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 to the beach, where the offering ranges from an early breakfast to dinner after sunset.
- Beach clubs
- 10
- Avg. rating
- 4.3 / 5
- Nearest station
- Alkmaar (10.9 km)
Blue Flag beach 2026
What is the Blue Flag?
Bergen aan Zee belongs to the municipality of Bergen, a place that inland is known above all for art, galleries and woodland. The combination of forest, dune and beach within a short distance of one another means you don't come here just for the sand. If you want to walk or cycle, you will find the Noordhollands Duinreservaat directly behind the foredune.
The beach clubs in Bergen cater to a broad audience. The average rating is 4.3 out of 5, which points to a reasonably consistent quality across the different venues. The offering runs from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, so you can drop in midway through the day as well as in the evening for a more elaborate meal.
The atmosphere varies by the moment and by the venue. During the day the beach suits families, with room to play and venues where you can grab something to eat or drink in between. Towards evening the focus shifts to dinner, and a few venues cater to a quieter, more refined crowd. There is also a wedding venue available, which shows that some venues are set up for larger groups and special occasions.
Bergen lies between Schoorl aan Zee and Egmond. You can reach Schoorl aan Zee in around 5.7 kilometres, Egmond lies 5.6 kilometres away and Egmond aan Zee just over 6 kilometres. So anyone wanting to explore the coast further can easily call in at the neighbouring towns, 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, consult the parking overview on this page. By public transport it takes a little more effort: the nearest station is Alkmaar, from where you continue by bus or by bike.
The beach itself is wide and slopes gently down to the sea, which makes it suitable for a variety of uses: from sunbathing and swimming to walking along the tideline. 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 beach visit here is easy to combine with a walk or cycle 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 children flexibly and pull up a chair for a bite in between.
Dogs are welcome at several venues, and the beaches of the municipality of Bergen have clear rules for each season. In winter dogs may roam off-lead everywhere; in summer a lead is required 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 for anyone who wants to stay and eat after sunset. Towards evening the atmosphere shifts to something quieter and more refined, which lends itself to a meal for two.
All nine venues serve lunch, so you can easily find somewhere midway through the day. The average rating of 4.3 out of 5 points to a reasonably consistent quality across the venues.
Bergen offers options for corporate outings, with venues that have room for larger groups. The combination of beach, dune 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 offer shelter, and the venues themselves have covered space. Inland, Bergen also has galleries and museums, so a day on the coast can still be filled when the weather is less kind.
In 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 in operation. On warm days it can fill up around the beach access and at the car parks, so coming early helps.
In the early and late season it is quieter. The beach then lends itself well to walking, and the venues that are open serve 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 an active cultural life with galleries and exhibitions, which also draws visitors to the coast. In high season events are organised, but the peak of the crowds comes with fine weather during the school holidays.
If you want to avoid the crowds, choose a weekday or early spring. Outside summer, parking is usually easier and you have more space 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