Location
Netherlands
Status
Officially Designated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June to September
About Naaktstrand Callantsoog
Callantsoog's nude beach is the oldest official nude beach in the Netherlands. People had been sunbathing nude behind the Zwanenwater dunes since the mid-1950s, and on 27 April 1973 the Callantsoog council voted five to two to allow it, after two people had volunteered to be fined in 1971 for a test case. The original section was 370 m; it now covers about 2.3 km of North Sea beach between beach poles 14.5 and 16.8, south of the village and in front of the Zwanenwater nature reserve, in the municipality of Schagen. Signs mark the zone, and in practice nude sunbathing extends a little beyond both ends, towards pole 14.1 and from the Sint Maartenszee side near pole 17.25. It is a wide sand beach with a sloping sea floor. Stone groynes run out every 200 m and are hidden at high tide, which makes swimming near them dangerous. There is no lifeguard on the nude section; the nearest post is at pole 13, and Sint Maartenszee's lifeguards cover the beach about 1 km south. Since 2017 the beach has been an off-leash area for dogs. The Zilte Zucht pavilion has moved north, outside the nude zone, and is clothed only.
Getting there
From Callantsoog, park at the beach car parks and walk south along the beach; BlootKompas puts the walk at about 1 km, and naaktstrandje.nl lists free parking at 1.4 km and 2.1 km from the zone. The section can also be reached from the Sint Maartenszee side to the south. Bus stops (including a flexbus stop on the Zeeweg) are a 20-30 minute walk away; bike parking is 0.8-1.1 km away. Access is over soft sand and the beach is not suitable for wheelchairs.
What visitors say
BlootKompas reviewers rate Callantsoog well overall, valuing its length, space and historic status, and the dune setting by the Zwanenwater. The beach is spacious enough that it rarely feels crowded. The main drawbacks mentioned are the walk from the car parks, the lack of facilities now that the pavilion has moved outside the nude zone, and the risk posed by the groynes at high tide.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Nude recreation has been officially permitted here since a council decision of 27 April 1973, making it the first official nude beach in the Netherlands; the zone between poles 14.5 and 16.8 is signposted. In 2017 the municipality tried to end toleration outside the zone, and in 2026 naturists near the pavilion were asked to dress or move, which NFN Open & Bloot took up with the municipality.
Naturism at Naaktstrand Callantsoog sits under Netherlands's rules for officially designated nude beaches — explicit protection inside the marked area.
Full country law: Netherlands public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 52.8262, 4.6863
Visitor tips
- 1 Official designation: nudity is protected inside the marked area.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Netherlands
Frequently asked questions
Is Callantsoog an official nude beach?
Yes. It has been official since 1973, the first in the Netherlands, and the zone between beach poles 14.5 and 16.8 is signposted.
Where exactly is the nude section?
South of Callantsoog village in front of the Zwanenwater reserve, between poles 14.5 and 16.8, about 1 km walk from the beach car park.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, the beach has been an off-leash dog area since 2017.
Is it safe to swim?
Take care: there is no lifeguard on the nude section and stone groynes every 200 m are hidden at high tide, creating strong currents.
Is there food on the nude beach?
Not within the zone. The Zilte Zucht pavilion is north of it and clothing is required there.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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