Bunkers in Zandvoort
There are over 400 bunkers in Zandvoort, so get off the paths and go exploring. Some you may even see inside.
Concrete behemoths
Around 400 bunkers can be found in the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes. Some are (partly) hidden under the sand and are a habitat for bats, while others can be easily admired. The bunkers were built by Germany in World War II and are part of the Atlantic Wall.
Walk with guide
From March to June, the Zandvoorts Museum organises a guided bunker or nature walk in the Amsterdam Water Dunes every Wednesday. The guide tells you all about the history of the area, the plants that grow there and the animals that live there. A wonderful walk that is sure to put a smile on your face.
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Private walk with guide
On the way to the bunkers, you will discover the varied landscape of this dune area, which has a unique collection of animals and plants. The guide not only tells you everything about these concrete colossi, he also knows where you are most likely to spot deer and foxes, for example. Fun and educational!
- Can be booked on any day and time provided a guide is available.
- Minimum 15 and maximum 25 people per guide.
- The cost per person is €10 excluding entrance fees (€1.50 p.p.).
- Please note that you will be going off the paths during the walk.
- The walk is not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
Self discovery
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes are home to many bunkers, some 400 of them. Want to discover them on your own? Then the bunker route is just the thing for you. This route passes several hidden bunkers and starts at the Zandvoortselaan entrance. Sign up at the bottom of this page and we will send you the route free of charge.
Bunker walk
During the bunker walk, we walked past concrete relics, hidden in the dunes and taken over by nature. While exploring the bunkers, we came across fallow deer. An adventurous route, ideal for lovers of nature and history!
– Lieve –
Second World War
World War II had major consequences for beautiful Zandvoort. After the forced evacuation, in 1942, the coastline was almost completely razed to the ground by the occupying forces. The demolished houses were used as foundations for the current circuit. Bunkers were built in Zandvoort and launch sites for V1 rockets were constructed in the dunes. The works were part of the famous Atlantic Wall, a defence line with which the occupying forces thought they could repel an attack from the sea. This Atlantic Wall was built by the Germans in a very short time and ran from the northernmost tip of Norway to the Spanish/French border near Biarritz and was over 2,600 km long!
Aftermath of the war
After the war, reconstruction was mainly dominated by housing and many flats appeared on the coast. In the 1950s, the number of tourists rose again and Zandvoort grew into the place it is today: a major seaside resort. Millions of guests enjoy everything Zandvoort has to offer as a coastal resort every year. Many of the bunkers can still be found in the dunes today. Some are (partly) hidden under the sand, so you sometimes have to look for them.
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Access to the dunes
You can visit the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes between sunrise and sunset. From 18 years onwards, an entrance ticket a €1.50 is compulsory.
Accessed
Dogs, bicycles and other vehicles are not allowed in the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes. Wheelchairs, walking bikes and mobility scooters are allowed. Please note that the bunkers are hidden in the dunes and are therefore not accessible to the disabled.
Parking
You can park in the car park at the entrance to the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen. A day ticket costs €2.
Food and drink
At the entrance to the water supply dunes, you can eat and drink something at restaurant Dune on the edge of the dunes.