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The best outdoor activities

Zandvoort is a wonderful place. Playing on the beach, picking up speed, playing in the playground, finding brilliant treasures and making wonderful discoveries. We list the best outdoor activities for you.

Couple sitting romantically on Zandvoort beach

Zandvoort beach

The undeniable number one: the beach. A great place for hours of (play) fun with plenty of things to do. Dig pits and trenches and watch the sea fill them up. Pry your feet into the surf and feel them being sucked solid. Look for (and find!) the most beautiful shells. Take a long walk or just go people-watching on the terrace. And want to try something new? Then take a surfing or sup lesson. Super fun to do and also suitable for children.

Beach of Zandvoort
Child looking at deer Amsterdamse waterleiding duinen

Deer spotting

The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes is home to the largest population of fallow deer in the Netherlands. Altogether, there are around 2,500 of them! So we can say that you are guaranteed deer. And the nice thing is: they are not shy. Even from entering, you are likely to see them chilling in the bushes along the road. A super fun experience to watch deer up close in nature. But leave them alone and don’t go feeding them.

Nature of Zandvoort
Wisents in National Park in Zandvoort

Find the wisent

Another magnificent animal: the European bison. Or also, the European bison. For some years now, this colossus has been living in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. In a fenced-off area behind Circuit Zandvoort, these primeval cattle can quietly go about their business. With a bit of luck, you can see them all year round from the Wisenten vantage point. If you come to Zandvoort between 1 September and 1 March, you can also walk the Wisentenpad through the area.

Bison-route

The rut was hugely impressive

With our guide, we walked into the dunes in search of deer. We didn’t have to look far, because they were right there at the entrance, next to the path. It was clear that it was rutting season. We regularly heard the deer bellowing, or ‘grunting’ as the guide explained. After walking off the paths for about 30 minutes, we came to a place where the deer were gathering. It was really cool to hear the animals, see them hunting and even see them fighting! The sound of their antlers clashing was incredibly impressive.

– Annika –

Deer in national park Zandvoort
Climate Pirate Bram fishes for shrimps on Zandvoort beach

Fish for shrimp

You can fish shrimps everywhere along the Dutch coast. And so also in Zandvoort. But the greatest chance of catching something is in late summer. You then use a push or drag net and push (or drag) it along the bottom. Make sure you make good contact with the bottom, because that’s where they are! You find them best between the first and second sandbank and also look at the colour of the water. If it is cloudy, you are more likely to have a bite.

People on beach at Zwemplas in 't Wet near Koevlak Zandvoort

Swimming in 't Wed

With small children, the sea can be quite exciting. Of course, at low tide the sea forms its own little pools in which the little ones can play, but at high tide they have to be more careful. A visit to play pond het Wed in the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is a good alternative then. Also if you want to swim in freshwater instead of salt seawater. You get there via the Koevlak entrance, near the visitor centre, on the Zeeweg.

South-Kennemerland National Park
Horse riding in Zandvoort dunes

Horse riding through the dunes

An outdoor ride on the beach is a wonderful experience according to many riders. Of course, you can do that at set times in Zandvoort. But beyond a beach ride, a ride through the dunes is a wonderful alternative. National Park Zuid-Kennemerland has several bridle paths where you can enjoy the unique surroundings on horseback.

Horse riding

More venues for outdoor activities

Outdoor activities in the region

Playground in Zandvoort

A free outdoor playground can be found on the beach at pavilion Thalassa, at restaurant Gestrand at Camping De Lakens and at the National Park visitor centre.

Visitor centre

In the Visitor Centre, you will learn (almost) everything about the animals in the National Park. And you can see them up close, as there are also many stuffed specimens. There is even a stuffed European bison.