Bloemendaal offers several distinct themes for a stay: a heemtuin featuring native plants from the Kennemer Dunes, a protected burial site, a memorial monument, the beach and an open-air theatre. There is also the old village centre and a church whose acoustics are well suited to small-scale concerts. When choosing a hotel, it helps to decide first whether nature, local history, the beach or culture will shape your stay.

Memorial sites with a specific connection to the area

The Eerebegraafplaats Bloemendaal is located in the protected natural area of Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland. In the dunes, 372 victims were given their own graves. On 28 October 2010, the Minister of Education, Culture and Science designated the Eerebegraafplaats a national monument of the Netherlands. Its location, graves and monument status give the site distinct historical and landscape connections.

The Monument 16 april also commemorates a specific event: the victims of the bombing on and around Duinwijckweg on 16 April 1945. It was unveiled on 16 April 2025 in Simon de Heerplantsoen in Bloemendaal. The bronze sculpture stands on a natural stone plinth beside an apple tree. The two dates thus mark different periods in the monument’s history: the event in 1945 and its unveiling in 2025.

Nature garden, beach and open-air theatre

Thijsse’s Hof is an approximately two-hectare heemtuin featuring exclusively native plants from the Kennemer Dunes. As the oldest heemtuin in the Netherlands, it is a distinct attraction for anyone interested in native plants. In August 2026, Thijsse’s Hof is accessible to people using walking frames or wheelchairs, as well as to people with pushchairs.

The beach at Bloemendaal aan Zee is 4.3 kilometres long. In 2026, Bloemendaal beach was awarded the Blue Flag, an international environmental award. It is awarded annually to participating beaches and marinas that meet verified standards for cleanliness and safety. The year is important context, as the award is granted every year.

Caprera in Bloemendaal is an open-air theatre and a walking park between forests and dunes. Alongside the beach, a theatre and walking park are therefore available as distinct nature and culture options.

Village centre, concerts and getting there

The Dorpskerk is in the centre of the old village, right on Kerkplein. Its acoustics are particularly suited to small-scale concerts. Those interested in church interiors or smaller concert formats will find a specific cultural attraction here in the village centre.

To get to Bloemendaal aan Zee, it is recommended to take the train to Zandvoort station and then the beach bus, the Noord shuttle bus. Bus route 81 is the only bus connection to Bloemendaal aan Zee. Check the timetable before travelling.

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