These are the Ten Most Beautiful Beaches in the Netherlands

The Dutch coast has always been one of the most popular travel destinations for Americans. But which beaches in the Netherlands are the most beautiful? Here are our top ten picks for a seaside getaway with an ocean view.

Our neighboring country is a favorite travel destination for Americans. No wonder: Many destinations there are reachable in just a few hours by train, car, or bus. People especially from the East Coast flock to the North Sea coast every year.

Planning a trip with an ocean view in the Netherlands, but not sure exactly where to go? Here are ten great tips for a beach vacation in Holland and other regions.

Looking for a beach? You'll find one on Ameland! The island (3,600 residents) lies about six kilometers off the coast between Terschelling and Schiermonnikoog and is famous for its approximately 27 kilometer-long sandy beach, which has been awarded for its cleanliness multiple times. The beach sections at Buren, Nes, and Hollum are considered particularly well-maintained.

Lifeguards monitor four sections of the 'Holland Beach'. There are also drinks and snacks available. Beach fans can now also stay overnight in small houses that stand right on the beach.

But Ameland is not just about the beach - forests and wetlands also thrive on the island. Visitors can explore the diverse island on bike paths totaling 100 kilometers in length.

Caribbean Feel in Holland? Yes, it's possible!

Banjaardstrand near Kamperland in the south is known for its bright sand and clear water. The three-kilometer-long coastal section was awarded as the most beautiful beach in Holland in 2014.

Banjaardstrand is particularly popular with families. A wooden boardwalk leads from the beach to the food stands - ideal for strollers. And in the immediate vicinity are playgrounds, sports parks, and eateries.

Looking for more excitement than a lonely beach? In Bergen aan Zee you'll find plenty of variety. The resort town is about 50 kilometers from Amsterdam on the Dutch coast and is a popular holiday spot for Dutch people.

Bergen consists of two parts: Bergen and the seaside village Bergen aan Zee, three kilometers away. Along the North Sea is a lively three-kilometer-long beach with many sports offers like kite surfing and sailing. The area has been awarded the 'Blue Flag' multiple times and is considered particularly clean and safe. Important tip: It's best to stock up on snacks and drinks in Bergen. Apart from some pavilions, there are no shopping opportunities on the beach.

After a full day at the beach, you can explore Bergen inland. The charming community (about 30,000 residents) has been known as an artist village and for the 'Bergen School' since the early 20th century. Works by partly famous artists, including those of lithographer and painter Charley Toorop, are shown in summer art exhibitions and museums.

Not as quiet as on the West Frisian Islands, you'll find in Schouwen-Duiveland, in Zeeland Province, as it is crisscrossed by several main roads and offers numerous campgrounds and bungalows. And with just under 500 square kilometers, Schouwen-Duiveland is also much larger. But this does not make the island, located southwest of Rotterdam, any less popular. On the contrary, visitors find plenty of variety there.

The biggest draw is the approximately 17-kilometer-long sandy beach at the community of Renesse. It's the place with the most sunshine in Holland! And like the whole island, the beach offers something for every traveler. There are separate sections for nature lovers, families, and sports enthusiasts - they can surf, dive, ride quads, and even horse ride on the beach. The respective rules are explained on signs. The beach is monitored and is considered particularly clean.

Anyone vacationing on Schouwen-Duiveland should plan several excursions to explore the diversified nature and picturesque communities. There are 560 buildings on the island under historical preservation.

The peace and quiet of the island Schiermonnikoog have already attracted Cistercian monks who settled there starting in the 12th century. That charm has been preserved by the smallest of the West Frisian Islands. The Dutch still appreciate the North Sea pearl for its authenticity.

Vacationers are mainly drawn to the 18-kilometer-long beach on the island. At one kilometer wide, it is even one of the most expansive beaches in all of Europe. The activity in the water is closely monitored by lifeguards. Bars and restaurants provide tourists with beverages and snacks.

Yet Schiermonnikoog offers more than just sandy beaches. The island was designated a national park as early as 1989. The dunes, bushes, and salt lagoons are home to more than 300 bird and several hundred plant species. Additionally, hundreds of seals have found a habitat on the coast.

Nature-interested visitors can have the flora and fauna explained on a tour with the 'Balgexpress' - a passenger trailer pulled along the beach by a tractor.

The ferry trip from the port in Lauwersoog to Schiermonnikoog takes about 45 minutes.

Zandvoort is a cozy and popular seaside resort right outside Amsterdam, and it fulfills every desire for a beach vacation.

The 'Pearl by the Sea' is considered one of Holland's most beautiful beaches, charming with its nine-kilometer-long bright sandy beach inviting swimming and walks. Water sports enthusiasts can learn to surf, kite surf, stand-up paddleboard, and dive. Children can let loose on playgrounds, DJs entertain partygoers, bartenders serve delicious drinks, and chefs in the restaurants serve tasty food.

Those who prefer it quiet can explore several natural areas. It gets louder on Zandvoort's Formula 1 track. If you're up for it, you can rent a racing car and blaze around the bends yourself.

The highlight of the year is the New Year's swim: hardy locals and travelers storm the North Sea annually on January 1st to greet the New Year.

Bloemendaal is only ten kilometers from Haarlem and 35 kilometers from Amsterdam. This makes the coastal town (about 23,000 residents) one of the most popular travel destinations for people in the Netherlands.

The approximately four-kilometer-long and especially fine sandy beach is famous for legendary beach parties in the pavilions. Consequently, Bloemendaal is sometimes referred to as the 'Dutch Ibiza'. But quieter travelers also feel comfortable in Bloemendaal, as the sunset can be extensively enjoyed far from the party music.

The magnificent villas that stand out from the dune landscape are worth seeing. A trip to Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, where Scottish Highland cattle, deer, and wild horses live, is also worthwhile.

Cadzand-Bad is the southernmost point in the Netherlands - Belgium is just a short beach walk away.

The seaside health resort has a long tradition of bathing. A bathhouse was built there as early as 1866. Later, the place became known for its health cures, and it remains a popular destination for wellness travelers. There are countless offers for relaxation, sports, and therapies. Yoga classes on the beach are also offered to strengthen body and soul.

However, swimming itself is certainly not neglected. The beach is over ten kilometers long, is considered family-friendly, and lies in a beautiful dune area. With some luck, you might find fossil shells or even shark teeth. Characteristic of the beach at Cadzand are the wooden breakwaters - thousands of stakes running in rows into the sea at intervals of a few hundred meters.

Texel (pronounced 'Tessel'), the largest of the West Frisian Islands, is not only known for a great beach but also for thousands of sheep that graze on the island. In summer, the number of these woolly quadrupeds (up to 31,000) even surpasses the population (about 14,000).

Also gigantic are the dimensions of the 30-kilometer-long beach on the west of the island. Holidaymakers can enjoy endless beach walks, breathe in fresh North Sea air, and easily find a quiet spot to relax, swim, and build sandcastles.

The beach is divided into several sections. The quietest corners are found behind the dunes in the south of the island. The most popular section is directly at the town of De Koog, where there are also restaurants and cafes. Many areas are monitored by lifeguards. Convenient: Visitors can rent small houses positioned directly on the beach.

For the best beach views, visiting the 45-meter-high lighthouse in the north is recommended. The history of the tower is explained on each floor. Also recommended is a visit to the charming village of Oudeschild with its quaint houses.

Scheveningen is a district of the major city The Hague and annually attracts millions of visitors with the only urban beach in the Netherlands.

The location makes the approximately 4.5-kilometer-long and 100-meter-wide beach the most diverse in the country. The parties in the beach bars, the fine dining on the 'Food Boulevard', the live music in the bars, the sports offers like volleyball, sailing, or surfing... The list of possibilities in Scheveningen is long. Very long! Scheveningen is also known for its 381-meter-long pier with a viewing tower - brave people throw themselves from there at the end of a bungee cord.

Sure, there are visually more beautiful beaches in the Netherlands. But the combination of sea, city, architecture, and culture makes a beach holiday in Scheveningen unique.

Editorial note: This article first appeared on March 3, 2022, on bettercities.net.de. We have updated the text.

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