Zandvoort is the seaside resort of the Netherlands par excellence. It has an expansive sandy beach nine kilometres long and around a hundred metres wide, so there is plenty of room to lie in the sun and relax. And with two rugged dune areas on either side and a world-famous racing circuit among the dunes, Zandvoort offers far more than just beach.
The beach
With some four million visitors a year, this is one of the best-known beaches in the country, and not without reason.
Kilometres of space: the beach is nine kilometres long and around a hundred metres wide, so even on a peak day you will find a spot in the sun.
Plenty of facilities: the coast is lined with beach pavilions, restaurants, showers and toilets, so you never have far to go.
Active by the sea: Zandvoort is an ideal place to surf, sail, fly a kite and go horse riding through the surf.
Accessible to all: the beach is easy to reach for people with a physical disability, and at pavilions 5, 20 and 26 you can hire special beach wheelchairs.
Circuit Zandvoort and Formula 1
Besides beach lovers, Zandvoort draws thousands of motorsport fans every year, and that has everything to do with the dunes.
Racing among the dunes:Circuit Zandvoort lies in the middle of the dune landscape and is known for its fast, sweeping and challenging bends, a favourite with drivers and fans alike.
Formula 1 back again: since 2021 the Dutch Grand Prix has been back on the calendar, with the steep banked corners as the crowd-puller. During the race weekend the whole town turns out.
Take to the track yourself: on certain days you can test your own driving skills and drive a lap of the legendary tarmac yourself.
All year round: outside the grands prix too there are races, test days and events, from historic cars to electric championships.
The town
Zandvoort began as a small fishing village, and you still sense that past in the old centre.
Picturesque streets: in the heart of Zandvoort you walk through small, curving streets that are excellent for shopping and dining out.
From fishing to seaside resort: what began with fishing and a little farming grew into one of the most popular coastal towns in the Netherlands, without losing its village core.
Sunset by the sea: watching the sunset from a beach pavilion is a classic here that you should not skip.
Lively nightlife: Zandvoort has almost forty pubs, each with a character of its own, making it one of the liveliest spots on the coast.
Sights
The beach and the circuit are the big draws, but Zandvoort has plenty to discover within the town limits too.
Zandvoort Museum: the museum takes you into the local culture, history and art, and shows what the village used to look like.
Circus Zandvoort: this complex houses an amusement arcade, a cinema and a theatre, ideal for a night out or a rainy afternoon.
Plenty of attractions: there are also numerous attractions that children in particular enjoy.
More to discover: spread across the town you will also find various museums and monuments worth a visit.
Dunes and nature
Zandvoort is wedged between two of the oldest and finest dune areas in the Netherlands.
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park: to the north lies this nature reserve, with drifting dunes, dune lakes and the best-developed dune woodlands in the country, criss-crossed by countless cycling and walking paths.
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes: to the south lies this old water-catchment area of 3,400 hectares, where you are even allowed to walk off the paths. Water, wind and sea shaped a unique landscape here.
Fallow deer up close: the Water Supply Dunes are home to the largest group of fallow deer in the Netherlands, which you can often watch from very close by.
Rare nature: more than a thousand species of fungi and plants you will find almost nowhere else grow here, among deer, foxes, rabbits and countless birds.
Food, drink and relaxation
From a beach bar to a wellness package, Zandvoort knows better than most how to round off a day.
Dining with a sea view: the restaurants and beach pavilions offer everything from a fresh portion of kibbeling to an elaborate dinner with your feet almost in the sand.
The nightlife: with almost forty pubs and a buzzing nightlife, Zandvoort is a favourite for anyone wanting to carry on after the beach.
Wellness by the sea: for those taking it easier, there are wellness centres where sea air and a sauna help you unwind completely.
When it rains too: on a grey day a beauty centre or one of the covered attractions is a welcome option.
With children in Zandvoort
Zandvoort is very much a family destination, where the beach is the biggest playground of all.
Safe paddling: the wide, gently shelving beach is perfect for sandcastles, kite flying and playing at the water's edge.
Spotting deer: a walk through the Water Supply Dunes, where the fallow deer often stand close by, is a little adventure for children.
Indoor fun: raining? Then Circus Zandvoort, the playgrounds and the many attractions offer plenty to do.
Racing thrills: older children are catered for too, as the circuit fires the imagination at any age.
Explore the surroundings
Zandvoort lies close to Amsterdam and Haarlem, making it one of the most accessible beaches in the Randstad.
Amsterdam round the corner: the capital, Amsterdam, is half an hour away by train, so you combine beach and city with ease.
Nearby Haarlem: historic Haarlem is just a quarter of an hour away and offers monuments, shops and charming almshouse courtyards.
Neighbours by the sea: to the north lie Wijk aan Zee and the wide beaches of Bloemendaal aan Zee, to the south flower-filled Noordwijk.
Nature nearby:Zuid-Kennemerland National Park begins literally behind the town and links Zandvoort with the dune areas further along the coast.
Staying in Zandvoort
From a hotel on the promenade to a holiday park in the dunes, there is an option here for every budget.
Apartments by the sea: the most popular choice on this coast. An apartment on the promenade means waking up to a view of the surf.
Holiday parks and homes: anyone coming with the family or a larger group has plenty of room in a holiday home, often surrounded by greenery and within cycling distance of the beach.
Hotels and B&Bs: from a cosy bed and breakfast to a well-appointed hotel, ideal for a short weekend away.
Camping by the dunes: at the campsites nearby you sleep with the sound of the sea in the background. Have a look at the last minutes too for a sharp deal.
Practical information
A few things are handy to know before you set off for the coast.
Getting there: Zandvoort is easily reached by car via the A9 and the N200, with Amsterdam and Haarlem close by.
By train: Zandvoort has its own station on the line from Haarlem and Amsterdam, within walking distance of the beach. Extra trains run during the race weekend.
Parking: on sunny days and during events finding a space takes patience, and charges apply. The train is often quicker than the car then.
Best time to visit: summer is all about beach and nightlife, spring and autumn offer calm and space in the dunes, and around the Dutch Grand Prix the town is at its busiest and liveliest.
Clearing your head: blowing away the cobwebs on a long beach walk is the finest way to leave the bustle behind.
Sun, sea, dunes and the fastest bends in the Netherlands: Zandvoort is the coastal town where beach calm and racing thrills lie less than a kilometre apart.
