Colourful Amsterdam
Beach hopping
Many hotels in Amsterdam are close to the North Sea – and you should make the most of that. From the city centre, there are excellent public transport links for travelling from Amsterdam to the coast. So here’s our tip: hop on a bus or train near your Motel One hotel in Amsterdam and head for the North Sea coast.
Zandvoort: The nearest North Sea beach
Even the journey from Amsterdam to Zandvoort gives you a glimpse of why the town is one of Netherlands’ most popular seaside resorts. In less than an hour, you swap cobblestones for sand beneath your feet. The ‘Pearl by the Sea’ has something for every visitor: safe swimming (it flies the Blue Flag, which stands for exceptional water quality), fine dining (you can feast on fresh seafood in the beach pavilions) and partying (there are plenty of beach parties here in the evening). You can reach the beach in about 40 minutes by public transport. If you prefer, you can take a taxi from Amsterdam to Zandvoort – it’s quicker, but also costs considerably more. If you’re travelling in your own car, there are plenty of parking options in Zandvoort. The coastal town is also well connected when it comes to e-mobility – there are numerous e-charging stations in Zandvoort.
Distance: approx. 40 km / Journey time: 45 minutes
Bloemendaal aan Zee: Nature paradise
As the journey takes a little longer, things are a bit quieter here. Nevertheless, it’s not far from Amsterdam to Bloemendaal aan Zee – you can get there by public transport in about an hour. Bloemendaal is completely surrounded by nature. The path to the beach runs idyllically through the heart of the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
Distance: approx. 40 km / Journey time: approx. 1 hour
Wijk aan Zee: Surfer's paradise
Active holidaymakers can drive a little further up the coast. The widest sandy beach in the Netherlands is ideal for beach sports. The seaside resort is considered one of the best surfing spots on the North Sea. Anyone keen to try their hand at surfing will even find a surf school there.
Distance: approx. 42 km / Journey time: 1.5 hours
Noordwijk aan Zee: The most beautiful beach in the world
If you want to drive from Amsterdam to the coast, it’s best to head to Noordwijk, which is about a 40-minute drive away, as, unusually, the journey to this coastal town takes considerably longer by public transport. But even if you take the train from Amsterdam to the North Sea, it’s well worth the trip. The beach here is particularly idyllic and has even been named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches by National Geographic.
Distance: approx. 50 km / Journey time: 1.5 hours
The fastest way to cool off
Amsterdam without water? There’s no such thing. Anyone wanting to enjoy the water within the city can do so on a boat tour of the canals or by hiring a pedalo. You can go for a swim ten minutes away from our Motel One at the Marineterrein, where an area of the canal has been closed off for swimming.
You’ll find the perfect combination of water, culture and food on a trip to the NDSM Wharf. The former industrial site is now home to bars, restaurants, galleries and street art. How do you get there? On a free ferry right behind the main train station.
Bonus tip: pay a visit to IJsselmeer
Amsterdam to the North Sea by bike? Of course it’s possible. But we’ve got a better idea for a bike tour by the beach: cycling alongside the IJsselmeer lake. Less than a 40-minute cycle away is Blijburg, a beautiful beach on the inland bay where you can go kitesurfing, sailing, boating or just simply relax.
Pit stop on the way to the North Sea
No matter which beach you choose to visit, treat yourself to a stop in Haarlem on the way. This town is a smaller, quieter version of Amsterdam and is the perfect place for a stroll.
Markets to browse and feast at
Browsing for treasure: right around the corner from our Motel One Waterlooplein is the oldest flea market in The Netherlands. Established 133 years ago, it is the ideal place for a stroll on a sunny day. At over 300 stalls, you’ll discover all sorts of curious, funny and unique items.
Feast on street food: Amsterdam has a huge food scene, making it the perfect place for trying everything once – whether it’s fish croquettes by the canal, a picnic with Dutch cheese in the park or enjoying mini poffertjes (pancakes) in one of the many small cafés.
Cooling off in parks and museums
Green oases: Amsterdam is a green city and the many parks provide much-needed shade on hot summer days. Vondelpark is the most famous of the city’s parks. It is centrally located and the perfect place to have a rest after a walk around the city. Oosterpark is less busy, and features the occasional sounds of buskers. Amstelpark is brightly coloured and full of flowers.
Cool culture: anyone that prefers the temperature a little more moderate but still wants to soak up a little culture will find the museums to be a good option in summer. Amsterdam has a huge variety to choose from, be it the van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmusem, the Stedelijk Museum, Anne Frank House…
Celebrate however you like
In the warmer months, not a week goes by when there isn’t an outdoor street party, festival or concert in the Dutch city. Aside from the countless free concerts in the parks and the open-air cinemas, we’ve put together a few festival highlights:
Open Garden Days: have you ever wondered what the gardens and courtyards of the canal houses look like? Then this is the day for you, when houses across the city open their doors from 19th until the 21th of June 2026 and allow a glimpse into their private gardens.
Amsterdam Pride: Amsterdam is diverse, and this is celebrated every year at the beginning of August. Brightly decorated boats on the Prinsengracht canal and a huge party celebrate life, openness and tolerance.
Grachtenfestival: at the ten-day canal festival in August, everything on and by Amsterdam’s waterways revolves around music. Young artists from all genres give Amsterdam a voice.
Motel One Amsterdam-Waterlooplein
A gentle sea breeze, cool cafés and music all around. Amsterdam is lovely at any time of year, but especially so in summer, when city life moves outdoors and you can make full use of the many bodies of water. What’s particularly cool when the temperature starts to rise is that Amsterdam is only a short journey from the North Sea. Refreshment guaranteed!
Our Motel One Amsterdam Waterlooplein is centrally located and ideal for discovering the city. The cultural highlights follow the picturesque canals: the Rembrandt Museum is only 300 metres away and can be seen from the hotel. And the nearest canal is right outside. It doesn’t get more Amsterdam than that! And the best thing is that from here, you’re less than an hour away from the nearest sandy beach.