Photos from Google
Nine beach clubs spread along the beach of Bergen aan Zee form the starting point for a day on this stretch of coast. The turn-off by the dunes leads down to the sand, where the offering ranges from an early breakfast to dinner after sunset.
Bergen aan Zee belongs to the municipality of Bergen, a place known further inland chiefly for its art, galleries and woodland. With forest, dunes and beach all close together, you come here for more than just the sand. If you fancy a walk or a cycle, the Noordhollands Duinreservaat lies directly behind the foredune.
The beach clubs in Bergen cater to a broad public. The average rating sits at 4.3 out of 5, which points to a fairly consistent standard across the various venues. The choice runs from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, so you can drop in during the middle of the day as well as in the evening for a more elaborate meal.
The atmosphere shifts from moment to moment and from venue to venue. During the day the beach suits families, with room to play and beach clubs where you can pop in for something to eat or drink. Towards evening the focus moves to dinner, and a few venues aim at a quieter, more refined crowd. A wedding venue is also available, a sign that some venues are set up for larger groups and special occasions.
Bergen lies between Schoorl aan Zee and Egmond. Schoorl aan Zee is about 5.7 kilometres away, Egmond sits 5.6 kilometres off and Egmond aan Zee just over 6 kilometres. So if you want to explore more of the coast, the neighbouring towns are easy to reach, each with its own character.
By car, Bergen aan Zee is easy to reach via the road through the dunes. There is parking within walking distance of the beach, partly paid; for exact rates and locations, see the parking overview on this page. By public transport it takes a little more effort: the nearest station is Alkmaar, about 8.8 kilometres away, from where you continue by bus or bicycle.
The beach itself is wide and slopes gently down to the sea, which makes it suitable for all kinds of use: from sunbathing and swimming to walking along the tide line. The dunes behind the beach offer shelter from the wind and give the area a natural backdrop. Thanks to its position against the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, a visit to the beach here is easy to combine with a walk or bike ride through the woods and dunes.
Great for
The wide, gently sloping beach gives children room to play, and several venues are set up to be family-friendly. Because the offering runs from breakfast to dinner, you can plan a day with the children flexibly and pull up a chair for a bite whenever it suits.
Dogs are welcome at several venues, and clear seasonal rules apply on the beaches of the municipality of Bergen. In winter dogs may run off the lead everywhere; in summer they must be kept on the lead during the day outside the activity beach. See the beach zones for the details.
A few venues focus in the evening on dinner with a sea view, ideal if you want to stay and eat after sunset. Towards evening the atmosphere turns quieter and more refined, which lends itself to a meal for two.
All nine venues serve lunch, so you can easily find somewhere to settle in during the middle of the day. The average rating of 4.3 out of 5 points to a fairly consistent standard across the venues.
Bergen offers options for corporate outings, with venues that have room for larger groups. The combination of beach, dunes and woodland makes it easy to pair a meal with a walk or an activity.
When it is windy or wet, the dunes behind the beach provide shelter, and the venues themselves have covered space. Further inland, Bergen also has galleries and museums, so a day at the coast can be filled even in less favourable weather.
During the summer months Bergen aan Zee is at its busiest. The beach then draws families, day trippers and visitors from the region, and all nine venues are open. On warm days the area around the beach access and the car parks can fill up, so arriving early helps.
In the early and late season it is quieter. The beach lends itself well to walking then, and the venues that are open cater to a smaller crowd. The seasonal pattern for dogs follows this division: from 1 October to 1 May more relaxed rules apply than in summer.
Inland, Bergen has a lively cultural scene with galleries and exhibitions, which also draws visitors to the coast. Events are organised in high season, but the bulk of the crowds comes with fine weather during the school holidays.
If you want to avoid the crowds, choose a weekday or the early spring. Outside summer, parking is usually easier and you have more room on the beach itself.
Parking
5 marked as paid, 4 with no fee info. Tap a pin for the name and directions.
Parking payment details come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Please check locally.
Nearby seaside resorts
Last updated: 23 June 2026