Beverwijk with Kids: Wind, Water and Wide-Open Beaches

A practical guide to a family day out in Beverwijk and the surrounding Kennemerland coast, with honest advice on where to stay and what to skip.

The Beach and the Dunes

Beverwijk's main family draw is its wide, clean beach, a 15-minute drive or a direct bus ride from the town centre. The sand is fine and the slope gentle, making it safe for young children, though the North Sea wind can be strong even in summer. Bring a windbreak or a pop-up tent; local shops sell them for around €20–30, but it's cheaper to pack your own. Paid parking near the beach costs roughly €2–3 per hour in peak season (May–September). The beach is patrolled by lifeguards from late June to early September, but always keep an eye on little ones near the water.

Behind the beach, the Kennemer dunes offer a network of marked trails for walking and cycling. A family-friendly route is the 5 km loop from the beach car park to the Vogelmeer lake and back. It's mostly flat and takes about two hours with small children. Bike rental is available near the beach for about €10–15 per day for a basic city bike; child seats are usually available. The dunes are a protected nature reserve, so stick to the paths and avoid disturbing wildlife. Best months for a visit are May, June and September, when the weather is mild and the crowds are thinner.

Indoor Options for Rainy Days

If the weather turns, Beverwijk has a few indoor options. The indoor swimming pool, Zwembad Beverwijk, has a separate toddler pool and a small slide; entry for a family of four is around €20. It's open daily but busiest on weekend afternoons. Another option is the library, Bibliotheek Beverwijk, which has a children's corner with books and puzzles, free to enter. For something more active, the indoor play centre in nearby Heemskerk (a 10-minute drive) offers climbing frames and trampolines for a flat fee of about €8 per child. These are modest attractions, so don't expect a full day out; they work best as a two-hour filler.

Skip the Beverwijkse Bazaar if you're looking for family entertainment. It's a massive indoor market, but it's crowded, noisy and not particularly child-friendly. The one exception is the weekly market on Saturdays, which has a few stalls with toys and snacks. The town centre itself is compact and walkable, with a mix of chain stores and local shops. For a rainy day, I would book a hotel with a pool or family rooms; the Hotel Beverwijk is basic but central, while the larger hotels near the beach (such as in Wijk aan Zee) are more comfortable but pricier. Expect to pay €100–150 per night for a family room in high season.

Where to Stay: Beverwijk vs the Coast

Most families choose to stay in Beverwijk itself for convenience and lower prices. The town has a handful of budget hotels and bed-and-breakfasts, with family rooms starting around €90 per night in low season (October–April) and €120–160 in July and August. The advantage is proximity to the train station (Beverwijk station has direct connections to Haarlem and Amsterdam) and the beach bus. The downside is that the town is not particularly picturesque; it's a working town with limited evening entertainment. If you want a base for exploring Noord-Holland, it's perfectly adequate.

For a more scenic stay, consider the coastal village of Wijk aan Zee, a 10-minute drive from Beverwijk. It has a cluster of small hotels and guesthouses, some with sea views. Prices are higher: expect €150–250 per night for a family room in summer. The trade-off is a quieter atmosphere and the beach on your doorstep. For a splurge, the hotels in nearby IJmuiden (15 minutes by car) offer more facilities, including indoor pools, but the town itself is less charming. I would book a family room at one of the small hotels in Wijk aan Zee for a short break, but for a longer stay, the budget options in Beverwijk make more sense.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

Beverwijk is well connected by public transport. The train station is on the Haarlem–Alkmaar line, with four trains per hour to Haarlem (15 minutes) and two per hour to Amsterdam Sloterdijk (30 minutes). A bus (line 74) runs from the station to the beach every 30 minutes, taking about 20 minutes. If you're driving, the A9 motorway is close, but parking at the beach fills up by 10 am on sunny weekends. For families, a car is useful for exploring the wider region, such as the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park (20 minutes) or the historic city of Haarlem (20 minutes), which has the Teylers Museum and the Frans Hals Museum, both with family activities.

Practical tips: bring layers, as the weather can change quickly. The beach has a few cafés but limited gluten-free or kid-specific options, so pack snacks. The town centre has a supermarket (Albert Heijn) and a pharmacy. For dining, the beach pavilions in Wijk aan Zee serve simple meals like pancakes and fish and chips, with mains around €12–18. Book a hotel in advance for summer weekends; the region is popular with Dutch and German families. If you're planning a Noord-Holland trip with kids, Beverwijk makes a sensible, budget-friendly base, but manage expectations: it's a functional town, not a resort.

Questions, answered

What is the best time to visit Beverwijk with kids?

May, June and September offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July and August are warmest but busiest, especially at the beach. Avoid the winter months, as many attractions have limited hours.

Are there family-friendly hotels in Beverwijk?

Yes, there are several budget hotels and bed-and-breakfasts with family rooms, typically priced €90–160 per night depending on season. For more comfort, consider nearby Wijk aan Zee, where family rooms cost €150–250 in summer.

What indoor activities are available for kids in Beverwijk?

The indoor pool Zwembad Beverwijk has a toddler pool and slide. The library has a children's corner, and an indoor play centre in Heemskerk is a 10-minute drive away. These are modest options, best for a few hours.

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