The 9 best beaches and swim spots in Amsterdam

Over in hip Noord, there’s NDSM, an industrial hotspot home to art exhibitions, cultural happenings and PLLEK restaurant. Locals head here on the weekend to hang out at the small beachfront strip and swim in the River IJ.

Why go: You don’t have to drag your whole beach kit along to feel the sand between your toes. There’s often live music playing and a decent selection of beer and burgers on offer.

Address: NDSM-Plein 90C, 1033 WB, Amsterdam

How to get there from Amsterdam: Take the free F4 ferry from behind Amsterdam Centraal — the crossing takes around 15 minutes and drops you right into Noord’s creative waterfront district.

A short trip from Amsterdam’s centre, Bloemendaal is the Netherlands’ answer to Ibiza. Beach clubs like Woodstock69 and Vroeger offer world-class live music and a fun party atmosphere.

Why go: In a country known for experiencing four seasons in a day, it’s nice to know that you can swim in the ocean, bake on the sand and then retreat to a stylish undercover venue should the rain roll through.

Address: Zeeweg 84, 2051 EC, Overveen

How to get there from Amsterdam: Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem, then catch Bus 81 from the station – that’ll drop you a short walk from the beach.  Will take around 40-50 minutes. 

Strandzuid is a hip, lakeside complex with an under-the-radar restaurant, bar, playground and, of course, an artificial beach. Expect plenty of events to keep you entertained throughout the summer while splashing around in this man-made marvel.

Why go: The vibes are always high at Strandzuid. Kick back on a day bed sipping rosé, then head to the beer terrace as the sun sets to sample local brews and play ping-pong with your crew.

Address: Europaplein 22, 1078 GZ, Amsterdam

How to get there from Amsterdam: Take Metro 52 or tram 4 to Europaplein – Strandzuid is an eight-minute walk from RAI station.

As far back as 1100, Zandvoort was a fishing port. Later on, it became a popular seaside resort town. These days, it’s the destination for relaxing on a sun lounger while sipping on Aperol spritzes.

Why go: Though there’s plenty of natural beach to lay a towel down on, the variety of beachside bars and restaurants, like the newly opened Hippie Fish and old favourite Safari Lodge, are hard to turn down.

Address: Boulevard de Favauge 13, Zandvoort

How to get there from Amsterdam: Direct trains from Amsterdam Centraal to Zandvoort aan Zee take around 30 minutes and stop just a few minutes from the beach.

A while back, the natives sniffed out this off-the-radar place to cool off. Soon enough, the council realised that they were on to something good, and installed floating pontoons, which are now filled with swimmers when the sun is shining.

Why go: Alright, Buitenzwembad Marineterrein isn’t technically a beach—and the council has yet to approve it as an official swimming spot (which means: take a dip at your own risk)—but it’s arguably summer’s best-kept secret.

Address: 9WF8+43, Amsterdam

How to get there from Amsterdam: It’s around a 25-minute walk east from Amsterdam Centraal, near the Maritime Museum and Nemo Science Museum.

This is the best ‘surf’ beach close to Amsterdam (yes, the Netherlands get surf), and also offers the clearest water along the coast. You can sign up for surfing lessons at one of the schools along the beach.

Why go: Wijk aan zee is home to one of the best beach clubs, Timboektoe, and backs onto a charming cultural village where you can enjoy a taste of traditional Dutch life after conquering the waves.

Address: FHVM+XJ, Wijk aan Zee

How to get there from Amsterdam: Take a train to Beverwijk from Amsterdam Centraal, then hop on bus 75 or 78 to the coast — total journey time is about an hour and ten minutes.

Unlike most coastal beaches near Amsterdam, Castricum aan zee is without a neighbouring village, so it’s popular with city dwellers who are perhaps more used to jellyfish (‘kwallen’) than tourists are.

Why go: Though there are a scattering of clubs to visit along the dunes, this is the beach to hit if you’re on the hunt for a more low-key day in the sun.

Address: Zeeweg 70, 1901 NZ, Castricum

How to get there from Amsterdam: Direct trains to Castricum take around 30 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, followed by a bus or bike ride through the dunes to the beach.

Located at the mouth of Amsterdam’s River IJ, this beach is a popular water sports destination—from kitesurfing and paddleboarding to blokarting (think go-karting, with a sail, along the sand). 

Why go: If laying on the beach with a good book isn’t your idea of fun, there’s plenty to keep you busy here. Plus, little ones will love watching the giant cruise and cargo ships pass by.

Address: Kennemerstrand 800, 1976 GA, IJmuiden

How to get there from Amsterdam: Take a train to Driehuis or Beverwijk, then continue by bus to IJmuiden Strand in around an hour and 20 minutes. A quicker option is a train to Sloterdijk, then hop on bus 382.

In the leafy Nieuw-West neighbourhood, Sloterplas lake offers crystal-clear water that’s always refreshingly cool. There are also a sailing school and water sports centre where you can hire equipment and sign up for lessons.

Why go: It’s a quiet, family-friendly beach with both sand and grass. You can also rent chairs and volleyball equipment through the summer. Come here if you’re looking for a spot that’s decidedly chill.

Address: 1064 GV, Amsterdam

How to get there from Amsterdam: Tram 17, Metro 51, or bus 18 will all get you pretty close to the lake in around 40 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal.