Surely, Bloemendaal aan Zee is more than just a destination. Bloemendaal aan Zee is a feeling. Nestled in the municipality of Bloemendaal, North Holland, it sits snugly between IJmuiden and Zandvoort. Imagine a place where the dunes of Zuid-Kennemerland National Park embrace a lively seaside resort.
Bloemendaal aan Zee offers a 4.3-kilometer sandy beach. This includes a dedicated 1-kilometer nude beach. The beach is a vibrant hub, especially in summer. Roads leading to Bloemendaal aan Zee and Zandvoort become bustling routes, embraced by those seeking sun and sea.
Bloemendaal aan Zee is a popular beach destination. Many gladly endure the inevitable traffic. In 2007, the Freestyle Frisbee World Championships were held here. This showcased Bloemendaal aan Zee as a venue for international events.
Bloemendaal is a small town in the Kennemerland region. It consists of five villages besides Bloemendaal. Overveen, Aerdenhout, Bentveld, Vogelenzang and Bennebroek are all part of the municipality. The villages are located on the inland side of the coastal dunes. The area was once part of Den Hout. This vast forest served as hunting grounds for the counts of Holland.
From the 17th century, the area became a haven for the wealthy. Stately manors and parks dotted the dune edges. Carl Linnaeus, a famous botanist, spent two years in Bennebroek. He worked as a gardener for the Hartekamp estate. The area has attracted Roman Catholic orders and mental health institutes. Around Vogelenzang, flower fields flourish.
Bloemendaal aan Zee is easily accessible. The N208 is the major access road from Haarlem and Leiden. From Amsterdam, take the A9 motorway and then the N205. Bloemendaal has its own train station. It provides sprinter services from Haarlem to Alkmaar.
You can rent bikes near Bloemendaal aan Zee. This is useful for exploring the wider area. Parking near the beach can be expensive. The Bloemendaal aan Zee beach is popular with Amsterdam locals. It features trendy beach pavilions. Drive up to Parnassia for a quieter spot.
During World War II, the dunes became a site of executions by the Germans. The Eerebegraafplaats Kennemerduinen is a cemetery. It holds the remains of 373 Dutch resistance fighters. Hannie Schaft, known from “The Girl with the Red Hair,” is among them.
The Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen stretch from Bloemendaal to Noordwijk. It features a hydraulic infrastructure for water infiltration. Deer roam freely here. They are locally known as Amsterdamherten.
Caprera Openluchttheater is a favorite among locals. It stages Dutch artists from mid-May to mid-September. Various beach pavilions host regular club nights. The Bloemencorso, or Bulb Flower Parade, is a major regional event in April.
The local delicacy is deer meat. It comes from the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. Hunters control the deer population. You can order the meat in advance from local shops.
Restaurant De Uitkijk offers views over the dune area. Kraantje Lek is one of the oldest tourist attractions. Its playground and steep dune are popular with children.
Parnassia aan Zee is a hugely popular beach pavilion. It offers views of the sea. Bloemendaal aan Zee is part of the Estates Trail. It is a 16 km circuit through woodlands and estates.
Bloemendaal aan Zee is a place of natural beauty and cultural richness. Its combination of beach life, historical significance, and accessibility makes it special.