In summer, parks and terraces are heaving with city dwellers hoping to catch a cool breeze and feel the sunshine on their faces. For those still craving the beach life, Amsterdam has worked hard at developing a number of man-made solutions.

The urban beach project began on the island of Ijburg back in 2003. The area is currently being redeveloped to house 45,000 new residents forcing the beach to relocate to new locations around the island as construction progresses. The travelling beach has moved three times in the past 7 years but hopes are high for a permanent spot in the future.
A city beach is a big pull for travellers in summer months. For those who have been traipsing around the usual tourist attractions, the promise of relaxing by the sea suggests Amsterdam offers visitors the best of both worlds as a holiday destination. The beach stretches about 250m across and attracts sunbathers, swimmers and water sport thrill-seekers by day and a party crowd by night.
Blijburg is something of a cultural hub in the summer months. It’s worth picking up the local mini newspaper to keep track of the goings on including yoga on the beach, salsa classes, jazz nights, movie screenings and jam sessions. They also host the ‘Costa del Soul’ festival in July. With plenty of budget Amsterdam hostels available and lots of cheap things to do, it’s an ideal destination for frugal travellers.
The wooden pavilion has been re-erected to house a bar and restaurant serving a range of organic and fair trade produce. The place hits all the beach buttons with a sunny terrace, flowers, colourful panels and cosy cushions for lazing by campfires. Even though the sand has been hauled and dumped, the view across Ijsselmeer lake does well to suggest a more rugged and wild coastline. The slightly ramshackle wooden buildings stand in pleasing contrast to the modern housing popping up in the area.
If you hear bells during the day, chances are a happy couple are tying the knot at the Chapel of Blijburg, an outdoor venue in the centre of the beach often hired out for weddings, corporate events and parties.
Like most of Amsterdam, the beach is easy to get to by bike. But there are plenty of public transport options. The number 26 tram runs every 10 minutes from Central Station. Get off at the last stop which is Zuiderzeeweg. Alternatively the number 66 bus foes from Bijlmer / Arena to Blijburg and for those partying into the early hours, the number 359 bus runs every half an hour after midnight to Central Station.
For those wanting easy access to the beach as well as the city centre the Flying Monkey offers stylish apartments for travellers who want self-catering facilities. Alternatively the Stayokay Amsterdam Zeeburg has rooms designed by Edward van Vliet and is within cycling distance of the beach. If you want the lowest prices on cheap accommodation, HostelBookers.com will actually refund double the difference if you find any of their properties cheaper on the web, for terms and conditions see visit their hostel price comparison page.