Bloemendaal
Photos from Google
In summer, ten beach clubs stand on the sand at Bloemendaal aan Zee, the coastal part of the municipality of Bloemendaal in Noord-Holland. The beach is wide and slopes gently down to the water, with a dune area behind it that merges into the Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland.
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Since the 1990s, the resort has built its reputation on beach clubs that keep going after sunset. Alongside the venues with dance floors and DJs, there are clubs aimed at families, at long lunches or at a quiet dinner with a sea view. What is on offer ranges from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, so you can settle in here all day.
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The beach clubs have an average rating of 4.0 out of 5. That fits the picture of a coast where one pavilion is all about music and evening programming, and the next is about food and the view. If you decide in advance which atmosphere suits you, you will almost always find something to your taste.
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Bloemendaal aan Zee lies between Zandvoort and IJmuiden aan Zee. Zandvoort is 4.2 kilometres away and has a larger centre with more shops and places to eat and drink; IJmuiden aan Zee follows at 5.5 kilometres and Wijk aan Zee at 9.9 kilometres. The beach itself is narrower and more intimate than the one at Zandvoort, with the dunes directly at your back.
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By public transport, the resort can be reached via Overveen station, 3.2 kilometres away. From there a bus runs to the coast during the season, and it is a walk or a cycle ride through the dunes. If you come by car, you will find parking within walking distance; some of it is paid. The exact rates and locations are in the parking overview on this page.
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The combination of dunes, a broad beach and venues open from early until late makes Bloemendaal aan Zee suitable both for a day by the sea and for a night out. The season runs mainly from late spring into September, when the pavilions are in place and the programming gets under way.
Great for
The beach is wide and slopes gradually down to the water, which is handy with children playing in the surf. Several pavilions are aimed at families and serve lunch and brunch. The dunes directly behind the beach give you room to walk or play away from the sand.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. Access to the beach itself depends on the season and the beach section; at the pavilions, dogs must be kept on a lead all year round. The precise rules for each beach section are described under the beach information.
A number of pavilions focus on dinner with a view of the sea and the sunset. The west is fairly open, so from the terrace you can watch the sun sink into the sea. The atmosphere ranges from quiet to lively, so choose a venue that suits your evening in advance.
Almost every venue serves lunch, and some start as early as breakfast and brunch. You can pull up a chair for a quick bite or a longer meal with your feet in the sand. With ten pavilions, there is often still room to be found even on busy days.
Several pavilions are set up for groups and corporate outings, with space for drinks and shared meals. The setting by the dunes lends itself to activities on the beach. Ask the venue in advance about the options and capacity.
When it rains or blows, the covered parts of the pavilions offer shelter, and the view of a wild sea has its own appeal. Nearby are the dunes of Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland for a walk, and Zandvoort, 4.2 kilometres away, with more indoor space.
The beach season runs roughly from late spring to mid September, when the ten pavilions are in place and high season applies. During those months it is busy on fine days, both on the beach during the day and at the venues with music programmes in the evening.
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Bloemendaal aan Zee is known for pavilions that keep going after sunset, with DJs and dance floors. If you are after peace and quiet, you are better off choosing the morning or the early evening, or a venue that focuses on food rather than nightlife.
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In the low season, from 16 September to 15 May, the picture changes. Some of the pavilions close or operate with limited opening hours, and the beach is quieter. During that period dogs are allowed on the whole beach, which makes it appealing for dog owners outside the season.
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Before you visit, it is worth checking which venues are open and what atmosphere they offer, because the difference between a family lunch and an evening with music is considerable here.
Parking
6 marked as paid, 6 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