Ice Cream - At Night!

Something we always enjoy on a trip to Zandvoort is an ice cream treat at the San Remo ice cream parlour. If you read our Ice Cream In Zandvoort post you will already know that!

One evening we had been out to dinner with a friend (an expert in Zandvoort weather) and afterwards we took a stroll down Haltestraat and called in at the San Remo. It was busy! The ice cream is delicious and the atmosphere pleasant. Here is one of the photos we took as we left.

Read more about ice cream parlours in Zandvoort.

Nighttime Cafe In Zandvoort

After a warm, relaxing day on the beach it's great to go into Zandvoort and enjoy one of the many bars, cafes or restaurants. You can have a casual or a formal meal or just sit and enjoy a few drinks with friends at one of the cafes like this one we photographed in Kerkplein.

A Busy Summer Day In Zandvoort - The Car Park Barometer

If you ever wanted proof of Zandvoort's popularity when the sun comes out, just look to the car parks - they are all usually full to overflowing by 10am!

Here is a picture we took in the summer of 2009 on such a day - the forecast for Zandvoort's weather had predicted high temperatures, no wind and little cloud so everyone for miles around headed to Zandvoort beach as early as they could that morning.


Note - this picture was taken the same day as the one with the cows in the dunes published on the previous post. As we said before, the cow didn't seem to mind the people and the noise!

Cows In The Zandvoort Dunes

In our previous post about Zandvoort's dunes we mentioned the fact that they are more of a nature reserve giving sanctuary to bird and animal life. Here is an example - a cow lazing in the sunshine on a warm summer's day, oblivous to the many people passing by having parked their cars in the car park De Zuid. It shows just how safe and comfortable the animals feel in this habitat.

Zandvoort's Dunes

The dunes in The Netherlands are a common feature of the landscape and Zandvoort is no exception. Here is a photograph of Zandvoort's dunes - taken behind the beach to the South of Zandvoort.


Although the dunes appear empty in this picture, they are in fact abundant with flora, fauna, bird and animal life. Birds include crossbills and sea eagles.

The 2 main areas of dunes in Zandvoort are called the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen to the South and the Zuid-Kennemerland National to the North.

Catamaran On Zandvoort Beach

At this time of year when it's cold, rainy and dark early in many places, photographs like this one keep you going and remind you of the Spring and Summer that lie just around the corner - once we get through the winter!

Sailing in Zandvoort is a popular pastime and this sight is a common one ... a small catamaran beached after a stint sailing and waiting ready for its owners to go out with the tide once more.

Zandvoort Kitesurfing Interview

It's not often you get to talk to an expert kitesurfer - they are usually too busy out on the water!

As mentioned in our previous Kitesurfing In Zandvoort post, one of the regular Zandvoort kitesurfers Okke Engel gave us an interview this summer. He had just finished a session kitesurfing in Zandvoort when we caught up with him over a cup of coffee and chatted about what life is like in the 'fast lane' of this extreme sport.


In the interview he describes the all important weather conditions on the day, tells us a little about his background (he started windsurfing at the age of 12) and how he is now running his own kitesurfing school.

Watch the whole kitesurfing interview with Okke exclusively made for zandvoort-holland.com

Photo: Okke with a kitesurfing student on Zandvoort beach

Kitesurfing In Zandvoort

Zandvoort is a great place for water sports and especially for kitesurfing or kiteboarding as some people call it. One of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world, kitesurfing is great not just for the participants but also spectators.

In Zandvoort this summer we got to know a local kitesurfer called Okke Engel who shared with us some detailed information about kitesurfing in Zandvoort including kitesurfing zones in Zandvoort and kitesurfing FAQ.

When you read the FAQ you begin to realise just how much there is to the sport of kitesurfing - everything from what makes it dangerous to having the right equipment, having the right training through to the importance of understanding tides and wind direction.

Pictured: Okke Engel jusf finishing a kitesurfing session

More Bicycles In Zandvoort

Another photo of bicyles parked above Zandvoort beach ....





This photo is one of our favourites ... not even a dustbin is allowed to get in the way when the cyclists want a day out on the beach!

Many people enjoy taking a cycle ride into the Zandvoort dunes and nature reserve where there are plenty of cycle tracks.

Bikes At Zandvoort Beach

Everyone knows that the Dutch love to ride bicycles and there's no better evidence of this than on a sunny day in Zandvoort.


As you walk along Boulevard Paulus Loot you can watch bike riders as they dismount and chain their bicycles up and then stroll down for a day out at the beach.


I challenge anyone to find a beach with more bicycles!

More to follow in the next post on our Zandvoort Blog.

A Fabulous Beach Sandwich - Only In Zandvoort!

One of the nicest things to do on a sunny day in Zandvoort is to eat at a beach cafe. There are lots of great cafes on Zandvoort beach, offering a friendly atmosphere and some great food.

Here is a favourite amongst our family - a sandwich of mozzarella cheese, fresh basil and sliced tomatoes with pesto. Delicious!


Made by Patrick at cafe Paal 69 - not only a great chef but a kitesurfing expert too.

Zandvoort Balloon Artist - Balloon Dog Mike

Here are some photos of Balloondog Mike, a great balloon artist from Vancouver, Canada.

We photographed and filmed him entertaining people in Zandvoort's Kerkplein (at the bottom of Kerkstraat) during August 2009. These are 2 of his creations - brilliant!

Zandvoort 2009 - Sharing Memories

As we head towards winter and the end of another year, we thought it would be nice to look back at this summer in Zandvoort and share with you some of our memories and photographs. So between now and the end of 2009, we will post a selection of some of the most interesting photographs - from kitesurfing to beach sunsets, bicycles to sailing boats, food and cafes to ice cream parlours .... and lots more!

Here is the first - a sunny day with blue sky and the beach is busy.


We took this photo on the walk down from Boulevard Paulus Loot (passing Tijn Akersloot).