Castricum aan Zee Hondenstrand

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.

Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands

Wijk aan Zee is a peaceful seaside village in the municipality of Beverwijk, offering a beautifully wide and spacious beach on the North Sea coast. The beach stretches approximately 5 kilometres, providing ample room even on busier days. During the off-season from October 1 to May 1, dogs enjoy unrestricted off-leash access across the entire beach all day. This generous off-season period makes it an excellent winter and spring destination for dog owners. In the summer bathing season from May 1 to October 1, dogs are not permitted on the beach between 09:00 and 19:00. Outside these hours, dogs may come on the beach but must remain on a leash. An exception exists for owners of beach huts, who may keep their leashed dog near their hut during restricted hours. The beach features several cosy pavilions and terraces where you can enjoy lunch or drinks with a sea view. Parking is free in most streets in Wijk aan Zee, with options at Julianaplein, Julianaweg, Reyndersweg, and other locations. On busy summer days when regular parking fills up, the Dorpsweide overflow parking opens. The village sits at the edge of the Noordhollands Duinreservaat, a vast 5,300-hectare nature reserve stretching along the coast, offering wonderful additional walking opportunities through dunes, forests, and heathlands.

Velsen-Noord, Netherlands

Velsen-Noord Strand is a quieter, less crowded beach stretching between the Noordzeekanaal (North Sea Canal) and the southern end of Wijk aan Zee beach. This hidden gem is popular with local dog owners who appreciate its peaceful atmosphere and year-round off-leash access during the off-season. The dog-friendly zone runs from the southernmost point of Wijk aan Zee beach to approximately one hundred meters before the first beach pavilion of the Noordpier. During the off-season from October 1 to May 1, dogs can run freely off-leash all day. In the summer bathing season, dogs are restricted between 09:00 and 19:00, though a Zone 2 area may still permit off-leash dogs during summer — check the signs posted at each beach access point. Green signs marked 'Losloopplek' indicate off-leash areas, while red signs marked 'Speelplek' or 'Verbodsgebied' indicate restricted zones. One of the biggest advantages of this beach is the free parking available at Reyndersweg in Velsen-Noord, making it an affordable day out compared to the paid parking at nearby IJmuiden and Bloemendaal beaches. The beach is part of the municipality of Velsen, which maintains clear signage with zone maps at every beach entrance. The surrounding area offers access to the dunes and coastal paths connecting to IJmuiderslag and Wijk aan Zee.