The Nude Beaches Around The Hague
Greater The Hague, South Holland
Five different beaches near The Hague, from an official signed piece of coast to one with no fixed boundary.
snapshot
The Hague has several clothes-free beaches within about half an hour’s drive, running from Scheveningen in the north to Hoek van Holland in the south. Some are officially designated and signed with the national NFN pictogram, while Delftse Hout, an inland lake beach, operates under a looser arrangement after a long-running legal dispute. Beaches range from long coastal stretches to a lagoon that forms at low tide, suiting travellers who want real variety within a short distance of the city.
season
May to September
LEGAL STATUS
Nudity legal
GETTING THERE
Car recommended
Vibe
Coastal and varied
where we are
REGIONAL orientation
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and lies on the North Sea coast, with the beach resort of Scheveningen forming its most famous stretch of sand. The clothes-free spots covered here run along the coast from Scheveningen down to Hoek van Holland, near the mouth of the Nieuwe Waterweg, with one inland detour to the lake at Delftse Hout near Delft.
All beaches are within about 30 minutes of the city centre by car, and several are also reachable by bike, bus or metro. Most of the coastal beaches are officially designated and marked with the same NFN Open & Bloot pictogram used nationally, the recognised symbol for nude recreation areas in the Netherlands. Away from the beaches, The Hague is known for its government buildings, museums and the Scheveningen pier, all a short trip from the coast.
the nude beaches
ONE BY ONE
Scheveningen
52.12657994621909, 4.300863430880865
Scheveningen’s nude beach lies on the Noorderstrand, the quieter northern stretch beyond the main resort area, running roughly between beach poles 96.5 and 98 toward the Wassenaar border. There are clear markers showing where the nude section actually starts or ends. A beach bar is located right at the entrance, but it isn’t nude-friendly itself, even though it stands on the nude beach.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingSandyWith facilities
Westduinpark
52.08022970372702, 4.234413048518851
Westduinpark is The Hague’s best known nude beach, and the atmosphere backs up the reputation. The 500 metre nude section is clearly signed with the national NFN Open & Bloot pictogram, starting at beach pole 8. Shallow, calm water warms up well on sunny days, and the crowd mixes all ages and genders in a relaxed, sociable way. It’s also home to the only beach bar in the area with a nude terrace, so you can eat and drink without getting dressed first.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingSandyWith facilities
Delftse Hout
52.02350949955258, 4.376505750513964
Delftse Hout is located beside a lake northeast of Delft, with grassy lawns for sunbathing rather than a sandy beach. Following a legal dispute that ran from 2013 to 2017, the municipality moved away from a single designated nude zone. Nude recreation is now permitted across suitable parts of the wider recreation area instead, which is why there’s no fixed sign marking where it starts and ends.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingUrban/developedWith facilities
Kijkduin
52.05929496657711, 4.200029183998696
Kijkduin’s standout feature is a lagoon that forms at low tide, created after coastal reinforcement work reshaped this stretch of coast. The nude section starts around beach pole 20 or 21, south of the surf school, and extends toward the Monster municipal border. Space is rarely an issue here, even when other beaches feel busy, and the lagoon draws both nude and clothed visitors for a relaxed, clothing-optional feel near the water.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingSandyNo facilities
Hoek van Holland
51.99851910396467, 4.120102427415126
Hoek van Holland’s nude section, officially known as Stuifkenszand, covers around 800 metres within a much longer stretch of coast. It’s spacious enough that even a busy Sunday afternoon with a few hundred people spread out doesn’t feel crowded. Beach access is easy, and the crowd is a relaxed mix of couples and singles.
LivelyAccessibleNatural settingSandyNo facilities
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Visitors who like the idea of a lagoon, a lake and open coastline all nearby
- ✓ People without a car, since several beaches are reachable by bike or public transport
- ✓ Anyone who wants a nude beach bar terrace as part of the day, at Westduinpark
not ideal if
- ✕ You want every beach in the group to have the same clear signage
- ✕ You'd rather have facilities directly on the nude section itself
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
All beaches are within about 30 minutes of central The Hague by car. Scheveningen and Westduinpark are the closest, both reachable by tram from the city centre followed by a walk through the dunes. Kijkduin and Hoek van Holland lie further south, with Hoek van Holland now served by a direct metro station about 1.5 kilometres from the beach. Delftse Hout, the inland option, is easiest to reach by car or bus from Delft.
best time to go
The main season runs from May to September. Westduinpark and Scheveningen get busiest on warm weekends, when parking fills quickly and street parking becomes the more realistic option. Kijkduin stays comparatively quiet even in peak season thanks to its size, and Delftse Hout draws a smaller, older crowd throughout. Arriving early is worth it at any of the coastal beaches if a car park is your plan.
legal status
Dutch law, under Article 430a of the Penal Code, is allowed in natural areas, but designated spaces are recommended. Scheveningen, Westduinpark, Kijkduin and Hoek van Holland are all officially designated by their municipalities and marked with signage from NFN Open & Bloot. Delft took a different route at Delftse Hout, removing its single designated zone after a legal dispute and allowing nude recreation across suitable parts of the wider area instead, which is why that beach has no fixed boundary today.
what to bring
Bring your own food and drinks to Delftse Hout, Kijkduin and Hoek van Holland, since facilities are located only in the clothed sections nearby. Westduinpark is the exception, with a beach bar that has a nude terrace right on the sand. Water shoes are worth packing for Delftse Hout’s lake, where shells and plants line the bottom. Shade is worth bringing everywhere, since none of the five beaches provide sunbeds or umbrellas on the nude section itself.
WHERE TO STAY NEARBY
virtual visit
SEE FOR yourself
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video shows you what the beaches in this overview actually look like.
FAQ
most asked questions
Is nudity mandatory, or can I keep some clothes on?
Nudity isn't required at any of these beaches, but it's recommended. Clothed visitors pass through some areas too, particularly near beach bars and car parks, and at Delftse Hout, where there's no fixed boundary at all.
Are the nude beaches around The Hague good for first-timers?
Westduinpark is the easiest place to start, thanks to clear NFN signage, a nude-friendly beach bar and a relaxed, mixed crowd of all ages. Delftse Hout, with no fixed boundary marking the nude area, takes more local knowledge to navigate comfortably.
Are these beaches family-friendly?
Westduinpark and Scheveningen have the most mixed, family-friendly atmospheres described here. Kijkduin's dune side skews more male, so the water's edge is the better spot for a mixed group. None of the beaches have lifeguards.
Do I need a car to visit?
Not strictly. Scheveningen and Westduinpark are reachable by tram and a walk through the dunes, and Hoek van Holland has a metro station about 1.5 kilometres from the beach. A car still makes all five easier, particularly Delftse Hout and Kijkduin.
What time of year are the beaches at their best?
The season runs roughly from May to September. Weekends bring the biggest crowds to Westduinpark and Scheveningen, while Kijkduin stays comparatively quiet even during peak season.
Are there toilets or food available at the beaches?
It varies. Westduinpark has a beach bar with a nude terrace, toilets and showers. Scheveningen has a beach bar too, though not a nude-friendly one. Delftse Hout has one toilet between the nude and clothed sections. Kijkduin and Hoek van Holland have no facilities directly on the nude section, though both have clothed pavilions nearby.
