Noordwijk aan Zee
Photos from Google
The boulevard of Noordwijk aan Zee runs for almost three kilometres along the beach, with hotels and apartments that look straight out over the North Sea. The resort is part of the municipality of Noordwijk, which has just over 46,000 inhabitants and lies in Zuid-Holland. The beach is wide and gently sloping, with the Noordvoort nature reserve at its southern end.
The difference between Noordwijk aan Zee and the old village centre of Noordwijk-Binnen is noticeable here. By the sea, everything revolves around the boulevard, the beach clubs and the tourist amenities. The village of Noordwijk lies about a kilometre inland and has a different character, with shops and places to eat and drink around the church.
On the beach of Noordwijk aan Zee you will find two beach clubs with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. Both serve lunch as well as dinner. The atmosphere leans towards the upmarket, with care given to the interior and the service. The kitchen matches that style: you can come for a generous lunch and for dinner with a view over the sea.
Its location makes Noordwijk aan Zee easy to reach. The nearest railway station is Leiden Centraal, just over nine kilometres away. From there, buses run to the coast. By car, the resort can be reached from the Randstad within half an hour. Parking lies within walking distance of the beach, and some of it is paid. You will find the exact rates and locations in the parking overview on this page.
If you want to look further afield, other stretches of coast lie close by. Neighbouring Noordwijk is a kilometre away, Katwijk almost five kilometres, and Wassenaarse Slag ten kilometres. To the south, the beach continues to the municipal boundary with Katwijk, along the Noordvoort dune area.
The beach itself is one of the wider beaches on the Zuid-Holland coast. At low tide a broad strip of wet sand appears, leaving plenty of room to walk. The sea here is open and the surf can be strong, depending on the wind. Surfers and kitesurfers make use of the onshore wind, especially outside the high season.
For those who want more than beach and sea, the resort has something to offer all year round. The boulevard has places to eat and drink that stay open beyond the beach season, and the Noordvoort nature reserve is suited to walks through the dunes. The combination of beach, boulevard and dunes makes Noordwijk aan Zee suitable both for a day trip and for a longer stay.
Great for
The beach is wide and slopes gently, giving room to play and paddle. Both beach clubs are family-friendly and serve lunch, so you can easily spend a day here with children. The broad strip of sand at low tide leaves plenty of space for sandcastles and beach games.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. From 1 September to 31 May they may run off the lead across the entire beach, and on the dog-friendly beach south of access point 1 all year round. See the beach zones below for the exact rules in each period.
Both beach clubs serve dinner with a view over the North Sea. The atmosphere leans towards the upmarket, with care given to the interior and the service. In clear weather you can watch the sun sink into the sea.
The two beach clubs both serve lunch, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. You sit right on the beach with a view of the surf. A lunch here goes well with a walk along the boulevard.
The upmarket atmosphere and the combination of lunch and dinner make the beach clubs suitable for a corporate gathering by the sea. The location close to the Randstad and the access via Leiden Centraal both help. The wide beach offers room for outdoor activities.
The boulevard has places to eat and drink that are open even in poorer weather, and the beach clubs offer a covered spot with a view of the sea. When it rains or blows, dinner or lunch indoors remains an option. For a walk between the showers, the Noordvoort dune area is worth considering.
During the summer months Noordwijk aan Zee is at its busiest. The boulevard, the beach and the beach clubs draw many day visitors from the Randstad as well as tourists staying in the hotels. On warm days the beach can fill up, especially the section in front of the boulevards.
The high season runs from 1 June to 31 August. During this period the strictest rules for dogs apply and the crowds are at their largest. If you are after some quiet, you are better off heading to the southern part of the beach near Noordvoort.
Outside the high season the character changes. In spring and autumn the beach is quieter and is used mainly by walkers, dog owners and surfers. Some of the places to eat and drink on the boulevard stay open in winter too.
Spring and late summer are well suited to a visit without the biggest crowds. The temperature is often still pleasant then and the beach offers more room. Bear in mind that some amenities by the sea have limited opening hours outside the season.
Parking
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Parking payment details come from OpenStreetMap and may be incomplete. Please check locally.
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Last updated: 23 June 2026