Beach Pavilions

Zandvoort is the best-known seaside resort on the North Holland coast, about half an hour by train from Amsterdam, and its long beach is lined with beach pavilions. The beach stretches for around nine kilometres, backed by dunes, and the pavilions are spread along it, each with its own personality. They offer food, drink, shade and sometimes music, and they form the social centre of a day by the sea. The mix includes simple snack bars and stylish restaurants with terraces facing the waves.

Most pavilions are seasonal. Following a Dutch tradition, they are built on the sand each year, usually from the end of February to the middle of November, and taken down for the stormy winter months, so that the beach returns to its natural state. A handful of pavilions stay open all year, and these are the places to go for a winter walk followed by hot chocolate or soup. Over thirty pavilions line the main part of the beach, and a smaller number are located on the section reserved for naturists, who have their own stretch of sand.

The variety of the pavilions is part of the fun. Some specialise in fish and seafood, others in burgers and barbecue food, and some focus on cocktails and music at sunset. Many have outdoor terraces and cosy seating, with lounge chairs and blankets, and they organise events such as yoga, beach volleyball and live music. In the evening, candles and heaters make the terraces atmospheric, and watching the sun go down over the North Sea from a seat in the sand is one of the pleasures of a stay.

Zandvoort has other attractions that fit well with a beach day. The Zandvoortse Duinen, the dune landscape, offers walks through a protected area of sand hills, scrub and wildlife, and the village centre has a church, a museum and the shopping street Voorstraat. The race circuit, Circuit Zandvoort, is famous for motor sport events. The train station is only a short walk from the sea, and a trip from Amsterdam is easy.

The beach and its pavilions suit families, couples and groups of friends. In summer, it is very busy on warm weekends, so go early, and check which pavilions are open outside the season. Bring a windbreak and sun protection, and be aware of the lifeguard flags.