Around 400 bunkers can be found in the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. Some are (partly) hidden under the sand and are a habitat for bats, while others are actually easy to admire. The bunkers were built by Germany in World War II and are part of the Atlantic Wall.
World War II had disastrous consequences for beautiful Zandvoort: after the forced evacuation, in 1942, the old village was virtually razed to the ground by the occupying forces. The demolished houses were used as foundations for the current circuit. Bunkers were built in Zandvoort and launch sites for V1 rockets were constructed in the dunes. The works were part of the famous Atlantic Wall, a defence line with which the occupying forces thought they could repel an attack from the sea. This Atlantic Wall was built by the Germans in a very short time and ran from the northernmost tip of Norway to the Spanish/French border near Biarritz and was over 2,600 km long!
After the war, reconstruction was mainly dominated by housing and many flats appeared along the coast. In the 1950s, however, recreation took off again and Zandvoort grew into the place it is today: an important seaside resort where it is also nice to live. Every year, millions of guests indulge in the everything Zandvoort has to offer as a coastal resort. To this day, many bunkers can still be found in the dunes, some of which are (partly) hidden under the sand.
From March to June, the Zandvoorts Museum organises a guided bunker or nature walk in the Amsterdam Water Dunes every Wednesday.
More information can be found here
On the way to the bunkers, you will discover the varied landscape of this dune area, which has a unique collection of animals and plants. The guide not only tells you everything about these concrete colossi, he also knows where you are most likely to spot deer and foxes, for example. Fun and educational! - Can be booked on any day and time provided a guide is available. - Minimum 15 and maximum 25 people per guide. - The cost per person is €10 excluding entrance fees (€1.50 p.p.). - Please note that you will be going off the paths during the walk. - The walk is not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
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The Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen are home to many bunkers, some 400 of them. Want to discover them on your own? Then the bunker route is just the thing for you. This route runs along several hidden bunkers and starts at the Zandvoortselaan entrance. The English translation of the bunker route will follow soon! Keep an eye on the site. The Dutch route can be found below.
View the bunker route here
You can visit the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes between sunrise and sunset. From 18 years onwards, an entrance ticket is compulsory. Please note that dogs, bicycles and other vehicles are not allowed in the Amsterdam Waterleidingduinen (wheelchair, walking bike and mobility scooter are allowed).
Buy your ticket here
Where can you find space and peace in the busy Randstad? Exactly, in the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen! A unique area, because you can venture off the beaten track here, which means you can literally wander through nature. You won't find a greater variety of plants anywhere else in the Netherlands. The fauna is also well represented: more than 100 different bird species, mustelids, squirrels, foxes, rabbits, fallow deer, it's all here!
More about the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen
Zandvoort is surrounded by two beautiful nature reserves: the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes and the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna. There are numerous marked hiking trails where you can make your own various trips along wide footpaths and narrow, exciting footpaths. You can also choose to take a guided walk.
More about walking through the dunes
