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.
Zandvoort aan Zee is the most famous coastal resort in the province of North Holland. The town is so famous that Sisi, Empress of Austria, spent her holiday there several times.
The town of around 17,000 inhabitants attracts around 5 million tourists every year. They come from Amsterdam for just a day or stay for a longer holiday in one of the city’s many accommodations.
Considerations before a short holiday in Zandvoort aan Zee
What is the best way to get to Zandvoort? I travelled from Berlin with Deutsche Bahn. It was an easy connection for me, as there is a direct train to Amsterdam. It even runs six times a day and takes about 6 hours.
In Amsterdam, you can then change to a regional train to Zandvoort. This train runs every hour or so and takes just under 30 minutes to reach the town’s railway station. The beach is only a 10-minute walk from the station.
If you want to stay overnight in the town, you will find a wide range of accommodation from holiday homes to hotels. I stayed at the Hotel At Sea Zandvoort during my holiday. A small hotel in a quiet side street, but so centrally located that you can get everywhere quickly.
If you wish, you can book breakfast separately. It is then brought to your room at around 9am and you can start the day comfortably on the balcony when the weather is nice, for example. I definitely felt very comfortable in this hotel.
Don’t fancy travelling on foot? Then I recommend hiring a bike on site. Whether e-bike or “retro bike” the choice is quite large. Cycling is a great way to explore the surrounding area during your short holiday in Zandvoort aan Zee. For me as a city dweller, cycling in traffic is always a “little horror”. In my opinion, Berlin is not exactly bicycle-friendly either.
So I’m always all the more pleased when I’m travelling in cities where cycling is a priority. In Zandvoort, there are many excellent cycle paths and numerous roads where cyclists are sometimes allowed to cycle “in the wrong direction”. Extra traffic signs then indicate that cycling is permitted there.
Tips for a short holiday in Zandvoort aan Zee
If you really want to get to know Zandvoort, a short holiday is hardly enough. There is so much to see and, of course, time for relaxation should not be neglected.
Recreation on the beach at Zandvoort
I’m always drawn to the sea first. Zandvoort has a 9-kilometre-long sandy beach that is just perfect for a stroll. Barefoot through the soft sand or with my feet in the water – I just love it and I don’t care about the weather. A walk on the beach is always a good idea!
In summer, there are around 30 different beach pavilions along the beach. Here you can enjoy a cosy break and are sure to get something to drink. Most of the beach pavilions are dismantled in winter, when the selection is somewhat smaller, but no less beautiful.
Fans of water sports are also sure to have fun in Zandvoort. There are several surf and water sports centres on the beach. Here you can improve your skills or learn a new favourite sport. Whether it’s surfing, kitesurfing or SUP, there’s plenty on offer and the fun is certainly there too.
How about a workshop at Juttersgeluk? During my visit, I was particularly impressed by the work of the “rubbish collectors” from Juttersgeluk. With buckets and tongs, they go in search of the things that other people carelessly leave on the beach or throw into the sea. When I took part in a workshop, I learnt what is washed up by the sea and what damage is caused to people and animals. Juttersgeluk even reuses some of the rubbish and makes great upcycling products. You can find out how they do this directly on Zandvoort beach.
Stroll through the city
Zandvoort aan Zee is just waiting to be explored on a stroll through the town.
If you wander through the narrow streets, you will find yourself in the small historic fishing village of Sandevoerde. This is popularly known as Sloppies. Here you can still discover the old fishermen’s cottages, in which whole families of more than six people used to live. The smallest house is just 4 square metres in size and is located in Rozenobelstraat.
Many of these houses are beautifully renovated and lovingly decorated. Flowers bloom in the flower boxes and every now and then there is a small bench in front of the door. I think you can certainly feel at home in these sweet houses.
Not far away are the villas that were built at the time when the town became a popular seaside resort. Generous bay windows and verandas show that the builders of these houses knew how to invest their money.
You can also discover some art during the tour. There is a sculpture trail with 32 works by various national artists that winds its way through the city centre. I really liked one or two of the works of art.
Fancy a bit of shopping? I really liked the pedestrian zone and the small shopping street in the city. You can also eat out in one or two restaurants here.
In the evening, I was tempted by the casino in Zandvoort. You can eat very well there and of course try your luck at the gaming tables and slot machines. It was my first visit to a casino and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the experience. You can find out whether I returned to Berlin with a win in the article “Gambling and good food at Holland Casino Zandvoort“.
Time out in nature
The Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen nature reserve borders Zandvoort. This area, which is home to the largest population of fallow deer in the Netherlands, is one of the most beautiful excursion destinations in the region. I came across numerous deer and roe deer during a walk. Some were even so “brave” that they didn’t run away and you could photograph them in peace.
Another large nature reserve in the immediate vicinity is the Zuid Kennemerland National Park. During a visit here, you may be lucky enough to spot free-roaming Konik horses, Scottish Highland cattle or bison.
Excitement on the race track
Zandvoort is known for its motor racing circuit, which is not only home to Formula 1. It also hosts the “De Omloop of Zandvoort” and the “Zandvoort Circuit Run” with around 14,000 participants.
I wasn’t just able to take a look at the racetrack during a visit. There were even some racing enthusiasts driving around the track in a wide variety of cars and testing their personal limits.
That wasn’t for me, so I tried my hand at a simulator as a virtual Formula 1 racing driver. You can see and read more impressions in our article “Circuit Zandvoort – where the fast cars race“.
All about food in Zandvoort
Food is always a matter of taste, of course, but there are typical and regional specialities in every region that you won’t find in other places. In Zandvoort, for example, there are the dune potatoes. These potatoes are grown in the sand dunes. The salty air and the minerals in the dune sand give them a very special flavour.
Another speciality that can be found in Zandvoort is the pastry speciality “Emma Plak”. The pastry roll with the delicious strawberry filling was developed by a local pastry chef in honour of a visit by Queen Emma. In addition to the tasty filling, the sliced almonds, the peach slice and the chocolate on the pastry roll give it a special look.
In my search for regional beer, I came across the beers from Getij Brewery. Not only did I take a few bottles home with me, I also savoured a variety over dinner. The pale summer beer with 4.5% alcohol content was really a very tasty, refreshing and light beer.
I had a very good dinner at the Thalassa beach pavilion. Located directly on the beach, it has a wonderful view of the sea. The fish dishes here are particularly recommended. However, my highlight was the dessert: a “Pornstar Martini” with mango and martini foam.
On the second evening of my short holiday in Zandvoort aan Zeet, I was able to enjoy dinner at the casino. For me, it was a great start to an interesting evening at the casino.
If you prefer to eat in the centre of the pedestrian zone, you should try the Brazee restaurant. Excellent dishes are served in a stylish and cosy atmosphere.
Der Kurzurlaub in Zandvoort aan Zee wurde von Visit Zandvoort organisiert.
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