Netherlands: To Zandvoort - the pretty little beach town

For those who live in the beautiful city of Amsterdam (The Netherlands), or frequently visit the city, Zandvoort offers a welcome break from the typical Amsterdam fun. I discovered this little coastal town that otherwise gets overlooked by travelers. And ofcourse I took train to do it.

Zandvoort (English translation: Sand Fort) has been a fishing village in the North Sea coastline of Dutch territory. After being savaged and colossally damaged during the second World War, the town was rebuilt and rebranded as a tourist destination. Not that it has a number of typical European churches and royal palaces – Zandvoort is a good bargain for a relaxed week end to be spent with food and drinks sitting next to the beach.

I have only been to Zandvoort twice. Once in 2004 and for the second time in 2009. Both the times I took a late morning NS Sprinter train from Amsterdam Central (Centraal) station to Zandvoort aan zee (Aan zee should be interpreted as "on sea" in English). The small wayside stations and sand banks seem a bit different from the typical Dutch landscape found next to heavily traveled rail routes (e.g. between Amsterdam and Utrecht). The Zandvoort train can also be availed from the railheads of Amsterdam Sloterdijk and Haarlem. It takes about 30 minutes to travel on this typical blue/yellow EMU trains that shuttle between the two termini.

Picture: A Zandvoort train from Amsterdam Centraal.

The small pretty looking Zandvoort aan zee station is the last one on its route. You do not need to read the station boards for that reason. Zandvoort has an island platform (two tracks) to return a train every 30 minutes. The beach is within only in a few minutes’ walking distance. Grab a coffee from the station cafeteria and walk towards the beach.

Picture: The Zandvoor station building, portraying a logo of NS Rail




You may want to put your tents on the sand and play with your kids as the sun leans towards the west. I could see a lot of kite flying on the beach on both the days I traveled to this town. By the time it was late afternoon, a few beachside bars and food carts started serving local beers along with cheese fries and hot dogs. For those who are health conscious, some salads can also be found next to the Boulevard Barnaart served along with red wine. You can walk all the way up to NH hotel towards the north and jog till the Restaurant Orbit Lounge. But remember, “there ain’t nothing beyond that point”. There are buses that ferry tourists along the Boulevard Barnaart running parallel to the beach line. Unfortunately, I could not secure a bus timetable that I could rely on. And hence decided to walk through the beach up and down.

Picture: Afternoon sun above the horizon

Picture: Time for some tasty ice-cream!

Picture: Some colors thrown in the palette by the setting sun:


Picture: Back to the station:
















By the time you walk back to the downtown along the beach, the daylight fades and beach restaurants twinkle with lights in the horizon. To welcome you, a number of restaurants would offer continental and ethnic cuisine on tables that overlook the beach. And if you want to recharge your batteries, get into one of the beach side clubs that would be open till late nights. The downtown has quite a few beach clubs in closer proximity to the train station. So no worries even if you drink a bit more and decide to have some fun on the beach before you head home. Keep an eye on your watch though – you need to catch the last train to Amsterdam that leaves Zandvoort minutes before 1 AM.

For the family folks, early morning to late afternoon can give ample opportunities to play with the kids and dogs. Again, remember to carry your beach gears. For the others, a late morning entry and nightly departure would be more appropriate. NS Railways run a frequent and efficient train service to help all of you – do make the most of it.

Reference on Google Map: