Amsterdam beach: 20 minutes from the capital to the sea

What, Amsterdam has a beach? Yes! More precisely, the charming little holiday resort called Zandvoort, which is located just 20 km from Amsterdam. Most people know that the Netherlands is bordered lengthwise by the North Sea. However, it is not yet widely known how much it has to offer and how quickly you can get from the bustling city centre of Amsterdam to the sunny beach. Incidentally, the title is not clickbait: you can actually reach the sea from Amsterdam by train or car in under half an hour!

Here we tell you why it’s worth it, where you can find the best beach bar and the best way to get there…

How do I get to Amsterdam beach?

The easiest and quickest way is by train. Trains run from Amsterdam Central Station to Zandvoort every half hour or so (or at shorter intervals on sunny weekends). However, a lot of work is currently being carried out on the tracks, so it’s worth checking the Dutch transport app 9292 before departure to find the quickest route. From Zandvoort station, it’s just a five-minute walk to the water.

Alternatively, you can also get directly to the beach by car. However, parking spaces by the water are limited and expensive (who would have thought…). There is only one main road in and out of the cute beach town, so it’s worth stopping for a nice dinner in one of the many beach bars and not driving at peak times.

What can I do in Zandvoort?

Beach, beach, beach

Captain Obvious would of course recommend the obvious: Jump into the sea! Zandvoort offers a kilometre-long beach for a relaxing day by the sea. From June onwards, the North Sea temperatures are also pleasant and you can go swimming until early autumn. If you want to escape the crowds of tourists, it’s worth taking a short walk southwards first. The further you follow the long dunes, the more space and privacy you will find (note: nudist beach included! ;)).

The coolest beach bar around!

If you’re feeling sporty, you can stroll to the neighbouring town of Bloemendaal aan Zee (approx. 40 minutes): There are numerous cool beach bars there, including our insider tip Woodstock 69. Don’t worry, the atmosphere here is very cool and relaxed, but not just for hippie fans. Woodstock is a truly extraordinary beach bar that turns into the hotspot of the entire beach area in the evening with live music and a wide variety of events. Just like in Amsterdam, tickets for these events often sell out quickly. So plan your visit a few days in advance and check the website beforehand so that you can secure a ticket for your beach event!

A stroll through Zandvoort

A stroll through the small town is also worthwhile. All kinds of pretty little boutiques, delicious restaurants galore (insider tip: fries from Frites d’Anvers!) and even its own little museum are just waiting to be discovered. However, the place is really small and cosy, so if you want to discover more Dutch city culture, come along on one of our numerous tours in Amsterdam!

Grand Prix and water sports paradise

For anyone looking for thrills and adventure, Zandvoort has two highlights to offer. Firstly, there is the Zandvoorter Ring, where the Grand Prix takes place at the end of August – an impressive spectacle (not just for Formula 1 fans, by the way)! Secondly, Zandvoort offers a kilometre-long playground for water sports enthusiasts. Every year, Zandvoort hosts a world-famous kitesurfing event (the Red Bull Megaloop Challenge), which is truly impressive to watch for young and old alike. Whether you want to learn wild stunts in the water yourself while kitesurfing, windsurfing or wave surfing or simply watch the professionals: It’s never boring!

Would you rather stay dry and discover the water world on a beautiful boat tour? The North Sea can be quite capricious at times, so boat tours are not a big issue there. Do you still want to experience the authentic Dutch flair from the water? Then come along on one of our canal cruises!

Sunsets like a summer night’s dream

At the end of a great day at the beach, a breathtaking sunset is of course a must. And Zandvoort has plenty of them to offer! Insider tip: stock up on a few delicious speciality beers in the supermarket beforehand (a must in the Netherlands), take a short walk and end the evening in the dunes south of Zandvoort.

Have fun on the beach and a great time back in Amsterdam from the Amsterdamliebe team ❤️