Few things are as nice as grabbing your bike on a sunny day, with a full basket on the front, and settling down somewhere in the dunes with your feet in the grass or sand. Around Zandvoort, you have plenty of options for this: wide beaches, quiet dune valleys, a dune top with a view of the sea, and grasslands where fallow deer graze. And the best part is that you don't need a car or a parking spot. By bike, you can reach the nicest spots in no time, far from the hustle and bustle of the boulevard.
In this guide, we take you along to the finest picnic spots around Zandvoort. You'll read how to get there by bike, which bike is suitable, and what you are and aren't allowed to do along the way. This way, you turn a simple sandwich into a mini-outing.
Table of contents:
- Why picnicking by bike is so nice around Zandvoort
- Zandvoort beach: picnicking with your feet in the sand
- Kopje van Bloemendaal: picnicking with the most beautiful view
- South Kennemerland National Park: grasslands, fallow deer and tranquility
- Bloemendaal aan Zee and the quiet dune valleys along the way
- The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes: picnicking among the fallow deer
- The most beautiful picnic spot by season
- A half-day picnic route
- Which bike do you choose for your picnic trip?
- What to bring, and the rules along the way
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why picnicking by bike is so nice around Zandvoort
No car, no searching for a parking spot, and no traffic jams on the way back. You hang the basket on the handlebars, and within ten minutes, you’re pedaling the crowds behind you. The dunes and the beach are all within cycling distance, and the most beautiful spots can only be reached on two wheels. A picnic bike with a large basket on the front is ideal for this: your food, drinks, and a blanket fit right in, and you have your hands free along the way. If you’re coming with the family, simply take the little ones along on a child’s bike or on the back. That way, the ride there becomes just as much fun as the picnic itself.
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Zandvoort beach: picnicking with your feet in the sand
The easiest place is also one of the nicest: the beach itself. From the center, you can be there in a few minutes, and you simply look for a sheltered spot, for example in the lee of a dune or next to a beach bar. If it is windy, go a little further to the quieter South Beach, where you have more space to yourself.
If you also want to barbecue, please pay attention. On the beach, it is allowed in some places but not in others. In Zandvoort, for example, barbecuing is permitted on the designated section of the South Beach, but the rules sometimes change seasonally, so check with the municipality beforehand. If you fancy a fresh coffee or an ice cream halfway through your walk, you are all set at one of the beach bars. You can read which ones are worth a visit in our overview of the best beach bars in Zandvoort.
Kopje van Bloemendaal: picnicking with the most beautiful view
Those looking for a picnic with a view should cycle on to the Kopje van Bloemendaal. This dune top overlooks the sea on one side and a rolling dune landscape on the other. You are so high up that on a clear day you can see for miles, and it is surprisingly quiet as soon as you step away from the beach.
From Zandvoort, you can cycle there in just under half an hour, straight through the dunes towards Bloemendaal. Bring a blanket, because you sit on the grass here and not at a table. If you go early in the morning or towards the evening, you will have the most beautiful light and often the place almost to yourself. We have described exactly how to get there in detail in our blog about cycling to the Kopje van Bloemendaal.
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South Kennemerland National Park: grasslands, fallow deer and tranquility
If you cycle from Zandvoort into the dunes towards Overveen, you will naturally find yourself in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. This is one of the largest dune areas in the Netherlands, featuring small lakes, forests, and open plains. Along the way, you have a good chance of spotting fallow deer, rabbits, and sometimes even a Scottish Highlander. A nice place to settle down is at the Zanderij, in the Middenduin, where mown grass fields are perfect for a blanket and a basket.
When cycling, please stay on the designated cycle paths and leave the animals alone, especially in the spring when there are young. This way, you keep the area beautiful for everyone. If you want to know the most beautiful route, check out our blog about cycling through Zuid-Kennemerland National Park from Zandvoort.
Bloemendaal aan Zee and the quiet dune valleys along the way
If you cycle north along the coast from Zandvoort, you will reach Bloemendaal aan Zee. The beach here is a bit more spacious and quieter than in the center of Zandvoort, and there are nice beach cafes to round off your picnic. But you don't necessarily have to ride all the way to the beach. Along the way, you will come across plenty of quiet dune valleys where you can simply park your bike and pick out a sheltered spot, out of the wind and with only the sound of birds around you. You can read more about this side of the coast in our blog about cycling in Bloemendaal aan Zee.
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The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes: picnicking among the fallow deer
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes on the south side of Zandvoort are perhaps the most beautiful place to see fallow deer up close. Hundreds of them roam around, and on a quiet morning they often simply stand along the path. Please note: cycling is not allowed through this area, and you need a day pass to enter. So, you park your bike at one of the entrances, for example Panneland on the Zandvoortselaan, and continue on foot.
It is precisely that combination that makes it fun: you cycle there from Zandvoort in a relaxed manner, park your bike, and walk a short distance into the area with your picnic basket until you find a nice spot. By the way, dogs are not allowed here, so leave them at home or take them to the beach. Everything about the surrounding route can be found in our blog about cycling in the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen from Zandvoort.
The most beautiful picnic spot by season
Around Zandvoort, you can go outdoors all year round, but the nicest spot varies by season. In spring, the dunes are at their greenest and young fallow deer roam the national park, so a grassy area in the park is especially nice then. Just keep your distance from the animals. In summer, on warm days, you seek shelter and shade: a sheltered dune valley is more pleasant than the open beach around midday.
In autumn, the dunes turn warm colors and the fallow deer rutting season is a spectacular sight, while on clear days you can see the furthest from the Kopje van Bloemendaal. And even in winter, it is worthwhile: bring a thermos, find a spot out of the wind, and enjoy the peace and the crisp skies. So, there really isn't a bad season for a picnic on a bike.
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A half-day picnic route
If you really want to make a day of it, string a few places together. A beautiful loop starts in the center of Zandvoort, after which you cycle north along the coast towards Bloemendaal aan Zee. There, you head into the dunes towards the Kopje van Bloemendaal, where you open your picnic basket with a view of the sea. After the break, you cycle on through Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, past the grasslands at the Zanderij, and return to Zandvoort via the inner dune edge.
Count on a trip of about three hours, including breaks, and keep in mind that you will be doing some climbing and descending in the dunes along the way. If you prefer cycling without worrying about the distance or the sea breeze, an electric bike is the perfect solution. If you want to follow a ready-made route, check out our cycling routes from Zandvoort and put together your own morning or afternoon.
Which bike do you choose for your picnic trip?
For a short ride to the beach or a spot nearby, a regular city bike with a basket is fine. Our picnic bike has an extra-large basket on the front wheel, where you can easily fit food, drinks, and a blanket.
If you want to go further afield, for example to the Kopje van Bloemendaal or deeper into the dunes, an electric bike is a great choice. You'll have energy left for the return journey and the sea breeze will bother you much less. If you are traveling with the family and have a lot of gear, consider a cargo bike: the children and the picnic basket fit in together. If you are unsure what suits your trip best, we are happy to help you decide.
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What to bring, and the rules along the way
A successful picnic starts with good preparation. In addition to your food and drinks, be sure to bring plenty of water, as there is little shade in the dunes and the sun and wind will dry you out faster than you think. A blanket, sunscreen, and a bag for your trash complete the set.
Regarding the litter: take everything back with you. There are far from everywhere trash cans in the dunes, and litter is disastrous for the animals. Open fires and barbecues are never allowed in the dunes and nature reserves due to the risk of fire, so save those for the beach in a designated area. Otherwise, stay on the paths, give the animals space, and it will be a pleasant day for both you and nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you allowed to picnic around Zandvoort?
You are allowed to picnic in almost all public places: on the beach, on the grassy areas in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, and in many places in the dunes. Do pay attention to fenced-off nature reserves and stay on the paths. You need a day pass for the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen.
Is barbecuing allowed on the beach in Zandvoort?
This is permitted on designated parts of the beach, such as on a section of the South Beach. Open fires are never allowed in the dunes and nature reserves. Because the rules may vary by season, please check with the Municipality of Zandvoort beforehand.
Can you picnic in the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes?
Yes, but you enter on foot with a valid day ticket, as cycling is not allowed. You park your bike at the entrance and find a nice spot on foot. It is one of the best places to see the fallow deer up close.
Which bike is best to rent for a picnic?
For short trips nearby, a city bike with a basket or our picnic bike is ideal. If you are going further afield or are bothered by the wind, choose an electric bike. For families and lots of luggage, a cargo bike is the most practical.
What is a nice picnic spot with children?
The grassy fields at the Zanderij in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park are wonderful for children: plenty of room to play and a good chance of spotting fallow deer. The beach also remains a favorite, of course, with the sea as a playground.
Do you need a ticket or permit to picnic?
Not for the beach and most dunes. You only need to buy a day pass in advance for the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes. Furthermore, you do not need a permit for a regular picnic on public land.