Zandvoort
Photos from Google
The racing circuit sits less than a kilometre from the beach, and that says a lot about Zandvoort. This seaside resort in Noord-Holland combines a long boulevard with a wide beach where 37 beach clubs line the sand. Zandvoort aan Zee station is about a kilometre from the sand, which makes the resort easy to reach if you arrive without a car.
The municipality has just over 17,000 residents, but on summer days those numbers rise sharply. Visitors from Amsterdam and the wider region arrive by train or car. The beach slopes gently and is wide enough to find a spot even on busy days, though that varies by zone and by time of day.
Together, the beach clubs hold an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. What is on offer ranges from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner. Some focus on a quick bite between swims, others on a carefully prepared meal with table service. The atmosphere therefore varies from one place to the next: from relaxed and informal to a little more refined and suited to a dinner with a sea view.
If you want more than just the beach, the village itself is worth a visit. The boulevard connects to shopping streets and places to eat and drink that stay open beyond the high season too. Circuit Zandvoort is nearby and brings extra crowds and a different crowd around race weekends than on an average beach Sunday.
There are more seaside resorts within reach nearby. Bloemendaal aan Zee lies just over four kilometres away and is known for its larger beach pavilions. IJmuiden aan Zee follows at almost ten kilometres, and Wijk aan Zee at a little over fourteen kilometres. So if you want things quieter, you can head north along the coast.
Zandvoort suits all kinds of visits. A family can spend a day building sandcastles, a couple can dine at sunset, and businesses can come here for an outing. Several beach clubs are also available as a wedding venue. Dogs are welcome at various places, though seasonal rules apply to the beach itself.
You can park within walking distance of the beach, partly for a fee. The exact rates and locations are in the parking overview on this page. If you come by train, the walk from the station to the beach is short and easy to manage.
Great for
The beach slopes gently and is wide, so there is room to play and build. Several beach clubs offer lunch and a terrace where children can join in between times. Thanks to the short walk from the station, a day at the beach is easy to manage without a car too.
Dogs are welcome at various beach clubs. Bear in mind that the beach itself is off limits to dogs during the day from 15 April to 1 October; outside those hours and in the winter season, dogs are allowed.
A number of places focus on a carefully prepared dinner with table service and a sea view. In clear weather, the sunset is easy to enjoy from the terrace. The atmosphere varies from one place to the next, from relaxed to refined.
What is on offer ranges from a quick bite to a leisurely lunch or brunch. With 37 places in a row, there is plenty of choice in price and style. Many terraces sit right by the sand with a view of the surf.
Several beach clubs can host groups for a corporate outing. The location close to the station makes it easy to reach for colleagues travelling by public transport. Ask about the options in advance, as they vary from one location to the next.
A number of places have a covered, heated indoor area, so a visit goes ahead in rain or wind too. The village of Zandvoort also offers shops and places to eat and drink within walking distance. Check in advance which places are open in the low season.
In the summer months, Zandvoort is busy on sunny days. Visitors from Amsterdam and the surrounding area arrive by train, which fills the beach and the boulevard. If you are after some peace and quiet, it is better to come early or choose a weekday.
Circuit Zandvoort causes peaks in the crowds around race weekends. On those days the crowd changes and getting here by car can be trickier; the train is often more practical then.
Outside the high season it grows quieter. Some of the beach clubs are closed then, but several stay open year-round for a walk with a coffee or a lunch. In autumn and winter, the beach mainly draws walkers and dog owners, because dogs are welcome day and night during that period.
Spring and autumn offer a middle ground: fewer people than in July and August, but enough places open for a terrace visit in clear weather. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as the coastal wind can push the feels like temperature down considerably.
Parking
16 marked as paid, 9 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