Katwijk
Photos from Google
The outflow of the Oude Rijn is Katwijk's defining feature: this is where the river reaches the sea through a system of sluices beneath the boulevard. It is one of the few places on the Dutch coast where a river meets the sea, and it separates the northern part of the beach from the southern part.
Eighteen beach clubs line the beach, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. The offering ranges from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, and the atmosphere varies from one venue to the next, from relaxed to upmarket. Some focus on a quick bite with your feet in the sand, while others serve a full dinner with table service.
Katwijk aan Zee has a brick boulevard that separates the village from the beach. The boulevard was renovated and given a dyke-in-dune construction: the sea defence lies hidden beneath a raised square with steps down to the sand. From the boulevard you look out across the full width of the beach, which slopes gently towards the sea.
The village itself has a fishing past that is still visible in the old centre behind the boulevard. Shops, terraces and places to eat are within walking distance of the beach, so a trip to the seaside is easy to combine with a stroll through the centre. For those seeking more space, the dunes of Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen lie directly to the north and south of the built-up area.
Its location makes Katwijk easy to reach from the Leiden and Den Haag region. The nearest station is Leiden Centraal, about 7.5 kilometres away, from where buses run to the coast. If you want to head further along the coast, Noordwijk aan Zee is less than five kilometres away and the Wassenaarse Slag a little further to the south.
The beach is wide and has several beach sections, marked with letters. This is handy for arranging where to meet and for following the dog rules, which vary by section and season. The combination of an unbroken boulevard, a spacious beach and a village within walking distance makes Katwijk suitable for both a short stop and a full day.
You can park within walking distance of the beach, partly for a fee. You will find the exact locations and rates in the parking overview on this page.
Great for
The beach is wide and slopes gently towards the sea, giving plenty of room to play and build. Several beach clubs are family-friendly and lie a short distance from the boulevard, so a toilet break or an ice cream is quickly sorted. The layout into lettered beach sections makes it easy to agree a fixed spot with the children.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs in Katwijk. The rules on the beach itself vary by section and season, so it is worth checking them in advance. On beach section C, to the north of the river outflow, dogs are allowed all year round.
Several venues serve dinner with table service and have a terrace overlooking the sea, ideal for the end of the day. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed to upmarket. Katwijk is also available as a wedding venue, which shows that some clubs are set up for a well-organised evening programme.
The daytime offering ranges from a quick lunch to a leisurely brunch. With eighteen venues in a row, there is plenty of choice in style and price. The boulevard lies directly behind the beach, so lunch is easy to combine with a walk.
A corporate outing is possible at several beach clubs, which offer space for groups. The location close to Leiden and Den Haag makes organising it straightforward. The combination of beach, boulevard and places to eat lends itself to a day programme with several elements.
In rain or wind, the venues with a covered indoor space offer shelter, and the village centre with its shops is within walking distance behind the boulevard. The renovated boulevard is also a place for a walk with a sea view when the weather is less kind.
In summer Katwijk is busy, especially on warm days when visitors from the Leiden and Den Haag region head to the coast. The boulevard and the beach clubs fill up, and it is wise to arrive early or to book ahead for dinner.
The shoulder seasons are quieter. In spring and early autumn the beach is easy to walk and most venues are still open, while the crowds remain limited. These are also the periods when dog owners have more room on the beach.
Outside the beach season, the focus shifts to the boulevard and the village. Some of the beach clubs stay open year-round, while others are dismantled in the low season or open only for limited hours.
Throughout the year Katwijk hosts events on and around the boulevard, from markets to sporting events on the beach. Bear in mind that access and parking pressure increase on such days.
Parking
19 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