Is There A Beach In Amsterdam? No, But Zandvoort Is The Closest
When we first moved to the Netherlands and our Dutch friend drove us to the beach for a day on the coast, I realized I knew nothing about Dutch beaches. I had never even thought to look into beaches in Netherlands and didn’t realize they had such a beautiful seaside with gorgeously soft sand.
Though there is not a beach in Amsterdam (well there are a few “urban beaches”), you can get out to the coast easily from Amsterdam Centraal Train Station in under an hour. If you’re visiting the Netherlands in the summer, I highly recommend spending a day on the coast. Even in the other seasons, the seaside is sprawling and gorgeous though. Get ready to visit Zandvoort!
Zandvoort Beach was far more beautiful than I could have expected and as residents of nearby Haarlem, we have spent plenty of time there. Let me help you have the best time on the Dutch coast.
- Basic Info
- Where To Stay
- A Beach Day, Every Day, in the Netherlands
- Tips For A Day at Zandvoort Beach
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Basic Info
Address: Boulevard Paulus Loot 19, Zandvoort, Netherlands
How To Get There:
- By Train: You can take a train from Amsterdam Centraal Station that also connects to Haarlem Station to get out to Zandvoort aan Zee Station which is just steps from the beach.
- By Bus: There is a regular bus connection from Amsterdam Central Station to Zandvoort. Bus 80 runs from Amsterdam to Zandvoort, but it is a slow connection. If you’re in Haarlem, you can also take bus 81 which is nice because you can hop off at the quieter north end of the beach if you want.
Where To Stay
Zandvoort is a great place to stay if you’re visiting in the summer or just want to experience a different side of the Netherlands. As mentioned, you can easily take a train in to Haarlem and Amsterdam.
Strand 21 Hotel Chalet
Did you know you could stay right on the beach? There are these really cute chalets that pop up in the summer to autumn and are a great spot to have sun fun and rest right on the sand.
Book your own chalet on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
Palace Hotel Zandvoort
Looking for a more chic stay, check into the Palace Hotel where the bathtubs give you sunset views. Upscale, comfortable, and right near the beach.
Book a hotel room on Booking.com or on Agoda.com
A Beach Day, Every Day, in the Netherlands
Zandvoort Beach is home to quite a few trendy beach clubs, wide sandy expanses, and a race circuit that thrills motor sports enthusiasts. By looking at it now, you might not realize it began as a fisherman’s village in the year 1100.
The first bathhouse was opened in the area in 1828 and it quickly became a popular tourist spot. Its appeal stretches beyond the sunbathers; even on cooler days, the beach’s beauty and the surrounding dune area offer a beautiful escape from the work and stressors of life.
This proximity to cities like Amsterdam and Haarlem makes it a fantastic spot for those looking to combine city culture with beach relaxation. From stylish beach clubs frequented by the young and trendy to the legendary Zandvoort race circuit, a favorite of Dutch Formula 1 star Max Verstappen, there’s something for everyone. Of course for us, just being a beach is enough.
For my family and I, we’ve probably visited Zandvoort beach more in off-season than on-season and still we enjoy the escape. From building sandcastles to digging our toes in the sand or splashing around a bit in the waves, we always find a visit to Zandvoort worth the trip.
Tips For A Day at Zandvoort Beach
To truly savor Zandvoort Beach, consider visiting midweek to avoid the crowds that flock here on sunny weekends. The beach is a delightful spot for long summer evenings, offering mesmerizing sunsets that paint the sky in hues of gold and pink.
Seriously, sunsets here are fantastic. Stay until the day ends so you can see for yourself.
1. Sun Protection is Key
Always wear sunscreen. Sun protection is huge in Korea, but should be everywhere. At this beach in the Netherlands especially, the wind can misleadingly cool the skin, making it easy to underestimate the sun.
Ensure you and your little ones are well-protected against UV rays with sunscreen, hats, and cover-ups to enjoy the beach safely.
2. Chilly Waters
The North Sea’s waters are refreshingly cool, especially at the start of the summer. It makes for an exhilarating swim that’s not for the faint-hearted but certainly memorable for those who dare.
We visited at the end of summer, autumn, winter, spring, and in the heat of the summer and honestly, found the waters chilly all year compared to other summer vacation destinations so keep that in mind.
3. The Magic of Tides
The North Sea’s tides are a marvel of nature, with a pronounced difference between high and low tides. Coming from South Korea where the west coast has one of the largest differences in high and low tide in Asia, we’re used to this, but if you’re not, be prepared.
You might put your towel down a kilometer away from the water and then end up wet in a few hours. It also means you might not really be able to swim until you’re a good distance out.
4. Weather Whims
Weather at the Dutch coast can change in a heartbeat, transforming a sunny day into a stormy adventure in just moments. Of course, it can also be sunny again in another 20 minutes too. This unpredictability adds an element of excitement to your beach day, but also reminds us to always be prepared with a backup plan.
5. Safety First
The North Sea can be unpredictable with undercurrents and rip currents too. Always stay vigilant and don’t wander too far out, though you may want to in order to find deeper water. This is especially important on windy days.
6. Food For Thought
There are a variety of places to eat when you visit Zandvoort in the summer. There are less in off-season as the restaurant pavilions on the sand have to be taken down during the winter. Even still, you’ll be able to find brick and mortar restaurants and food trucks on the boardwalk before you descend to the sand.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly eats, I recommend looking for the fish trucks with cod (kibbeling) and fries and other seafood. If you’re looking for chic high-end food, the restaurants in the pavilions usually have pretty good menus, though definitely at higher prices.
7. Embrace the Breeze
The beaches here are known for their breezy conditions, which can quickly spread sand everywhere. You’ll notice that there are rentable seats with windscreens set up all over the place for this reason. You can just set your towel up wherever if you choose though too.
The breezes also mean that you might be chillier than you might expect on a beach day. Even on the hottest of days in Haarlem, when we headed out to the beach, I was happy I had something to wrap up in. Take some layers.
8. Plan Your Journey
Sunny days are a rare treasure in the Netherlands, leading to everyone heading to the beach simultaneously when it does shine brightly. Leave early to beat the crowds and secure a serene spot on the sand. Though honestly, the beach is really sprawling.
Also, if you head up to the northern end of the beach, there are less people there as well because it’s further from the train station where all of those coming in from Amsterdam are.
9. Sunset Spectacular
Try to stay at the beach until the sun sets (though in the summer that’s super late.) Every beach along the Dutch coast offers spectacular sunsets, painting the sky in breathtaking colors. Even when we’re not at the beach, we can see the stunning sunsets from Haarlem.
Zandvoort Beach may not be in Amsterdam, but it’s close enough. Want to see tulips and take a walk along the sandy seaside? You can do that in the Netherlands.
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