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Which Is The Best Center Parcs Near A Beach?
Center Parcs don't do beach holidays in the UK - but they do at Center Parcs Port Zelande, and four others in Europe
We love Center Parcs, but we also love a trip to the seaside when we’re on holiday. The UK Center Parcs don’t offer that as they’re all quite a distance inland. You can strut around a lake or a swimming pool in your trunks, but it’s not quite the same.
However, there are five Center Parcs with beaches in Europe, including resorts in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.
They have the added advantage of often being cheaper than Center Parcs in the UK, particularly if you do the trick of booking through the French version of the Center Parcs website (for some reason, this is usually cheaper than the .eu version of the site, for the same holiday).
We’ve compared them all based on price, location, how nice the beach is, facilities and customer review scores.
Here's a quick summary:
However, there are five Center Parcs with beaches in Europe, including resorts in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.
They have the added advantage of often being cheaper than Center Parcs in the UK, particularly if you do the trick of booking through the French version of the Center Parcs website (for some reason, this is usually cheaper than the .eu version of the site, for the same holiday).
We’ve compared them all based on price, location, how nice the beach is, facilities and customer review scores.
Here's a quick summary:
"Our top pick - with a couple of caveats - is Center Parcs Port Zelande. It's a relatively short journey from the UK, it achieves quite a decent review score, it's got the most activities, it's mid-priced and it's got a sandy beach with watersports. The main downside is that the swimming pool is older and smaller than most Center Parcs pools.
We have high hopes for Center Parcs Nordborg Resort in Denmark. It's the newest Center Parcs resort and the beach is integrated into the resort, rather than requiring a long walk. It's got a new and good-sized swimming pool - and you can combine the visit with a trip to the original Legoland. However, it's a long journey from the UK and there aren't enough reviews to reach a conclusion.
Center Parcs Park de Haan in Belgium is the closest to the UK, it has a sandy beach and its swimming pool gets good reviews. However, its overall reviews are below average and the beach is a 20 minute walk from the middle of the resort."
We have high hopes for Center Parcs Nordborg Resort in Denmark. It's the newest Center Parcs resort and the beach is integrated into the resort, rather than requiring a long walk. It's got a new and good-sized swimming pool - and you can combine the visit with a trip to the original Legoland. However, it's a long journey from the UK and there aren't enough reviews to reach a conclusion.
Center Parcs Park de Haan in Belgium is the closest to the UK, it has a sandy beach and its swimming pool gets good reviews. However, its overall reviews are below average and the beach is a 20 minute walk from the middle of the resort."
Which of the five Center Parcs with a beach is closest to the UK?
Let's start with travel times, as journeys across Europe with children can be a bit of an ordeal (Ed: that's putting it politely).
For simplicity, we’ll look at driving times from Calais. That is a popular route into Europe from the UK as you can get the 35 minute Eurotunnel/Le Shuttle from Folkestone. We like the Eurotunnel as you don’t have to deal with seasick children on a ferry and you can take your own car on holiday.
Here are the driving times from Calais, from shortest to furthest:
Center Parcs Park de Haan is the clear winner on driving times. The thought of driving from more than nine hours from Calais to Center Parcs Nordborg Resort makes me nauseous.
However, you can fly to Denmark's Billund Airport in about 90 minutes from the UK and then drive for about two hours to Center Parcs Nordborg Resort. Getting the ferry to Center Parcs Nordborg is much slower. You can travel from Harwich, Hull or Newcastle to the Netherlands and then drive for about 7 - 8 hours.
One thing worth mentioning at this point is that flying to Center Parcs Nordborg Resort would also allow you to visit Legoland in Denmark. The airport at Billund is next door to the theme park and is about two hours from Center Parcs. Ambitious parents might like to do a double-header of a Center Parcs holiday with a pilgrimage to the original Legoland.
For simplicity, we’ll look at driving times from Calais. That is a popular route into Europe from the UK as you can get the 35 minute Eurotunnel/Le Shuttle from Folkestone. We like the Eurotunnel as you don’t have to deal with seasick children on a ferry and you can take your own car on holiday.
Here are the driving times from Calais, from shortest to furthest:
- Center Parcs Park de Haan in Belgium – 1 hour 15 minutes
- Center Parcs Port Zelande in the Netherlands – 2 hours 50 minutes
- Center Parcs Park Zandvoort - 4 hours
- Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste in Germany – 6 hours 40 minutes
- Center Parcs Nordborg Resort in Denmark – 9 hours 20 minutes
Center Parcs Park de Haan is the clear winner on driving times. The thought of driving from more than nine hours from Calais to Center Parcs Nordborg Resort makes me nauseous.
However, you can fly to Denmark's Billund Airport in about 90 minutes from the UK and then drive for about two hours to Center Parcs Nordborg Resort. Getting the ferry to Center Parcs Nordborg is much slower. You can travel from Harwich, Hull or Newcastle to the Netherlands and then drive for about 7 - 8 hours.
One thing worth mentioning at this point is that flying to Center Parcs Nordborg Resort would also allow you to visit Legoland in Denmark. The airport at Billund is next door to the theme park and is about two hours from Center Parcs. Ambitious parents might like to do a double-header of a Center Parcs holiday with a pilgrimage to the original Legoland.
Center Parcs Park de Haan in Belgium is a quick journey from the UK - but reviews are mixed
Which beachside Center Parcs is cheapest?
Let's get to the juicy part! How do these five Center Parcs compare on price?
For a rough price comparison we searched for a week's holiday in early August 2025. We looked for the cheapest accommodation for four people. Here they are, ranked from cheapest to most expensive.
I should point out that our price comparison was carried out in May 2025, just a few months before these holidays. We've found that you can get much cheaper holidays at Center Parcs Europe if you book in advance.
For a rough price comparison we searched for a week's holiday in early August 2025. We looked for the cheapest accommodation for four people. Here they are, ranked from cheapest to most expensive.
- Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste - £1819
- Center Parcs Nordborg Resort – £1950
- Center Parcs Port Zelande - £2323
- Center Parcs Park Zandvoort - £2377
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - £2715
I should point out that our price comparison was carried out in May 2025, just a few months before these holidays. We've found that you can get much cheaper holidays at Center Parcs Europe if you book in advance.
Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste is the only German Center Parcs near a beach
Which of the Center Parcs with beaches get the best reviews?
The next thrilling step in our comparison of beachside Center Parcs is review scores. We added together scores on TripAdvisor and Google Reviews and then ranked them from best to worst:
(We’ll explain in minute why we haven’t included Center Parcs Nordborg Resort in Denmark).
It's fair to say that three of those four Center Parcs near beaches get below average scores. Center Parcs Port Zelande is the winner, but it is still a few points behind the highest-rated Center Parcs in Europe, including:
These four all get outstanding scores and are the ones that we usually recommend when people are looking for a good value Center Parcs resort in Europe. Of course, they don’t have beaches so they aren’t very relevant to this guide!
- Center Parcs Port Zelande in the Netherlands – 73%
- Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste in Germany – 69%
- Center Parcs Park de Haan in Belgium – 67%
- Center Parcs Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands - 67%
(We’ll explain in minute why we haven’t included Center Parcs Nordborg Resort in Denmark).
It's fair to say that three of those four Center Parcs near beaches get below average scores. Center Parcs Port Zelande is the winner, but it is still a few points behind the highest-rated Center Parcs in Europe, including:
- Center Parcs Erperheide in Belgium – 82%
- Center Parcs Park Bostalsee in Germany - 81%
- Center Parcs De Vossemeren in Belgium – 81%
- Center Parcs Het Meerdal in the Netherlands - 80%
These four all get outstanding scores and are the ones that we usually recommend when people are looking for a good value Center Parcs resort in Europe. Of course, they don’t have beaches so they aren’t very relevant to this guide!
Center Parcs Port Zelande in the Netherlands gets a pretty good review score
What about Center Parcs Nordborg Resort in Denmark?
At the time of writing, there are very few reviews of Center Parcs Nordborg Resort as it opened in 2025. We will return to this guide and see how it compares.
Based on the facilities, I am optimistic that it will perform well.
It may be relevant to look at review scores for other Center Parcs that have opened in recent years.
Center Parcs Terhills Resort in Belgium opened in 2021 and is currently achieving a very impressive review score of 86%.
However, the other three new resorts are getting mixed reviews:
Based on the facilities, I am optimistic that it will perform well.
It may be relevant to look at review scores for other Center Parcs that have opened in recent years.
Center Parcs Terhills Resort in Belgium opened in 2021 and is currently achieving a very impressive review score of 86%.
However, the other three new resorts are getting mixed reviews:
- Les Landes de Gascogne in France opened in 2022 and scores 73% from reviewers.
- Center Parcs Park Allgäu in Germany is another quite new park, having opened in 2018. Its current average review score is 67%.
- Center Parcs Les Villages Nature Paris is in a brilliant location, just a few minutes from Disneyland Paris, but its current review score is 66%. It opened in 2017.
What are the beaches at these Center Parcs like? Are they sandy?
It varies. Some of these Center Parcs have lovely sandy beaches, others are a bit more rustic and some are a bit grubbier. In some cases, the beaches are part of the resort whilst in other cases they are a good walk.
Here's a guide to the beach at each one.
Here's a guide to the beach at each one.
Center Parcs Port Zelande has a sandy beach. The resort is basically surrounded by water. It almost resembles an island, with a road connecting it to other parts of South Holland and Zeeland. The main beach is large and sandy and is popular with watersports. I'd say it's comparable to one of the nicer beaches in Norfolk or Lincolnshire, with lots of space.
The downside is that you have to cross a road from the resort to get to it. It's about 15 minutes walk from the middle of the Center Parcs (the Market Dome) to the beach. There is a much smaller section of beach that joins onto the resort but it's a much less pleasant and less sandy beach. Some of the accommodation actually overlooks water, although it's not really a sea view as it's more of an inlet.
The downside is that you have to cross a road from the resort to get to it. It's about 15 minutes walk from the middle of the Center Parcs (the Market Dome) to the beach. There is a much smaller section of beach that joins onto the resort but it's a much less pleasant and less sandy beach. Some of the accommodation actually overlooks water, although it's not really a sea view as it's more of an inlet.
Center Parcs Port Zelande has a wide open beach for watersports about 15 minutes walk away
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There's also a smaller beach, which is part of the main resort
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Center Parcs Nordborg Resort in Denmark has a scrubby/shingly beach with little patches of sand. It's a more rustic and less developed vibe than you get with the other Center Parcs with beaches in Europe. However, it has the major advantage of actually being on the beach, with a pier being incorporated into the resort. Some of the cottages overlook the sea.
Nordborg Resort's beach is less sandy but it's part of the resort - rather than an off-site attraction
Center Parcs Park de Haan in Belgium has a pleasant sandy beach. Again, it's a wide open beach with lots of space and a long walk to the water at low tide. You have to walk for about 20 minutes from the resort to reach the beach - and cross a road - but it's quite a nice walk through woodland.
Center Parcs Park de Haan in Belgium has a nice sandy beach - but it's not very close to the resort
Center Parcs Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands is another one with a wide open sandy beach (there's a pattern here). However, it's along a much more developed stretch of coastline so there are lots of tower blocks and beach huts overlooking the beach. I wouldn't say these add to the attractiveness and you have to walk past the big tower blocks to get to the sand. The good news is that it's only a walk of about 10 minutes from the middle of the resort to the beach.
Center Parcs Park Zandvoort's beach is sandy - but you have to walk past towerblocks to get to it
Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste has no beach at high tide and goes out for a long way at low tide. The location is an inlet so it's quite a muddy beach rather than a golden sandy paradise and looks a little industrial. It's nice for a walk but you won't be going for a swim. You can walk to the beach from the middle of the resort in about 10 minutes.
Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste's beach is a bit muddier and less pretty than the others
What about other facilities and activities? How do these Center Parcs compare?
Center Parcs resorts in Europe aren't as consistent as those in the UK. They vary considerably in size, review score and range of activities, whereas the UK resorts are all quite similar. Some Center Parcs Europe resorts have large swimming pools that are on a par with the UK's Subtropical Paradises, but others are much smaller and simpler.
Here's how they compare on the number of activities available:
The number of activities at Center Parcs Nordborg Resort may well increase. It only opened to the public in June 2025.
Overall though, Port Zelande is the winner on the number of activities.
And what about the swimming pools? With a bit of searching, we found separate review scores for the pools rather than for the parks as a whole. Here's how the 'Aqua Mundo' rate with customers.
We don't yet have enough data on Center Parcs Nordborg Resort to draw a conclusion. On paper, the swimming pool looks good and we know that it is a similar size to the larger Center Parcs pools in Europe. Features include rapids, waterslides, hot tub, a wave pool and an outdoor pool.
Here's how they compare on the number of activities available:
- Center Parcs Port Zelande - 117 activities
- Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste - 86 activities
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - 78 activities
- Center Parcs Park Zandvoort - 68 activities
- Center Parcs Nordborg Resort – 32 activities
The number of activities at Center Parcs Nordborg Resort may well increase. It only opened to the public in June 2025.
Overall though, Port Zelande is the winner on the number of activities.
And what about the swimming pools? With a bit of searching, we found separate review scores for the pools rather than for the parks as a whole. Here's how the 'Aqua Mundo' rate with customers.
- Center Parcs Park de Haan - 84%
- Center Parcs Port Zelande - 72%
- Center Parcs Park Zandvoort - 70%
- Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste - 62%
We don't yet have enough data on Center Parcs Nordborg Resort to draw a conclusion. On paper, the swimming pool looks good and we know that it is a similar size to the larger Center Parcs pools in Europe. Features include rapids, waterslides, hot tub, a wave pool and an outdoor pool.
Conclusion - which Center Parcs with a beach should I choose?
The overall winner - for the time being - is Center Parcs Port Zelande.
Center Parcs Nordborg Resort may well overtake it, but we'll have to wait and see how it ranks after a couple of years of welcoming guests. The beach is a big part of the resort, but whether that translates into satisfied customers remains to be seen. One thing is certain though - it will still be a long journey from the UK!
Center Parcs Port Zelande is not perfect, but it performs relatively well in several categories. The travel time from the UK is good. You can catch a ferry to the Hook of Holland and then drive for an hour, or catch the Eurotunnel and drive for three hours. There are lots of activities to do at the resort and the beach is sandy - if a little bit of a walk from the centre of the resort.
The swimming pool (Aqua Mundo) lets it down - it's smaller and less modern than you would expect from Center Parcs. It was a mid-table performer on price in our comparison. You should be able to get a better deal if you a) book early and b) book via the French version of the Center Parcs website.
And what about the rest? Center Parcs Park de Haan ticks a few boxes - but also ranks poorly on other factors. The beach is good, the location is very convenient for the UK and the swimming pool gets positive reviews. However, overall review scores are well below average for Center Parcs Europe and it can be expensive.
Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste is low priced, but it was beaten by other resorts on other factors. The beach is not as good as the others, the travel time is longer from the UK and the swimming pool gets poor reviews.
Finally, there is Center Parcs Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands. It performs relatively well in some areas - but is beaten by local rival Center Parcs Port Zelande on location, activities, swimming pool score and overall review score.
Center Parcs Nordborg Resort may well overtake it, but we'll have to wait and see how it ranks after a couple of years of welcoming guests. The beach is a big part of the resort, but whether that translates into satisfied customers remains to be seen. One thing is certain though - it will still be a long journey from the UK!
Center Parcs Port Zelande is not perfect, but it performs relatively well in several categories. The travel time from the UK is good. You can catch a ferry to the Hook of Holland and then drive for an hour, or catch the Eurotunnel and drive for three hours. There are lots of activities to do at the resort and the beach is sandy - if a little bit of a walk from the centre of the resort.
The swimming pool (Aqua Mundo) lets it down - it's smaller and less modern than you would expect from Center Parcs. It was a mid-table performer on price in our comparison. You should be able to get a better deal if you a) book early and b) book via the French version of the Center Parcs website.
And what about the rest? Center Parcs Park de Haan ticks a few boxes - but also ranks poorly on other factors. The beach is good, the location is very convenient for the UK and the swimming pool gets positive reviews. However, overall review scores are well below average for Center Parcs Europe and it can be expensive.
Center Parcs Park Nordseeküste is low priced, but it was beaten by other resorts on other factors. The beach is not as good as the others, the travel time is longer from the UK and the swimming pool gets poor reviews.
Finally, there is Center Parcs Park Zandvoort in the Netherlands. It performs relatively well in some areas - but is beaten by local rival Center Parcs Port Zelande on location, activities, swimming pool score and overall review score.
Images are from Center Parcs.
