As soon as the sun comes out, we all start dreaming of golden sand and the soothing sound of the surf. But why spend hours stressing out at Schiphol Airport for a crowded beach in Spain or Italy, when you can find surprisingly beautiful beaches right here at home? From the rugged Wadden Islands to the lively seaside resorts in Zeeland, you’ll happily find wonderful spots everywhere to completely recharge.
Whether you’re looking for a beach near Amsterdam to quickly dip your toes in the sand after a hot day at work, or you want to discover the country’s most beautiful beaches during a well-deserved weekend getaway, we’ve already compiled a list of the absolute best spots for you. These 12 special locations prove that our own coastline is a wonderful, close-to-home alternative to the distant beaches of Southern Europe.
Westerstrand, Schiermonnikoog
Justtwo kilometers from the island village lies this pristine natural beach, which constantly changes shape due to the tides. Although the strong currents make swimming here dangerous, the sandy expanse—hundreds of meters wide—at the foot of the Westerduinen is a true paradise for hikers.
Ouddorp North Sea Beach, Goeree-Overflakkee
This nearly eighteen-kilometer-long North Sea beach on Goeree-Overflakkee is one of the widest and cleanest sandy beaches in the country. The vast coastal area attracts active windsurfers and blokarters year-round, yet its enormous size also offers plenty of peace and quiet.
Oosterstrand, Schiermonnikoog
This unspoiled, car-free beach on the eastern tip of the island is considered the widest sandy beach in all of Europe. Because the surf from the dunes isn’t even visible due to the enormous distance, you’ll experience an intense sense of emptiness here, far away from civilization. It’s the ultimate spot to observe seabirds in peace or spot lazing seals on the nearby sandbars.
De Hors, Texel
This nature reserve in the south of Texel is part of the Duinen National Park and consists of a vast sandy plain. It’s the only place on the island where the wind still has free rein and actively shapes new dunes. An impressive, open area that’s perfect for a long walk on the beach with a view of the sea.
Strandslag, Julianadorp aan Zee
In the northern tip of North Holland, Strandslag Julianadorp is the absolute favorite. This wide sandy beach regularly wins awards for its beauty and enjoys a favorable microclimate with more hours of sunshine than the rest of the country. Here you’ll find the popular beach huts right on the water’s edge, and you can stroll straight into the adjacent dune area.
Cadzand Beach, Zeeland
As the southernmost seaside resort in the Netherlands, Cadzand-Bad lies directly on a vast dune area bordering the Het Zwin nature reserve. This wide sandy beach is known for its tranquility and is the ideal spot to search for centuries-old shark teeth along the tide line after a storm. Thanks to its clean and safe coastline, the international Blue Flag has been flying on this beach for years.
Wilhelminahoeve Beach, Renesse
This wide family- and sports-friendly beach at the tip of Schouwen offers sweeping views of the North Sea and features its own beach pavilion. It’s a peaceful spot just outside the hustle and bustle of Renesse, where seals that have recovered at the A Seal sanctuary are regularly released back into the wild. A lovely, active stretch of coastline that perfectly showcases the beauty of Zeeland’s nature.
Voordijk Beach, Callantsoog
Anyone who wants to trade the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for pure tranquility should head to this hidden gem, located two kilometers outside the center of Callantsoog. This is by far the most natural dune passage in the region, yet it’s completely overlooked by the masses. You can reach this quiet sandy beach via a beautiful purple hiking trail through the polders and enjoy the rugged North Sea in complete peace and quiet.
The Sand Motor, Monster
This unique, peninsula-shaped beach was constructed in 2011 using over 21 million cubic meters of sand. The forces of nature have shaped a dynamic landscape here that strongly resembles the Wadden Islands. Amid the wide sandy plains lie tranquil inland lakes where migratory birds love to settle, and where hikers can experience an unparalleled sense of tranquility, far away from the bustling seaside resorts of the Randstad.
De Boschplaat, Terschelling
This vast European nature reserve on the eastern side of the island is home to one of the most unspoiled and rugged beaches in the Netherlands. Covering fifty square kilometers, it is the largest nature reserve in the Wadden Sea and offers a breathtaking landscape of salt marshes, channels, and shifting sand dunes. Take a walk year-round along the path by the northern shifting dune or, on a clear night, enjoy the breathtaking starry sky in this official Dark Sky Park.
