Zandvoort

Netherlands

View of the beach looking north. Zandvoort is as famous and crowded as beach resorts get in the Netherlands. That is - in summer, when the weather is nice, Dutch and German visitors flock to the sandy beaches of this otherwise rather small town and dozens of beach pavilions along the long boulevard cater to their needs. By November, all pavilions have to be closed and mostly removed until Mid-February, changing the face of the Zandvoort boulevard completely.

Apart from beach life, Zandvoort is known for the Circuit Park Zandvoort, the main car racing circuit in the country. Although the last Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix was held in 1985, the circuit still has a range of other races to offer for racing fans.

The whole west coast of the Netherlands is a single long beach. The nearest stretch to Amsterdam is Zandvoort—29 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal, every 30 minutes. In summer there are extra trains, change trains at Haarlem. Zandvoort is very crowded on warm days in summer: parts of the beach attract the in-crowd, others the somewhat less so.

  • Circuit Park Zandvoort, Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, +31 235 740 740. Events calendar. Having served as one of the Formula 1 circuits from 1952 through 1985, Zandvoort no longer meets the requirements for a Formula 1 race, though there still are plenty of championships and events held at Zandvoort to attend. Most notable are the Testing Days, which you can register for in order to drive your own vehicle(s) on the circuit.
  • Juttersmu-Zee-um, Strandweg 2, +31 235 712 221. A museum displaying what beachcombers find on the beaches of Zandvoort. Free.

Circuit Park Zandvoort, Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, +31 235 740 740. Events calendar. Having served as one of the Formula 1 circuits from 1952 through 1985, Zandvoort no longer meets the requirements for a Formula 1 race, though there still are plenty of championships and events held at Zandvoort to attend. Most notable are the Testing Days, which you can register for in order to drive your own vehicle(s) on the circuit.

Juttersmu-Zee-um, Strandweg 2, +31 235 712 221. A museum displaying what beachcombers find on the beaches of Zandvoort. Free.

Crowds flock here to find a spot on the sand and enjoy the sun and the sea. Sunbathing, swimming, beach walks and of course casual drinks in one of the many beach side bars is the core of all activity here.

  • Zizo Sushi Lounge, Burgemeester van Fenemaplein 2. The sushi and sashimi in this restaurant get raving reviews, and they serve a nice range of cocktails too. Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is modern but cosy. €25.
  • Strandpaviljoen Havana aan Zee, Boulevard Paulus Loot 1c (Last beach pavilion on the Paulus Loot boulevard, south beach. A pleasant beach pavilion with a classic menu and a good chef in the kitchen. There are sandwiches, pizzas and salads for lunch and a regularly changing menu for diner, with lots of fish options. When it's too chilly to sit on the outdoor terrace, try to get a table at the window with views of the sea for the best experience. In season, it's usually open all day and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evenings it's a good spot for late drink. Keep in mind that this place, like most beach pavilions, is closed from mid-October to mid-February and has flexible opening hours when the weather is bad. Call ahead to be sure.
  • Café Restaurant Mollie & Co., Haltestraat 75, +31 235 718 949.
  • Oud Zandvoortsch vischrest De Meerpaal, Haltestraat 61, +31 235 712 171.
  • Greek Cuisine Filoxenia, Haltestraat 49, +31 235 734 920.
  • Eb & Vloed, Badhuisplein 2-4, +31 232 010 217.

Zizo Sushi Lounge, Burgemeester van Fenemaplein 2. The sushi and sashimi in this restaurant get raving reviews, and they serve a nice range of cocktails too. Staff is friendly and the atmosphere is modern but cosy. €25.

Strandpaviljoen Havana aan Zee, Boulevard Paulus Loot 1c (Last beach pavilion on the Paulus Loot boulevard, south beach. A pleasant beach pavilion with a classic menu and a good chef in the kitchen. There are sandwiches, pizzas and salads for lunch and a regularly changing menu for diner, with lots of fish options. When it's too chilly to sit on the outdoor terrace, try to get a table at the window with views of the sea for the best experience. In season, it's usually open all day and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the evenings it's a good spot for late drink. Keep in mind that this place, like most beach pavilions, is closed from mid-October to mid-February and has flexible opening hours when the weather is bad. Call ahead to be sure.

Café Restaurant Mollie & Co., Haltestraat 75, +31 235 718 949.

Oud Zandvoortsch vischrest De Meerpaal, Haltestraat 61, +31 235 712 171.

Greek Cuisine Filoxenia, Haltestraat 49, +31 235 734 920.

Eb & Vloed, Badhuisplein 2-4, +31 232 010 217.

Paviljoen Jeroen, Strandafgang Barnaart 20, +31 235 716 994.

Strandpaviljoen Ahoi, Boulevard Barnaart 19, +31 235 712 633.

Strandpaviljoen Thalassa, Boulevard Barnaart, Strandafgang 18, +31 235 715 660.

Strandpaviljoen PlaZand, Boulevard de Favauge 17, +31 235 715 564.

De Haven van Zandvoort, Strandafgang Paulus Loot 9, +31 235 718 888.

Strandpaviljoen Havanna aan Zee, Boulevard Paulus Loot 1C, +31 235 714 321.