Urban beaches in Amsterdam
There's no better place to be when the sun shines in Amsterdam than on one of the city's many urban beaches. From post-industrial hotspots to chilled-out beach clubs, Amsterdam offers a great selection of places to feel the sand between your toes without having to leave the city.
Pllek
Just a short ferry hop over the IJ from Amsterdam Central station, this hip waterfront bar boasts its own urban beach where locals and in-the-know visitors flock in summer months to enjoy great food, DJs and a vibrant atmosphere by day and night. Kick back on giant bean bags with a beer in hand, and take in the views of Amsterdam across the water.
Pllek | TT Neveritaweg 59, NDSM
StrandZuid
South of the city centre, StrandZuid is a chic inland beach complex surrounding a lake. There’s a stylish restaurant, large beer deck with ping pong table, and a sandy party beach with plenty of sunbathing spots connected by a series of boardwalks. The restaurant menu offers plenty of fish, meat and vegetarian options and, for a summertime flavour boost, many dishes are prepared on the traditional charcoal grill.
StrandZuid | Europaplein 22, Zuid
Het Stenen Hoofd
Offering an unusual little oasis of greenery and sand between Amsterdam’s Westerdok and Central Station, Het Stenen Hoofd is not so much an urban beach as a pier jutting out into the IJ and covered in sand and grass. It regularly plays host to a variety of cultural events, the most famous of which being the Pluk de Nacht open-air film series.
Het Stenen Hoofd | Het Stenen Hoofd, West
Zwemstrand Sloterplas
This swimming lake in Amsterdam Nieuw-West is one of the neighbourhood's best summer hotspots. The family-friendly urban beach boasts picnic tables, a wide-open space and a nifty beach shop where you can rent beach chairs, volleyball gear, mobile showers and other handy equipment.
Zwemstrand Sloterplas | Th J Lammerslaan, Nieuw West
Hotel Buiten
Not an actual hotel, but homely nevertheless: Hotel Buiten is a café and an urban beach – without sand, but with plenty of views over Sloterplas lake. Developed by local residents and businesses with a dream of reviving a forgotten piece of nature, the stylish pavilion is mainly made of recycled materials and has great terraces outside.
Hotel Buiten | Th J Lammerslaan 3, Nieuw West
