Amsterdam is a beautiful place to visit. But we do understand it if you sometimes want to escape the crowded city to enjoy the fresh air and wind through your hair. After all, Holland is located by the North Sea. In this blog we share some popular and some less well-known villages by the sea.

Zandvoort, North Holland

Zandvoort is one of the most popular villages by the sea. It is also referred to as Amsterdam Beach, because of its convenient location close to Amsterdam. You can easily visit Zandvoort by train. In about 25 minutes you arrive at Zandvoort station. From the station it’s only a short walk to the beach. At the beach you can enjoy lying on the beds at the beach bars and restaurants. If you feel adventurous you can join a surfing class at one of the surfing schools in Zandvoort. We also recommend eating a raw herring at a typical Dutch fish stall by the beach. It really doesn’t get more Dutch than that. Zandvoort also has a cool nightlife. You can visit one of many beach clubs to enjoy yourself. In 2020 Zandvoort hosts a Grand Prix at the Zandvoort circuit. If you enjoy formula one, make sure to be there in the first weekend of May.

Den Burg, Texel, North Holland

If you have a car available during your stay in the Netherlands, the island of Texel is worth a visit. It is the biggest one of the small Wadden islands. Texel is best known for its seals, sheep and beautiful nature. During low tide you can walk from one island to the other, which is called ‘wadlopen’. Texel is a beautiful island for everyone who enjoys nature. The nature reserve is perfect for long walks. 

Ouddorp, South Holland

Ouddorp is a small characteristic village by the North Sea in the province of South Holland. The village has a population of around 6,000 people. It is known for having the oldest still working lighthouse in the Netherlands. If you want to avoid the crowded beaches and enjoy some peace and quiet: Ouddorp is the place to be. The local goat farm is a nice place to visit. You can watch the goats being milked, have lunch in their adorable little restaurant and shop in their farmers shop.