Bergen aan Zee Strand

Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands

Egmond aan Zee is a classic North Sea beach village with a wide, sandy beach stretching about 5 kilometres and averaging 50 to 150 metres wide. During the winter months from October through April, dogs can run freely across the entire beach, making it an excellent destination for long off-leash walks along the surf. In summer, the beach is divided into zones marked by coloured poles — orange for activity beaches, yellow for sunbathing beaches, and pink for the naturist section. Dogs are not permitted between 10:00 and 19:00 during summer, but early morning and evening beach visits are still possible. The village sits nestled between the dunes of the North Holland Dune Reserve, a protected nature area with scenic hiking and cycling trails. Egmond aan Zee is part of the municipality of Bergen and offers a charming boulevard with restaurants, shops, and the iconic J.C.J. van Speijk lighthouse — one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the Netherlands. Paid parking is available along the coast during summer months. The beach is well-maintained and popular with both locals and tourists, offering plenty of space for dogs to play and swim in the North Sea.

Schoorl, Netherlands

Schoorl aan Zee is a unique and peaceful beach accessible only on foot or by bicycle through the stunning Schoorlse Duinen — the widest dune area in the Netherlands. This car-free approach gives the beach a wonderfully secluded feel, making it a favourite among nature lovers and dog owners seeking a quieter coastal experience. The beach is part of the municipality of Bergen and follows the same dog-friendly rules as neighbouring Bergen aan Zee and Camperduin. During winter, dogs can roam freely across the entire beach. In summer, leashed dogs are welcome on the activity beaches all day, while off-leash play is permitted before 10:00 and after 19:00 on all sections. Strandpaviljoen Paal 29 operates on the beach during the warmer months, offering food and drinks with panoramic North Sea views. Since there is no direct car access, the nearest parking is at Hargen aan Zee (a large car park with 1,600 spaces) or at Camperduin. The walk through the dunes to the beach is part of the experience and offers beautiful scenery. The Schoorlse Duinen themselves are a magnificent nature area managed by Staatsbosbeheer, with trails where dogs are welcome — leashed during breeding season (March–September) and off-leash the rest of the year.

Schoorl, Netherlands

Hargen aan Zee is a spacious North Sea beach located between Schoorl aan Zee and Camperduin, part of the municipality of Bergen. It boasts the largest car park in the Bergen municipality with 1,600 parking spaces, making it the most accessible of the Schoorl-area beaches. The beach is wide and sandy, ideal for long walks with your dog along the waterline. During winter from October through April, dogs can run freely across the entire beach. In summer, the beach is divided into activity beaches and sunbathing beaches — leashed dogs are welcome on the activity beaches during the day, while off-leash time is available before 10:00 and after 19:00 on all sections. Strandpaviljoen Hargen sits right at the beach entrance and serves food and drinks throughout the season. The parking area is located at Hargerstrandweg 1 in Schoorl, with rates of EUR 2.20 per hour or EUR 6.90 for a day ticket from March through October, and free parking from November to February. The surrounding Schoorlse Duinen offer beautiful walking trails through the widest dune landscape in the Netherlands, providing additional off-beach exercise opportunities for you and your dog.