Rolling dunes, seaside air and a party atmosphere – there is no place like Zandvoort
Sunday December 6 2026
Last updated May 2026
There’s something special about Zandvoort. Maybe it’s the way the track winds through the sand dunes. Maybe it’s the roar of the Orange Army. Or maybe it’s just the whole weekend: part race, part beach party, part national celebration.
The 2026 race is the last Dutch Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar. If Zandvoort is on your list, 2026 is your last chance to go.
What to expect in this guide
• Why the Dutch Grand Prix should be on your F1 bucket list • Where is the circuit? • Travelling to The Netherlands: what you need to know • How many days should you spend at the Dutch Grand Prix? • Dutch Grand Prix weekend schedule at a glance • Best places to stay for the Dutch Grand Prix • Best grandstands for key moments at the Dutch Grand Prix • Where to go next after your trip to the Dutch Grand Prix • Best booking resources for F1 trips • Frequently asked questions • Money-saving tips for the Dutch Grand Prix
Estimated Reading Time: 7-9 minutes
Why the Dutch Grand Prix should be on your F1 bucket list
Zandvoort is an old-school driver’s circuit. It’s tight, twisty, and unforgiving. The corners come fast, the run-offs are small, and if you mess up, there’s gravel waiting. Turn 1, known as Tarzanbocht, is a deep braking zone with plenty of drama at the start. Then there’s Scheivlak, a high-speed blind right-hander that drops into the dunes. Fast, flowing, and full of risk.
When F1 returned in 2021 after more than three decades away, they didn’t just dust off the old track. Two corners got steep banking: Hugenholtzbocht at Turn 3 and Arie Luyendykbocht at Turn 14. The banking opened up new racing lines and added a rollercoaster feel to an already demanding lap.
“It’s really undulating, fast and flowing, and requires a huge amount of commitment,” said George Russell. And he’s not wrong. This place tests everything: skill, bravery, and focus. One small mistake and you’re in the gravel. Lando Norris says it’s “really fun to drive with lots of banking and different racing lines.” Pierre Gasly calls it “relentless” and “old school,” while Alex Albon says it’s “tricky, technical, and fun.”
Lando Norris claims his second F1 victory at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix
It’s not just the track that makes this race different. The setting adds its own twist. Coastal winds sweep across the circuit, and sand blows in from the beach, constantly changing grip levels. Every lap feels a bit different.
Then there’s the crowd. The Dutch fans don’t just turn up, they take over. The grandstands are packed in orange. Smoke flares, chants, and cheers follow Max Verstappen every time he hits the track. When he won here in 2021, the grandstands erupted in orange. Over 195,000 fans packed into the dunes that weekend, and when Max crossed the line, orange flares lit up the sky.
As Red Bull put it, “the crowd went wild.” Verstappen called the atmosphere “spectacular.” And you could see what he meant. Every time he makes a move, the noise rolls across the dunes.
When the Dutch turn up, they turn everything orange
Zandvoort isn’t just a race. It’s a party. DJs in the grandstands, beach fireworks, tunes blasting all weekend. Teams and drivers often say the Dutch Grand Prix feels more like a festival than a race weekend.
If you’re looking for a Grand Prix that delivers racing, atmosphere, and something a bit different, Zandvoort should be high on your list. Rolling dunes, seaside air, a track that bites back, and a crowd that never stops. There’s nowhere else quite like it.
The 2026 race is the last Dutch Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar. If Zandvoort is on your list, 2026 is your last chance to go.
Where is the circuit for the Dutch Grand Prix?
Circuit Zandvoort is on the Dutch coast about 30 km west of Amsterdam. The track runs through the sand dunes on the edge of the town of Zandvoort, between the North Sea and the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park.
Amsterdam is the main gateway. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is one of the best-connected airports in Europe, with direct flights from across the world.
For UK fans, Eurostar runs direct from London to Amsterdam Central in just over four hours. Direct rail services also connect Amsterdam to Brussels, Paris, Frankfurt, and other European cities.
Some fans drive to the Netherlands by ferry from the UK. There are several ferry services between UK ports and the Netherlands.
From Amsterdam, direct trains run to Zandvoort every 10 minutes at peak times during race weekend. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
For visa-exempt nationals, ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement. Check the official guidance before booking.
How many days do you need for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort?
Plan for three full days, Friday to Sunday, to see every Formula 1 session and the support races.
Dutch Grand Prix weekend schedule: what happens each day?
A typical Formula 1 weekend runs Friday to Sunday. Friday is practice. Saturday is final practice and qualifying. Sunday is the Grand Prix.
Note: the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is a sprint weekend, the final running of the race. Friday includes practice and sprint qualifying. Saturday includes the sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying. Sunday is still the Grand Prix.
Drivers’ parade
Best places to stay for the Dutch Grand Prix near Zandvoort
Amsterdam is the natural base for the Dutch Grand Prix. The city has a wide range of hotels at every price level and direct trains to Zandvoort that run every 10 minutes at peak times.
If you’re using the train to reach the circuit (the most popular option), staying near Amsterdam Central Station keeps the commute short and direct.
Hotels in central Amsterdam
These hotels are central and within easy reach of Amsterdam Central Station.
Haarlem is a smaller alternative base, around 10 minutes by train from Zandvoort and a bit further from Amsterdam. It’s quieter than Amsterdam and gives you a more relaxed pace, though hotel availability is more limited.
Best grandstands at Zandvoort for the Dutch Grand Prix
Zandvoort is a short, twisty circuit with grandstands around the most action-packed sections. Most overtaking happens at Tarzanbocht (Turn 1) and at the Arena section (Turns 11 to 13).
Tarzan Grandstand (Turn 1)
All bookable grandstands at Zandvoort are uncovered.
The Main and Pit Grandstands cover the start-finish straight, the pit lane, and the podium. The Tarzan Grandstand covers Turn 1, the main overtaking spot. The Arena Grandstands cover the second main overtaking zone, with a strong fan atmosphere. Bronze-tier grandstands sit at quieter parts of the circuit, including the Turn 10 hairpin.
General Admission tickets give access to standing areas around the circuit and are the cheapest way to attend.
Amsterdam rewards a longer stay. The historic centre, with its canals, museums, and architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage area. The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum sit close together in the Museumplein. The Anne Frank House, with bookings released months in advance, is one of the most visited sites in the city. Canal cruises give you a different angle on the architecture, and the Jordaan district has some of the best food and bars in the city.
If you have a day spare around race weekend, the Zandvoort coast is worth exploring. The wide sandy beach offers swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding through the summer months, with surf schools and rental shops along the shoreline. The Zuid-Kennemerland National Park sits inland from the circuit, with cycling and hiking trails through the dunes and forests. Both make for a calmer break from the race-weekend pace.
Best booking resources for F1 trips
Planning the trip is the fun part for some and a chore for others.
If you would rather not handle all the details yourself, we can do that for you.
Prefer to do it all yourself? You’re welcome to take everything you’ve learned here and book your own trip. These are good places to start. They’re reliable, easy to use, and usually the best value.
Tickets Grand Prix Tickets is the agency I’ve trusted for years. They’ve always been reliable, easy to deal with, and quick to help if something comes up.
Hotels ZenHotels is one of my go-to sites for hotel bookings. It pulls prices from many smaller sites you might not know about, which makes it good for finding deals. I also check Expedia and Booking.com when I want more options.
Excursions Viator is full of walking tours, attraction tickets, and local experiences. It’s especially handy if you’re heading to a new Grand Prix city. It’s a good place to find extras to add to your trip.
FAQ's
On the Dutch coast about 30 km west of Amsterdam, with the track running through the sand dunes on the edge of the town of Zandvoort.
By train from Amsterdam Central Station to Zandvoort (around 30 minutes), then a 20 to 30 minute walk along the promenade to the circuit.
Three full days, Friday to Sunday, covers every Formula 1 session and the support races.
In Amsterdam. The city has a wide range of hotels and frequent direct trains to Zandvoort.
The Tarzan Grandstand at Turn 1 catches the start and the main overtaking spot. The Arena Grandstands cover the second main overtaking zone. The Main Grandstand covers the start, pit lane, and podium.
Money-saving tips for the Dutch Grand Prix
Opt for the London Eurostar For fans traveling from the UK, taking the Eurostar directly to Amsterdam Central can be more economical than flying. Once you account for the costs of baggage, airport transfers, and total travel time, the four-hour train journey is a convenient and cost-effective alternative.
Consider a Sunday night return flight If you are traveling from many European cities or the UK, you might be able to save on expensive race-weekend hotel rates in Amsterdam by flying home late Sunday night. The quick rail link from Zandvoort to Amsterdam and the easy connection to Schiphol Airport make a same-day return a viable option if the flight schedule aligns.
Choose Bronze-tier seating Bronze-tier grandstands, such as those at the Turn 10 hairpin, are located in quieter areas of the track. While you might be further from the primary overtaking zones, these stands provide a guaranteed seat at a price point between General Admission and the more expensive Silver or Gold categories.
Rob is an experienced independent travel consultant and travel content creator.
His love for Formula One started in the 1990s, watching the greats like Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Mika Hakkinen. He traveled to his first Grand Prix in 1999. It was the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. Since then, Rob has traveled to over 2/3 of Grand Prix’ on the current Formula One calendar.
Fast forward to today, and Rob has turned his passion into a career, dedicating his time to helping others plan their dream Formula One trips.
His favourite Grand Prix destinations are Austria and Austin, and when he’s not attending a Formula One Grand Prix, you’ll find him closer to home, walking or cycling in the Peak District National Park.
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