The Zandvoort circuit is located where others go on holiday: in the dunes just behind the North Sea beach, west of Amsterdam. Over 4.259 kilometers, 14 turns, two banking turns, and constant elevation changes await—racing has taken place here since 1948. Although Formula 1 said goodbye in August 2026 for now, the coast won’t be quiet. Here you’ll find history, iconic turns, visitor tips, and an idea for your wall.
Coastal location: Circuit Zandvoort by the numbers
Circuit Zandvoort is located on the northern edge of the seaside resort of Zandvoort in the province of North Holland, nestled in the dune landscape along the North Sea. Instead of a flat plain, the track winds through undulating terrain with crests and dips.
Key facts about the track at a glance:
- Location: Zandvoort, in the dunes on the Dutch North Sea coast
- First race: August 7, 1948
- Length: 4.259 kilometers
- Turns: 14 according to the track operator’s numbering (some track maps count 15)
- Banking turns: Hugenholtzbocht and Arie Luyendyk Bocht with up to 18 degrees of banking
- Formula 1: between 1952 and 1985, and from 2021 to 2026
From above, you can see the entire layout from the Tarzanbocht through the dunes to the final turn.
History: from street race to dune classic
It all began on June 3, 1939, with a race on a temporary street circuit. The then-mayor Henri van Alphen wanted a permanent track in the dunes afterward, also to give the seaside resort new momentum. World War II delayed construction, but according to the track’s chronicle, van Alphen continued working on it.
After the war, the course used, among other things, connecting paths that the occupying army had built in the dunes. The first race took place on August 7, 1948, won by Prince Bira of Siam. Some turn names from this era, such as Tarzan, Hunserug, and Scheivlak, still exist today.
In 1952, the Dutch Grand Prix was part of the Formula 1 World Championship for the first time. Until 1985, the premier class returned to the coast with interruptions, followed by 36 years without Formula 1. You can find the full chronicle on the Circuit Zandvoort history page (English).
Zandvoort and Formula 1: 2021 comeback, 2026 farewell
For the return of Formula 1, the track was rebuilt, and the two banking turns took their current form in 2020. On September 5, 2021, Formula 1 raced in Zandvoort for the first time since 1985. At the end of 2024, the organizer announced that the contract would not be renewed after the 2026 season. The final race weekend in August 2026 featured a Sprint for the first time.
Why is it over? According to the organizer, the Grand Prix had to manage without government funding. While a rotation with other tracks was on the table, they preferred to end on a high note. A return has not been announced so far.
Iconic sections of the Zandvoort circuit
There are four spots you should know if you’re following a race or standing at the track yourself.
Tarzanbocht: the first turn
At the end of the start-finish straight, the Tarzanbocht awaits—a 180-degree right-hand hairpin that has been part of the track layout since 1948. According to the track operator, it offers one of the best overtaking opportunities on the circuit.
Hugenholtzbocht: the first banking turn
The Hugenholtzbocht is named after Hans Hugenholtz, who managed the track from 1949 to 1974. During the 2020 rebuild, it received progressive banking: the outer edge of the track is steeper than the inner, with a maximum of 18 degrees according to the operator. This allows for different racing lines through the turn.
Hunserug and Scheivlak: crest and dune descent
The Hunserug is one of the highest points on the track. Here, drivers take a gentle but very fast right-hand turn over a dune ridge. Shortly afterward comes the Scheivlak, which starts at the top of a dune and then descends to the right. According to the track operator, it’s the turn where the experts prove themselves.
Arie Luyendyk Bocht: momentum onto the straight
The final turn is named after Dutch racing driver Arie Luyendyk, who won the Indianapolis 500 twice. Since the rebuild, it has been a banking turn with 15 to 18 degrees of banking. This is where the momentum for the entire start-finish straight—and thus for attacks in the Tarzanbocht—is built. Other tracks also owe their reputation to individual turns; we present ten of them in our top 10 article on legendary motorsport turns.
Atmosphere on race weekend: Zandvoort’s F1 years in orange
Between 2021 and 2026, the race weekend in Zandvoort was above all one thing: orange. At Max Verstappen’s home race, the stands were dominated by orange shirts, flags, and chants. The enthusiasm of the Orange Army also extends to the Eifel; check out our article on the Orange Army at the Nürburgring.
Even without Formula 1, the track remains a stage for major races. Formula E will hold its first race weekend in the Netherlands with two races on June 18 and 19, 2027, and the DTM will visit Zandvoort from August 6 to 8, 2027. Classic events like the Historic Grand Prix also take place here.
Visiting the Zandvoort circuit: travel and driving yourself
Zandvoort is easily accessible from Germany. Here’s what you need to know for your visit:
Travel from Germany: most relaxed by train
- By train: Long-distance trains run from western Germany to Amsterdam. From there, take a train to Haarlem and then to Zandvoort aan Zee station. The entrance at Burgemeester van Alphenstraat is about a 10-minute walk away.
- By bus: Line 81 runs from Haarlem station to the main entrance, and line 80 runs from Haarlem-Spaarnwoude.
- By car: Parking at the track is usually paid and limited during most events. Allow extra time or switch to train or bus for the final stretch.
You can find detailed directions on the Circuit Zandvoort access page (English).
Outside race days: view the track and drive yourself
On non-event days, you can often visit the circuit, look down on the pit lane from above, or walk around the track. According to the local tourism website, the grounds are open almost daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and parking is often free on Parking A when there’s no public event. Admission is free for many events, as per the event calendar.
If you want to get behind the wheel yourself, you can drive your own car on the track during open driving days. Additionally, you can rent sports cars from local providers and drive them on the circuit, racing schools offer driving training, and in the sim racing center at the track, you can complete a lap virtually. Since the track and beach are right next to each other, a day at the circuit pairs well with a day at the sea.
Zandvoort as a 3D relief: frame or GP Tile
Zandvoort thrives on its terrain, which is why the track fits so well in 3D: Our race tracks are created using 3D printing from PLA and show the true-to-life elevation changes. The crest at Hunserug and the dune descent into Scheivlak become tangible depth rather than a flat line. Production takes place in Germany, and only starts once your order is placed.
The Zandvoort frame in A4 or A3
With the 3D Zandvoort frame, the raised red track sits on a dark map with suggested dune landscape, with the Dutch flag and track data at the bottom.
The frame costs €55 in A4 (21 × 30 cm) and €85 in A3 (30 × 40 cm). If you attended the last Formula 1 weekend in August 2026 in the dunes, you can commemorate it for a €5 surcharge: your name, country, a start number with up to two digits, and two custom lines such as “Zandvoort, August 23, 2026” and “We were there in orange.”
The Zandvoort GP Tile
If wall space is limited, the Zandvoort GP Tile is the compact alternative at €69. Here, not only is the red track raised, but the surroundings are also printed as a white terrain relief with individual buildings, in a square black frame with an outer dimension of approximately 15 × 15 cm.
The frame offers more space, while the Tile showcases the terrain around the track. If you want to hang multiple favorite tracks side by side, check out our GP Frames for more circuits in the same style.
Zandvoort as a Christmas gift for Orange fans
A Zandvoort relief makes a great Christmas gift for anyone who was there or dreams of going.
- For those who were there: The frame with a date as a text line captures a race weekend between 2021 and 2026.
- For Dutch partners, friends, or family: The home track by the coast is a piece of home on the wall.
- For motorcycle fans: With the TT Circuit Assen, there’s another Dutch track that pairs well with Zandvoort.
- For experience fans: Tickets for a 2027 race weekend, a voucher for a driving day on the track, or a self-designed voucher for a weekend at the North Sea.
To ensure your frame isn’t wrapped in newspaper on Christmas Eve, we offer the Premium Gift Packaging for €9.90. Pair it with a Klebenagel for €3.99 to hang the frame without drilling. We ship within 1–2 business days—order by mid-December to be safe. Shipping is free in Germany for orders over €85, so the A3 frame qualifies on its own. Non-personalized frames can be returned free of charge within 14 days; personalized frames are custom-made and non-refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Zandvoort race track?
The circuit is 4.259 kilometers long and has 14 turns, including two banked corners, according to the track operator. The first race took place on August 7, 1948.
Will Formula 1 race in Zandvoort in 2027?
No. The organizer did not extend the contract beyond 2026, so the August 2026 race was the last Dutch Grand Prix for now. In 2027, Zandvoort will host events like Formula E and the DTM.
How steep are the banked corners in Zandvoort?
According to the track operator, the Hugenholtzbocht has a maximum incline of 18 degrees, while the Arie-Luyendyk-Bocht ranges from 15 to 18 degrees. Both were reshaped in 2020.
Can you visit Circuit Zandvoort for free?
Often, yes. The tourism website states the grounds are open almost daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. On non-event days, you can view the pit lane and often park for free in Lot A. Entry is also free for many events.
Can you drive on the Zandvoort race track yourself?
Yes. On open track days, you can drive your own car on the circuit. Local providers also offer laps in rented sports cars and driving schools provide training. Prices and requirements vary by provider.
Conclusion: Dunes, Banked Corners, and a Memory for the Wall
Zandvoort combines what rarely meets: motorsport history since 1948, dunes, and two banked corners on just over four kilometers. Formula 1 has moved on for now, but the races and memories remain. The Zandvoort frame brings the track to your wall as a 3D relief—a keepsake from your own race weekend or for Oranje fans in the family. For less space, try the GP Tile.
