With the sand, the water, and a cool drink in hand, beaches represent summer better than any other vacay destination). This is particularly true in the Netherlands, where the sun is sometimes reluctant to shine.
The Netherlands is a beautiful country, recognized for its diverse landscapes. It boasts great hiking and biking trails, tulip fields, marketplaces, cities, architecture, history, and copious amounts of cheese, among other things. It has a peaceful feel about it.
If you’re planning a vacation in summer, you simply must go to the Netherlands’ beaches. You can go fishing, snorkeling, eat delicious local cuisine, and go shopping! If you stay in one of the Netherlands’ beach resorts, your holiday will be more enjoyable.
In the Netherlands, a beautiful beach is never far away, whether you reside in the north or south of the lowlands.
Our pick of the greatest beaches in the Netherlands will prepare you for a hot summer by allowing you to spend the whole day outside, with sand, water, and that cool drink!
Best Beaches In the Netherlands
Here are some great beaches in the Netherlands to hit up on your next trip!
1. Scheveningen Beach
The beach of Scheveningen is situated in The Hague. Known for its sandy beach, pier, and lighthouse, Scheveningen is one of The Hague’s eight districts. The beach is ideal for those who appreciate sunbathing, nice cuisine, wildlife, surfing, swimming, shopping, and spending time near the water.
Between the Boulevard and the Pier lies a more than three-kilometer beach. If you’re in Amsterdam, public transport is the best way to get there. Train travel to The Hague, where you can also take a tram to the beach, will take around 1 hour 15 minutes.
This beach is distinct in that it is open all four seasons, allowing you to enjoy concerts, festivals, markets, and various other activities all year round.
There are several beach hotels along the beach where you can relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about getting back to The Hague or Amsterdam.
Need somewhere to stay? Try the Ramada The Hague Scheveningen.
See Related: 16 Best Things to do in Haarlem, Netherlands
2. Zandvoort Aan Zee Beach
The Kennemerland coast, where the Zandvoort aan zee Beach is situated, is located in the North Holland Province (or Noord Holland).
This area is home to some of the most popular beaches in the Netherlands. Zandvoort beach is the most wonderful place, and one of the most intriguing things about this beach is the presence of beautiful dunes that are so beautiful that words really don’t do them justice.
Before beach tourism became a reality here, the beach had its origins as a fishing community, and even then, the earliest tourist operations date back to 1828! The region was damaged during World War II, and most of the structures were rebuilt after the war.
There are many ways to get there: automobile, rail, bike, and train. The beach is best visited during the spring and summer months and in warm weather, and the shops and restaurants are open. Beach volleyball, soccer, wind/kite surfing, swimming, kite flying, horseback riding, and sunbathing are all options. For a relaxing stay, check in to NH Zandvoort Hotel.
Another intriguing thing about Zandvoort Beach? It’s also home to the most popular dog-friendly nude beach near Amsterdam!
3. Hoek Van Holland Beach
The regions around Hoek Van Holland provide more than simply a beach experience. It has attractions like a museum dedicated to Po Music, the history of Holland, the Atlantic Wall, as well as the crisp Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Elzenduin for you to rest your weary head.
Hoek Van Holland Beach is a nice sandy beach situated near Rotterdam. During your visit, you will want to hit the pubs and restaurants.
The beach is distinctive since it is surrounded by industrial facilities, which creates a fascinating contrast! Another plus about this beach is it’s also wheelchair accessible.
See Related: 26 Most Famous Historical Landmarks in the Netherlands
4. Texel Beach
Texel Island (one of the Wadden Islands) is arguably home to the best beach in the Netherlands. The lovely island beach stretches of sand dunes for miles and miles, just a couple of miles north of Den Helder and across the Wadden Sea.
This is a great place for kids because there are lifeguards on duty in the summer, so they can relax and enjoy themselves. You may even hire a beach hut for as long as you wish, with a deck chair and a parasol included!
The public beach is also marked for various activities, and in certain spots, you can even let your dog run free. You can also fly a kite, sail, surf, and take a walk on one of Holland’s cleanest beaches.
Climb to the top of the Texel Lighthouse for spectacular views of the surroundings and stay in the comfy Hotel Greenside Texel to cap it off.
5. Ameland Beach
Ameland Beach is a windy beach and has a fun area to walk, take the dog for a walk, or relax and enjoy the sun and sand dunes. This popular beach is marked and flagged to assist visitors in understanding where they may undertake particular activities and relax in Fletcher Resort-Hotel Amelander Kaap – including nudity!
Now, if only one could coin a phrase combining “when in Rome..” and “what happens in Vegas.”
In the Ameland Area, there are several beaches where people may sunbathe, surf, sail kites, dine, drink, ride horses, and, of course, swim – some of it is the absolute buff! Showers and bathroom facilities are available, and beach chairs and windscreens are for hire. Wheelchairs are also welcome on the beach.
See Related: 17 Best Museums in the Hague, Netherlands
6. Egmond Aan Zee Beach
A magnificent and picturesque beach may be found in North Holland, only a few kilometers from the resort town of Alkmaar, known for its famous cheese market.
It is situated in the municipality of Egmond and boasts a magnificent sandy beach that stretches for approximately a kilometer. The Egmond ann Zee Beach is ideal for those who wish to spend their summers at the beach with their family; there are plenty of restaurants and motels nearby, so it’s a fantastic bargain.
The Van Spyek Lighthouse can also be seen from the beach, and while you’re not sunbathing and enjoying the waves, you can visit Alkmaar’s famed cheese market during the day and book a room at Hotel Zuiderduin for the night.
You will also not be disappointed by the assortment of stunning flower fields that this area of the Netherlands is famous for (depending on the month of the year you visit!).
7. Strand Zuid
Strand Zuid is a beach in Amsterdam’s south end, next to the RAI Event Center. Strand Zuid is ideal for partygoers; it has a bustling nightlife, and during the summer, people walk along the beach and dine at neighboring restaurants.
It’s a laid-back and comfy beach; it’s also popular with locals like The Broadview Hotel since it’s just a few minutes from the city center and offers easy access to most amenities.
See Related: 20 Best Hotels in the Netherlands | Top Places to Stay
8. Oostkapelle
If you want to spend more time in the sun this summer, go to the Oostkapelle beach in the Netherlands Zealand region.
This location has the highest number of sun hours in the nation and is yet among the most beautiful beaches in the world! The beach is also lovely and picturesque, ideal for water sports, sunbathing, and walking on a hot summer’s day.
There are beach huts, as well as nearby restaurants, cafés, and hotels like Strandhotel Dennenbos where you can dine and drink while taking in the stunning views.
There is also plenty of parking! The beach has won the International Blue Flag environmental award 31 times and has been declared the cleanest beach in the Netherlands four times!
9. Terschelling
Terschelling is the second biggest West Frisian island. One of the beaches here is a whopping 30 kilometers long and broad enough that it may occasionally stretch to 1 kilometer! You should get plenty of sun during summer. This place is great for beach volleyball and soccer, as well as horseback riding, cycling, and swimming! It’s also the ideal area to sunbathe, and the neighboring Oosterend Hotel’s 50s and 60s music will enchant you!
The lovely beach pavilions are well-known for hosting the Oreol theatrical festival every year. This is one of the peaceful beaches in the Netherlands outside the summer season. The dune’s 30-kilometer span is ideal for biking all year.
You may go to the beach with your friends or family to swim and ride dirt bikes and enjoy beach parties. It’s a wonderful experience that any adventure seeker should have. Come to Terschelling, a tranquil beach in the Netherlands, when you want to unwind.
See Related: 14 Best Museums in Haarlem, Netherlands
10. Berkenbosch Beach
Walking along the gorgeous Berkenbosch Beach is an unforgettable experience that you simply must have when visiting the Netherlands! The beach is in the Duindistel neighborhood of Oostkapelle.
Because there are no structures near the beach, it is great for picnickers looking to get away from the rush and bustle of the city.
Cabins and pavilions and a shower and toilet are available for rent at the beach. In the tranquility of the sandy beaches and azure waves, people may walk, swim, and play beach games!
11. Makkum
This ancient fishing hamlet in Southern Friesland attracts many visitors during the summer, owing to the area’s link with water sports.
Many sailing, surfing, waterskiing activities, and various beach-oriented hotels can be found throughout the hamlet.
See Related: 18 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands
12. Holland’s Hook
Hook of Holland, Rotterdam’s most western borough, is situated at the mouth of the New Waterway shipping canal.
The district’s coastline offers broad, open beaches that are especially popular during the summer, and several hotels, watersports facilities, and other amenities spread around Hook of Holland’s coastline.
13. Pieterburen
Many unique attractions may be found in this picturesque town in the Groningen region, including gothic brick homes, historic windmills, and the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre.
The town’s shoreline is sometimes subjected to exceptionally low tides, making it perfect for Wadlopen (mudflat trekking), a historic and infamously risky activity involving walking over the Wadden Sea’s sandbank. You can find a comfortable residence at Hotel Waddenweelde
See Related: Best Hotels in the Hague, Netherlands
14. Camperduin
Camperduin is one of a kind. This beach is surrounded by dunes, as the name implies. While this isn’t particularly unique for a Dutch beach, Camperduin also boasts an artificially formed lagoon protected by these dunes.
Unique? No. Cool? Very.
15. Petten
Petten is a great place for a romantic evening at the beach for many tourists. Its panoramic dune is the best area to watch the beautiful sunsets, with chairs strategically positioned for watching the sunset.
Petten is also an excellent place to swim and is readily accessible by public transportation or automobile for a relaxing day. There’s also free parking!
See Related: 16 Best Things to do in Alkmaar, Netherlands
16. Sint Maartenszee
If you’re looking for a double-beach day, Petten and Sint Maartenszee are the places to go. Sint Maartenszee is about five kilometers from Petten and is readily accessible by bike.
It’s a lovely rural area with a playground for the kids to enjoy and has a beach club. One of the beach clubs sprinkled around this gorgeous shoreline may allow you to hire a sunbed or a sunshade. Sint Maartenszee is a great hotel nearby if you need somewhere to crash for the night.
17. Bloemendaal Aan Zee
Bloemendaal aan Zee’s beach is a popular destination and with good reason. It is surrounded by nature, much like the other beaches on the list.
The Kennemerduinen are very lovely to stroll in. Bloemendaal aan Zee, like all excellent Dutch beaches, is flanked by cafés providing delectable food and beverages, ensuring that you don’t go hungry throughout your beach holiday.
See Related: 20 Most Beautiful Villages in the Netherlands
18. Noordwijk
The famed tulip fields of Keukenhof, which we all love to visit in the spring, are near Noordwijk beach. It features 18 beach clubs, seven of which are open all year. Noordwijk is the ideal spot for a drink and a snack while gazing out at sea, whether it’s summer or winter.
Rafting, canoeing, and kite-flying are just a few of the beach activities available. What’s even better? Dogs are also welcome here; however, check to see where and when your four-legged pals
19. Zandmotor Beach
If you’re seeking beaches in the Hague, Netherlands, you must go to Zandmotor. It’s a fantastic beach for individuals who want to dine while relaxing on the sand. The beach is famous for its proximity to incredible mouthwatering local cuisine.
See Related: Best Castles in the Netherlands
20. Katwijk
If you haven’t visited the beach market of Katwijk in Amsterdam, Netherlands, or elsewhere, you haven’t seen enough beaches.
The beach is known for its shops and beautiful promenade. The fishers’ homes, lighthouse, and peaceful beach transport you to another world. Katwijk is one of the most tranquil beaches in South Holland (or Zuid Holland).
We’ve shown you some of the most beautiful beaches in the Netherlands, but there are many more to discover.
What do you think which one is your favorite?
FAQs
You now know where to go in the Netherlands to locate the nicest beaches. Here’s a brief rundown of some of the most often asked questions and their responses.
Are Dogs Allowed to a Beach in the Netherlands?
The presence of dogs on Dutch beaches varies depending on the location. Always search for information on a certain beach on the beach’s website or the local municipality’s website. Many beaches have laws prohibiting you from walking your dog at particular periods of the year or during specific days. Winter is normally when you may take your dog for a stroll on the beach.
Is it true that the beaches in the Netherlands are overcrowded?
Popular Dutch beaches like Scheveningen may become rather crowded. This is especially true if you visit on a hot weekend day.
Is there a beach for nudists in the Netherlands?
Yes, quite a few! A good option is that if you locate a conventional beach, there will certainly be a naaktstrand nearby.
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