Castricum aan Zee
Photos from Google
Nine beach clubs line the beach of Castricum aan Zee, also known as Bakkum aan Zee. It belongs to the municipality of Castricum in Noord-Holland and borders an extensive dune area. The sea, the wide sandy beach and the dunes all lie close together here.
- Beach clubs
- 7
- Avg. rating
- 3.9 / 5
- Nearest station
- Castricum (4.7 km)
Blue Flag beach 2026
What is the Blue Flag?
Together, the pavilions offer a full day's programme. At various spots you can stop for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. The atmosphere varies from one venue to the next: some focus on calm and simplicity, others on a broader menu and service into the evening. The average rating of the beach clubs is around 4.1 out of 5.
The beach itself is wide and slopes gently down to the waterline. Behind the pavilions, the dunes begin, forming part of the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat. This makes it easy to combine a day by the sea with a walk or cycle ride through the dunes. If you want to see more than one beach, Wijk aan Zee (6.7 km), Egmond aan Zee (7.1 km) and Egmond (7.7 km) are all a short distance away.
Castricum aan Zee caters to a mixed crowd. Families find space on the sand and beach clubs with facilities for children. Dogs are welcome at several venues and may come onto the beach under certain conditions. For groups there are options for a corporate outing, and a number of locations are also used as wedding venues.
Castricum station is within walking distance of the beach. Buses run from the station towards the coast, and in the summer season the access roads get busy. If you come by car, you will find parking within walking distance of the beach; some of it is paid. The current rates and locations can be found in the parking overview on this page.
Outside the main season it is quieter on the beach. The dunes remain accessible all year, and a number of pavilions stay open through the autumn and winter as well. That makes Castricum aan Zee a good choice for a walk with a warm stop, even when the weather outside is bleak.
Great for
The beach is wide and slopes gently, giving children room to play. Several pavilions cater to families, with a lunch menu and space to sit outside. The dunes behind the beach offer the added option of a walk or a cycle ride.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. Seasonal rules apply on the beach: from October to May your dog can join you all day, while in summer they are only allowed in marked areas during the day and must be kept on a lead.
Some of the pavilions serve dinner with a sea view and stay open into the evening. On clear days you can watch the sun sink into the sea from the terrace. A number of locations are also used for wedding receptions.
All nine venues offer a daytime menu, from breakfast and brunch to a full lunch. You can eat inside or on the terrace, depending on the weather. The atmosphere ranges from simple to more elaborate.
Several beach clubs are suited to a corporate outing and can host groups. The combination of beach, dunes and dining makes it possible to plan a day with an active part and a shared meal.
A number of pavilions stay open even in wind and rain and have an indoor space. A walk through the dunes or along the tideline pairs well with a warm stop indoors.
In the summer months the beach of Castricum aan Zee is at its busiest. All nine pavilions are open then, and the terraces fill up on warm days. The access roads and car parks fill early, especially at weekends and during the school holidays.
Spring and early autumn are quieter. The temperature is then often pleasant enough for a walk along the water or through the dunes, with fewer people on the beach.
In winter it is quiet along the coast. A number of beach clubs stay open all year, while others close after the season. The dunes of the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat are accessible in the cold months too and attract walkers and cyclists.
For dogs, the rules change with the seasons: from October to May the beach is open to dogs all day, while in summer specific times and marked areas apply. Check the current situation before you set off, as rules and opening hours can change from year to year.
Parking
1 marked as paid, 1 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