Castricum aan Zee
Photos from Google
Nine beach clubs line the beach at Castricum aan Zee, which is also known as Bakkum aan Zee. It belongs to the municipality of Castricum in Noord-Holland and borders an extensive dune area. Here the sea, the wide sandy beach and the dunes lie close together.
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 beach club to the next: some focus on peace 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, part of the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat. That makes it easy to combine a day by the sea with a walk or a bike ride through the dunes. If you want to see more than just one beach, Wijk aan Zee (6.7 km), Egmond aan Zee (7.1 km) and Egmond (7.7 km) are all close by.
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 are allowed on the beach under certain conditions. For groups there are options for a corporate outing, and a number of locations are also used as a wedding venue.
Castricum station is 3.6 kilometres from the beach. Buses run from the station towards the coast, and in the summer season the access roads are 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 are listed in the parking overview on this page.
Outside the high season the beach is quieter. The dunes remain accessible all year round and a number of pavilions stay open into the autumn and winter too. That makes Castricum aan Zee well suited to a walk with a warm stop along the way, even when the weather outside is bleak.
Great for
The beach is wide and slopes gently, giving children room to play. Several pavilions are geared towards families, with a lunch menu and space to sit outside. The dunes behind the beach offer the added option of a walk or a bike 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 view of the sea and offer service into the evening. On a clear day you can watch the sun sink into the sea from the terrace. A number of locations are also used for wedding celebrations.
All nine venues offer a daytime menu, from breakfast and brunch to a full lunch. You can eat indoors or on the terrace, depending on the weather. The atmosphere ranges from simple to elaborate.
Several beach clubs are well suited to a corporate outing and can accommodate groups. The combination of beach, dunes and hospitality makes it possible to plan a day with an active part and a shared meal.
A number of pavilions stay open in wind and rain too and have an indoor area. A walk through the dunes or along the tideline pairs well with a warm stop indoors.
During the summer months the beach at 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 the coast is quiet. A number of beach clubs stay open all year round, while others close after the season. The dunes of the Noord-Hollands Duinreservaat are accessible in the colder months too and draw walkers and cyclists.
For dogs the rules change with the seasons: from October to May the beach is accessible to dogs all day, while in summer set times and marked areas apply. Check the current situation before you go, 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.
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Last updated: 23 June 2026