Zandvoort

Netherlands, Netherlands

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Zandvoort is a historic coastal town in the Netherlands that dates back to around 1100 when it was known as Sandevoerde, meaning a sandy ford.

For centuries, its economy primarily depended on fishing. In the 19th century, following the example of British seaside resorts, Zandvoort began transforming into a seaside resort, inaugurating its first resort in 1828. The arrival of the railway in 1881 and a tram connection to Haarlem in 1899 significantly boosted tourism.

The town became popular for beach holidays, attracting visitors including notable figures like Empress Elisabeth of Austria. During World War II, Zandvoort suffered heavy damage, with much of the town evacuated and demolished to build Nazi coastal defenses.

After the war, Zandvoort was rebuilt and prospered, with tourism becoming a major part of its economy. The town is also famous for Circuit Zandvoort, a motorsport race track built in 1948 that hosted the Dutch Grand Prix and remains central to its identity today.