Zandvoort aan Zee

Bloemendaal, The Netherlands –

After being destroyed in World War II, the lazy beach town of Zandvoort aan Zee slowly rose in both population and popularity to eventually become a favorite spot for Amsterdammers searching for the closest beach getaway.

A quick 25-minute train ride from Amsterdam Centraal lands beachgoers just a short flip-flop shuffle away from the sandy boardwalk, tiki bars, and long coastline full of sunbathers.

Although most of the buildings along the beach are rather bland vacation rentals built in the 1950s, the scenery across the boardwalk changes to a hip and low-key environment.

With all the local surf shops offering lessons in surfing, kitesurfing, and skimboarding, Zandvoort beach offers action-packed days in the sun. Land lovers pass the time with volleyball and Frisbee games, while those who prefer to just lounge around spend the day on beach chairs soaking their feet in deep puddles along the shore.

The North Sea isn’t the warmest body of water, though in the summer the temperature is bearable enough for a refreshing dip in a bathing suit rather than a wetsuit.

The coast is also lined with numerous cafés with umbrella-shaded terraces, making Zandvoort the perfect spot for watching the sunset from the comfort of a friendly pub or bar.

Needless to say, the beach attracts all kinds of people who come to escape the frenzy of Amsterdam and enjoy the slower pace of Zandvoort.