Noordwijk
Photos from Google
Nineteen beach clubs are spread along the beach at Noordwijk, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. The seaside resort has two boulevards and a beach wide enough not to fill up straight away during the high season. Between the buildings and the water lies a row of dunes that separates the beach entrances; the access points are numbered, which is handy for arranging a meeting place or finding a beach club again.
What the beach clubs offer ranges from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner. Some open early for coffee and a simple menu, while others focus on the evening meal with a more extensive kitchen. Thanks to that broad range, you can stay all day, from a morning walk with breakfast to dinner at sunset.
Noordwijk borders Noordwijk aan Zee, which lies about a kilometre away and forms the part with the most restaurants, cafés and shops. Katwijk is around 5.7 kilometres to the south, the Wassenaarse Slag about eleven kilometres away. If you come without a car, you travel via Leiden Centraal station, nearly ten kilometres away; from there, buses run towards the coast.
The southern part of the beach, from access point 1 towards the border with Katwijk, is quieter than the stretch in front of the boulevards. This is also where you find the dunes of Noordvoort, a nature area that, after a redevelopment, again connects to the dunes between Noordwijk and Zandvoort. That makes the south well suited to walkers and to anyone wanting to avoid the crowds of the central beach.
The atmosphere varies by zone and by time of day. Around the boulevards it is lively, with plenty of passers-by and terraces that stay open all season. Further along it is quieter and better suited to a walk or a relaxed lunch. Several beach clubs rent out beach chairs and have a sunny or sheltered terrace, depending on the wind.
Parking is available within walking distance of the beach entrances, partly paid. You will find the exact locations and rates in the parking overview on this page. During the high season and in fine weather, it is sensible to arrive early, as the spaces close to the entrances are the first to be taken.
Besides a day at the beach, Noordwijk is known for the flower bulb fields in the hinterland, which bloom in spring. This draws extra visitors to the region in April and May, even outside the beach season. The combination of dunes, beach and bulb-growing region means the seaside resort sees visitors all year round.
Great for
The beach is wide and slopes gently, giving room to play and build. Several beach clubs cater to families with a child-friendly menu and terraces from which you can keep an eye on the water. The numbered access points make it easy to agree on a fixed spot if you are coming with several families.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. Outside the high season, dogs may also run free across almost the entire beach, which makes Noordwijk a good destination for a walk with your dog. See the beach zones below for the full seasonal pattern and the access points.
Some of the beach clubs focus on dinner and serve into the evening, with views of the sea and the sunset to the west. Several venues also offer the option of a seaside wedding. Book ahead in the high season, as the evening tables by the water fill up quickly.
For lunch there is plenty of choice, from a simple menu with a coffee to more elaborate dishes. The beach clubs around the boulevards are lively, while the southern part is quieter. With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5, the standard of the food and drink is generally high.
Several beach clubs can host groups for a corporate outing, with room for drinks, lunches or dinners. The wide beach lends itself to outdoor activities. Arrange the group size and your preferred date in advance with the relevant beach club, especially during the high season.
Most beach clubs have a covered and heated indoor area, so you can eat inside even in rain or wind. The centre of Noordwijk aan Zee lies about a kilometre away and offers shops and other places to eat and drink as an alternative. In rough weather, a walk along the tideline is still always an option.
In the summer months the beach in front of the boulevards is busiest, with the most visitors between June and August. All the beach clubs are open then, and on sunny days the terraces fill up, especially around the beach entrances near the centre.
Spring has a character of its own thanks to the flower bulb fields in the hinterland, which bloom in April and May. This draws visitors to the region who combine the beach with the bulb-growing area, even when it is still too chilly to swim.
Outside the high season, the emphasis shifts to walkers and dog owners. From September to May, dogs may run free across almost the entire beach, which brings plenty of visitors during those months even on quiet days.
In the late season and winter, not all the beach clubs stay open, but some keep their doors open all year for coffee, lunch or dinner. It is worth checking in advance whether the beach club of your choice is open.
If you want to avoid the crowds, choose the southern part towards Katwijk or come early in the day. The morning is usually quieter, even in the high season.
Parking
22 marked as paid, 3 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