Amsterdam vs. Noordwijk: Why you should sleep by the beach.

Always people talk about Amsterdam, famous for canals, streets, and monuments, but what about Noordwijk and its beautiful beach?

Noordwijk has something Amsterdam doesn’t: the beach, a perfect place to swim, refresh in the sea, and play with friends.

1. SUNRISE & SUNSETS

Sleeping in Noordwijk lets you start the day with a sunrise by the sea or end it watching a beautiful sunset.

Enjoy walking on the beach, having a drink, or simply watching the beautiful moment when the sun slowly disappears behind the horizon.

These moments of calm and connection with nature are difficult to find in a busy city like Amsterdam. Watching the sky’s changing colors over the sea can turn an ordinary morning or evening into a memorable moment.

2. DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BEACH

Many accommodations are near the beach, including The Flying Pig, where you can reach the sea without transport or planning.

As a result, in just two minutes of walking, you will be on the beach. 

In Amsterdam, reaching the beach requires trains and buses, often taking about an hour before you can enjoy the sea.

Staying so close to Noordwijk means you can spontaneously decide to go to the beach without depending on a schedule.

3. BEACH ACTIVITIES FROM DAWN

Every day there are people on the beach doing different activities. Some relax on the sand, while others walk with friends, couples, or dogs, enjoying ample space to run, play, and explore.

There are also many people who love doing sports on the beach. Some enjoy activities on the sand like running or yoga, while others surf or kitesurf in the sea.

All these activities in Noordwijk are part of the local lifestyle. In Amsterdam, however, the distance to the coast makes it much more difficult to enjoy these moments. Reaching the beach in minutes makes it easy to enjoy the sea anytime and include beach moments in your daily routine.

4. BARS & RESTAURANTS ON THE BEACH

Noordwijk offers many restaurants and beach clubs on the sand, where you can dine with beach views and hear the waves.

In Amsterdam, restaurants have monument views, but you miss the sea’s unique vibe, creating a very different experience than the city.

Being able to enjoy your meal on the beach is another type of life.

5. LESS TIME IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport allows travel, but schedules create dependence, making spontaneous trips and freedom harder than staying near the beach.

If you want to go to the beach, in Noordwijk it’s easy. From The Flying Pig Beach Hostel, the sand is less than two minutes away; any longer walk is certainly not our fault.

From Amsterdam, it takes about an hour to reach the beach, causing you to likely miss sunrise and early waves for surfing or kitesurfing.