IJmuiden aan Zee
Photos from Google
At the mouth of the Noordzeekanaal lies the Kennemerstrand, the stretch of sand that, together with the Binnenmeer, the Kennemerboulevard and Seaport Marina IJmuiden, makes up the IJmuiden aan Zee recreation area. It belongs to the town of IJmuiden in the municipality of Velsen. Eight beach clubs are spread out along the shore.
The beach is wide and slopes gently down to the waterline. Behind the front row of beach huts runs a strip of dunes; in front of it lies the sandy expanse, which is divided into zones. The Binnenmeer is an enclosed body of water, calmer than the sea itself, and the Seaport Marina is within walking distance.
Together, the beach clubs offer a full day's programme: breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner are all available. Several venues welcome dogs and most are set up for families. The average rating for the food and drink venues comes to 4.4 out of 5.
The atmosphere varies from one venue to the next. Some focus on a relaxed sit-down dinner with table service, others on a casual lunch with your feet in the sand. That spread means you will find both quiet spots and busier terraces. For a corporate outing or a wedding, there are venues available.
IJmuiden aan Zee sets itself apart from the seaside resorts further south through its immediate proximity to the harbour mouth and the marina. If you enjoy watching ships, you can see seagoing vessels sailing in and out of the canal here. The piers at the mouth are a regular destination for walkers and anglers.
The surroundings lend themselves well to combining the beach and the water. Alongside the North Sea there is the Binnenmeer for those who prefer to swim or sail in sheltered water. The boulevard links the beach clubs and offers views over the sea and the marina.
Overveen station is about 6.5 kilometres away and so not exactly on the doorstep; travellers using public transport usually combine the train with the bus or a bike. By car, the beach is easy to reach from the A22 and A9. For parking options and rates, please see the parking overview on this page.
Other seaside resorts lie within cycling distance: Wijk aan Zee at 4.5 kilometres, Bloemendaal at 5.5 kilometres and Zandvoort at 9.6 kilometres. So if you are planning a multi-day beach trip, IJmuiden aan Zee combines well with a day out to its neighbours.
Great for
The beach is wide and slopes gently, which makes it easy to keep an eye on things if you come with children. Most of the beach clubs are set up for families and serve breakfast and brunch as well as lunch. Thanks to the zoning, there is room to play a little further from the busy terraces. The Binnenmeer offers an alternative for those who prefer to swim in sheltered water.
Dogs are welcome at several of the beach clubs. The beach also has zones where dogs may run off the lead, with rules that vary by season. The exact zones and dates are described under Beach info. Before you visit, check whether your trip falls within the off-lead period.
Some of the beach clubs serve a proper sit-down dinner with table service and a view over the sea. On clear days you can watch the sun sink behind the North Sea. The ships sailing in and out of the canal give the view a character of its own that you will not find elsewhere on the coast.
For lunch there is a choice of eight beach clubs, from casual terraces to venues with a more extensive menu. The average rating for the food and drink venues is 4.4 out of 5. The boulevard links the venues, so you can easily pick a spot to suit the moment.
Several beach clubs can host groups for a corporate outing. The proximity of the marina and the piers makes active programmes on the water possible. For group packages, contact the relevant beach club directly.
Some of the beach clubs have an indoor space where you can stay dry in rain or wind. The breakfast and brunch options make an early visit worthwhile too. The harbour mouth and the piers are also a destination in rougher weather for anyone who still wants to get outside.
In the summer months the beach clubs and the boulevard are at their busiest, especially on warm days and during the holiday periods. The terraces fill up and the beach is heavily used by families and day trippers.
Outside the high season it is quieter. In spring and autumn the area draws walkers heading out along the piers at the harbour mouth and anglers standing by the water. Some of the venues stay open for lunch and dinner in the shoulder months too.
The dog zoning follows the season: from October to April there is more off-lead space than in summer. For dog owners, winter is therefore a good time for a beach walk.
Bear in mind that accessibility and crowds vary considerably with the weather and with events in the region. On peak days it is wise to arrive early.
Parking
2 marked as paid, 23 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