Heemskerk
Photos from Google
The beach at Heemskerk lies at the end of a road through the dunes, with a single beach club as the only permanent place to eat and drink on the sand. That makes the beach easy to take in and quiet compared with the busier seaside resorts further along the coast.
The municipality of Heemskerk has just over 39,000 inhabitants and lies in Midden-Kennemerland in Noord-Holland. The town centre itself sits a few kilometres inland; you reach the beach through the dune area at Heemskerkerduin. Between the village and the sea lies a broad strip of dunes that forms part of the Noord-Holland coastal area.
The atmosphere on the beach is relaxed. With just one beach club, it is less busy than at Wijk aan Zee or Castricum, and anyone looking for space to walk will find it here. The beach is wide and slopes gradually down to the sea, which makes it suitable for families and walkers.
The beach club serves both lunch and dinner. The average rating comes out at 4.4 out of 5, which points to consistent appreciation among visitors. Because the choice is limited to a single location, booking is advisable in high season and in fine weather.
Heemskerk is close to other seaside resorts. Wijk aan Zee is 3.8 kilometres away, Castricum aan Zee 4 kilometres and IJmuiden aan Zee 7.6 kilometres. So anyone wanting more choice in places to eat or in facilities can easily switch to a neighbouring beach.
The nearest train station is Castricum, 4.6 kilometres away. From the station you can cover the last stretch to the beach by bike or car; public transport right up to the sand is limited. If you come by car, there is parking at the beach entrance; for the current situation, see the parking overview on this page.
The dune area behind the beach lends itself to walks and bike rides, even outside the beach season. As a result, Heemskerk is a destination not only in summer but also in the quieter months, well worth a visit for anyone heading to the coast.
Great for
The wide beach slopes gradually down to the sea and is easy to take in thanks to its calm. With one beach club within walking distance, food and drink are within reach, without the crowds of larger seaside resorts.
Outside the beach season this is a good place to walk the dog, as dogs are then welcome on the sand without any time restrictions. In the summer months there are set hours during the day when they are not allowed; see the beach zones for the exact arrangement.
The beach club serves in the evening too and looks out over the sea, with sunset on the western side. Given the limited capacity, it is wise to book for a dinner table.
For lunch you can head to the beach club, which serves both lunch and dinner. The average rating of 4.4 points to consistent appreciation among visitors.
With one beach club and a quiet beach, this suits a smaller group looking to get away from the crowds. For larger parties or more choice, Wijk aan Zee is 3.8 kilometres away.
In rain or wind the beach club offers a place indoors, but the choice is limited to this single location. For more options in bad weather you can switch to Castricum or IJmuiden aan Zee.
In high season, from June to August, the beach at Heemskerk is at its busiest, though the single beach club keeps it quieter than the neighbouring beaches. In fine summer weather, booking a table is advisable.
The shoulder seasons, in spring and early autumn, mainly draw walkers and cyclists who combine the dune area with the beach. Temperatures are milder then and the sand is less busy.
In the winter months the beach is quiet and open for long walks. Dogs are then allowed without any time restrictions, which makes the coast appealing for dog owners from October to May.
Because Heemskerk has no large seaside events venue, its character stays calm all year round. Anyone looking for more bustle or festivities will find it sooner in Wijk aan Zee or IJmuiden aan Zee.
Nearby seaside resorts
Last updated: 23 June 2026