Naturist beaches in the Netherlands: Zandvoort, Breskens and how to plan a visit

In short: The best-known naturist beach in the Netherlands is at Zandvoort, south of the main beach between beach posts 68 and 71, about 3 km long according to the town's tourism site. Another, described as an official naturist beach, is at Breskens in Zeeland. The Dutch naturist federation, NFN Open & Bloot, publishes a worldwide location finder and reports on discussions about the Zandvoort beaches. This guide sets out what the sources say, flags what we could not verify, and gives first-timers practical etiquette and planning tips. It is informative and non-explicit.

Zandvoort: the naturist stretch

The Zandvoort tourism site places the naturist (FKK) beach south of the main beach, between beach post 68 and post 71. Beach posts ("paal") are wooden stakes set about 250 metres apart, so the posts are the way to find your place. You walk south along the beach and the area is signposted. According to the same page, it was first designated in 1975 as a free naturist beach after a vote in favour; it was then about 2.5 km long and is now around 3 km. Another beach guide gives a different year, 1973, and a court-case origin story, so sources disagree on the history and we do not rely on either date.

Beach pavilions (café-restaurants) serve food and drinks. The tourism page names Paal 69, Adam and Eva, and Ajuma as notable spots, and says many offer hot and cold showers. It also warns that some pavilions no longer allow nudity on their terraces, and that this changes over time, so check before you sit down. A commercial city guide notes that most pavilions require clothing on their terraces and that the naturist section is roughly a thirty-minute walk from the station; treat that as an indication only. The tourism page gives no season or opening dates, so treat the beach as a public beach whose conditions depend on weather and local rules.

Breskens: an official beach in Zeeland

The directory le-naturisme.com lists Breskens as an "official naturist beach" at Walendijk 7, 4511 RK Breskens, described as a fine-sand beach. It is easy to reach from a large car park nearby, which charges a fee, and gained visitors after the closure of Cadzand-Bad, a naturist beach further west. The directory says nothing on rules or tolerance for other beaches, and it is a private listing rather than an official register, so confirm the current status with the municipality before you travel.

What NFN Open & Bloot offers

NFN Open & Bloot describes itself as the Dutch federation for naturist recreation and says it represents about 2.5 million people who enjoy nude recreation, with about 55,000 members directly or through affiliated clubs. It runs a location finder, BlootKompas, listing more than 2,200 naturist locations worldwide with reviews, and its news section mentions discussions about the naturist beaches in Zandvoort. As these are the federation's own figures and news items, use them as a starting point, not a legal confirmation. We did not evaluate Dutch criminal law for this article; for a precise legal question, consult the Dutch legislation (wetten.overheid.nl) or a lawyer.

Etiquette on a naturist beach

These are editorial recommendations in line with common practice:

1. Stay inside the signposted stretch. Outside it, wear swimwear.
2. No photographs of people. Keep phones away; the tourism page expects visitors to "behave respectably".
3. Towel underneath and a sensible distance from strangers.
4. No sexual behaviour. It breaks the spirit of the place and risks complaints.
5. Check pavilion rules before eating or drinking on a terrace.
6. Bring a windbreak and warm clothes. The North Sea coast can be windy and cool even in summer.

Planning as a couple

Decide together whether to start in swimwear; at a long beach you can choose a quieter stretch and move later. Take plenty of water and sun protection, and check the weather and tide. Use the beach posts to meet if you get separated, and plan the way back before you get tired from the walk. If either of you is uncomfortable, leave without a discussion.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Zandvoort naturist beach? South of the main beach, between beach posts 68 and 71, according to the Zandvoort tourism site.

Is entry free? The tourism page calls it a free naturist beach; it mentions no entry fee.

Can I eat at the pavilions without clothes? Not necessarily: some no longer allow nudity on their terraces, so check.

Is there another official naturist beach? Breskens is listed as an official naturist beach by a private directory; confirm with the municipality.

Do I need to join a club? No membership requirement is mentioned for the beaches.

Sources (accessed 10 November 2026)

• Zandvoort tourism, "FKK beach": https://www.zandvoort-holland.com/zandvoort-beach/fkk-beach/
• Le Naturisme, "Map and guide of the naturist beaches in the Netherlands": https://www.le-naturisme.com/en/naturist-beaches-netherlands/
• NFN Open & Bloot: https://www.nfn.nl
• In Your Pocket, "Zandvoort Nude Beach": https://www.inyourpocket.com/Netherlands/Amsterdam/venues/Zandvoort-Nude-Beach