Zandvoort: Where nature meets adventure
Discover the fascinating beauty of the Dutch coastal town of Zandvoort. Situated on the North Sea coast, just a stone’s throw from Amsterdam, Zandvoort offers the perfect destination for an unforgettable vacation.
With endless sandy beaches, picturesque dune landscapes and a lively city full of activities and entertainment, Zandvoort is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Zandvoort’s mile-long sandy beach is perfect for relaxing walks. Enjoy the fresh air, listen to the sound of the waves and dream while looking at the sea. The Zuid-Kennemerland Dunes nature reserve offers numerous walking trails. Here you can discover nature, the dune landscape and wildlife. The nature reserve Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen in Zandvoort offers beautiful walking trails, water canals and the possibility to see fallow deer. Zandvoort is a great place for nature lovers.
If you want more adventure, you can try different water sports. How about windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddle boarding? If you prefer motor sports, you should visit the Zandvoort Circuit. It is one of the most famous race tracks in Europe. Here there is a possibility to watch races or even book a tour on the track.
No matter what activities you prefer, Zandvoort offers a diverse experience and is an ideal place to enjoy the Dutch coastal landscape.
Experience Zandvoort
A short holiday by the sea… in the Netherlands. The small town of Zandvoort aan Zee is perfect for a weekend visit, offering relaxation and exciting experiences for the whole family.
Behind a high fence lies a vast area, the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen (Amsterdam Water Pipeline Dunes) nature reserve. Here we will try to spot wild deer and roe deer.
Who hasn't been there… you walk along the beach and discover not only stones and shells, but also cigarette butts, bottle caps and heaps of stuff that certainly has no place on a beach. Juttersgeluk wanted to change this and had a great idea.
The roar of the engines can be heard as I arrive at Circuit Zandvoort on my bike, despite the rain-soaked road. No, it's not a real Formula 1 race that I will be attending, but I will be there virtually towards the end of my visit.
The Holland Casino Zandvoort is located directly on the beach boulevard. In the evening, we were drawn there for dinner and gambling. A visit to a casino - a first for me and an unforgettable experience.
Book your stay
Booking.comZandvoort travel information
Arrival
By plane
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is the nearest international airport and offers good connections to Zandvoort. From there you can either take a train to Zandvoort or use a cab or rental car.
By car
Zandvoort is located about 30 kilometers west of Amsterdam. By car, Zandvoort can be reached via the N201 via Haarlem South, Heemstede and Aerdenhout. The Zeeweg leads via Haarlem, Overveen and Bloemendaal with a beautiful route through the dunes and along the sea to Zandvoort.
By Bus
Zandvoort is accessible via two regional bus lines. Bus 81 will take you from Haarlem Centraal to Zandvoort in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take bus 80 from the Marnixstraat stop in Amsterdam to get to Zandvoort. In this case, the travel time is about one hour. In addition, the international Flixbus offers a connection from Zandvoort via Haarlem to various German cities such as Osnabrück and Berlin. However, note that this bus line does not run daily; it is specially designed to meet the needs of the tourist season.
By train
Zandvoort has its own train station, which is regularly served by trains from various cities in the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, Haarlem and The Hague. The connection from Amsterdam to Zandvoort takes about 30 minutes. From Amsterdam Central Station there is a direct train to Zandvoort twice an hour. From Haarlem there is a direct train to Zandvoort twice an hour, in summer even every quarter of an hour.
By bike
The Netherlands is known for its bicycle-friendliness, and Zandvoort is no exception. Many people travel to Zandvoort by bike and take advantage of the well-developed network of bike paths.
On the way in..
With public transportation
From the beginning of 2023, it will be possible to make contactless payments on public transport using your debit card, credit card, smartwatch or phone.
In the Netherlands, the OV chip card is used to use public transport.
If you do not have a permanent OV chip card, you have the option of purchasing a one-time chip card from vending machines. This card is made of paper and has an integrated chip that you can use to check in and out at check-in kiosks or gates. The one-time chip cards are only available at full price and are never offered at a discount.
It is important to note that one-time chip cards are valid only for the current day, except for tickets to Germany and Belgium.
By bike
Bicycles are one of the best means of transportation to explore Zandvoort. You can rent bikes in town or bring your own. There are numerous bike paths that will take you through the dunes and along the coast.
On foot
The city center of Zandvoort is compact and easy to explore on foot. You can explore the stores, restaurants and sights at your own pace.
By taxi and Uber
Taxis are available in Zandvoort and can be useful for shorter trips within the city. Uber could also be an option, depending on availability.
Parking in Zandvoort
There are numerous parking options available in Zandvoort, both paid parking and parking for permit holders. Please note that in the city, most parking spaces are paid or require a parking permit. An inexpensive option is to park in one of the parking garages:
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- P-De Zuid: This parking garage offers convenient parking and is located on Boulevard Barnaart, from the NH Hotel traffic circle to the Bloemendaal municipal boundary.
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- LDC parking lot: This parking lot is located in the center of Zandvoort.
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- Hook parking in the Cort van der Linden/Frans Zwaanstraat: Another possibility to park your car safely.
Visitors and tourists can book parking spaces in the parking garage LDC or in the parking garage De Zuid. You can select your arrival and departure date, reserve the desired parking space and pay for the booking. You will receive a confirmation email with all relevant parking information and a QR code for identification upon entry.
In residential areas, parking is allowed for a maximum of 2 hours at a rate of €4 per hour, after which the rate is €7 per hour. In parking garages, the daily rate is €15. Parking is charged from 10:00 to 22:00 on all weekdays, while it is free from 22:00 to 10:00. From November to March, the winter parking tariff applies, which allows parking at discounted rates.
Holders of a valid European Disabled Parking Card can park anywhere in the city free of charge for the first two hours, after which the usual parking rate applies. This regulation applies to general disabled parking spaces as well as regular paid parking spaces and parking spaces for holders of parking permits.
Best time to travel
Spring is a good time to visit Zandvoort if you prefer mild weather and less crowds. Temperatures gradually rise and nature begins to bloom. It is also a good time for bike rides and walks in the dunes.
Summer is the most popular time to visit the region. The temperatures are pleasantly warm, and the average temperatures are between 18°C and 22°C. This is the ideal time to relax on the beach, swim in the sea and practice water sports such as windsurfing or kite surfing. Note, however, that the beaches can be very busy during this time.
Autumn is a quieter time in Zandvoort. The temperatures are still pleasant, but the sea can be a bit cooler. This is a good time to enjoy nature and explore the dune walks. The water can still be suitable for some water sports.
Winter is the quietest time in the region. Temperatures are cool and many beach activities are no longer possible. However, this is a good time to explore the coastal town in peace and enjoy local specialties in cozy cafes and restaurants.