Zandvoort is much more than just the beach. In one day, you can swim and sunbathe here, walk or cycle through the dunes, stroll past the famous Formula 1 circuit, and dine in the evening with your feet in the sand. Good to know: Zandvoort aan Zee station is located about 200 meters from the beach, and you can get there from Amsterdam Central in about 30 minutes on a direct train. In this guide, you can read about what to do in each area, with practical tips on access, costs, and accessibility, including with children and in bad weather.
We at Behind the Beach rent bicycles in Zandvoort and Bloemendaal. A bicycle is often the most convenient way to get around here, and further on we explain where you are and are not allowed to cycle. First, the complete guide.
Table of contents:
- The beach and the boulevard
- Circuit Zandvoort and Formula 1
- The dunes and nature
- Where are you allowed to cycle (and where not)?
- With children in Zandvoort
- Food and drink by the sea
- What to do in bad weather?
- Accessibility and parking
- The best time to go
- Frequently Asked Questions
The beach and the boulevard
The wide North Sea beach is the main attraction. You can swim, sunbathe, take a beach walk, or stretch out with a book. Along the coast, there are dozens of beach bars where you can go all day long, from breakfast in the sun to drinks at sunset. Some of the bars remain open all year round. The boulevard above is ideal for a quiet walk with a view of the sea and a great starting point to explore the rest of Zandvoort. If you enjoy action on the water, you can go surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and other water sports during the season; there is a well-known surf spot at the southern end of the beach.
Event venues
Circuit Zandvoort and Formula 1
Nestled among the dunes lies Circuit Zandvoort, one of Europe's most famous racetracks. The circuit opened in 1948 and welcomed Formula 1 as early as 1952. After a 36-year hiatus, Formula 1 returned to Zandvoort in 2021, where Max Verstappen won immediately (and again in 2022 and 2023). Upon that return, the track was given steeply banked corners that make it unique worldwide, alongside the famous Tarzan Corner as the first hairpin turn.
Good to know for 2026: that will be the final edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled from August 21 to 23, 2026, featuring a sprint race on the circuit for the first time. During such a race weekend, it is extremely busy and parking is difficult; in that case, come by train or bicycle. There is also plenty to experience on and around the circuit outside of the major weekends, so check the events calendar in advance.
The dunes and nature
What surprises many visitors: a vast dune landscape begins immediately behind Zandvoort. Two large nature reserves are just a stone's throw away.
Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is one of the largest dune areas in the Netherlands, featuring forests, dune lakes, and sweeping vistas. You will find approximately 33 kilometers of cycle paths there, and from the viewpoints, with a bit of luck, you can spot fallow deer, rabbits, Scottish Highlanders, or Konik horses, which help keep the dunes open. At the Koevlak entrance, you will find the De Kennemerduinen Visitor Centre; admission is free, and the centre is generally open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes border to the south and are primarily a walking area. You need an admission ticket here if you are aged 18 or older (a day ticket costs approximately €1.50), the area is open from sunrise to sunset, and please note: bicycles and dogs are not allowed. It is a beautiful area for walking, and the chance of spotting fallow deer is high.
Event venues
Where are you allowed to cycle (and where not)?
Cycling is the most enjoyable and fastest way to get around in Zandvoort, but it is good to know where it is and isn't allowed. In Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, you can cycle perfectly well on the designated cycle paths. Cycling is not permitted in the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes; explore that area on foot. Along the coast and towards Bloemendaal aan Zee and Haarlem, you can enjoy a lovely ride on good cycle paths, often with views of the sea or through the dunes.
At Behind the Beach, you choose the bike that suits your day: a regular city bike for a leisurely ride, an electric bike if you want to go further or ride against the wind, a cargo bike for groceries or the kids, or a children's bike so everyone can come along. We are located right by the beach, so you start your tour at the perfect spot. Feel free to ask us about the most beautiful routes through the dunes and along the coast.
With children in Zandvoort
Zandvoort is a great destination for a day out with children. The beach is the biggest playground: building sandcastles, paddling, and playing in the surf. Many beach cafes have a play area and a child-friendly menu. In Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, you can go looking for rabbits and deer together, and a bike ride with the whole family is easily arranged with a cargo bike or children's bike. With small children, keep the distances and the wind along the coast in mind; an electric bike or cargo bike makes it much more relaxed.
Event venues
Food and drink by the sea
Dining in Zandvoort is best done with a view of the sea. The beach bars along the coast range from casual dining with a sandwich and a drink to more elaborate evening dining. In the village itself, you will also find plenty of restaurants, lunchrooms, and ice cream parlors. A classic is finishing with a drink on a beach terrace while the sun sets into the North Sea; due to its west-facing location, you have a view of the sunset in Zandvoort on almost every clear evening.
What to do in bad weather?
Even when it rains, a day in Zandvoort is worthwhile. Many beach cafes are covered and heated, so you can still have lunch with a view of the sea. A brisk walk on the beach in the wind has its own charm, and with appropriate clothing, a drive along the coast is perfectly doable even in less favorable weather. Furthermore, you can visit the restaurants and bars in the village or, depending on the schedule, consider an activity at Circuit Zandvoort.
Event venues
Accessibility and parking
Zandvoort is easily accessible. By train, you get off at Zandvoort aan Zee station, about 200 meters from the beach. A direct train runs from Amsterdam Central, usually twice an hour, and the journey takes about 30 minutes; this makes Zandvoort the only seaside resort with a direct train connection from Amsterdam. If you come by car, be prepared for paid parking and significant crowds on sunny days and during events. That is precisely why a bicycle is often the most convenient choice: you can park easily anywhere and reach your destination in no time. Rent a bike close to the beach, and you can start your day relaxed right away.
The best time to go
In the summer, Zandvoort is at its liveliest, with crowded beaches and terraces. If you want to avoid the crowds, the shoulder seasons are wonderful: quieter on the beach, space in the dunes, and often still fine weather for cycling or walking. Avoid the F1 weekend (late August in 2026) if you are specifically looking for peace and quiet, as it is exceptionally busy in and around Zandvoort then. Even outside the high season, a refreshing walk on the beach followed by something warm in a beach bar is highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Zandvoort?
Go to the beach and the boulevard, walk or cycle in the dunes and Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, visit Circuit Zandvoort, eat at a beachside restaurant, and enjoy water sports in season. With children, the beach and a family bike ride are highly recommended.
Are you allowed to cycle in the dunes near Zandvoort?
In Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, however, there are approximately 33 kilometers of cycle paths. Cycling is not permitted in the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes; that area can only be explored on foot, and you need an admission ticket.
How do you get to Zandvoort?
Take the train to Zandvoort aan Zee station, about 200 meters from the beach. From Amsterdam Central, there is a direct train approximately twice an hour, with a journey time of about 30 minutes. You can also go by car, but be prepared for paid parking and traffic.
When is the last Formula 1 in Zandvoort?
The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix will be the final edition, scheduled from August 21 to 23, 2026, featuring a sprint race for the first time. It will be very busy during that weekend; come by train or bike.
What can you do in Zandvoort when it rains?
Many beach cafes are covered and heated, so you can still have lunch with a view of the sea. Additionally, there are restaurants and bars in the village, and depending on the schedule, you can visit Circuit Zandvoort.