in a building by Wim Quist set into the dune behind the Scheveningen boulevard - largely below the crest, so it does not obstruct the view, with courtyards and a terrace opening towards the sea and the light handled carefully throughout. It is the only Dutch museum devoted entirely to modern and contemporary sculpture, founded on the collection of Theo and Lida Scholten, and it shows around a thousand pieces in rotation. On the boulevard above stands Sprookjesbeelden aan Zee, a permanent group of large figures by Tom Otterness - rounded bronze characters climbing the railings, standing in the sand and hanging off the wall, which children treat as playground equipment and which have become the emblem of the seafront. Karel Appel's works are held here. The pavilion beside the museum shows temporary exhibitions.

What you actually see

• A museum inside a dune - Quist's building set below the crest with sea-facing courtyards.
• The only Dutch sculpture museum - about a thousand works shown in rotation.
• Otterness figures on the boulevard - rounded bronzes climbing the railings and sand.
• A terrace to the sea - the building opening toward the water.

When to go

April to October. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Closed Mondays outside high season. Scheveningen boulevard is very crowded on hot days and the tram is packed. The Otterness sculptures are free and outside; the museum is a separate visit.

Nearby

The Scheveningen pier is along the boulevard; Museum Voorlinden is north.