Best Beaches in the Netherlands

With its border on the North Sea and various reclaimed areas of land, the diverse and interesting winding coastline has produced some beautiful beaches in the Netherlands. There’s a beach for every occasion, from a walk on a brisk day to soaking up the sun when the temperatures rise. You’ll find beaches for wildlife lovers, snorkelling and sporting activities like football, cricket and volleyball. Here are some of the best beaches in the Netherlands.

Scheveningen Beach

One of the largest and most popular beaches in the Netherlands, Scheveningen is a destination for every season. Its expanse means it’s never crowded even though many visitors arrive to spend time on the fine golden sand and in the sea. Leisure time can be spent on the pier, enjoying the sculpture museum, playing in the gaming arcade, browsing the shops or watching the boats in the harbour. There are also plenty of places for refreshments during the day and evening. This blue flag beach is important on New Year’s Eve when people warm themselves by bonfires after a dip in the freezing cold water.

Texel Beaches

Located on Texel Island, one of the Dutch Wadden Islands, Texel’s beaches are reached by ferry. Although the island is small, the beaches are huge by comparison and are backed by picturesque dunes. Together with the red lighthouse and background of grazing Scottish highland cows, the dunes are a picture-perfect Instagram moment. Sparkling white sands are dotted with colourful beach huts available for hire, and some of the 30 km of sand are patrolled by lifeguards. Plenty of restaurants and cafes offer refreshments. Thanks to the breeze, Texel’s beaches are popular with kite flyers, kite surfers and sand yachters.

Paal 29

If your idea of the perfect beach is a secluded spot, Paal 29 is a hidden gem. Not accessible by car, the beach can only be reached by cycling or walking. It is a bit of a hike of 1.5 hours but is worth the effort to reach the wide and high-rolling sand dunes that make this destination one of the top beaches in the Netherlands. It is safe to swim here and just as fun to sit on the beach and watch for the seals that frolic just offshore. The main facility here is the beach club, so refreshments are readily available if you don’t want to burden yourself with carrying a picnic.

Katwijk Beach

Four kilometres of soft white sand greet you at Katwijk, a renowned blue flag beach. This area is popular with tourists and Dutch visitors, so there’s plenty to occupy you here. The boardwalk stretches for two kilometres and is lined with bars, restaurants and shops, with more shops in the mall behind. A street market is held on the boulevard every Tuesday in the summer. Attractions include a 17th-century lighthouse and a charming former fishing village which is a reminder of simpler times long gone. The lively marina is a hub for the variety of water sports the beach and ocean host.

Zandvoort aan Zee Beach

If you’re staying in Amsterdam and want a day trip to the seaside or want a seaside holiday with access to the city, Zandvoort aan Zee Beach is the ideal choice. Just 30 kilometres from Amsterdam, Zandvoort is a lively destination by day and night. People enjoy water sports and activities in the daytime here, including paddle boarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, cycling and walking. Come sundown, there’s a festive atmosphere with beach parties and people spilling out of the bars onto the terraces.

Petten aan Zee Beach

A lovely place to unwind, the beach of the delightful coastal town of Petten is a great place to watch the sun go down. There are even benches placed among the panoramic dunes for this pleasure. Wild tulips bloom on the dunes in spring, and the sweeping views and tranquillity lend a romantic air. The swimming is safe, water sports are plentiful, and there are hiking and cycling paths galore. A nice advantage is the proximity to the beach at Sint Maartens. Easily reached by bike, this family-friendly beach is beautifully rustic. It’s easy to enjoy both these beautiful beaches in the Netherlands in one day.

Domburg Beach

With the cutesy wooden stairs giving access to the sands, Domburg is one of the oldest beach resorts in the Netherlands and has enduring popularity. Located in Zeeland, the golden beach is wide and scenic, dotted by groynes and ideal for a long walk, a day of sunbathing or activities in and on the water. Domburg is one of the most popular beaches in the Netherlands for surfers who appreciate the strong current and divers who can see shipwrecks from World War II and a variety of marine life. Refreshments are catered for by numerous bars and restaurants, and it’s a short walk across the dunes into the village.

Hoek van Holland Beach

Golden sand dunes with cycling and hiking trails frame this long, wide beach on the North Sea that has a blue flag. Hoek van Holland Beach is popular with European tourists and offers sand, restaurants, villas for rent and bars. The beach has a concrete walkway, making it easy to navigate and there’s free parking and children’s attractions, such as trampolines, making it a good place for families to spend a day watching ships entering Rotterdam from the North Sea or sunbathing. Some visitors make a stop here to spend time while waiting for their ferries. There are some beach activities and sun loungers available. Fresh fish can be enjoyed at the eateries and there’s a good view of Rotterdam Port from the pier.

Ameland Beach

Ameland is another of the 5 Wadden Islands (West Frisian Islands) off the north coast of the Netherlands and a gem of a beach that offers clean water for swimming and nature-friendly tourism. The long, wide sandy beach here has won various blue flag awards and the whole area is clean and well-maintained with lifeguards. There are various eateries and facilities, including showers and parking. Inland, you’ll find villages, salt marshes and woods, with plenty of cycling, equestrian and hiking trails and around 50 species of birds. Cyclists can explore the island in half a day and bikes can be rented as you get off the ferry in Ameland.

Egmond aan Zee Beach

A drive of about 30 kilometres north-east of Amsterdam takes you to Egmond aan Zee and the beach is less than half a mile from the town. The wide stretch of sand makes it great for all kinds of beach activities, including swimming in the clean water that has been awarded a flue flag. The shallows make Egmond aan Zee Beach good for children and there are free facilities for bathers. A wide choice of places to eat and drink here, water-based activities and a much-photographed lighthouse on the boulevard make this a great place to relax.

The beautiful beaches of the Netherlands hold a few surprises, each having its own personality. You’ll find beaches for all ages, secluded or wide open, quiet or bustling with activity. There’s more to the Dutch coastline than you might imagine.