Zandvoort
DESTINATION GUIDE
From the roaring sea of orange to the coastal circuit’s electrifying atmosphere, there’s plenty to take in. To help you make the most of it, here are some top tips for your visit to Zandvoort..
HIGHLIGHTS
Feel the sand between your toes and get on the beach! With nine kilometres of it at your disposal, there are plenty of activities to indulge in to make the most of what is undoubtedly Zandvoort’s main attraction away from the track.
You can also channel your inner Kelly Slater and try your hand at surfing at Surfana Surf School, where enthusiastic and passionate instructors will have you riding those waves with ease in no time.
Test your driving skills and tackle the famous Zandvoort sand dunes in a 4x4 with Bleekmolens Race Planet, where speed and skill are essential for navigating the undulating terrain, encountering obstacles such as narrow bridges along the way as you try to complete the course without getting stuck in the sand.
Since returning to the F1 calendar in 2021, the Dutch Grand Prix has quickly re-established itself as a popular destination for fans thanks to its beautiful coastal location, laidback atmosphere, and the sheer ease of travel to and from the circuit with regular and efficient transport links.
If two wheels are more your thing then Zandvoort is the perfect place to explore on a bike, with many bike rental shops in the town and extensive and safe cycle paths providing countless kilometres of stunning coastal routes through areas of dunes and nature reserves where you may get a tantalising glimpse of a deer or dune lizard.
During World War II, Zandvoort was all but destroyed by the occupying forces and hundreds of bunkers were built into the sand dunes to form part of what was known as the Atlantic Wall – coastal defences stretching along the coast of Europe for 2,400 miles.
Some of these bunkers were used to house guns whilst others were used as living quarters, and although lots of the bunkers have since been destroyed or dismantled, many remain partially buried in the sand and have become habitats for bats, while others are more visible and can be discovered on foot by downloading a bunker route map.
The charming small city of Haarlem lies six miles from Zandvoort and is well worth a visit. Once a major North Sea trading port and now the centre of the Dutch flower bulb growing region with its outlying tulip fields a riot of dazzling colour in spring, it draws thousands of horticultural enthusiasts from around the world to the city each year.
Famous for its nightlife, innovative food scene, iconic canals, narrow gabled houses and rich cultural history, Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and only a short train ride from Zandvoort.
With more museums per capita than any other city, from the world-renowned Rijksmuseum to the smaller, quirkier museums dedicated to everything from cheese, funerals and cats, there is certainly something of interest to be found at every turn.
Fun Fact
Dating back to 1784, the stroopwafel – a thin, round waffle cookie made from two discs of sweet baked dough, sandwiched together with a caramel filling – is the perfect accompaniment to a mid-morning cup of coffee and arguably one of the most popular sweet snacks in the Netherlands.
The very best way to enjoy this delicious sweet treat, is to place it on your cup of coffee, like a lid, for a couple of minutes to allow the steam and heat of the liquid to soften the caramel inside the stroopwafel, resulting in a warm, gooey cookie which retains its crisp upper layer.
WHAT TO EAT
Dutch pancakes are a must try when visiting the Netherlands, and the abundance of pancake houses serving these sweet or savoury treats reflect their popularity.
Thinner than an American pancake, but thicker than a crepe, these large versatile vessels for all manner of fillings are made from a simple batter of milk, flour, eggs and salt and are delicious at any time of the day.
Unsurprisingly due to its coastal location, fish and seafood feature prominently on menus all over town, with herring a particular specialty. Large scale fishing of this oily, omega-3 rich fish began in the 17th century and the herring season opens with much fanfare on what is known as ‘flag day’ in June, with the first keg of fish being auctioned off for charity in the town of Scheveningen just along the coast.
To try this Dutch delicacy in the traditional way, you must hold the raw herring by its tail and let it slide down your throat – and if the sound of this tickles your taste buds then there are lots of kiosks along the beachfront promenade where you can indulge.
