Schoorl aan Zee
Photos from Google
Three beach clubs mark the beach access at Schoorl aan Zee, the stretch of coast belonging to the municipality of Bergen in Noord-Holland. Part of it falls administratively under Schoorl, while another part is counted with the neighbouring village of Groet. You won't notice that distinction on the beach itself: from the dune crossing you simply step out onto the wide sandy beach.
Behind the beach lie the Schoorlse Duinen, the widest and highest dune area in the Netherlands. Anyone who fancies a break from the beach will 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 and just as easily stay on for an evening meal with a view of the sea.
The atmosphere varies by moment and by venue. During the day the beach is mostly relaxed, with bathers and walkers. Towards the end of the afternoon the emphasis shifts to food and drink, and on busy days it gets lively. For those wanting something quieter, there are plenty of moments and spots to 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 about 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 bike towards the coast. If you come by car, you will 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 of the beach clubs, and on the beach itself municipal rules apply with seasonal time restrictions. Children are well catered for on the wide sandy beach, and several venues 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 promenade full of hospitality. It is all about the beach, the three beach clubs and the dunes behind them. That makes it a manageable destination for a day at the sea, with the option of combining it with a walk or bike ride through the dune area.
Great for
The beach at Schoorl aan Zee is wide 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 are quickly out onto the sand.
Dogs are welcome at several of the beach clubs. On the beach, municipal rules apply with fixed times during the summer season, so you 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 venues serve lunch, with breakfast and brunch available 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 programme in the open air.
The beach clubs have covered space where you can sit inside when it is raining or windy. For a day without sun, a walk through the Schoorlse Duinen is an alternative just behind the beach.
In the summer months Schoorl aan Zee is at its busiest. Bathers, walkers and cyclists head for 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 comes into bloom. Outside summer, not all facilities are open continuously; check the opening hours of the venues in advance.
In winter the beach largely empties, but it remains a place for a walk along the tideline. The dog rules are then more relaxed than in summer, which makes the winter appealing for anyone coming with a dog.
Schoorl aan Zee has no large calendar of events on the beach itself. The focus is on the everyday use of the beach and dunes, not on festivals or markets. If you want to avoid the crowds, choose a weekday or the edges of the season.
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