Cyclists ride along a sandy path in Cadzand, with a modern hotel and fluffy clouds in the background. A beachside restaurant in Cadzand with wooden architecture, situated on sandy shores under partly cloudy skies.
Netherlands

Cadzand: The Sunniest Place in the Netherlands

A Coastal Retreat: Beach Pavilion on Stilts in Cadzand.
 Cadzand, Netherlands, July 2022

Cadzand—or more precisely, Cadzand-Bad—has 180 residents, five kilometers of sandy beach, and two million visitors per year. But today, the crowds are nowhere to be seen. Everything feels far more relaxed than the numbers suggest.

The beach stretches wide, the water remains shallow, and like many Dutch coastlines, rows of wooden breakwaters stand firm against the force of the sea. Just beyond them, small beach huts line the shore, their brightly colored doors adding a cheerful contrast to the soft dunes.

Cadzand is known as the sunniest place in the Netherlands, and of course, there’s a windmill—because how could there not be? But my visit doesn’t begin at the windmill. Instead, I start at Border Marker No. 369, the final stone of the Belgian-Dutch border. The first stands at Vaalserberg, just past Aachen. A trip along the entire border would certainly be an adventure. But I’m here to follow the coast—so after a long, unhurried visit to the beach, I continue northward.

Map of Cadzand
A directional marker in Cadzand, featuring the number N°369, set in a sandy area with benches and greenery in the background.
A frayed Dutch flag on a pole against a blue sky in Cadzand, symbolizing a coastal location.
A beachside hotel in Cadzand with a striking orange roof, surrounded by green dune grasses under a cloudy sky.
Cyclists ride along a sandy path in Cadzand, with a modern hotel and fluffy clouds in the background.
Cyclists ride past the dunes and new beachfront apartments in Cadzand. The Dutch coast isn’t just about nature—modern development is part of the landscape too.
Three beach cabins on a sandy Cadzand beach, with dune grass in the background and visitors walking on the hill.
Three beach huts with yellow doors on sandy Cadzand beach, framed by tall dune grass under a clear blue sky.
A sandy beach in Cadzand featuring wooden posts in the foreground and colorful beach cabins lined up in the background.
Wooden breakwaters, rippled sand, and a row of beach cabins lead the eye toward the dunes.
A beachside restaurant in Cadzand with sandy paths and beachgoers enjoying the scenery under a partly cloudy sky.
A beachside restaurant in Cadzand with wooden architecture, situated on sandy shores under partly cloudy skies.
A beach pavilion in Cadzand: Raised on stilts, this structure blends into the sandy landscape while offering a sheltered spot by the sea.
A couple stands on the beach in Cadzand, framed by wooden posts, with waves and clouds in the background.
Wooden breakwaters on the beach in Cadzand offer a glimpse of the vast North Sea, where two people stand at the water’s edge.
A sandy beach in Cadzand featuring wooden groynes, beachside buildings, and a bright, partly cloudy sky.
Wooden breakwaters stretch along the sandy beach, protecting the coastline.
A beachside restaurant in Cadzand with pink umbrellas and wooden decks overlooking the sea on a sunny day.
A beachside restaurant in Cadzand with a deck, overlooking sandy dunes and beach umbrellas, featuring a Dutch flag.
A sandy beach in Cadzand with wooden posts in the foreground and people enjoying the sea under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic path in Cadzand with families and cyclists enjoying a sunny day, creating a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.
Walking and cycling trails along the Dutch coast offer a perfect way to explore nature.
A traditional windmill in Cadzand stands amid a golden field under a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush greenery.