Few things are as nice as a day at the beach in Zandvoort, with your feet in the sand and a cold drink within reach. The seaside resort boasts dozens of beach bars, and it is precisely this choice that makes it difficult: do you go for a trendy beach club with DJs, a family spot with a play area, or a quiet spot on the South Beach where you hardly run into anyone? They all have their own atmosphere, menu, and clientele.
To help you on your way, we have listed the best beach bars in Zandvoort below, categorized by atmosphere and location. For each bar, you can read what makes it special and who it is suitable for, and at the bottom you will find a brief overview so you know at a glance where to go. And because parking in the center is a challenge in the summer, we also tell you the smartest way to get there: by bike.
Table of contents:
- Beach bars at the central beach
- Quietly enjoy the South Beach
- Especially fun with children
- The newest addition
- Which beach bar suits you?
- Here's how to get there: by bike and smart parking
- When is it quietest?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Beach bars at the central beach
Right in front of the village, along the boulevard, lies the largest concentration of beach bars. Here you are right in the middle of the lively beach atmosphere and can walk straight from your sunbed into the village for an ice cream or a drink on the terrace. Ideal if you want a buzz and everything within easy reach.
Tijn Akersloot
Tijn Akersloot is one of the coziest spots on the boulevard and the place to be for a long, lazy afternoon at the beach. The kitchen relies on stone oven pizzas, there is an extensive cocktail menu, and you can easily sink into a hammock with a view of the sea. If you want to be sure of a spot, reserve a beach bed in advance. Nice detail: during the high season, the weekend is often rounded off with a barbecue, causing your beach day to naturally flow into the evening. A great place for a day with friends.
Hippie Fish
Hippie Fish is the photogenic favorite, with a bright interior full of white, wood, and rattan. The atmosphere is summery and relaxed, and the menu is fresh and varied, with plenty of choice for both a hearty lunch and late-afternoon drinks. You can rent a sunbed for the day, but they are popular and often taken by mid-morning on sunny days, so reserve or arrive early. Highly recommended if atmosphere and comfort are important to you.
Kayuca
Kayuca belongs to the newer generation of beach bars and is therefore often just a bit quieter than the big names next door. It is a classic Dutch beach pavilion with a recognizable, relaxed interior, where part of the terrace stands right in the sand. Perfect for a drink and a bite to eat while keeping your feet in the sand. Due to the somewhat quieter atmosphere, it is also pleasant if you just want to unwind by the sea.
Ohana Beach
Ohana means family, and you immediately feel that casual, welcoming atmosphere. The place is decorated with many natural materials and large windows, and the menu is largely organic. You can just as easily pull up a chair for a healthy lunch as for a long afternoon with friends. A great choice for anyone who loves a conscious, relaxed beach bar.
Ubuntu Beachclub
Ubuntu Beachclub is well-maintained and stylishly decorated, with a recognizable interior style of its own and a warm, relaxed atmosphere. You can easily rent a sunbed for the day, and the menu is suitable for both an extensive lunch and drinks with a view of the sea. It is one of those places where you accidentally end up hanging out all day.
Noosa Beach
Noosa Beach is inspired by the Australian coastal town of the same name, and this is reflected in the relaxed atmosphere and healthy dishes. The concept is shared dining, making it ideal for sitting down with a group and sampling a variety of dishes. A surf school is located right next to the restaurant, allowing you to perfectly combine a surf lesson with a long lunch afterward. Perhaps the nicest spot in Zandvoort for sporty beachgoers.
Far Out
Far Out is the beach club for those who love atmosphere and music, with an Ibiza-style vibe, DJs, and regular events. During the day, it's a great place to sit for a drink and a bite in the sun, but the place really comes to life in the afternoon and evening, when your beach day turns into a party. Less suitable if you are looking for peace and quiet, but all the more fun for a day out with friends that can run late.
Bernie's Beach Club
Bernie's Beach Club is the most luxurious option on the beach, complete with two private pools and an exclusive menu. It feels a bit like a holiday on the Mediterranean, without having to take a plane. A place to make your day truly special, for example for a birthday or just a day of pampering.
Event venues
Quietly enjoy the South Beach
A little further from the village, towards the south, the beach becomes much quieter. Here you have more space and a view, often a spot even without a reservation, and you trade the hustle and bustle of the boulevard for peace and nature. You can get there quickly by bike, whereas on foot it is quite a long walk.
Beach Pavilion Phosfor
Beach Pavilion Fosfor is located on the south side of the beach, away from the hustle and bustle of the village. Thanks to this location in the middle of nature, it is wonderfully quiet and offers sweeping views of the sea and dunes. The cuisine is international and surprising, and there is almost always a table available without a reservation. It is exactly the place for those seeking peace and quiet and wanting to switch off for a while.
Bodhi Beach
Bodhi Beach is small, exclusive, and accessible only via the beach, which immediately gives it the feel of a hidden gem. The pavilion has a tropical decor, and much of the food is homemade. Precisely because of its remote location, a bicycle is the most convenient way to get there, as it allows you to skip the long walk through the sand.
Especially fun with children
Tent 6
Tent 6 is the finest spot for a family day out. While you enjoy a fresh smoothie or a Mediterranean dish, the children entertain themselves in the play corner or on the swings. The menu is fresh and varied, and on Sundays there is often live music, making your day by the sea a fun and enjoyable experience. If you are coming with the whole family, renting a cargo bike is a convenient way to take the children and all your beach gear along in one go, without lugging everything along the boulevard.
Event venues
The newest addition
Beach Barn
Beach Barn is the newest addition to Zandvoort beach and immediately distinguishes itself with its own bakery. From the morning onwards, fresh croissants, cinnamon buns, and other baked goods are ready, ideal for starting your beach day off early and right. A nice new stop to be the first to discover, especially if you enjoy a good breakfast by the sea.
Which beach bar suits you?
Just a quick overview, so you know exactly where to go:
- With children: Tent 6, with play area and swings.
- Luxury and pampering: Bernie's Beach Club, with private pools.
- Peace and nature: Fosfor and Bodhi Beach on the South Beach.
- Hip and photogenic: Hippie Fish.
- Sporty: Noosa Beach, next to the surf school.
- Atmosphere and music: Far Out.
- A good breakfast: Beach Barn, with its own bakery.
- Sociable and all-round: Tijn Akersloot, Kayuca, Ohana and Ubuntu.
Event venues
Here's how to get there: by bike and smart parking
In the summer, parking in the center of Zandvoort is busy and pricey, and on peak days you can easily find yourself stuck in line to the boulevard. The relaxed solution: leave the car on the outskirts or come by train, and hop on a bike. From the village, you can ride past almost all the beach bars along the boulevard in just a few minutes, and the quieter bars on the South Beach are much easier to reach by bike than on foot.
Here is how to turn tent hopping into an outing itself: pick a few tents from this list, drive past them at your leisure, and settle down wherever you like. You can easily rent a bike in Zandvoort, from a regular city bike to an e-bike or a cargo bike for the family. If you want to take a scenic loop through the dunes, be sure to check out our cycling routes starting from Zandvoort.
When is it quietest?
The beach bars are busiest on sunny weekends and during school holidays, especially around lunchtime and in the afternoon. If you want peace and quiet and to be sure of a spot, come early in the morning or towards the end of the afternoon, when the sun is low and the beach is slowly emptying. That latter moment is highly recommended in any case: a drink at sunset over the sea is perhaps the most beautiful thing Zandvoort has to offer. On weekdays outside of holidays, you will have many bars almost entirely to yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which beach bar in Zandvoort is the most fun with children?
Tent 6 is the most child-friendly, with a play corner and swings. Most tents on the central beach are fine for families, but Tent 6 is really set up for it.
Are the beach bars open all year round?
Most beach bars open from the end of February and stay open into the autumn. A few bars are open year-round. Opening hours vary by bar and season, so be sure to check the bar's website beforehand.
Can you rent a sunbed at a beach bar?
At many tents, yes, including Hippie Fish and Tijn Akersloot. On busy days, beds are taken quickly, so arrive on time or book in advance.
Which beach bars in Zandvoort are the quietest?
The beach bars on the South Beach, such as Fosfor and Bodhi Beach, are quieter because they are located further from the village. They are easily accessible by bicycle.
Do I need to make a reservation at a beach bar in Zandvoort?
For a regular spot on the terrace, reservations are usually not necessary. However, if you want to be sure of a sunbed or are coming with a group on a sunny day, it is advisable to book in advance.
What is the easiest way to get to the beach bars?
By bike. Parking in the city center is busy and expensive in the summer, whereas on a bike you can ride along the entire boulevard and easily reach the tents further away as well.