Amsterdam Bloemendaal aan Zee

In recent years, Bloemendaal aan Zee has transformed from a quiet stretch of beach into the site of the Netherlands’s largest and most popular beach party. While Zandvoort aan Zee is backed immediately by the bustling town of Zandvoort, Bloemendaal proper is kilometers away from the beach and hardly worth visiting. Bloemendaal aan Zee, aan the other hand, is a purely hedonistic collection of fashionable and fabulous beach clubs and draws Amsterdam’s most stylish fun-seeking revelers. Local club Woodstock 69 is the granddaddy of them all, clocking in at almost 15 years old. There is a distinct hippie feel here; there are hammocks, tiki torches, a small stage for events, and lots of color and loose clothing. The club is divided between an area with couches and beds for lounging outside and a large bar area inside. They host parties several times a week, each with a different theme, DJ, and crowd; check the website for information. Look for a palm tree marking the club, to the right of the entrance when you’re facing the water. (☎573 8084. Open daily 10am-midnight.) Since its founding in 1994, Woodstock has found itself surrounded by more beach clubs of the same ilk; the newer clubs cater more to the sophisticates from the big city but have similarly laid-back decor, atmosphere, and beach parties. Bloomingdale reclines in chic elegance with black and tan sofas and plush pillows thrown into a background of pulsing music. With its cool grace, Bloomingdale tends to be the favorite of most locals. (☎573 7580; www.bloomingdaleaanzee.com. Open daily 10am-midnight.) In general, the day crowd is more relaxed than those who come for Bloemendaal’s nightlife. By law, the clubs must close at midnight, but the parties don’t sacrifice any fun to the early closing time. For a slight change of pace, you can ride along lovely bike trails through the dunes farther from the coast in Zuid Kennemerland National Park. Bloemendaal boasts the Kopje van Bloemendaal (nicknamed the “Bride of Haarlem”), the highest sand dune in the Netherlands. Stay on marked trails because the park doubles as a nature sanctuary. The VVV in Zandvoort can sell you a good map of hiking and biking trails, and the park’s Visitors Center is another good source of maps and information—if a bit out of the way. To get there, follow the marked bike trails from Haarlem toward Bloemendaal, and you’ll pass the Visitors Center on your right. Otherwise, you can take a train to Overveen and follow signs from the station. (☎541 1123. Open Tu-Su 10am-5pm.)

If you can’t get enough of the beach, spend a few nights camping at Bloemendaal 1, Zeeweg 72. (☎573 2178; www.campingbloemendaal.nl. Reception open daily 9am-9pm. €20 with tent and car.) Lakens 1, Zeeweg 60, is a larger option. (☎0900 384 6226; www.kennemerduincampings.nl. Open daily 9am-4am. €26.15 includes car, tent, and tax.) There are no hotels in Bloemendaal aan Zee, but Zandvoort is only a 10min. bike ride down the beach. The many beach clubs serve satisfying-enough meals, but if you’re looking for something cheaper and more informal, try Café Restaurant ’t Eindpunt 1, Zeeweg 82, near the entrance to the clubs. Here you can grab sandwiches for around €3, pannenkoeken for €5.75, and soups for €4.50. (☎573 2170; www.eindpunt.nl. Open daily 8am-9pm.)

Bloemendaal is best reached from one of the larger cities around it. To get to the madness from Zandvoort, take a 30min. walk or 10min. bike ride to the north of the beach (to your right when facing the water) or board bus #81 from Haarlem or Zandvoort. There is also a scenic bike or walking route through the dunes from Haarlem; follow the signs or ask for a map from the VVV in Haarlem.