Schoorl aan Zee
Photos from Google
Three beach clubs mark the beach access point at Schoorl aan Zee, the stretch of coast that belongs to the municipality of Bergen in Noord-Holland. Part of it falls administratively under Schoorl, while another part is counted as belonging to the neighbouring village of Groet. You won't notice that distinction on the beach itself: from the dune crossing you simply walk out onto the broad sandy beach.
- Beach clubs
- 3
- Avg. rating
- 4.4 / 5
- Nearest station
- Alkmaar (14.2 km)
Blue Flag beach 2026
What is the Blue Flag?
Behind the beach lie the Schoorlse Duinen, the widest and highest dune area in the Netherlands. If you want to leave the beach for a while, you'll find walking and cycling routes through the dune landscape here. It makes Schoorl aan Zee a place where the beach and the hinterland sit close together.
Together, the three beach clubs achieve an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. They cover a good part of the day: there is breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. So you can come here early in the morning or stay on for an evening meal with a view of the sea.
The atmosphere varies by the moment and by the venue. During the day the beach is mostly relaxed, with sunbathers and walkers. Towards the end of the afternoon the focus shifts to food and drink, and on busy days it gets lively. For those who prefer it quieter, there are plenty of moments and spots where you can escape the crowds.
Schoorl aan Zee lies between Petten to the north and Bergen aan Zee to the south. Petten is just over five kilometres away, with Bergen aan Zee roughly the same distance. Egmond aan Zee is a little more than eleven kilometres away. That makes it easy to combine with a day along the wider Noord-Holland coastline.
The nearest train station is Alkmaar, almost twelve kilometres away. From there you continue by bus or bicycle towards the coast. If you come by car, you'll find parking within walking distance of the beach; some of it is paid. The current rates and locations are listed in the parking overview on this page.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs, and on the beach itself municipal rules apply with seasonal times. Children can play happily on the broad sandy beach, and several beach clubs are set up for families. There is room for a corporate outing, and one of the locations is suitable as a wedding venue.
Schoorl aan Zee is not a place with a long boulevard full of bars and restaurants. Here it is all about the beach, the three beach clubs and the dunes behind them. That makes it a manageable destination for a day by the sea, with the option of combining it with a walk or cycle ride through the dune area.
Great for
The beach at Schoorl aan Zee is broad and slopes gently, giving plenty of room to play and build. Several beach clubs are set up for families and serve breakfast and brunch alongside lunch. From the dune crossing you're on the sand in no time.
Dogs are welcome at several beach clubs. On the beach, municipal rules apply with fixed times during the summer season, so you'll know in advance when your dog can run free. Check the current times and zones before you go.
The beach clubs also serve in the evening, with a view of the sea and the sunset on the west coast. One of the locations is set up as a wedding venue, which shows there is room for a quieter dinner.
All three beach clubs serve lunch, with breakfast and brunch earlier in the day. After a walk through the Schoorlse Duinen you can settle in here for a simple meal on the beach.
A corporate outing is possible at the beach clubs of Schoorl aan Zee. The combination of beach and the adjoining dune area offers room for an active outdoor programme.
The beach clubs have covered space where you can sit inside when it rains or the wind picks up. For a day without sun, a walk through the Schoorlse Duinen is an alternative just behind the beach.
Season & atmosphere
In the summer months Schoorl aan Zee is at its busiest. Sunbathers, walkers and cyclists are drawn to the beach and the dunes, and the three beach clubs run at full capacity. Early in the morning and late in the evening it is quieter.
The early and late season mainly attract walkers and dog owners. The Schoorlse Duinen are accessible all year round, and in spring the dune area is in bloom. Outside summer, not all facilities are open continuously; check the beach clubs' opening hours in advance.
In winter the beach largely empties out, but it remains a place for a walk along the tideline. The dog rules are more relaxed than in summer, which makes winter appealing for those who come with a dog.
Schoorl aan Zee has no large calendar of events on the beach itself. The emphasis is on the everyday use of beach and dunes, not on festivals or markets. If you want to avoid the crowds, choose a weekday or the edges of the season.
Practical
If you come by car, there is parking within walking distance of the beach, partly paid. You'll find the current rates and locations in the parking overview on this page.
By public transport you travel to Alkmaar station, almost twelve kilometres away. From there you continue by bus towards the coast or by bicycle. Bear in mind that the bus connection to the beach does not run equally frequently throughout the day.
The Schoorlse Duinen lie directly behind the beach. Bring sturdy shoes if you want to follow the walking or cycling routes through the dune area; the sand and the differences in height take some effort.
Before you go, check the opening hours of the beach clubs, especially outside the summer months. Not all of them are open year-round.
If you come with your dog, read through the municipal beach rules beforehand. In summer there are fixed times when dogs can run free, with separate zones on the beach.
The beach faces west, so towards evening you'll see the sun sink into the sea. A jumper or windcheater is no luxury even in summer, as the sea breeze can pick up.
Nearest station: Alkmaar Plan your journey →
From Alkmaar station it is ±14,2 km on foot to the beach (±170 min). A bus or car gets you there faster.Beach rules & zones
The dog rules apply to the entire municipality of Bergen, including the beaches at Schoorl aan Zee. In winter, from 1 October to 1 May, dogs may run free anywhere on the beach.
In summer, from 1 May to 1 October, fixed times apply. Before 10.00 and after 19.00 dogs may run free. Between 10.00 and 19.00, dogs on a lead are only permitted on the activity beach.
The zones can be recognised on the beach by the colour of the beach marker post. An orange post marks the activity beach, a yellow post the sunbathing beach and a pink post the nudist beach. On the nudist beach, recreation without clothing is permitted.
Bear in mind that the rules and times may change. Check the current situation with the municipality of Bergen before heading to the beach with your dog.
Horse riding on the beach
In the municipality of Bergen (NH), horses are only permitted on the activity beaches (orange strandpalen) in summer (1 May to 1 October); on the other beaches horse-riding is allowed before 10.00 and after 19.00. In winter (1 October to 1 May) horse-riding is permitted everywhere, except on Sundays and public holidays between 12.00 and 19.00.
Parking
2 marked as paid, 8 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.
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Last updated: 23 June 2026