Open Travel Guide
Beaches in Amsterdam

Best Beaches in Amsterdam 2026

The beaches of Amsterdam, honestly compared: water quality, facilities, crowds, and the cost of a day on each.

By Updated

Amsterdam has 5+ beaches covered in this guide, led by Zandvoort aan Zee, Bloemendaal aan Zee and Blijburg aan Zee (IJmeer Urban Beach). Each entry below includes the practical details — what it costs, when to go, and how to plan around it.

Beaches profiled
5
Activities covered
7
Reading time
~12 min
Last updated
May 2026

Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, renowned for its historic canal ring, world-class museums, vibrant cycling culture, and liberal atmosphere. Built on a grid of 17th-century canals lined with narrow gabled merchant houses, the city blends Golden Age heritage with contemporary art, cutting-edge food, and one of Europe's most energetic nightlife scenes.

Top beaches

A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Amsterdam.

    • Beach clubs and restaurants
    • Sunbed and umbrella rentals
    • Lifeguards (June–September)
    • Showers and changing facilities
    • Parking (expensive in summer; train recommended)
    • Beach volleyball courts

    Zandvoort aan Zee

    Zandvoort, North Holland (30 min from Amsterdam by train)25 km west of Amsterdam; 30 min by train from Centraal Station (NS direct service to Zandvoort aan Zee station)

    • Multiple beach clubs / strandpaviljoens (Woodstock69, Kwant)
    • Lifeguards in season
    • Dune nature trails behind the beach
    • DJ events and festivals in summer
    • Restaurant and bar facilities

    Bloemendaal aan Zee

    Bloemendaal, North Holland (40 min from Amsterdam)30 km west of Amsterdam; take bus 81 from Haarlem Centraal (reached from Amsterdam by train in 20 min) or taxi from Haarlem

    • Free beach access (seasonal May–October)
    • Beach bar/restaurant with weekend DJ events
    • Stand-up paddleboard rentals
    • Beach volleyball
    • Dog-friendly areas
    • No lifeguards — swimming at own risk

    Blijburg aan Zee (IJmeer Urban Beach)

    IJburg, Amsterdam8 km east of Amsterdam Centraal; 30 min by bicycle via the free IJ ferry to Noord then cycle south; or tram 26 to IJburg

    • Windsurfing school and rentals (Muiderberg Surf School; +31 294 262 244)
    • Small beach café
    • Parking available
    • Open freshwater swimming in the IJmeer
    • Kite surfing area

    Muiderberg Beach (IJmeer)

    Muiderberg, 15 km east of Amsterdam15 km east of Amsterdam; accessible by bicycle (45 min from Amsterdam center via Flevopark) or by bus 320 from Amsterdam Centraal (40 min)

    • Quiet and less commercial than Zandvoort
    • Beach restaurant
    • Surfing and bodyboarding conditions
    • Nature dune area
    • Dog-friendly

    Wijk aan Zee Beach

    Wijk aan Zee, North Holland (45 min from Amsterdam)35 km northwest of Amsterdam; train Amsterdam Centraal → Beverwijk (35 min), then bus 74 to Wijk aan Zee (15 min)

Things to do at the beach

Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Amsterdam memorable.

What to bring

A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.

  • Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
  • HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
  • FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
  • Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
  • Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
  • ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.

Beach safety

Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.

Critical

Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.

Caution

Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.

Tip

Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.

Practical

Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.

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