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The best cities to visit in the Netherlands (that aren’t Amsterdam)

We all love 'Dam, but there are plenty of other Dutch cities to explore. From Rotterdam to Utrecht, these are some of the best

When I tell people that I’m from the Netherlands , the first thing they mention is Amsterdam . I get it, Amsterdam is a wonderful city to visit, with plenty to keep you entertained all day and night. However, it’s also becoming far too crowded and disorderly. It seems like a week doesn’t go by without news coming out about overtourism in the Dutch capital , and Amsterdam is now  actively trying to deter tourists .

So why not turn our attention elsewhere? From Ameland to Rotterdam, this country has plenty of other incredible cities to explore. In any case, next time you hear that someone is from the Netherlands, you’ll at least have something else to talk about. 

Fleurine Tideman is a freelance writer who splits her time between Rotterdam and London.  At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our  editorial guidelines  and check out our latest  travel guides  written by local experts.

RECOMMENDED: 🛤 The best day trips from Amsterdam 🇪🇺 The most underrated destinations in Europe 🌆 The best European city breaks to try this year

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The best Dutch cities to visit

1.  Rotterdam

Let me immediately state my bias: I’m a proud resident of Rotterdam . Aside from its thriving art scene, Rotterdam is a foodie’s dream destination, with buzzy food markets like the Markthal and Fenix Food Factory. As a large part of the city was destroyed in WW2, Rotterdam is also home to unique architecture. Many local architects were given free rein when it came to rebuilding the city, which has made Rotterdam the vibrant and unique city it is today, with an aesthetic that seamlessly blends new and old.

2.  Haarlem

If you’re looking to stay close to Amsterdam, Haarlem is your best choice. This quaint city is a 16-minute train ride from the capital, and far cheaper to stay in – many Amsterdam residents end up moving here to commute to the capital, although Haarlem itself has plenty to offer. You can easily spend an afternoon in the Frans Hals Museum learning more about this legendary Dutch painter. Outside of the city, you’ll find endless tulip fields to serve as a backdrop for your holiday photos – just be sure to ask the farmers for permission first!

3.  's-Hertogenbosch

Don’t worry, nobody’s expecting you to be able to pronounce that! Even the Dutch find it too tiresome to say, so we usually shorten it to Den Bosch. The perfect city break for those looking to soak up some history and culture, Den Bosch is known for its great museums, including the North Brabant Museum and Design Museum Den Bosch, as well as its medieval architecture and fortified city walls. People from across the region flock here for the markets on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Be sure to sample a traditional Bossche bol, which is essentially a huge profiterole covered in chocolate –  lekker !

4.  Maastricht

This list wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the south of the Netherlands. Maastricht, with its Gothic spires and cobbled streets, feels like it was plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale. Bordering Belgium, the city offers a unique blend of Dutch and Belgian culture and architecture. My perfect afternoon? Visit Boekhandel Dominicanen to shop for books in a converted medieval church, then head to Bosch Brewery for a tour and classic beer tasting.

5.  Arnhem

Visiting Arnhem will allow you to combine your city break with a touch of nature, as the city is surrounded by countryside and situated beside the Veluwe, one of the Netherlands’ largest national parks. Look out for w ildlife like deer, foxes and Scottish Highland cattle, which were brought here to maintain the heathland. The city itself is known  for its vibrant art scene: Arnhem’s Museum of Modern Art is a must-visit, as is the Netherlands Open Air Museum, which showcases traditional Dutch farmhouses and windmills. Get to know the city by wandering its  shopping streets or joining a guided street art tour. 

6.  Utrecht

Instead of visiting Amsterdam, why not head to ‘Little Amsterdam’ instead? With its rows of cute Dutch houses and terraces perched along the canals,  Utrecht feels like a shrunk-down version of Amsterdam without the crowds of tourists.  The best way to explore Utrecht is through a canal boat tour. During my student years there, I loved taking visitors along the canals and introducing them to traditional Dutch pancakes at Theehuis Rhijnauwen. Visit Olivier for a pint with a twist –  this Belgian beer pub sits within an old church (we do love a church conversion in the Netherlands)!

7.  Ameland

Technically a municipality, Ameland is my favourite of the Dutch Wadden Islands. This tiny stretch of paradise, home to four villages and two nature reserves, feels like it was plucked from the past. Visiting Ameland always makes me feel like I’m the main character in a movie, pensively strolling along sand dunes, marshes and forests. The best part? It couldn’t feel further away from Amsterdam’s overcrowded streets. 

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21 beautiful towns in the Netherlands that aren’t Amsterdam

There's more than just Amsterdam out there.

There are so many beautiful towns in the Netherlands, but it’s easy to get wrapped up in that city life. Here are 21 stunning options for you to check out while escaping from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. 

If you’re new here and are after something that isn’t just Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, then you’re in luck.

READ MORE | 19 best day trips from Amsterdam: the ultimate travel guide

Whether you’re a tourist or a resident of the lowlands, we’re always on the lookout for beautiful towns to visit in the Netherlands.

1. Giethoorn

3. amersfoort, 4. zierikzee, 7. bunschoten-spakenburg, 9. gorinchem, 10. valkenburg, 11. willemstad, 13. ‘s-hertogenbosch (den bosch), 14. maastricht, 15. naarden, 17. utrecht, 18. roermond, 19. the hague, 21. alkmaar.

With its picturesque atmosphere, a large concentration of canals, and countless boats, Giethoorn is known as “the Venice of the Netherlands.”

The place is postcard-perfect: everything is incredibly clean, people’s lawns are perfectly trimmed, and all the houses are matching.

It’s good to know that in the summer months, the place is busy! Like, really busy. Giethoorn is especially popular with group tour agencies, so if you’re looking to hire your own private boat, do it well in advance.

Located on the Berkel and IJssel rivers, Zutphen is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and has one of the best-preserved medieval town centres in northwestern Europe.

Nicknamed the Torenstad because of its large, historic buildings and variety of towers that form the city’s skyline, this “Hanzestad” has a rich history going back to the days of the Romans 1,700 years ago.

Some of the things you definitely shouldn’t miss on your visit include the wine house, the museum, and Zutphen’s unique library.

Amersfoort is one of our personal favourites. The whole place is incredibly picturesque and drenched in history.

The iconic Koppelpoort, which was built in 1425, dominates most pictures and looks especially good at night. However, there is a lot more to Amersfoort than just this.

Apart from the Koppelpoort, the city centre is beautiful as well — it’s the perfect place to go for a walk and explore.

There are plenty of bars, restaurants, and museums located within Amersfoort, making it an ideal place for a day trip .

Zierikzee in Zeeland is a small port town with a dynamic history. There are 568 national monuments in and around the city centre, which places Zierikzee in the top ten Dutch cities with the greatest number of monuments.

It is the most historically preserved town in the province of Zeeland.

The first thing we recommend doing when you come here for a day trip is to simply wander around. Zierikzee has beautiful squares and alleyways that you can easily get lost down.

After that, head to the former town hall for some history or do some shopping in the local boutiques.

While technically not a town, the serene island of Texel has had a rich and turbulent history, which includes a brush with the American Revolution and the location of WWII’s last battlefield .

Today, it’s a paradise for hikers , cyclists, horseback riders, artists, and sheep (it even has its own breed, called the Texelaar). Texel has something for everyone, from historians and nature lovers to sheep and birdwatchers.

Delft is a beautiful town located between Rotterdam and The Hague . It’s your typical Dutch town, with beautiful architecture and lots of little cafés and shops.

Delft is the perfect place if you want to spend the afternoon somewhere truly Dutch and sit on the terrace with a coffee or a beer.

There are also plenty of free things to do in Delft , including strolling through the weekend markets or walking around the parks. I also recommend checking out Nieuwe Kerk or heading to the botanical garden.

In case you didn’t know, Delft is THE place to buy Delft blue porcelain (duh).

Are you eager to venture off the beaten track and explore less touristy destinations? Consider visiting Bunschoten-Spakenburg!

Two neighbouring towns with a buzzing history and culture that you may have never even heard of.

Spakenburg is the most famous fishing village along the southern area of the former Zuider Zee, which is now broken up into two big lakes, the IJsselmeer and Markermeer.

Bunschoten is a farming village right next door. As time went on, the two villages prospered and grew closer to each other, and they eventually merged in 1965 to become Bunschoten-Spakenburg.

Located close to Amsterdam, Haarlem is always recommended for people who aren’t keen on the hustle and bustle of the big city but still want to enjoy pretty canals and a quintessential Dutch city .

It’s the perfect place to walk around if you’re after great architecture, windmills, shops, and all things Dutch.

READ MORE | Why I love Haarlem: a local’s guide to the Spaarnestad

Make sure to explore the markets in the giant market square, visit the cathedral (it’s beautiful!), climb a windmill, or check out the array of shops and restaurants.

Gorinchem is the Netherlands’ largest and most beautiful fortified city . It’s located along the Waal River, an extension of the Rhine, in the province of South Holland.

This historic town, together with the village of Woudrichem, Castle Loevestein, and Fort Vuren, form the Vestingdriehoek (The Fortress Triangle) — a critical part of the Old and the New Dutch Water Lines that defended Holland for centuries from invaders.

Wander around the harbour and enjoy the flower displays by the water or take the five-kilometre self-guided fortress walk (Vestingwandeling).

The walk takes you over the earthwork ramparts past barracks, artillery sheds, an old tollhouse, the Dalempoort gatehouse, the caponier, two flour mills, and many other fascinating buildings with a military purpose.

Valkenburg, in the southern province of Limburg, is a place rich in history. It’s home to Valkenburg Castle , which offers beautiful ruins that you can go and explore.

Walking around the centre, in general, is also beautiful. It’s definitely one of those forgotten places to visit, and we highly recommend you go!

Apart from wandering around and looking at all of the beautiful architecture (check out the train station!), there is a variety of different museums, shops, restaurants, and cafes.

Christmas is an especially nice time to visit as they have a Christmas market in Valkenburg caves! It’s a very unique experience.

Exploring Willemstad is quick and easy. You can take a leisurely walk through the streets lined with attractive houses. Some of the entrances to the front doors are over little wooden bridges crossing a narrow channel of water.

There is a wide choice of restaurants with outdoor terraces under a row of trees in the middle of a divided main street.

A walk along the town’s rampart takes about 45 minutes. Along the way, you’ll encounter several historic remnants, such as a military gunpowder house built by Napoleon when the French occupied the town in the early 19th century.

He liked the fortified town so much that he stockpiled gunpowder there. No fear, it’s empty now, but the building remains.

Not only is Leiden great in every way: in its small quaint streets and abundance of canals, but it’s also the home of DutchReview! I’m definitely not to be biased here, but Leiden is a beautiful place to visit.

READ MORE | 17 unforgettable things to do in Leiden in 2023

It has the most canals in the Netherlands after Amsterdam, and it’s home to 15 great museums .

We recommend you visit the Leiden markets and the different museums — such as The Museum for Antiquities and the Museum of Ethnology , take a boat trip, shop, or sit on one of the terraces with a biertje .

We absolutely love ‘s-Hertogenbosch, a.k.a. Den Bosch! You’ll find this beautiful place in Noord Brabant. The city is a mix of old and typically medieval buildings, canals, a beautiful cathedral and also very modern and trendy architecture.

It’s also home to the bulb houses , which have sat there since the 1980s.

On your next visit, take a boat trip along the canals and enjoy the absence of hoards of tourists that you usually see in Amsterdam.

You can also visit St. John’s Cathedral and take a walk or cycle to take in all of the amazing architecture.

Maastri cht is often forgotten, seeing as it’s so far away from the capital. It shouldn’t be, though! Maastricht is a beautiful city, with lots of medieval architecture and plenty to do.

It’s especially popular with students and is so close to Belgium and Germany that it’s the perfect place to go if you want to hop over the border.

READ MORE | A day trip to Maastricht: what to see, do and eat

Marvel at the gorgeous architecture as you take a walk around the city, visit the flea markets, go to the market square, visit some museums, and drink on the terraces!

Naarden is a small town close to Amsterdam. It’s pretty well known due to those popular pictures showing the shape of the town. From above, you can see the place is shaped like a star, as the whole town is surrounded by moats.

It looks this way because, historically, it was part of the Defence Line of Amsterdam , making this fortified town even more beautiful and interesting than it was already.

Apart from taking a drone shot, or maybe not, as the residents may find that a bit annoying at this point, you can check out Vestingmuseum.

It is dedicated to the town’s defence history; visit one of the oldest churches in the Netherlands, just walk around and take in the sites, or go for food and drink in one of the many cafés and restaurants.

The beautiful little town of Hoorn is located in Noord-Holland, near Lake IJsselmeer. Not only is it picturesque, but it’s also close to a lake, sand dunes and the countryside.

This makes Hoorn a popular place to go for water sports — staycation, here we come! Hoorn is great to walk or cycle around, and there are museums, a shopping area, restaurants, and cafés — what more could we want?

Utrecht is a beautiful and typically Dutch city that is often forgotten (Amsterdam and Rotterdam seem to rule the roost). Once the religious capital of the Netherlands, this quaint, medieval city radiates around the Dom Tower — the tallest church tower in the Netherlands.

With beautiful old houses, bridges, and canals that ring the city, Utrecht is often regarded as a little Amsterdam — just without as many tourists. There’s no shortage of  interesting   things to do and see  in this historic city.

Roermond is a town in Limburg, located very close to both Germany and Belgium. It’s the perfect place to go if you’re visiting from outside of the Netherlands or if you’re looking to try somewhere new afterwards.

The town is located on the lower Roer on the east bank of the Meuse River — so it’s a beautiful destination to visit for the day.

If you love to shop, you’re in luck as Roermond has a designer outlet and a variety of popular high-street shops, cafés, and restaurants.

Not only is wandering around the town beautiful, but the place is also a stone’s throw away from the lake districts, offering lots of walks and loads to do. If water sports are your thing, then this is the place to be.

The Hague is an immensely popular place to be for internationals — to live, work and visit . Once you’ve gone there, you can see why. The Hague is a hub for innovation, business, and multiculturalism.

It’s both modern and historical, so it’s a great mix. It’s also home to the government and the International Court of Justice.

READ MORE | 7 things you didn’t know about the Hague

You can walk around the Binnenhof grounds (the Dutch parliament), explore the Peace Palace, visit Scheveningen Pier , check out many different museums, and shop on the large high street.

The small town of Veere has a rich history. Located in the province of Zeeland, it is unique for its strong kinship to Scotland.

No other European town played a more important economic role for Scotland than Veere once did between the 16th and 17th centuries.

Veere is definitely worth a visit. The centre square may be small, but the atmosphere is soaked with history along with the small streets — a reminder of the town’s glory days.

READ MORE | Organ concerts and vaulted ceilings: 15 churches to visit in the Netherlands

The town’s charming shops offer clothing, culinary delicacies, decorations, and of course, souvenirs.

You may have heard of Alkmaar because of the Alkmaar cheese market . But Alkmaar isn’t just great because of all of the cheese (even though that definitely is a big bonus). It has a historical city centre and is filled to the brim with things to do.

Walking or biking around the historical centre should definitely be on your to-do list too. There are loads of shops, restaurants, and cafés to keep you occupied on your visit.

READ MORE | 17 Dutch towns with the funniest names

There are also a few museums in Alkmaar (did someone say cheese museum and beer museum?!) that are worth a visit.

Have you visited any of these gorgeous towns? Which Dutch town is your favourite? Tell us in the comments below!

Liked it? Try these on for size:

Road trips from the netherlands to luxembourg, 13 intriguing things to do in kinderdijk in 2024, wadlopen in 2024: your guide to mudflat walking in the netherlands, what do you think, 49 comments.

Leiden is my favourite of all the places I have visited … but there are others that are also well worth considering …. Deventer, Middelburg and Alkmaar come to mind.

Enschede, where my parents met and married and home to my Dutch family and friends

het dorp nederland??

‘S-Hertogenbosch!

I miss Naarden in this list. ☹️

Definitely Leiden,Town from my Birth,Town from my Youth,,,eenmaal een Leienaar,altijd een Leienaar,,!!

Oudewater is also very beautiful! A dark history about witches, canals, beautiful country Side.

Zwolle en Deventer

Hoorn is one of my favorite, small to medium, towns in N. Holland. I am a bit prejudiced because my best friend lives there.

Hey there, for me there are a few more beautiful towns in the Netherlands that you should visit. Or not, so they don’t get crowded… My list includes: Leeuwarden, not only the capital of Friesland but also a bit like a miniature Amsterdam without all the tourists. Groningen Sneek and Bolsward, old Hanse towns with tons of beatiful restored building, churches, town halls, canals Harlingen with it’s port Franeker with the world’s oldest and still funcitioning planetarium Den Helder with the Marine museum Lelystad, not very old but the capital of Flevoland, the “artificial” province, hosting both the aviation museum at the airport and the history museum in Batavia stad plus the wharf and the sailing vessel Batavia Harderwijk, also an old Hanse town with a beautiful and city centre, just walk around and discover small streets and shops

and many more…

And no, I am not Dutch, just a crazy German guy that spends all his free time 600km away from home in the Netherlands. My family adopted that habbit already.

Naarden is my favorite. Vesting museum, City hall, and the “Grote Krrk”, or large church are must-see, as are thevrsmparts, giving the City its shape of a star!

Vergeet Monnickendam niet!

Lelystad? Den Helder? Would be one of the last on my list.

The Netherlands has many beautiful cities and towns and Leiden and Delft are my favorites. But I like to mention Elburg, a town in Gelderland that between 1392 and 1396 was rebuilt after a flood in the form it is seen today, with a moat and a city wall, together with a gridiron street plan. Back in the 70s as student of TU Delft my fiends and I studied the urban plans of that city. The profiles if the streets coincided with the function each street has. A walking tour is the best way to experience the beauty of the town. In 1367 the city was recorded as a member of the Hanseatic League.

I love Maastricht. I used to stay at the old Commerce Hotel and walk to the bars and restaurants in the ally ways.

Den Haag! Beloved town of my birth. Yes, it’s still officially a town!

Dordrecht should definitely be on this list!

What about Rotterdam (very modern), Breda or Dordrecht?

My father was born in Dordrecht in 1907

Den Bosch, Breda and Heusden in North Brabant are all beautiful historic towns. Also old Hansatown Zwolle in Overijssel is lovely. Edam is a picture perfect little town in North Holland. Alkmaar is also very pretty. From the article I agree that Delft, Haarlem, Giethoorn and Maastricht are all worth a visit.

Ik ben een ras echte Haarlemmer from 1940 en ge-emigreerd in 1963 naar Canada ; spreek nog goed ” hoog Haarlemmer dijks ” .

Very well described. I would also recommend Enkhuizen, in the north. A small fishing town with lots of farming. Having the 14th century cathedral cum lighthouse, Drommedaris. You can see the open air Zwiderzee museum. It’ll be fun! I worked there long back.

I’m from Ens, N.O.P. and also became acquainted with Emmeloord where I have family in both places. However, I was taken to Giethoorn and fell in love with that town. The boat ride was enjoyable.

I can’t believe Utrecht is not mentioned by anyone. Beautiful city.

Yes my laatste stop in Utrecht…toen op vliegtuig naar 🇨🇦 1967)mooie stad Utrecht heb nog family daar .🇳🇱 Love mijn Kleine landje.

Love Netherlands…favourites are Leiden, and Alkmaar.

We were blown away by Giethoorn. Such a beautiful village. We took a boat tour so could see the beautiful house from the water too. Highly recommend.

Hindeloopen, Alkmaar, Hoorn all immediately spring to mind, but there are so many beautiful places in the Netherlands.

I was born in Rouveen ( Gemeente Staphorst) and lived there until I was 12 at which time we moved to Canada, I remember buses full of tourists coming through as it is a very picturesque town, In those days almost everyone wore costumes except for three of us girls whose parents were not farmers. The farmer girls would stand by the roadside holding up their large aprons in which the tourists would throw candies…..we missed out though.I understand much has changed since we left in 1951.

afijn, na alle reacties te hebben gelezen kan ik ook de volgende plaatsen aanraden of aanbevelen: Etten-Leur waar Vincent van Gogh heeft gewoond, Breda Vlissingen, Middelburg, Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland, Den Haag. Ik ben inmiddels heel NL met de trein rond gereisd.

How come no one has mentioned SLUIS by the sea absolutely beautiful,very pretty ,fab restaurants and lovely shops, everyone is in tortoise mode, and only 10 mins away Knokke in Belgium ,also by the sea and lovely, we go there 6 times a year at least from England,should have moved there years ago, and has been our regret!

sluis has a very nice museum

Brielle, Middelburg, Leeuwarden, Nieuwkoop

Yep, Brielle 😊

And what about Gouda??

Fantastische foto’s van Nederlands plaatsen ik mis foto’s van onze plaats waar van we zijn vert naar Engeland en dat is Maassluis met zijn prachtige binnenstad en het mooie winkelcentrum Koningshoek

I would love to explore Valkenburg – though I am confused with its location – is it near Maastricht? Or Near Wassenaar ? Leiden in Zuid Holland? I see both on the map — both have a kasteel nearby… Could someone / the author pls clarify. Thank you

They mean the one near Maastricht in the south of the Netherlands.

Texel isn’t a city, so why is it on this list?

You forgot Nijmegen, the oldest city of The Netherlands

I miss towns from the North!

You’ve missed Dordrecht. The oldest city in Holland and sometimes referred to as the Venecia of Netherlands due to all it’s canals. You’ll find some movies and documentaries are shot in the city due to it’s timeless streets and buildings. You should come and visit!

Giethorn is a beautiful place

I have had the pleasure of visiting all the places on the list and many more. Weesp is my favourtie because I was born there, it’s an old fort city.

Waarom is Dordrecht niet op deze lijst? Het is een van de oudste steden in Nederland.

The old fortified city of Hulst is worth a look. My family except me came from the nearby village of Sint Jansteen so I may be sentimental about it. Visiting Gemeente Hulst , my pleasure every morning was riding all the way around Hulst on top of the old earthworks still surrounding the city. The old church has Bishops buried beneath the floor as far back as 900 so it’s at least that old. And not to forget the old City Molen which once beIonged to a family friend. I do recall tour busses from other countries stopping there so Hulst is not unknown but it’s not touristy in the least.

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• The Netherlands
• Top 10 Beautiful Towns In...

The 27 Most Beautiful Towns in the Netherlands

An extraordinarily diverse country featuring lush countryside, wild shorelines, medieval towns and modern cities, the Netherlands is rich in both natural and cultural dynamism. Here, we check out the most beautiful Dutch towns that showcase the charm and wonder this country has to offer.

Love reading Culture Trip? How about travelling with us! Our Culture Trips are small-group tours that truly immerse you in a destination through authentic travel experiences. You can also embrace slow travel and the joys of journeying by train on our eco-friendly Rail Trips .

Must Visit Towns and Cities in the Netherlands

1. amsterdam.

Architectural Landmark

The capital of the Netherlands and the country’s most popular tourist destination, Amsterdam is a place of contrasts, a contemporary, laid-back city filled with unique and historical sites. The famous 17th-century canals which are found in the heart of the city are lined with charming houses, recognisable by their tall and narrow structure. Other architectural landmarks, such as the Gothic-inspired Rijksmuseum or the city’s many impressive medieval churches, add to Amsterdam’s beautiful cityscape and secure its place as one of the country’s most remarkable cities. Book a guided walking tour to discover the prettiest side streets and canal bridges in the city.

Known for its links with the great Dutch painter Vermeer, Delft is an astonishingly picturesque town worthy of its artistic heritage. The city centre has a number of monumental buildings, such as the impressive Renaissance-style town hall, or the Oude Kerk, a medieval church with an extraordinary 75m (246ft) church tower leaning at a slight angle. Delft is also home to dozens of beautiful, intersecting canals, including the Vrouwjuttenland, a canal dating back to 1432 and remarkable for its charming houses, cafés and the water lilies which float upon the surface. Book a walking tour to see the very best of the City of Orange and Blue.

3. Giethoorn

Historical Landmark

An idyllic little Dutch village, Giethoorn has often been termed the Venice of the Netherlands for its myriad canals and small bridges. There are no roads in the old quarter of the village, and all travel and transportation is carried out on the water. Giethoorn differs from Venice however in its innate peacefulness; around every corner are charming thatched-roof cottages, small, well-tended gardens and lush greenery. Visitors can take a boat out onto the canals and explore the nooks and crannies of this unique village, or wander the footpaths and the bridges, stopping at one of the village’s many cosy cafés. There are plenty of day trips here that set off from Amsterdam.

4. The Hague

The political, administrative and legal capital of the Netherlands, the Hague is a beautiful city whose streets and buildings reflect both its impressive history and contemporary importance. Picturesque yet with an approachable charm, the city centre is a quirky mixture of architecture from medieval to modern and features the magnificent Binnenhof, the Netherlands’ seat of government. Nearby, the Noordeinde Palace, one of the Dutch royal family’s main residences, attracts plenty of visitors and their cameras. Towards the north of the city lies the area of Scheveningen, a wealthy beach resort complete with a pier, lighthouse and miles of sandy beaches.

Home to Leiden University, the oldest university in the Netherlands, Leiden is known all over as one of the country’s main centres for history and culture. The birthplace of Rembrandt, this is an attractive city where traditional brick buildings cluster around the historic city, mingling with impressive university buildings. Like many Dutch cities, Leiden is located on the water; two branches of the Old Rhine enter the city and converge in the middle, with dozens of small canals branching off and winding throughout. Leiden also features an abundance of beautiful green spaces, including the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and the Leidse Hout, a small deer park on the edge of the city.

6. Broek in Waterland

Broek in Waterland is located in the municipality of Waterland, an area of the Netherlands on the western shores of the Markermeer and characterised by its flat grass plains intersected by rivers, canals and dikes. The town is a picturesque village perfect for those searching for natural beauty and tranquillity. The streets are lined with typical Dutch houses painted in quaint pastel colours and centre around the charming village church which dates back to the 17th century. The town also features a large lake, which is the perfect spot for picnicking in summer and ice skating in winter.

A stunning example of a star fort, Naarden is known as one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Europe. Star forts grew in popularity over the 15th century as a highly efficient form of defence and are visually arresting forms of architecture. The town of Naarden is located on the typical six-pointed star design and surrounded by a moat and lush green fields. The town is just as beautiful up close as it is from afar. The St Vitus Church, a 14th-century basilica, lies at the heart of the town, while the old town hall is a wonderful example of a traditional Dutch building, with intricate brickwork, charming green shutters and a peaked roof.

Underrated Towns to Visit in the Netherlands

There are many smaller settlements beyond Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague that are hugely under appreciated outside of the Netherlands. These charming, yet under explored burgs include several secluded spots on the Wadden Islands, two fortified communities and the oldest city in the Netherlands. Recommendations from Tom Coggins.

8. Nijmegen

As Nijmegen was founded during a Roman conquest around 2,000 years ago, it is recognised as the oldest city in the Netherlands. Several buildings around the city still contain elements that date back to this period and there are many other fascinating historical sites in Nijmegen, such as its Dutch Golden Age weighing house or Brouwerij de Hemel , which brews beers inside a 12th-century stone monastery. The coolest way to see Nijmegen is without doubt on a private e-chopper tour around town.

Haarlem’s medieval city centre contains many incredible attractions, including the Frans Hals Museum , De Hallen exhibition centre and de Grote Kerk. The city is around 15 minutes away from Amsterdam by train and within biking distance from one of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands, Zuid-Kennermerland National Park . Book a boat cruise to enjoy the city’s picturesque streets in style.

10. Groningen

12. bourtange.

During the 16th century, the Dutch military built a star shaped fort on the only road leading between Germany and Groningen in order to control this vital trade route. Over the years, a village developed inside and around this awesome stronghold and Bourtange’s fortifications are now completely open to the public.

After an enormous dyke was raised in Zuiderzee during the mid-20th century, the island of Urk became part of the Netherlands proper. Many people on this former island still speak an ancient dialect called Urkish, that sounds considerably different to modern Dutch.

14. Apeldoorn

As Appeldoorn borders the Hoge Veluwe National Park and Ijseel Basin, the city is surrounded by natural beauty. There are also several important historical sites inside Appeldoorn, such as Het Loo Palace which was owned by the Dutch Royal family from 1686 to 1962.

15. Den Burg

Den Burg is the largest village on Texel and lies roughly in the centre of the island, meaning that it’s exceptionally close to many other places of interest, such as Texel Brewery and the Dunes of Texel National Park. Around 6,000 people live in or near the village and there are plenty of amenities inside its borders, including a small cinema, traditional pubs and stores.

16. Valkenburg

Visiting Valkenburg is like taking a step back in time. The city centre is filled with beautiful historic architecture, from the remnants of the city walls and gates to the Gothic Saint Nicholas and Saint Barbara Church featuring beautiful late medieval wood carvings. The ruins of Valkenburg Castle, dating back to the 14th century, are set on a hill above the town and are the highest castle ruins in the Netherlands. Valkenburg is also notable for what lies beneath its surface: a series of tunnels and caves, some man-made and previously used as mines and some natural. During the winter, they play host to a magical underground Christmas market. Recommended by Anahit Behrooz.

Thorn, also known as The White Village of Thorn, is a remarkable town with a remarkable history. The town began as a small settlement sprung up around an abbey, but in the 12th century became its own principality and was known as the smallest independent state in the Holy Roman Empire. Thorn is no less extraordinary today and has developed into a charming Dutch village with cobbled alleyways, small courtyards and the beautiful Gothic church. The town is notable for its characteristic, whitewashed brick houses, providing a contrast to the dark bricks typical of much Dutch architecture and lending the town a fresh, unique feel. Recommended by Anahit Behrooz.

The Most Beautiful Towns in Friesland

We wanted to pay special attention to some of the truly stunning towns, villages and cities in the northwestern province of Friesland, ranging from charming coastal communities to larger, architecturally spectacular settlements. Tom Coggins rounds up the most beautiful towns in the province to explore.

18. Leeuwarden

This picturesque, coastal village serves as the county seat of Terschelling Island . A stunning, multi-tiered lighthouse called Brandaris stands in the centre of the village and has watched over Terschelling’s shores since the 16th century. The village is surrounded by grassy dune lands and looks out onto the Wadden Sea – an area that’s protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

19. Harlingen

Located on the shores of the Wadden Sea in the northern Netherlands, Harlingen is a small town famous for its fishing industry that has become a popular tourist spot in recent years. Visitors can wander the quaint cobbled alleyways, admire the boats sailing from town to sea and take in the beautiful architecture. The town features a charming port filled with boats and ships, as well as numerous historic canal lines with attractive warehouses dating back to the 17th century and traditional houses. The old Harlingen lighthouse, built in the 1920s, still stands and has become the city’s most iconic landmark. You’ll spend some time here on the Seal Safari half-day tour departing from Amsterdam. Recommended by Anahit Behrooz.

Sneek was founded in the 10th century and served as an important trading hub for many years. Like other mercantile cities in the Netherlands, Sneek features a canal belt that was built in order to facilitate water traffic flowing through the city. These waterways lead onto Sneek’s most iconic landmark: the Waterpoort, a Mannerist-style gatehouse with two pointed turrets.

Dokkum’s fortified town walls are among the most well-preserved structures of their kind in the Netherlands and follow a star-shaped canal that circles the city’s historic centre. In springtime, thousands of tulips burst into full bloom in gardens along these defenses, creating a stunning walking route that flows through the city. Dokkum also features two working windmills that stand on the western side of its bulwarks.

This coastal village developed around an ancient church called Mariakerk that was built on an artificial mound in the 13th century. Although the church originally stood inland, it currently overlooks Wierum’s shoreline due to floods and coastal erosion. For most of its history, Wierum’s economy revolved around fishing and there are many monuments in the village dedicated to the trade, including Mariakerk’s ship-shaped weather vane and a memorial on Wierum’s seawall honouring the memory of 22 fisherman who died at sea during a severe storm in 1893.

23. Franeker

Franeker was the second city in the Netherlands to establish a university, which welcomed many famous students during its existence, including French philosopher René Descartes and Prince Willem IV of Orange. Although this institute was disbanded in 1811, Franeker still features several buildings associated with the university, such as the oldest working orrery in the world, the Eise Eisinga Planetarium and Museum Martena , which houses a large collection of academic artefacts.

Makkum lies just beneath the Afsluitdijk causeway, which connects Friesland with North Holland. Like many other towns in Friesland, Makkum grew around an ancient, artificial hill that was built in order to safeguard against the frequent floods that plagued the area until the 20th century. Over the last few decades, this seafaring town has developed into a major beach resort, due to its stunning coastline.

25. Bolsward

Due to its proximity to waterways that flowed between the North Sea and Zuiderzee, this former Hanseatic city was one of the most influential trading centres in Friesland for several centuries. Many buildings from this time have survived until the present day, including Bolsward’s stately town hall that’s recognised as one of the most complete examples of Frisian Renaissance architecture.

Sloten is the smallest city in Friesland and currently houses around 760 inhabitants. Its small population mainly lives inside Sloten’s historic town walls, which are surrounded by a wide moat that feeds into a nearby lake. Aside from its historic fortifications, the city features several other points of interest, including an 18th-century windmill and rows of charming, waterside houses complete with pointed gables.

27. West-Terschelling

This large village lies on the western reaches of Terschelling Island in the Wadden Sea . The area has been inhabited for over 800 years and features one of the oldest lighthouses in the Netherlands, Brandaris, which was completed in 1594. Recommended by Anahit Behrooz.

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25 Best Towns and Cities in the Netherlands to Visit in Your Lifetime

If you’re looking for the best towns and cities in the Netherlands to visit in your lifetime, you’ve come to the right place.

The first things that come to mind when you think about this country are probably canals, windmills, tulips, museums, and stroopwafel, but it is so much more than that.

It’s also where I found kind locals, a welcoming atmosphere, and an abundance of charm I cannot explain in words. So if you’re ready to learn more about this incredible destination, here’s a must-save bucket list.

* This post may contain affiliate links from which I earn a commission (for more info, read my disclosure ). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

* I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables.

Table of Contents

Towns and Cities to Visit in the Netherlands’ Western Provinces

Starting with the obvious, a trip to the Netherlands has to include at least a couple of days in Amsterdam.

Beyond its picturesque canals, internationally famous museums, and historical landmarks, people fall in love with its laid-back vibe and inviting atmosphere.

The highlights of this beautiful city include the Royal Palace, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House Museum, and Oude Kerk (a 13th-century church/art center and the oldest building in Amsterdam), but you’ll literally find dozens of museums in Amsterdam and other fun things to do and see.

Amsterdam also offers a fantastic food scene and buzzing nightlife (there are literally dozens of pubs, clubs, and rooftop bars in Amsterdam ), and it’s a great base for exploring other towns and cities in the Netherlands.

Last but not least, it might seem like it’s only a popular destination for groups of friends, but you can also visit Amsterdam with kids .

By Kat from Wandering Bird

Volendam is a tiny but popular village built on the shores of Markermeer Lake and is one of the most charming places in the Netherlands. 

It’s famous for the colorful wooden houses along the lakefront and the cute shops. There’s a museum – home to paintings, sculptures, and pottery from the past 200 years, as well as a mosaic made from millions of cigar bands!

It’s also known for the local cheese – be sure to try some from one of the stores which make and sell it. 

You can get to Volendam by public transport or tour on a day trip from Amsterdam, but the best way to visit is with your own vehicle.

This will allow you to stay longer and enjoy the evening atmosphere once the crowds have gone, as well as watch the beautiful sunset from the beach by the lake.

If you’re  motorhoming in the Netherlands , there’s a wonderful campsite right on the beach. There are also several hotels and BnBs to choose from.

By Sam from  My Flying Lea p

When you think of the Netherlands, tulips and windmills are the iconic images that come to mind.

The best place to see windmills is Zaandijk, a village in the Dutch countryside that’s just a short train ride north of Amsterdam.

Zaandijk is known for its specialty museum, Zaanse Schans. It’s a recreated Dutch village with picturesque windmills and brightly painted wooden homes. In Zaanse Schans, you can step back in time to the 17th and 18th centuries and tour the windmills. 

Go on a canal cruise, learn how to make the famous Dutch wooden shoes, tour a bakery and cheese shop, and try a freshly-made stroopwafel with coffee. One taste of the melted caramel, and you’ll wonder how you ever did without them.

Though there’s much more to the town of Gouda than just cheese, if you decide to visit this charming place, you have to immerse yourself in some cheese-related activities.

These include learning about it at the Gouda Cheese Experience, visiting the De Goudse Waag (the weighting house), and witnessing the rituals of the traditional Cheese Market (taking place in front of the old City Hall on Thursday mornings from April to August).

Other visit-worthy places in Gouda are the Sint-Jan Church, Syrup Waffle Factory (perfect for stroopwafel addicts like me), and Museumhaven – an open-air museum preserving old Dutch ships (located in one of the city’s canals).

By Samantha from  Sam Sees World

Haarlem is one of the best city breaks in the Netherlands for its beauty and unmistakable charm.

It has been dubbed a “mini Amsterdam,” and it offers a welcome escape from the busy streets of the Dutch capital. The less-touristy environment makes Haarlem the perfect place to visit if you want to see a real and vibrant Dutch city.

One of the top things to do in Haarlem is to visit the famous Grote Markt. It is located in the center of the city and is full of great restaurants, charming cafes, and stunning landmarks.

After this, you can walk to Molen de Adriaan, which is an iconic Dutch windmill in the city center. As one of Haarlem’s most famous landmarks (that has been around since the 18th century), it is a must-visit!

By Emma from Emma Jane Explores

Kinderdijk  is a UNESCO-listed village in Molenlanden, located near the city of Rotterdam. This gorgeous area is famous for the rows and rows of windmills that pump water and essentially stop the region from flooding.  

The windmills here are also home to the village residents and have been on the land at Kinderdijk since the 1700s.

There are many walking and cycling trails that make the town easy to explore at your own pace, and for those wanting to take a peek inside, there is even a museum in a preserved windmill that gives a sense of what life is like here.

Here, you’ll see glimpses of real Dutch life, from millers working hard with wooden clogs on their feet to farm animals and livestock in the fields, all against the backdrop of the remarkable windmills. It’s hard to imagine a more quintessentially Dutch scene.

By Nicole from Bucket List Lists

One of the best towns to visit in the Netherlands is Lisse! Visiting this town is something you can easily add to your  Amsterdam bucket list  because of how close it is, about 16 miles (25.5 km) away.

Getting to Lisse is quite easy if you are based in Amsterdam. You can take the bus, and the ride is just under an hour, or take a car for about 30 minutes, traffic dependent.

Lisse is notable as the most beautiful place to see tulips in the springtime . There are millions of tulips to see here in the famous Keukenhof Flower Garden, usually from the end of March to the middle of May.

Other places to visit in Lisse include Castle Keukenhof and Sint-Agathakerk.

By Nichola from Globalmouse Travels

Rotterdam is a great city to visit at any time of the year. Extensively bombed during WWII, Rotterdam can’t rely on picturesque beauty like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and so many other Dutch towns.

So it has imaginatively reinvented itself, and everywhere you go, there are interesting buildings and quirky architecture to delight in.

There’s plenty to see here from Mini World to the Maritime Museum, and if you’re visiting  the Netherlands with kids , don’t miss the wonderful Plaswijckpark, which is huge and full of fun activities and play equipment to enjoy.

There’s a great emerging foodie scene in Rotterdam too, making it the perfect place to linger over meals and try different food. It’s somewhere very different from the usual offerings in the Netherlands, and there’s so much to enjoy here.

You can easily get from Amsterdam to Rotterdam by train.

By Jennifer of  Family Trip Guide s

The town of Wassenaar is just 14 miles (22.5 km) from The Hague and 33.5 miles (54 km) from Amsterdam, but it feels like a world away.

In the spring, you can drive and walk around the beautiful flower and tulip fields that are protected from the ocean by the dunes surrounding Wassenaar.

The main attraction in the town is the delightful Duinrell Holiday Park. It was opened in 1935 but has been modernly updated. It is located in a beautiful forest near the dunes, a kilometer from town.

There is an endless supply of fun for all ages at Duinrell. It has the largest waterpark in the Benelux with 21 slides. Also, the amusement park includes over 40 different attractions.

On your way back, make sure to drive through the most expensive street in the Netherlands, Groot Haesebroekseweg, just south of Duinrell.

By Constance from The Adventures of Panda Bear

Leiden is a quaint college town, located approximately 40 minutes away from Amsterdam by train. Home to Leiden University, it is famous for being Rembrandt van Rijn’s birthplace, as well as its plethora of museums. 

As Rembrandt’s hometown, you’ll find Rembrandtpark in Leiden, which includes a statue and a mural commemorating the life and work of the great Dutch artist. It is a relaxing spot for a short stroll and is the perfect place to eat lunch or take in the views of the nearby windmill, Molen de Put. 

You’ll also find a few interesting museums in Leiden, including the National Museum of Antiquities, Naturalist Biodiversity Center, Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, and Museum of Ethnology.

The National Museum of Antiquities has an especially large collection of antiquities from Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome. It is well worth the visit if you’re a history buff. 

You’ll definitely want to add  Leiden to your Netherlands itinerary ! 

Although it’s the third-largest city in the country, the Hague might not come to mind when thinking about beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands. But, in fact, it can be a wonderful day trip from Amsterdam.

First of all, the city is home to must-visit art museums like Mauritshuis, Kunstmuseum Den Haag, and Escher in Het Paleis.

It’s also where you’ll find unique museums like the Children’s Book Museum, Prison Gate Museum (Museum de Gevangenpoort), and my favorite – Madurodam – an impressive open-air miniature park.

In the Hague, you can also wander the streets of the city center and visit places like the old town hall, Peace Palace, and Noordeinde Palace.

Best Cities to Visit in the Netherlands’ Central Provinces

Thanks to a compact yet utterly enchanting historic city center, Amersfoort is a must-visit on a trip to the Netherlands.

Some of its highlights include the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren (the third-tallest church tower in the Netherlands), Koppelpoort (a picturesque medieval watergate), St George’s Church, and Mondriaan House.

To enjoy Amersfoort’s true charm, take your time and roam its maze of streets, alleys, and canals, which will make you want to move there. Don’t miss out on the circular street of Muurhuizen, which is where the city walls used to stand.

By Nichola from Family Hotel Expert

The picturesque city of Utrecht is just a forty-minute drive south of Amsterdam, and here you will find an incredible selection of activities to entertain everyone.

Start at the Nijntje Museum (or Miffy Museum), which celebrates the work of illustrator Dick Bruna who created the bright and colorful rabbit Miffy, perfect if you’re on a  family holiday to Holland .

Take a stroll along the canals and over the bridges of Utrecht to take in the city’s uniquely sedate way of life before climbing the Dom Tower in the heart of the old town (where you can get spectacular views of Utrecht’s historic architecture).

Seek out the Museum Speelklok, where ancient mechanical musical machines sit alongside Dutch street organs, before grabbing a pancake or two at De Muntkelder, one of the finest local pancake houses.

End your day with a peaceful pedalo ride along the canals for a unique view of this endearing city.

Best Cities in the Netherlands to Visit in Its Southern Provinces

By Daniela from Exploring the Netherlands

They call Maastricht “the pearl of the South,” and indeed, Maastricht is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. It’s also a popular day-trip destination among the locals.

One of the  most famous attractions in Maastricht  is the Dominicanen Bookstore, located in a former Gothic church. For the best views of the city, climb the tower of St John’s Church.

Afterward, relax at one of the cafés on the famous Vrijthof Square. In the winter, the most magical Christmas market in the Netherlands takes place in this square, and in the summer, the world-famous conductor André Rieu and his orchestra are having performances.

Stroll along the cobbled streets and discover the small squares scattered around the old town. Take a look at the ramparts, and walk along the oldest bridge in the city – St Servatius Bridge. If you love modern art, visit the lovely Bonnefanten Museum.

Super scenic and rich in history, Middelburg has to be on your Netherlands bucket list.

It’s one of the oldest cities in the country and home to countless landmarks, including the Long John Abbey Tower, Town Hall, and Middelburg Abbey.

You’ll also fall in love with its picture-perfect old harbor, historic center packed with restaurants and shops, and weekly market, taking place on Thursdays.

On paper, it might seem similar to other cities in the Netherlands, but Middelburg has its own charm, and visiting it is a great way to explore the country off the beaten path.

Located in the province of North Brabant near the border with Belgium, Breda is one of the top cities in the Netherlands. From the city center’s bustling streets to museums to historical buildings, there’s plenty to do and see here.

Visit landmarks like the Breda Castle, Bouvigne Castle, and Great Church, explore the quirky Bierreclame Museum (Beer Advertising Museum), and have a cup of coffee or a beer at one of Breda’s many restaurants and cafes.

Located about half an hour by car and less than 45 minutes by public transport from Breda, you should also visit the incredible Efteling theme park. It’s where beloved fairytales come to life in the most majestic way, and even as an adult, I guarantee you’ll get excited like a kid!

By Frans from Ask the Dutch Guy

Eindhoven  is the fifth biggest city in the Netherlands. Besides the Philips Museum, which is one of the most renowned attractions in the city, it’s also a vibrant center of creative design.

There are a lot of museums and modern architecture worth seeing when you’re in this part of the Netherlands, and Eindhoven was even named as the world’s most innovative city by Forbes. 

Eindhoven is also a foodie paradise! There are many places to eat here, and you can find almost anything here, whether you fancy Dutch food or you’re looking for some Asian fusion. 

While you’re here, make sure you stop by at the Strijp-S, a former warehouse turned into a creative area filled with independent shops and quirky architecture to enjoy. Indeed, there’s something here for everyone, and you should definitely experience it!

Do you love city escapes? Here are the best European winter breaks , the perfect travel sneakers roundup, and the best cities to visit in Poland , Hungary , Portugal , Germany , and Austria !

Prettiest Towns and Cities in the Netherlands’ Northern Provinces

By Lotte from Eschbach Consulting

Leeuwarden is the capital of the province of Friesland, found in the north of the Netherlands. As the European Cultural Capital of 2018, it should come as no surprise that Leeuwarden has plenty to offer!  

The historic city center is very walkable, and there are several worthwhile attractions to be found here. Climb to the top of ‘de Oldehove,’ Leeuwarden’s very own tilted tower.

Families with young kids are advised to park their strollers at the bottom of the tower and carry their children up. While there is an elevator to the first floor, you’ll have to climb some stairs to get to the next level, which has the best views.  

Follow the Miniature People Route and discover little puppets hidden all around the city center. Or visit the Natural Museum of Fryslân where you can learn more about the history of the area and the surrounding nature.

By Victoria from  Guide Your Travel

Groningen is a mid-sized Dutch city located in the north of the Netherlands.

This is a popular student city with vibrant nightlife and plenty of things to do (and surprisingly, even some expats choose to live in Groningen ). You should come here for beautiful architecture, a laid-back atmosphere, and great bars and restaurants.

Definitely stop by the Groninger Museum, which has an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures.

For an experience closer to nature, head to the Lauwersmeer National Park, which lies just outside the city. This is a beautiful spot to watch wildlife and enjoy hiking or bike rides.

You’ll also love the city’s many landmarks like the Aa-Kerk, the Groningen Synagogue, the Martinikerk, and the impressive Martinitoren.

You should spend at least a weekend in Groningen if not more to see all the important sights. Don’t forget to pack your camera!

Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in the Netherlands’ Eastern Provinces

By Paulina from Paulina on the Road

The protected city of Nijmegen is the oldest in the Netherlands and will remind you of Roman times. It is a great place to visit as it is full of magnificent historic buildings and plazas that are centuries old.

Plus, it is the home to the country’s oldest shopping street, the Lange Hezelstraat. It also offers a bunch of things to do and see. 

Start with visiting the Museum De Bastei to discover the nature and the phenomenal history of the river region, from ice-age animals to water management. Followed by it, soak up centuries of historical stories at the Wijchen Castle.

Apart from the popular landmarks, the city also has exciting nightlife offers from cozy pubs to hip clubs. Don’t miss out on shopping for  hemp clothing brands  from the city’s oldest shopping streets. Surround yourself with lively parks, squares, and cafes.

By Dymphe from  Dym Abroad

One of the best cities to see in the Netherlands is Zwolle. It is a wonderful place to visit with its historic center and the interesting buildings within it. Its houses have a beautiful architectural style, and the city’s history goes back almost 1200 years!

What’s also fun is that Zwolle is a smaller city that is not visited by many tourists. That means that you can better experience what local life in a Dutch city is like here.

There are some great things to do and see in the city, including the Grote Kerk, the Sassenpoort Gatehouse, and Museum de Fundatie. Besides that, Zwolle is home to many restaurants serving delicious food!

Also known as the Dutch Venice, Giethoorn is what dreams are made of. Seriously, I would pack my bags and move to this picture-perfect village if it hadn’t become such a popular touristic place.

Packed with adorable houses, narrow canals, and colorful boats, Giethoorn’s beauty is best enjoyed in spring and summer, but if you’re looking for tourist-free spots in the country, this is not it.

By Cosette from KarsTravels

Deventer is an old city situated in the Northeastern of the Netherlands. Being one of the oldest cities in the country and one of the most important cities in the Hanseatic League, Deventer has a rich history.

You can discover it at Museum de Waag, a monumental building from the Middle Ages that now functions as a museum.

On a city walk, you can admire other historical buildings, like the oldest park (Worpplantsoen), the oldest stone house, and the oldest scientific library (the Athenaeumbibliotheek).

Other things you shouldn’t miss in Deventer are the Speelgoedmuseum Deventer (Toys museum) and a visit to the famous Deventer Koekwinkel, where they sell Deventer koek – a cookie made with a recipe from the Middle Ages.

When visiting in December, don’t miss the  Dickens Festival , when Deventer turns into a village from a Dickens story.

By Frans from Badass2go

As a born citizen of Steenwijk, I know every ins and outs of the city. It lays down in the middle of the Weerribben National Park with the beautiful villages of Giethoorn and Kalenberg next door.

The biggest attractions in Steenwijk include the square market with all its restaurants and shops, the Hildo Krop Museum, and of course, our own Sint Clemens Church.

This church is 87 meters high, and you definitely need to climb this one because from up there, you have a superb view over Steenwijk and its surrounding. The entrance fee is €2,50.

An insider tip is to rent an electric scooter by  Badass2go  to explore the city and its surrounding. This electric scooter looks like a Harley Davidson, and riding a bike like this is an experience on its own.

By Shobna from Just Go Places

Arnhem has to be one of the most beautiful towns in the Netherlands. Right when you come into the Arnhem train station directly from Amsterdam, you can admire the station itself, which is an award-winning architectural marvel.

Many sites in the town center are within walking distance. Make sure you see the Eusebius Church, which has recently been rebuilt after heavy bombing during WWII. There is a glass elevator that whisks you up to the top of the church tower, which has fabulous views over the surrounding countryside.

Much of the medieval town center was destroyed during WWII because the Allies launched an attack on the Nazi forces in this town. Called Operation Market Garden, the attack failed because the Nazis heavily defended the town since  Arnhem  is located at the border near Germany.

The story of Operation Market Garden is told in two war museums, including a small one near the John Frost Bridge, which was the primary objective of the attack.

Click here to access the My Maps interactive map that includes all of these places in the Netherlands.

Tip: After accessing the map, you can also open it on your Google Maps app. Simply open your app, tap the ‘saved’ icon at the bottom, scroll down and tap the ‘maps’ icon, and choose the MyMaps map you want to see (you can do the same on your computer).

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I'm a passionate traveler obsessed with traveling in Europe and discovering hidden gems in each place I visit. For me, it's not about ticking destinations off the bucket list but experiencing each one of them to the fullest. Read more about me and my story.

15 Best Cities In The Netherlands To Visit Besides Amsterdam

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While Amsterdam’s a great place to visit, there is much more to the Netherlands than its capital city. Here is a list of the best cities in the Netherlands to visit besides Amsterdam.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, I definitely have a soft spot for the country. I feel very proud to call myself Dutch, and ever since moving to the UK, I’ve started to appreciate my country even more. The Netherlands has a unique culture, stunning architecture, and some fantastic cities to visit.

So next time you’re visiting, why not add some of these great cities in the Netherlands to your itinerary?

Even though I’ve been to quite a few cities in my home country myself, I’ve asked some of my fellow travel writers to add their favourite Dutch city into the mix. 

Best Cities To Visit In The Netherlands

The Netherlands isn’t very big, but it’s packed with fantastic places to visit. And while Amsterdam is one of those “bucket-list” destinations for many, I think you should consider adding some other Dutch cities to your trip. So, let’s take a look at what my fellow travel bloggers and I recommend!

1. Eindhoven

I grew up in a small village near Eindhoven, so this city is close to my heart. It’s the design capital of the Netherlands and hosts the annual Dutch Design Week, where you can find exhibitions scattered across the city centre. Eindhoven is also home to the annual light festival, Glow, where the city is covered in light art.

But even when visiting outside of these events, there are still many awesome things to do in Eindhoven . The Van Abbe museum was the first public museums for contemporary art in Europe and offers a lovely morning of enjoying art. If you’re not that much into art, you can also opt for the DAF museum or the Phillips museum.

Another area in Eindhoven that you should not miss out on is Strijp-S. This neighbourhood was known as the “forbidden city”, as it was the industry park owned by Phillips – nobody except employees was allowed inside. Nowadays, it is the creative heart of Eindhoven. Filled with hip eateries, cool startup companies, and independent shops, it’s a real treat to explore.

2. Maastricht

Being the oldest city in the Netherlands, Maastricht has some of the country’s best picturesque streets and castle ruins. The city is known for its Burgundian lifestyle, and the local cuisine is top-notch. While going on a Maastricht day trip is a great idea, I highly recommend going for at least a weekend.

Maastricht is gorgeous. The cobblestoned streets and lovely buildings are a photography lovers’ dream. But while walking through the streets is a treat in itself, one place you should add to your itinerary is the Dominicanen Book Store. This old church is transformed into a bookstore and cafe – it’s stunning!

If you’re visiting in spring or summer, make sure to stop by the St. Jan Church on Vrijthof. You can climb the tower for one of the best views of the city here for €2,50.

You can find more hints that Maastricht is indeed the oldest city in the Netherlands in the City Park. It includes remains of the ancient city wall and the Helpoort, the oldest gate in the country (dating back to 1229). 

3. Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a bit like Amsterdam’s little sister. Being the second biggest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam makes for a perfect day trip from the capital. While a large part of the city was destroyed during the Second World War, Rotterdam was rebuilt into a hub for modern architecture. 

Spending 24 hours in Rotterdam gives you more than enough time to see some of the main highlights. Start by checking out the observation tower: The Euromast. You can even sleep inside! 

Also, make sure to stop by the Cube Houses. They were designed by Piet Blom and can only be found in Rotterdam and Helmond. Because of their unique design, they attract quite a bit of attention!

Since it’s also a large harbour city, it’s also a great idea to add the Old Harbour to your day trip to Rotterdam. Only a few old buildings survived the bombs, one of which is the White House. The Old Harbour is lined with cafes and bars, making it a great spot to grab a drink and enjoy the view.

4. Den Bosch

Den Bosch is another lesser-known city in the Netherlands, but worth a visit! It has a little bit of everything: historic streets, a gorgeous cathedral, and a booming creative sector along the iconic Dutch canals. 

There are a lot of things to do in Den Bosch . The Saint Jans Cathedral is one of the most beautiful of its kind in the Netherlands. You can enter for free, and it’s even possible to climb the 43-meter high tower for a view of Den Bosch. The city also has canals. They’re not as famous as those in Amsterdam, but they are still fun to explore by boat.

After a short walk from the historic city centre, you can find Work Warehouse. This quirky area is filled with cool murals and graffiti – it’s a fantastic spot for taking photos.

And don’t forget to try a Bossche Bol, the city’s famous pastry. It’s basically a huge creme puff, but better 😉

5. Arnhem 

Submitted by Just Go Places Blog

Only about an hour away from Amsterdam by train, visiting Arnhem in the Netherlands is easy to do. You can even take a train directly to Arnhem from Schiphol International Airport. You will arrive at the swish new Arnhem train station, an architectural masterpiece that has won many design awards.

Arnhem was heavily bombed during World War 2 because of its strategic position near the German border with the Netherlands. Much of the medieval centre was destroyed during Operation Market Garden, where British paratroopers tried to take the town from the Nazis. Although ultimately unsuccessful, this invasion gave the Dutch hope that the Allied Forces would arrive eventually. There are two museums and a bridge in the town dedicated to Operation Market Garden.

Downtown Arnhem is a charming collection of streets that offers plenty of shopping. From the top of the Eusebius Church spire, there are views for miles. Underground in the historical area, the Dutch Museum of Wine is contained in a series of medieval cellars previously used to store wine.

There are also plenty of attractions near the city, especially for families. Arnhem is known for its Burger Zoo and its Open Air Museum dedicated to showing how the Dutch lived in the past. The Hoge Veluwe park on the outskirts of town is also the largest forested area in the Netherlands and perfect for cycling and hiking.

Submitted by Sam from Sam Sees World

Just a short distance from Amsterdam sits one of the best and most beautiful cities in the Netherlands: Muiden. It is a quaint yet charming city that offers the perfect Dutch getaway. You can get to Muiden from Amsterdam by bike, public transport, or car. The bike ride takes around 1 hour and brings you through the unique Dutch countryside. While taking a car or public transport take around the same amount of time.

Although there is a lot to do in Muiden, the highlight of the city is Muiderslot Castle . Muiderslot castle is a huge castle in Muiden, and a UNESCO world heritage site, just waiting to be explored. It will show you a more historical side of the Netherlands and is lovely to explore and discover. The entrance price is just over 15 euros, allowing you to explore freely for as long as you please.

Beyond the castle, you can walk around the charming town, go for a boat tour, eat along the canals, shop at local boutiques and more. It is the perfect place to experience local dutch life and enjoy some of the Netherlands’ most unique sides.

7. Amersfoort

Submitted by Craving Adventure

When thinking of the best cities in The Netherlands, Amersfoort often gets overlooked. Still, this medium-sized city in the exact middle of the country actually is quite a hidden gem. In 2015 and 2016, it was proclaimed the best city in The Netherlands to live in. 

On top of that, it is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the country. You’ll instantly see this as you enter the city by the city walls, the big gates providing access into the city centre and the big moat around it. And then there is the 98-meter high medieval church tower rising from the middle of town.

Like many other old cities in the Netherlands, there is a network of canals crossing through Amersfoort. Alongside these canals, you’ll find picturesque little cobblestone streets and alleyways full of boutique shops.

Amersfoort is well known for being a great place to go shopping and for being a place of culture. For example, the city is the birthplace of famous painter Piet Mondriaan, and his birth house has been turned into a museum.

8. Nijmegen

Submitted by Ask The Dutch Guy

The historic city of Nijmegen is one of Holland’s hidden gems. It is most likely the oldest city in the Netherlands, as it used to be part of the Roman Empire for many years. Nijmegen is home to the Renaissance-style Burchtstraat city hall, Sint-Jacobskapel chapel, and the Tower of Belvédère, which were all built in the 15th-17th century.

People usually flock to Lange Hezelstraat, which is the oldest shopping street in the Netherlands. Tourists love the shops, boutiques, and souvenir stores.

This enchanting city boasts its beaches along the Waal river and the De Ooijpolder nature reserve, situated just outside the city to the east. Here, visitors can find idyllic villages, typical Dutch farms, vast meadows of lovely flowers, and hiking trails.

Nijmegen is also famous for its museums and restaurants. Museum Het Valkhof features modern art, old masters and Roman antiquities, while the National Liberation Museum displays World War II memorabilia, showcasing how the Netherlands was liberated.

Meanwhile, two of the best restaurants in the city are De Nieuwe Winkel at Gebroeders van Limburgplein and De Meesterproef with its big, open kitchen, terrace, and beautiful interior.

Getting to Nijmegen is easy. From Amsterdam or Utrecht, one can take the intercity in the direction of this ancient city. And when coming from Rotterdam, travellers can take the train to Utrecht and on to Nijmegen .

Submitted by Zarina from Miss Travel Clogs

Despite being the 7th largest city in the Netherlands, Tilburg is barely known among tourists. Heck, it’s even an underrated destination among Dutch people. And that’s very understandable as there was nothing sexy about this former textile town until recent years. But having lived there myself before moving to London, I’ve seen Tilburg transform from a vibrant student city to an all-round cultural city break destination filled with interesting architecture.

Following a dramatic gentrification process, revitalised Tilburg now offers several cool urban hotspots. My number one go-to neighbourhood is Spoorzone, or ‘Rail Zone’ in English. Located next to Tilburg Central Station, you won’t have to go far to find this must-visit area. After a massive revamp of abandoned railway buildings, Spoorzone now houses fabulous industrial-chic bars and restaurants. Drop by RAW for a beer in an impressive industrial venue, or visit De Wagon for a coffee/meal in a cute vintage 1930s train carriage!

Home to one of the top music venues in the Netherlands, the impressive programme of 013 (named after the city’s district code) includes anything from mainstream bands and (inter)national singer-songwriters to pure rock ‘n’ roll see-you-in-the-mosh-pit gigs.

Want to take things down a notch? Then I recommend catching an arthouse film at the independent cinema Cinecitta. Fancy visiting a museum? Then modern art museum De Pont is an excellent choice. Or go to the Textile Museum to see inspiring exhibitions on fashion and design.

Curious to see what else my fantastic former home town has to offer? Then explore it for yourself! Located at respectively only a 15-min and 21-min train ride away from Den Bosch and Eindhoven, Tilburg makes for an excellent base to explore the hospitable southern province of the Netherlands. Or even for a day trip to Antwerp , Belgium, which is only an hour away by car. Have fun!

Submitted by Guide Your Travel

Leiden is a mid-sized city located in the Netherlands, close to the coast and south of Amsterdam. The city is home to several large universities, so there are always lots of students around. You’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants around the city, and although the nightlife cannot be compared to that of Amsterdam, you’ll always find something to do. 

Like many Dutch cities, Leiden is built on the water. There are beautiful canals which you can explore by boat. The historic architecture in Leiden is what makes it a must-visit for tourists. The buildings date back as far as the 17th century, and there are lots of different museums and art galleries. 

Leiden is the perfect choice for travellers who tend to avoid larger cities but are looking for many cultural activities. The National Museum of Antiquities and the Volkenkunde Museum should be at the top of your list as well as the Japan museum. 

For some impressive historic architecture, head to the Hooglandse Kerk, a beautiful gothic church. The Mare Kerk is another incredible church in Leiden that was restored to its former glory.

11. Utrecht

Submitted by Nichola from Family Hotel Expert .

Utrecht is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands and is often overlooked for its more famous neighbour Amsterdam. Don’t be fooled, though; there’s plenty to do in Utrecht to take you away from the capital and more than enough to make you want to pick it instead of Amsterdam. 

It has a similar look and feel to the capital, with canals running through the centre and beautiful traditional buildings lining the waterfront. But it’s much quieter and calmer, without the huge crowds of tourists. 

There’s so much to do here, from exploring the endearing Nijntje Museum, all centred around the Miffy character created here in Utrecht by Dick Bruna (perfect if you’re on a family holiday to Holland ) to the fantastic Speelklok Museum, set in a former church. 

Climb to the top of the Dom Tower for spectacular views or explore the engines at the train museum (Het Spoorwegmuseum). Utrecht is a beautiful city for losing yourself in the backstreets and is best explored on foot (or bicycle), not least because cars are banned from the centre. The architecture is beautiful and has a timeless appeal to it. 

Come for the day or the weekend, and you’ll wish you had longer to spend in this captivating city.

12. Haarlem

Submitted by Jennifer from FamilyTripGuides

Haarlem is a beautiful Dutch city located just 30km west of Amsterdam and 60km north of The Hague. This makes it a great weekend trip from Amsterdam . It is a great city to experience Dutch life outside of the tourist areas of Amsterdam. It is also famous for its surrounding tulip fields and as a significant trading centre for tulips.

There is lots to explore in and around the city. We start at the Grote Markt, the heart of the historic area, a huge outdoor market on Saturdays and smaller ones on other days of the week. It is a great town square with the Grote Kerk dating back to 1307. This town square has dozens of cafes, restaurants and shops and a great place for people watching.

Just one block away is the Corrie ten Boom House and Museum, where you can take a tour and view the actual hiding place where the ten Boom family sheltered Jews during World War II. It is a fascinating tour right on one of the main streets.

If you visit in Spring, renting a bicycle and exploring the Bollenstreek Flower Route from Haarlem to Leiden is not to be missed! You will see millions of tulips and other spring flowers in tidy rows along canals. 

13. Groningen

Submitted by Lavina from Continent Hop .

Occupied by Anglo-Saxons for quite a few centuries, Groningen, the largest city in the North in the Netherlands, is full of history and culture.

Usually full of students as there’s a major university here, the city is lively, and there’s lots to do.

Located about 150 kilometres from Amsterdam, it takes about 2 hours to get here. Once you do, you’re greeted with windmills, stroopwafels, idyllic canals, a generous helping of cheese and the occasional farms you can visit on a budget, without the hustle and bustle of tourists!

Groningen is frequented mainly by locals, and few tourists make it here, making it perfect if you’re looking to experience more of the culture and history of the Netherlands.

The streets have colourful houses, and the river has numerous boats that one can see making their way through, irrespective of weather.

As with most of the Netherlands, the city has many cycling routes that are very pretty. The coastline can be windy at times but can make for a great day out, especially with kids and pets. Menkemaborg castle and the Arboretum Notoarestoen park are great for a visit. In addition to this, the city is good for shopping as well!

14. The Hague

Submitted by Dym Abroad .

One of the best cities in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam is The Hague. The Hague is one of the largest cities in the country and it is known for the seat of government that you can find here and the house of the King of the Netherlands.

Furthermore, this is the place where you find the International Court of Justice, which is one of the world’s most important courts. One of the best things to do in The Hague is visiting Binnenhof. This is a building complex where you can find the government of the Netherlands. 

The building has beautiful architecture and is great to see! Another one of the best things to do in The Hague is seeing the Noordeinde Palace. This is the workplace of the king of the Netherlands.

Besides that, you should visit KM21 when you are in The Hague. This is one of the best  modern art museums in the Netherlands . You find here a large variety of works, including sculptures, paintings, and more. Furthermore, Scheveningen is great to visit. This is a part of The Hague that you can find next to the North Sea. It is a great place for a day at the beach.

Furthermore, you find here the Scheveningen Pier, which is great to visit as well!

Submitted by Lara from The Best Travel Gifts

If you love the beauty of Amsterdam but hate the crowd, you are going to love Delft!

Delft is a city located only about an hour away from Amsterdam by train, making it a perfect day trip. Though there is plenty to do to keep yourself entertained for a day or two. It’s famous for Dutch Delft Blue pottery and being home to one of the top technical universities The TU Delft.

With Delft being famous for the typical Delft blue pottery, it should come as no surprise that exploring cute boutiques and Delft Blue factories are among the top things to do in Delft. For stunning architecture head over to the Oude Kerk (Old Church) with its leaning tower. Or check out The Market Square with the Delft City Hall, The Waag, and The Nieuwe Kerk (new church). Climb the church tower to get amazing views over the city. If you are looking for the classic Amsterdam canal photos without the tourist, check out Hippoltusbuurtstraat, Voldersgracht, and the Old Canal.

For people interested in history The Prinsenhof Museum is a great place to learn about Dutch History. It is the former residence of William of Orange, who is also known as the father of the fatherland and played a key role in Dutch history and the royal family.

Lastly, the science museum of the TU Delft is perfect for people who love to learn about (surprise) science.

Conclusion: The Best Cities In The Netherlands

And that concludes our selection of the best cities to visit in the Netherlands. If you’re planning a trip to this lovely little country, make sure to add some alongside Amsterdam. It’s very much worth your time, and it’ll give you a much better idea of what the Dutch culture really means.

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Nele (Nay-la) graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with an English and Creative Writing Degree and has lived in the UK for nearly 10 years. She has had an interest in Japan and its culture for as long as she can remember. Since her first trip in 2018 surpassed all expectations, she has continued to return to Japan to explore more of all it has got to offer. You can read her full story here .

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30 Best Places to Visit in The Netherlands

Are you planning a trip to the Netherlands? Then this list with the most beautiful places to visit is exactly what you are looking for. Find below a map with all the tourist spots of the Netherlands and pick the ones you like for your next trip. The Netherlands has a wide variety of tourist attractions and this extensive list has some off the beaten path destinations that you won't find in any other Netherlands travel guide.

It’s not a surprise that the worldwide Corona crisis has put a stop to all our travels. Some awesome trips abroad got cancelled and had to be rescheduled. In the meantime the Traveltomtom team had time to check out the beautiful tourists attractions in the Netherlands. With some borders being closed, and a negative travel advice for most of the outside world, Traveltomtom started looking into sightseeing in The Netherlands. We found out that Holland, our small little country has so much to offer. For some reason we rather travel as far away as possible. But the Corona crisis made us reconsider to visit some Netherlands tourist attractions.

Holland has 12 provinces and the Traveltomtom Team has traveled to all of them. We visited all the tourist hotspots around our country, some during the recent global Covid pandemic. On top of all that we visited some unique hidden gems which we want you to discover too. Are you ready?

When traveling to the Netherlands stay connected and buy a local sim card for the Netherlands . Flying to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam? Don't buy your sim card for the Netherlands there. Why? Here is your guide for buying a sim card at Amsterdam Airport and decide yourself!

Join us on a journey along the best things to in the Netherlands. With this list of the most amazing tourist attractions I am sure you make the most out of your Netherlands trip.

Map of the beautiful places to visit in Netherlands

1. Amsterdam

Our capital city! I love Amsterdam, in fact, I think it’s one of the best capital cities in the world. And I assure you, Amsterdam is so much more than the red-light district and legal drugs.

Amsterdam became quiet during the Corona crisis, for months museum, restaurants and bars had to be closed. Residents of Amsterdam loved the peace and quiet in the city. Normally for the best things to do in Amsterdam like the Anne Frank House, it’s almost impossible to get tickets. There are always massive queues lining up alongside the museum. When things started to open up again, but tourists were still not allowed into the Netherlands, we thought this would be the perfect time to visit our capital, and visit all the places we normally don’t get the chance for.

My top recommendation for Amsterdam is the Anne Frank House. A very important part of our history, which they turned into an interesting and impressive museum. Find out where she and her family hid, and where she wrote her famous diary.

Explore Amsterdam by foot as much as possible, walk through narrow alleys, discover Amsterdam at its best! Another recommendation I would like to make is a boat tour on the canals of Amsterdam. They usually last for about an hour, and you get to see some pretty nice and new sights of Amsterdam. During the tour commentary will be provided in multiple languages.

Some other must do’s for Amsterdam: rent a bike and explore the Vondelpark, walk through the most expensive shopping street of the Netherlands, the PC Hooftstraat, visit the Rijksmuseum and the famous Nachtwacht painting, take the free ferry-boat behind the Central Station and visit the A’dam Tower (amazing Amsterdam views guaranteed!).

Where to stay around Amsterdam? The Traveltomtom team lately tried out the brand new Van Der Valk Amsterdam Zuidas Hotel , with the most magnificent views over the Amsterdam business district for sure. Want to stay in a more central hotel in Amsterdam then have a look at the Volkshotel in Amsterdam Oost . Their uniquely designed rooms, Canvas rooftop bar bar/restaurant and a hot tub with views over Amsterdam make it a unique hotel in Amsterdm.

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2. Kissing Couple XXL

Located on the North side of Amsterdam, right at the point where you take the ferry to Zaandam, they installed something pretty cool. The Kissing Couple XXL in Delfts blue colors. I stumbled upon it though social media, and immediately thought, I have to add this to my Netherlands sightseeing tour.

It’s very easy to visit by car, as there is a carpark right next to the Kissing Couple. But there is another fun way of getting to the Kissing Couple XXL. You can easily visit it by bike. From Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station just follow the blue dot route to the Hempont Ferry. The Kissing Couple can’t be missed. Need more information on the bike route? Check it out here .

For a unique place to stay in The Netherlands check out the Clock Tower Suite in Weesp . It is near Amsterdam and you get a chance to sleep in the tower of an old church! Click on the link for a complete review of what is called one of the best hotel rooms in The Netherlands.

3. Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans, one of Netherlands top things to do, I had wanted to visit this place for such a long time. But it’s normally crowded with tourists there, a very popular spot. I guess that has always kept me from visiting. After visiting Kinderdijk earlier this trip, where we were pretty much the only one around, I had high hopes for the Zaanse Schans. Often the parking lot tells a lot about how busy the place you’re visiting is. The parking lot at the Zaanse Schans was empty, which made me very enthusiastic.

The Zaanse Schans is an amazing place to visit, full of windmills, handcraft shops and museums. The Zaanse Schans is actually a residential area, keep in mind, people actually live here! The Dutch 18th and 19th centuries are brought alive here. It feels like walking through an open-air museum.

This place is a unique part of the Netherlands. Where else will you find wooden houses, mills, barns and workshops? Every part tells its own story.

Walk around, buy some cheese, clogs as a souvenir or chocolate, visit a windmill and learn about what they still do there. The Zaanse Schans is a fun day out, and super easy to visit from Amsterdam. It’s located right next to Zaandam, a lovely place with a very relaxed city center with some more classic Dutch architecture to discover. De Zaanse Schans definitely is a must visit place in the Netherlands.

A great place to stay near de Zaanse Schans is the Boutique Hotel STAATS in Haarlem . The Traveltomtom team checked it out, read the full review in the link.

4. Volendam

We had been to Volendam before, more than once even. It’s always a great day out and I love the atmosphere is this quaint town, even on busy and crowded days. However, we got curious to what Volendam would be like these days during the Corona pandemic.

I was shocked, as I had never seen Volendam as empty as it was this June. The famous Dijk was completely empty. A few tourists, but mostly locals were around, so nice. But that was of course due to the pandemic.

From Amsterdam you can easily take a daytrip to Volendam. Consider taking the bus, as this popular Netherlands tourist attraction is located just over 30 minutes from the city center of Amsterdam.

Volendam is a classic Dutch charming harbour village. The Dijk is the most famous part of the town full of shops and restaurants, along the water. All located in traditional wooden buildings. Looking for that cheesy photo in Dutch costume? Volendam is your place to be!

Tourists often only visit Amsterdam, or maybe Volendam if they stay longer, but often don’t explore more of the Zaan Region, just above Amsterdam. We knew there was much more to explore in this region than just Volendam and Amsterdam. The Zaanse Schans for example, but also don’t skip the city of Hoorn. A great little Dutch town, with a huge history to it.

Hoorn, the city of the Golden Age. Hoorn is located directly by the water and was very prosperous during the Golden Age. Hoorn turned out to be the perfect location for the trading routes of the Dutch East India Company. This rich history of Hoorn nowadays lives on in monumental buildings, grand architecture and museums full of historical treasures.

Hoorn is one of the overlooked places to visit in Holland, but totally worth visiting.

Best place to stay around Amsterdam

Hotels in Amsterdam can be expensive, especially in the city center. If you’re keen on exploring both the city of Amsterdam, but also the Zaanse Schans, Hoorn and Volendamand many other highlights to visit around Amsterdam, we might just have the perfect place for you.

Our Netherlands tip for this region is Van der Valk Amsterdam-Oostzaan Hotel . This hotel is located just outside of Amsterdam, along the highway, so it’s very easy to get there. It’s located within half an hour max of the tourists attractions such as Amsterdam, Volendam, Hoorn, Zaanse Schans and Muiderslot. Your perfect gateway to this beautiful part of Holland.

Additional benefit is the free parking offered by Van der Valk Oostzaan. Staying that close to Amsterdam, yet being able to park your car for free, that’s a real bonus!

Another benefit this hotel offers its guests is the shuttle service. No hassle, make sure to book a spot for this service, and they bring you to the city of Amsterdam! They drop you at a free ferry, from where you cross the water to the center of Amsterdam. During the holidays this service is offered on a daily basis, with multiple departure times available.

Looking to explore this region by bike? Good idea, the Van Der Valk Oostzaan hotel offers bike rental and some very interesting and fun bike routes. Just ask at reception for more information.

Booking.com

Van der Valk Amsterdam Oostzaan opened its door to the public just a few years ago, a rather new hotel this is. Something new hotels of the Van der Valk Group have in common is the wellness and fitness areas, often located on the top floors of the hotel. The Amsterdam – Oostzaan hotel is no exception. Make sure to check out the pool, gym and sauna. If you want to do so, please keep in mind that a reservation is required nowadays.

6. Muiderslot Castle

Muiderslot Castle is one of the oldest and best-preserved castles of the Netherlands, it was built in 1285. Back then they had just one goal in mind when building this castle, defence!

This famous Dutch castle is located just outside Amsterdam, and therefore really easy to visit. It’s considered one of the must see places in the Netherlands. Reason enough to put it on our itinerary.

Visiting this castle is not free of charge, tickets for Muiderslot Castle are 15,50. This 700-year-old castle is surrounded by water and some beautiful historic gardens. Behind the castle you’ll find the plum orchard of the castles famous resident and writer P.C. Hooft. When the plums were ripe and sweet, he gladly invited his guests to the Muiderslot. He closed his letters with the, now famous phrase ‘Until plum-time!’.

Muiderslot Castle obviously also had to close its doors due to Corona, but they have opened up again, ready to welcome visitors. In fact, they have come up with something really cool and one of my best Netherlands travel tips.

During summer you can camp right next to the castle, how cool is that? You arrive in the afternoon, and have the castle all to yourself. You’ll get a tour through an empty castle, gather around a campfire, and have breakfast delivered to your tent.

If camping is not your thing then I can highly recommend you to check out the Van Der Valk Utrecht Hotel . The Traveltomtom team stayed here, check out the review in the link. Also close by the Muiderslot Castle is the city of Wageningen where you can find the unique Hotel de Wereld where in 1945 the capitulation of Germany troops was signed by Colonel - General Blaskowitz. Here you can relive history, a unique place to stay in The Netherlands!

7. Heeswijk Castle

Heeswijk Castle is located in the South of the Netherlands, just over half an hour from the city of Eindhoven. It is considered the most beautiful castle of the Brabant province and one you won’t often find in a Netherlands travel guide.

The castle is very easily accessible, just follow the signs to the free parking facilities, and walk up to the castle. You can walk all around the castle for free. If you want to visit the castle and see it if from the inside. Tickets for the Heeswijk Castle cost €11 .

The castle is surrounded by woods with plenty of walking tracks around the castle.

Heeswijk Castle has played an important role during World War II. During the massive operation Market Garden, paratroopers were dropped to secure the route of advancing British ground forces. There are multiple information signs around the castle telling you about the history. You can even follow the Liberation Route and learn all about it.

Looking for places to stay around the Heeswijk Castle then try the Hotel Modez in Arnhem . The Traveltomtom team stayed there and came up with 6 reasons why to book this hotel. Read the review in the link. 

8. Fort de Roovere

Fort de Roovere is located in the far west corner of the province of Brabant, close to the border with Zeeland. It is an earthen fort, constructed as part of the Dutch Water Line, the Hollandse Waterlinie, a series of water-based defenses.

In recent years extensive renovations have been done to the fort, as it had fallen into major disrepair.  What got me really curious to visit this place is the Moses Bridge. This bridge appears to divide the water, so we know where it gets its name from. It seems like this bridge crosses through the water, something unique.

Looking for some aerial views? Just recently the Pompejus watchtower was added to the area and opened to the public. Fort de Roovere for sure is an off the beaten path tourist destination in the Netherlands away from the crowds.

9. Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is probably as Dutch as it gets, this tourist attraction is why people visit the Netherlands, and Kinderdijk is how people think of and see the Netherlands. No wonder this UNESCO World Heritage site is a popular place to visit, that attracts thousands of tourists every year.

The Kinderdijk windmill complex is unique in the world, you won’t find this anywhere else in the world. We Dutch have always struggled with water, these windmills and pumping stations have been keeping the soil dry here for centuries now.

You can actually walk around here for free, no entrance. If you want to visit the museum mills or sail along the windmills, you would need to buy an entrance ticket, which you have to do prior to your arrival to Kinderdijk. This is one of these Dutch tourist hotspots that is crowded in any given normal situation, but due to the corona crisis there were only a handful of people, perfect!

Best place to stay around Kinderdijk

Our recommendation for a place to stay when visiting Kinderdijk is Van der Valk Hotel Dordrecht . It is located at cycling distance from the Biesbosch National Park, and just a short 10-minute drive to the city center of Dordrecht. You can rent bikes from the hotel to discover the highlights in Dordrecht, even cycle to Kinderdijk which is a 19 kilometer bike ride. All easy and flat terrain and the best way to visit Holland anyway. Stay active!

Van der Valk Hotel Dordrecht is conveniently located right next to the A16 highway, which makes this hotel very easily accessible.

Next to that, and because the Netherlands is just a small country, it is also located within reasonable distance of attractions like Kinderdijk, the Deltaworks and the beaches of Scheveningen, all within an hour drive of the hotel.

This hotel has an amazing wellness center right at the top. This wellness center offers a pool, fitness area and sauna. Also located on the top floor of the hotel is the skybar. It’s one of Dordrecht best bars to have a drink. Perfect to enjoy a drink on a summer evening, while enjoying the views from up here.

10. Dordrecht

Dordrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, and with the Biesbosch as its backyard, Dordrecht is a great place to stay and explore.

The city of Dordrecht is full of monuments. The town hall for example was built in the 14th century. One of the biggest highlights of the city is the Grote Kerk. The famous church of Dordrecht is often listed as one of the top places to visit in Netherlands.

From monuments to modern shops, Dordrecht offers it all, yet not too busy like its bustling neighbour Rotterdam for example, which makes it a great day trip when visiting the Netherlands.

11. National Park the Biesbosch

National Park the Biesbosch is one of the many national parks in the Netherlands. It’s spread over two provinces, Zuid Holland and Brabant, however, most of the Biesbosch is located in Brabant. The Biesbosch is the largest fresh water tidal zone in Europe, which means you can find many streams and willow swamps here. Going deep into the Biesbosch the area looks just like a jungle.

Most of these areas are only accessible by boat. The Biesbosch is a paradise for nature lovers, you’re surrounded by nature and wildlife. The possibilities to explore the Biesbosch are endless, by boat, walking or cycling. Go out, explore and experience this National Park a great thing to do in The Netherlands.

There are 2-hour boat tours into the jungle of the Netherlands that cost €15. Boat tours are not every day. Click here for more info about the Biesbosch .

12. Deltaworks Neeltje Jans

The Delta Works are one of the most renowned works in the world, and the largest storm surge barrier in the world. In the Zeeland province they call it the Eighth Wonder of the World, which emphasizes the importance of the Delta Works to the Netherlands.

The Netherlands, and the province of Zeeland in particular, is largely located at or below sea level. The Delta Works were built to prevent a repeat of the 1953 flooding disaster. You can visit and explore these huge storm barriers. Walk across or get toured around. Tickets for Neeltje Jans cost €25 .

But there is much more to see and do here. Have some fun in the waterpark, visit Zeeland’s largest aquarium, visit seals and sea lions or go on a boat trip on the Oosterschelde.

13. Parkstad Limburg

Parkstad Limburg is the fastest growing tourist destination in the Netherlands. It has the largest indoor ski park in Europe, the longest staircase in the Netherlands, the largest home-improvement boulevard in Europe, the most modern and innovative zoo in Europe and the largest world-themed gardens park in the Netherlands. If this is not enough reason to visit this region, then what is? This region is located in the very South of the Netherlands, close to the Heuvelland region, Maastricht, and the borders of Germany and Belgium.

In Parkstad Limburg you will also find Heerlen, the street art capital of the Netherlands . The murals in Heerlen appeal to the imagination internationally.

There are so many cool things to do in Parkstad Limburg and it’s not just the region that is award winning here, how about the award-winning Gaia Zoo? Opened in 2005, ever since its opening this Zoo has won one award after the other. Among many other awards, it’s been awarded Best Zoo of the Netherlands, and for years in a row now it’s also been awarded Best Day Out in the Netherlands.

Want to know more about this region and the street art capital of the Netherlands? Check out our blog about the best things to do in Heerlen . Best place to stay in Parkstad Limburg

The Parkstad region isn’t that large, but still has a lot to offer. So when visiting this region, be sure to visit for more than one day. We did the work for you and found you the best place to stay in Parkstad Limburg.

Van der Valk Hotel Heerlen offers the perfect location in the heart of Parkstad, and close to all the highlights this region has to offer. It’s located along the N281 motorway, so very easily accessible. From this hotel you can explore the Street Art Capital of the Netherlands by foot or by bike. Attractions like Snowworld and the Gaia Zoo are only a very short drive away.

Hotel Heerlen is part of the estate of Terworm. Estate Terworm is a nature reserve offering various possibilities for relaxation. Very suitable for jogging, walking, cycling, with routes from 4 to 7 kilometers. So after a long and active day out, this is the perfect place to enjoy and relax.

Another great place to stay in Zuid - Limburg is the Heuvelland, the only place where Holland is NOT flat! Check out the most beautiful scenery and viewpoints of Holland when staying at the Hotel Klein Zwitserland  in the picturesque little town of Slenaken.

14. Pyramid of Austerlitz

In the weeks before our Netherlands roadtrip I did some research. I knew a lot of places to visit in Netherlands, but I was also looking for some unknown, never heard of spots I wanted to add to our Netherlands itinerary.

One of these places to visit I had never heard of before, is the Pyramid of Austerlitz. I thought pyramids only existed in Egypt, but I know now that we actually have a very cool one in the Netherlands too.

While the Pyramid itself was still closed during our visit, due to the Corona crisis, we could actually get quite close. If you want to climb the pyramid you have to buy a ticket, but like I said, you can get really close, and walk all around it without buying a ticket as well.

The Pyramid of Austerlitz is tucked away in the forests of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Absolutely a great location, hidden away, a short walk through the forest before the pyramid appears.

The Pyramid of Austerlitz was built in 1804 by Napoleon’s soldiers, they chose one of the highest points of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The Pyramid is a national monument, and a must do when visiting Netherlands. Not classic Dutch, but it will surprise you! This pyramid is located only a short, 25-minute drive from Utrecht.

Not directly nearby but within 45 minute drive you will find another great place to visit in Holland: Den Bosch. In this city you can sleep in an old crane and the coolest thing: it is still working! This old crane is converted into a hotel room and from your bed, you can turn your hotel room 360 degrees if you want. NO JOKE! Check out the complete blog about the Bossche Kraan Hotel , one of the most unique places to stay in the Netherlands.

15. Wadden Islands - Texel

Travelling the Netherlands isn’t complete without visiting one of our Wadden Islands. The Netherlands have five inhabited Wadden Islands: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. With Texel being the largest and most populated of our Dutch Islands, we decided to add Texel to our itinerary along the best places to visit.

It’s very easy to get from the Dutch mainland to Texel. Drive all the way up to Den Helder, which is actually quite an interesting place itself to pay a visit to.

Den Helder is home to the Netherlands main navy base. This all dates back to 1811, when Napoleon Bonaparte visited Den Helder, and was impressed with the towns strategic location. So impressed that he ordered the construction of a fort and naval dockyards. In 1947 Den Helder officially became the Royal Netherlands Navy’s main centre of operations. An interesting museum to visit when in Den Helder is the Dutch Navy Museum.

So, from Den Helder the Royal TESO ferryboat service operates between the city and the nearby Wadden Island Texel. You can see Texel from the mainland when waiting for the ferry.

Insiders Netherlands tip: Travel to Texel on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, if you do so, you’ll receive a 30% discount on the ferry.

When docking in at Texel, they can’t be missed, the Texel sheep. The Texel is a breed of sheep, originally from, yes the Island of Texel. Everything made of wool can be bought in shops across Texel.

The dune landscape on Texel is unique and a great habitat for wildlife. About one third of the island is a protected nature reserve. The best way to explore Texel is by bike, but you have to withstand the sometimes strong winds. You can rent bikes all over the island!

Often seen as the symbol of Texel is the red lighthouse at the northern end of the island. You can also climb the lighthouse.

Views from up there include the North Sea, the Wadden Sea and the next Wadden Island Vlieland. When it’s dark, the light of this lighthouse can be seen from as far as Leeuwarden.

De Koog is the so-called seaside town of Texel. Just a few dunes separate the village from the ocean and the beach. De Koog is a nice place to spend a few hours, it has a great shopping center, some lovely restaurants and some nice beach clubs.

Den Burg is considered the capital of Texel, nearly half of the population of Texel live in Den Burg. This lovely little town has a lot to offer. Great shopping opportunities, plenty of terraces to have a drink, it’s just a great little town to walk through. There is more than enough things to do when visiting Texel, perfect for a day trip, but enjoying a sunset and a sunrise here is even more magical.

16. The Afsluitdijk

After visiting Texel it was time to do something that had been on our so called Netherlands Bucketlist for a very long time. It may sound stupid, because this is often seen as ‘just’ a highway connecting two provinces, but the Afsluitdijk is so much more than that!

The Afsluitdijk is a major dam in the Netherlands and famous place to see, completed in 1932. This means the Afsluitdijk has been protecting the Netherlands from the force of water for nearly 90 years now. The total length of the dike is 32.5 km. The dike is more than just a water barrier. It’s a motorway connecting two Dutch provinces as well. Everyday thousands of people use the A7 motorway to travel between Noord-Holland and Friesland. The Afsluitdijk was the initial demonstration site for a 130km/h speed limit in the Netherlands.

The Afsluitdijk is currently under construction, to make it even more future proof, for many more years to come. Once construction works are done, the Dijk will be stronger, higher and more robust looking. There is so much to see, not just the Afsluitdijk itself. Here is the Afsluitdijk Wikipedia page for even more info.

Enjoy the Wadden Sea, visit the Afsluitdijk Wadden Centre or the monument right in the middle of the Afsluitdijk. Part of the construction works and upgrades to the dike are a new cycle and walking path, imaginable with endless views on the Wadden Sea.

One of the first major cities you’ll come across after crossing the Afsluitdijk into Friesland is the city of Sneek. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to spend as much time in the city as I wanted, one has to make choices while travelling, which means we only had time for a brief stop in Sneek. However, Sneek has an amazing relaxed and laidback atmosphere.

Sneek is one of the Friese Elf Steden (eleven cities). The Elfstedentocht, or eleven cities tour, is a long-distance ice-skating event in the province of Friesland. It’s almost 200 kilometers long and passes all eleven historical towns of the province. The Dutch haven’t had an Elfstedentocht for years, the last one was in 1997. Even King Willem Alexander participated and finished!

Sneek is well known for its canals and of course for the Waterpoort, the symbol of the city. Visiting Sneek in the summer? Try to visit the Sneekweek, Europe’s biggest sailing event.

If you want the best photos of the Waterpoort from the best point of view, don’t go towards the end of the day. The sun sets behind the Waterpoort, which is not ideal for getting the best photos!

18. Groningen

Groningen, both a province and a city in the Netherlands. Both well worth it and great things to do in Netherlands. In this blog we talk about the city of Groningen. It is the largest city in the north of the Netherlands. Even though Groningen isn’t actually the biggest city, it has an important role as the main center of the northern part of the Netherlands. Besides that, Groningen is a real university city, which really contributes to a diverse cultural scene for the city.

Our reason for visiting Groningen was to explore the city everyone always says you just have to visit when traveling to Netherlands, and to see the famous Martinitoren.

Located at the main market square in Groningen, this symbol of the city can’t be missed. The Martinitoren is Groningen’s famous church. It’s one of the main tourist attractions of the city. You can actually climb the tower and enjoy some great views over the city and surrounding areas.

The center of Groningen, surrounding the Martinitoren and the main market square is absolutely worth a visit. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in the nearby streets. Done shopping? Try one of the many restaurants and bars, a great time guaranteed in this bustling city.

19. Vesting Bourtange Fortress

From the city of Groningen, move east towards the German border for a real hidden gem of the Netherlands. This was also one of these things I had never heard of before and never found in a Netherlands travel guide. But when I came across it on the internet, just had to add it to our Netherlands itinerary.

Bourtange fortress is a unique historical defence work. Meet Fortress Bourtange, the fortress that was never taken. Have a look at the Fort Bourtange website , it looks amazing from above.

From the seventies until the nineties last century massive reconstructions took place at the Fortress Bourtange. Digging the canals again, forming the ramparts and reconstructing the many buildings, all in the style of the past. They did this massively with the help of old maps and drawings. Welcome in the year 1742, that’s certainly what it feels like when walking through Bourtange, stepping back in time.

20. Hunebedden

The Hunebeds, prehistoric tombstones, are the oldest monuments in the Netherlands. They were actually transported to Drenthe during the Ice Age, can you imagine?

There are actually 52 Hunebeds to visit in a 30-kilometer radius. So, doing them all might be a bit too much. Thankfully Visit Drenthe has come up with the ‘Big Five’, just for you to discover the best of the prehistoric history in Drenthe in one fell swoop.

Great idea! And that’s why we decided to do the Big Five and discover the best of the Hunebeds. Part of the Big Five is the largest Hunebed (D27) of them all. When visiting the largest Hunebed, you’ll pass the Hunebed Visitor Centre, which is definitely worth a visit! It gives you an idea of how the people who built these Hunebeds used to live.

Visiting the Hunebeds is often listed as one of the top things to do in the Netherlands.

21. Camp Westerbork

Probably the most impressive place we visited on our Netherlands tour was visiting Camp Westerbork. Hidden away in the woods, it makes sense why they chose this location for such a horrible place. Camp Westerbork was known as the foyer of Hell during the Second World War. It was a transit camp to concentration camps like Auschwitz and Sobibor.

When it was built in 1939 it was first used as a refugee camp then turned into a transit camp. A total of 93 trains left from Westerbork, eventually killing 102.000 people.

ssThe camp itself is accessible free of charge. You can’t get to the camp by car. You’ll have to park your car at the museum’s carpark. From there it’s roughly a 2.9km walk to get to the camp. Normally there is a shuttlebus running between the camp and the museum, however due to Corona, that service is currently not running. The museum entrance fee is €10 . But it is well worth a visit, where you will learn a lot about Westerbork’s history.

22. Radio Sterrenwacht

We parked our car at the Camp Westerbork museum and made our way towards the camp. It’s a nice walk, through the woods. All of a sudden, we bumped into 14 huge satellite dishes. Apparently, we ran into the Westerbork Synthese Radio Telescope.

This telescope, built in 1970, is one of the most sensitive telescopes in the world. It consists of 14 satellite dishes, each 25 meters in diameter.

The walk from the Westerbork Museum to Camp Westerbork will guide you along this telescope. In fact, this walkway is called the Milkyway-walk. It’s a very interesting, fun and beautiful walking route on which the fascinating world of the universe and the largest radio telescopes in Europe play a central role and are explained. Both young and old learn about the operation of these enormous satellite dishes.

23. TT Assen Circuit Tour

One of the biggest events of the Netherlands is the MotoGP at the TT Assen. The TT Assen is a circuit mainly used for the MotoGP, but also for numerous other events and activities. You can visit the track on one of the many events taking place each year, or you can book a tour, and get a look behind the scenes.

Into Moto GP? Then this could be very interesting for you. They have the so called ‘Tour de TT’ in Assen. The Tour de TT is 65 kilometers long and takes you to the two old street circuits. Have a taste of what the circuits used to be back in the days as street circuits and enjoy and explore the surrounding areas.

24. Giethoorn

Giethoorn is known for its bridges, waterways and punts, no wonder it is called the ‘Venice of the North’ and one the most famous tourist attractions in the Netherlands.

This idyllic village is located in the Weerribben-Wieden National Park. There are countless thatched farmhouses, built on small islands, connected by more than 170 wooden bridges. The best way to explore Giethoorn is by foot or by boat. There is plenty of time to do both in one day!

Walking along these pretty houses gives you the opportunity to have a look at the many shops and restaurants. You can go on organized cruises on the waters of Giethoorn, where you will be told a lot about the history and the present of Giethoorn.

I would advise to rent a boat yourself and explore the place at your own pace. Boat rents start from 1 hour to a full day. I rented one for an hour, where you cruise through the main canals of Giethoorn and over the Bovenwijde lake.

Giethoorn was one of the top highlights of this Netherlands trip, something I had never seen or done before, unique to the Netherlands. Tourists were still staying away when we visited, keep in mind that this place gets packed any other time!

Where to stay around Giethoorn

Assen and the Drenthe province really surprised me. A lot of nature, forests and national parks, something I really like, the outdoors. As there is so much to do in this region, looking for a centrally and perfectly located hotel was important and a challenge. So I was extremely happy when I found the Van der Valk Hotel in Assen , right in the middle of it all!

It’s the ideal place to stay when discovering the Hunebeds, the TT Assen, Camp Westerbork and Giethoorn, all within short driving distance of the hotel. Drenthe is pre-eminently a walking and biking province. There are so many walking and cycling routes and opportunities.

Hotel Assen warmly welcomes you to have the best time in Drenthe. Hotel Assen has bikes for rent, your start to a thousands of kilometers signposted cycle route network. The hotel has their very own kitchen garden. Herbs, vegetables and fruits fresh from the garden to their restaurant. People working in this kitchen garden are people that are distanced from the labor market and by doing this they gain more relevant work experience.

This hotel is currently working on a new wellness center. Soin the near future you can enjoy a relaxed time at the new wellness after an active day outdoors.

25. Rotterdam - One of World's Biggest Ports

Rotterdam, the 2nd biggest city of the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. It has so many cool places to visit and exciting things to do, I don’t even know where to start really.

From the iconic Erasmus Bridge, the icon of the city, to the cube houses, the market hall and the bustling center, these are some of the best Rotterdam activities.

Even if you only have a short amount of time in the city, make sure the Euromast is part of your visit. The Euromast offers you the best 360 degrees views of the city. Overlooking the Erasmus Bridge, the ss Rotterdam and the famous port of Rotterdam.

When visiting the Euromast, you can combine your visit with a fun 18-hole midget golf course, right next to the Euromast. It’s a very popular thing to do in Rotterdam, and I have to admit, playing some (midget) golf in the center of a city like Rotterdam, that is pretty special.

Another Amazing place to see is the ss Rotterdam. This former ocean liner and cruise ship can be visited nowadays, where you can tour this ship and get to know all about its history and present. Keep reading because I have a great recommendation that has something to do with the ss Rotterdam.

Check out my article on the best things to do in Rotterdam for even more recommendations when traveling to Rotterdam.

Rotterdam is one of the largest ports of the world, how cool would it be to explore this port? Well, you actually can! Spido Rotterdam offers a wide range of port tours and cruises where you get to explore and learn about the importance of the port.

Where to stay in Rotterdam

As second city of the Netherlands Rotterdam obviously offers plenty of accommodation opportunities. However, I have found a unique place to stay, it’s a gem

My top recommendation for places to stay is the ss Rotterdam . You can actually sleep in former cabins of this steamship, and experience how ocean life was like back in the days. Close your eyes and let your imagination run wild, it almost really feels like you’re actually cruising the ocean!

The ss Rotterdam is located in the center of the city, and very easily accessible. You can leave your car at the carpark right next to the ship. You can also arrive by water taxi, as they have special platforms for arrival and departure with these unique taxis.

Looking for the most unique and special place to stay while visiting Rotterdam, stop looking, because it doesn’t get any more special than the ss Rotterdam. Quickly check out their rates and start booking , because a trip to Rotterdam is waiting for you!

26. The Pooping Man & The Batavia

Sometimes you pass some amazing things just by chance. That happened to us when we were travelling the Netherlands and by sheer coincidence passed the amazing sculpture the Exposure, also known as the Crouching Man. Freely translated they also call him the pooping man in the Netherlands, I can see why. This statue is located on a breakwater at the Houtrib locks in Lelystad, overlooking the Markermeer, a shallow lake.

On September 17, 2010 it was unveiled by the artist, and since then it has been a curious sight, but also very popular place to visit in the Netherlands for tourists to take their Instagram shots.

We were actually visiting the Bataviastad Fashion Outlet in Lelystad, when all of a sudden I saw this famous sculpture in the far distance. We jumped back in to our car and drove out to see it closer.

Bataviastad Fashion Outlet is the first ever Outlet Center in the Netherlands, located at the Markermeer in Lelystad. De outlet was named after the Batavia ship from 1628, of which you can find a replica nearby at the Bataviawerf.

The shopping center is an imitation of a fortified town, complete with a heavy city wall, three city gates, pedestrianized cobblestone streets and a series of individual wooden shop buildings with a quasi-authentic architectural appearance. It is partly inspired by the small town of Marken, partly by the West Indian colonies.

As mentioned earlier, right next to this shopping center you’ll find the impressive Batavia, a replica of the Batavia. You can actually visit and explore this ship and discover what life at sea was like in the 17th century. It’s an impressive sight for sure.

27. Tulip Fields in the Bulb Region

The Dutch Bollenstreek (Bulb Region) with its gorgeous flower fields is by far one of the most famous and popular places to visit in the Netherlands. It is located in the Western parts of the Netherlands. The region became famous for its bulb cultivation. Nowadays the flower fields in this part of the Netherlands attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. It’s a fun and diverse region to visit, offering cities, lovely villages, beaches and of course perfect opportunities to take incredible pictures. Therefore the tulip fields are regarded as one of the most Instagrammable places in the Netherlands.

The most famous tourist attraction of the Bollenstreek has to be the Keukenhof, also known as the Garden of Europe. They host a world renowned 8 week tulip display. It’s one of the largest flower gardens in the world.

Another big thing in the Bollenstreek is Bloemencorso, an annual flower parade and flower spectacle. It follows a 42km itinerary from Noordwijk to Haarlem. Along the route you can enjoy some of the most amazing creations and beautifully designed floats, full with narcissi, hyacinths, tulips and other flowers!

When visiting the Bollenstreek simply explore by foot, car, bike, scooter, whatever you choose, go out and explore the many tulip and flower fields this region has to offer. It’s what the Bollenstreek became famous for, and what still attracts many tourists to this part of the Netherlands. Some flower fields actually look like rainbows, very impressive and magical!

Check out our extensive blog post about the Bollenstreek for 9 tips when visiting the Tulip Fields in the Netherlands .

28. Achterhoek

The Dutch Achterhoek is a large area in the east of the country, close to the German border. For some reason it’s an area that isn’t visited that often, and that’s a real shame! Before we visited the Achterhoek I had little expectations, just because I simply didn’t know the area that well and didn’t know what to expect.

Now that I have visited the Achterhoek for 5 days I actually really like the area. I would sum it up as: castles, vast nature, big farms, small quaint and picturesque villages and narrow country roads. Perfect ingredients to add it to this list of best places to visit in The Netherlands.

One of the best places to visit in the Achterhoek is the smallest city in the Netherlands, Bronkhorst. It’s literally a church, a main street, a few houses, some shops and restaurants, that’s it. It takes you less than 5 minutes to see all of Bronkhorst, but it’s on top of our list of things to do in the Achterhoek. It feels like stepping back in time. No cars are allowed in the little village, so make sure to park your car just outside.

Castles really define the Achterhoek. You can easily visit the Achterhoek for a few days and visit multiple castles each day. We selected a few of them to visit as we love visiting these unique places but also tourist attractions. Our top castle recommendations for the Achterhoek are: the Ruurlo Castle and Huis Bergh Castle. Another recommendation is the Eight Castle Route . This one starts from the Vorden Castle, and is a lovely cycling route along eight castles in the area. A great way to explore and experience the area.

The Achterhoek is also well known for its tea gardens. Locals welcome you to their tea garden to enjoy their homemade delicacies. It’s also the place to be to buy regional products. You can also do some lovely shopping in towns like Zutphen or Doetinchem.

Want to know more about the Achterhoek? Check out the website of the local Tourism Board to find more things to see and do and hotspots to visit and places to stay in the Achterhoek. The people at Achterhoek Tourism are happy to help you out with a full itinerary.

29. National Park de Hoge Veluwe

The Veluwe region is a large forest-ridge area in the province of Gelderland. It stretches 60km from North to South and reaches heights of up to 110 meters, which in Holland is high. The Veluwe features many different landscapes including woodland, heath and some small lakes. You can also find Europe’s largest sand drifts in the Veluwe and therefore, definitely worth mentioning in this list of awesome places to visit in The Netherlands.

Within the Veluwe region there are a few National Parks: de Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Veluwezoom National Park. These National Parks are perfect places to truly enjoy the beauty and the nature sites of the Netherlands. You can visit the Hoge Veluwe National Park by car, but the best way to explore them is to go by foot or by bike, as you see much more, and cover areas that are away from the main roads. It’s also the perfect place to spot wildlife, but as always with wildlife, you have to be lucky. If you’re lucky though, you might spot deer, wild boar, mouflon, foxes and highland cattle.

The largest city to visit within the Veluwe region is Apeldoorn. Apeldoorn is probably most famous because of some famous and popular tourist attractions, like Royal Palace 'The Loo', Apenheul Zoo and theme park Koningin Julianatoren. It’s also a good base if you want to visit the Hoge Veluwe National Park. The Veluwe region has a couple other things to do beside visiting the National Park. Here are some of our favorite places to see in the Veluwe.

The Netherlands is a very flat country, but even for a flat country there is a highest waterfall to visit. The Loenense waterfall is the highest waterfall in the Netherlands, and when visiting the Veluwe, absolutely worth a stop. It’s located in the forest, so you can even explore the area a bit more if you like.

Something we didn’t know, but found quite cool once we visited is the exact center of the Netherlands. It is located in Lunteren, in the middle of the forest, so it could be a little search. But once you reach it there is a stone marking the exact center of the country, which I think is quite cool!

Radio Kootwijk is a national monument, and was used as a communication facility between the Netherlands and the colony of Dutch East Indies. Nowadays it is used as a venue for several cultural events and productions, including the American film Mindhunters in 2004. It’s also a popular place to get married in The Netherlands, and for us a must visit for the Veluwe!

Where to stay in the Veluwe?

Van der Valk Apeldoorn is located right next to the A50 highway, and therefor super easily accessible. It’s a lovely and quiet hotel, surrounded by nature, it really feels like being in the middle of the Veluwe already. They have a vegetable garden, chickens and an apiary, they’re really busy with nature and natural products. It’s a great and affordable option when visiting the Veluwe, and easily to combine with a day of shopping in Apeldoorn.

The Traveltomtom recently also stayed in Wageningen at Hotel de Wereld , and fell in love with this place and the story to it. A true icon in the Netherlands where in 1945 the negotiations took place for the liberation of the Netherlands during the second world war. Read more about it in the link.

Last but certainly not least we highly recommend Hotel de Sterrenberg if you’re into the nature and planning on visiting the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Hotel de Sterrenberg is an adult only hotel, and is located only 500 meters from the gates to the Veluwe National Park.

30. Deventer | East Holland

Thinking about doing a city trip in the Netherlands, not many people would come up with Deventer in the East side of the country. But when visiting Veluwe National Park and the Achterhoek region, the city of Deventer is pretty much the perfect city to visit.

It is a small but charming city and visiting Deventer for 1 night is enough. It is worth it though and since it has such a nice and great vibe it might want to make you stay longer. Let’s start with the best place to visit in Deventer to see its skyline. Cross the water by bridge or by ferry and you will have a lovely view of Deventer’s skyline.

Town square the Brink is the bustling center of Deventer. We visited on a weekday, and were surprised how crowded the restaurants and terraces were, very lively and great atmosphere.

The best way to explore Deventer and get to know the city is by doing a city walk. The local tourism office organizes these walks every day and will show you the best of Deventer during a 1.5 hour walk. Pre-registration is required to participate in this tour and the costs are €6 per person.

Deventer is also known for its Deventer Koek (a bit like gingerbread) and something you must try when visiting Deventer. Make sure to take a look at the authentic shop at the town square. This Charles Dickens-esque little shop full of delicacies from grandmother's time will make your mouth water. Of course you will find all original products here. Fresh Deventer Koek is also baked here.

Our top recommendation to stay in Deventer is most definitely Hotel Huis Vermeer . This unique boutique hotel is located in the center of the city which makes it your perfect base to enjoy and explore Deventer. To find out more about this hotel, check our full blog post: Hotel Huis Vermeer Review. 

Netherlands travel blog

Traveling the Netherlands, our own backyard, has been a blast. Especially because it was quiet everywhere due to the Corona pandemic. We visited tourist hotspots, top attractions and must-see places that normally would see hundreds of people a day, and we were actually the only one walking around now. Shooting photos for this Netherlands blog has never been this easy.

This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley . She explored the Netherlands on behalf of Traveltomtom, seeking for the best tourist attractions and some unique off the beaten path destinations and hidden gems. Have a look at her Instagram .

I hope all these Netherlands travel tips were helpful for your next adventure. Safe travels!

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10 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands

By Mike Kaplan · Last updated on March 4, 2024

No visit to Holland is complete without a visit to the capital city, Amsterdam; however, there are so many more thrilling sites to see in the Netherlands. From the classic windmills and magnificent fields of flowers to historic town centers laden with museums and sights, Holland has much to offer visitors. These places to visit in the Netherlands are not to be missed, and most are easily accessible.

10. Gouda [SEE MAP]

Gouda is a typical Dutch city with lots of old buildings and pretty canals, and is a popular destination for a day trip, thanks to its great rail- and highway connections. The city is famous for its cheese, its stroopwafels (syrup waffles), candles and its clay pipes.

Attractions in Gouda include the beautiful 15th century town hall and the amazing glass windows in St. Janskerk. The compact city center is entirely ringed by canals and is a mere five minutes’ walk from the station.

9. Rotterdam [SEE MAP]

Once a mere 13th century fishing village, Rotterdam is the Netherlands most modern city today. Very bike friendly like Amsterdam, Rotterdam boasts several districts for visitors to explore. The popular Delfshaven district is where the pilgrims launched sail from in 1620, and the summertime festivals and carnivals there attract visitors from nearby European countries every year.

Erasmus Bridge is highly unique and imposing, but highly regarded as a work of art, as it soars over Europe’s largest harbor. By far, the most popular visitor stop is at the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, where artworks on display span from the Middle Ages to modern times, including masterpieces by Dali, Van Gogh, Bosch, and Rembrandt.

8. Groningen [SEE MAP]

This culturally diverse university city is small but boasts two colleges, making it the main place to visit in the northern part of the Netherlands, especially concerning the arts, business, and education.

Museum lovers never tire in Groningen, as the Groninger Museum is one of the most innovative and modern in all of Holland, and there is additionally a graphical museum, comics museum, maritime museum, and a university museum. Music and theater abound in Groningen, and many street cafes feature live entertainment.

Because of its high student population, nightlife hotspots are a huge attraction, with The Grote Markt, the Peperstraat, and the Vismarkt being the most popular.

7. Haarlem [SEE MAP]

The center of the tulip bulb-growing district, Haarlem is unofficially dubbed Bloemenstad, which means ‘flower city’ and is naturally the home of the Annual Bloemencorso Parade. This quiet bedroom community lies along the shoreline of the Spaarne River and boasts numerous intact medieval structures around town.

Visitors enjoy shopping and perusing the stunning architecture and museums along the Grote Markt city center. Popular museums in Haarlem include the oldest museum in the country, the Teylers Museum, which specializes in natural history, art, and science exhibits. Art aficionados find themselves drawn to the Franz Hals Museum where many Dutch masters’ works rest.

6. Utrecht [SEE MAP]

The rich Middle Age history of Utrecht is very apparent in the city’s architecture, with its most unique feature being the inner canal wharf system that was created to stave off parts of the Rhine River from invading the city center. Utrecht’s claim to fame may be the fact that it boasts the largest college in the Netherlands, the University of Utrecht.

Another notable visitor attraction in Utrecht includes the awe-striking Gothic Cathedral of Saint Martin, a 200-year structural feat that began in 1254. Architecture and museum enthusiasts should not miss the Dom Tower, the Rietveld Schroder House, and the Museum Speelklok, which boasts a vast collection of striking clocks, music boxes, and self-playing musical instruments.

5. Maastricht [SEE MAP]

Best known for its dynamic city square, the Vrijthof, Maastricht in southern Holland is home to the impressive Saint Servatius Church, the Saint Jan’s Cathedral, and the old fortifications, or Vestigingswerkens, are huge draws for visitors here.

Many annual festivals take place at the Vrijthof, with local favorites arriving in autumn and winter, and this bustling town square also boasts amazing cafes, hip bars, and interesting galleries and shops. Other popular attractions in Maastricht include the St. Pietersberg Caves and the Helpoort, the oldest surviving town gate of its kind in the Netherlands.

4. The Hague [SEE MAP]

Best known for the contemporary art exhibits at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, The Hague is arguably one of the most extraordinary places to visit in the Netherlands. Known as the Royal City by the Sea due to its Dutch Royalty citizens, visitors often enjoy spending time along the North Sea in the warmer months at the sea town of Scheveningen.

Several notable monuments and historic districts are easily traversable in The Hague, and travelers can peruse the luxury department stores, cozy shops, and international art galleries with ease. The Binnenhof, the seat of the government of the Netherlands is also located in The Hague even though Amsterdam is the capital. Other attractions in The Hague include the miniature city, Madurodam and a 360 degree panoramic view of the Scheveningen Sea in the 19th century at Panorama Mesdag.

3. Delft [SEE MAP]

From the Renaissance style City Hall building on the Markt Square to the city’s traditional Holland canals, architecture, and vibe, Delft is a progressive town that has worked diligently to restore its antiquated appearance. This unspoiled town is an ideal day trip destination or vacation destination if the busy streets of Amsterdam are undesirable for a long stay.

Popular sites include The Prinsenhof, where the bullet holes still remain from the death of William of Orange. This museum tells the tale of the Eighty Years’ War and also features many intriguing artworks. Those looking for a Johannes Vermeer souvenir or print cannot miss stopping by Vermeer Centrum in Delft.

2. Leiden [SEE MAP]

The picturesque city of Leiden is a great place to visit for its scenic, tree-lined canals that are marked with old windmills, wooden bridges and lush parks. A boat ride down one of these lovely canals makes for an unforgettable experience. Attractions in Leiden include the numerous museums that range from science and natural history to museums dedicated to windmills and Egyptian antiquities.

The Hortus Botanicus offers sprawling botanical gardens and the world’s oldest academical observatory. Visitors can also admire the beautiful architecture of the 16th century Church of St. Peter and check out its association with several historic people, including the American pilgrims.

1. Amsterdam [SEE MAP]

One of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, Amsterdam is widely known for its party atmosphere, cannabis practice and the red light district. However, this capital city of the Netherlands offers so much more for all travelers such as its beautiful canal ring, historical buildings, world-class museums and famous attractions like the Anne Frank House, Vondelpark and Bloemenmarkt, the floating flower market.

Located in the province of North Holland, Amsterdam is a sprawling city with many districts, but getting around is easy with public buses, trams, metro lines and bicycles. At the heart of Amsterdam is the old city center.

See also: Where to Stay in Amsterdam

Surrounded by an elaborate canal system that features dozens of islands and hundreds of bridges, the center is where most tourists spend their time enjoying canal cruises, sightseeing, visiting impressive art museums such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, and attending performances at distinguished concert halls like the Concertgebouw.

The city has several street markets, of which Albert Cuyp is the most popular. The Prinsengracht area is one of the best places for shopping, gallery viewing, pub crawling, and checking out the unique coffee shops in Amsterdam. For dining, tourists will find a large diversity of restaurants offering a smorgasbord of cuisines. Dutch cheese, Ossenworst sausage and bitterballen (fried meatball) are tasty local specialties to try.

Map of the Netherlands

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Reader interactions.

March 14, 2018 at 2:04 am

Don’t forget Giethoorn and nearby are the 53 megaliths “hunebedden” built by humans 3000 bc.

May 22, 2017 at 8:16 am

Beautiful pictures! Would love to visit those places with family 🙂 🙂

May 10, 2017 at 8:59 pm

To make it even more correct, Amsterdam is the constitutional capital. The Royal Palace in Amsterdam was built as the city hall during the 17th century and got it’s today’s role as the official Royal Palace in The Netherlands beginning of the 19th century, when The Netherlands became a kingdom in stead of a republic. This to serve as the official place in an otherwise really empty capital indeed. The Hague was originally the place where the count of Holland resided. Before the rebellion against the Spaniards the center of power was most of the time Brussels, today Belgium. But Belgium was seperated from the north once more in 1830.

December 18, 2016 at 1:13 pm

@Tom Perrett. You are incorrect. Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. The Hague or Den Haag is the seat of Government and where the Royal family reside.

July 24, 2016 at 11:47 pm

Just so you know the hague is the capital of the netherlands not amsterdam.

July 27, 2016 at 1:02 pm

no @Tom, Amsterdam is the capital.

May 24, 2016 at 6:01 pm

Just FYI, Holland is a Provence, not the name of the country. So, for example, Amsterdam is in the Provence of Holland, Maastricht is in Limburg, NOT Holland. The country is the Netherlands. This fact is frustrating to many Dutch who constantly are referred to as from Holland.

May 25, 2016 at 12:11 am

@Anneke, actually Amsterdam is in the province of North Holland, but I get your point.

November 1, 2015 at 2:15 am

Other – Amersfoort, the best by far for friendliness, helpful and fair prices

March 5, 2015 at 5:43 pm

Cool list and Delft is certainly worthy of its spot at 3, and arguably should be 2. While the list is subjective, Leiden is too high at 2. We lived in Amsterdam for 3 and 1/2 years and feel Den Bosch and Alkmaar have a little more to offer visitors then Leiden. A beachside town like Zandvoort Van Zee would be interesting to mix things up. The summer beach scene in the Netherlands is really underrated.

These types of lists are fun because it opens dialogue for debate.

March 10, 2015 at 3:22 am

I agree about the beach scene Alex, though I would go for a beach in Zeeland or Scheveningen for an urban beach experience.

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Top 5 cities to visit in the Netherlands

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With lively nightlife, beautiful scenery, and liberal values, the Netherlands is always a fail-safe holiday choice. As a world superpower in the 16th and 17th centuries, it gave rise many spectacular towns and cities, yet nowadays Amsterdam takes all the glory. If you travel a bit further afield (not that far, the Netherlands is small) you'll find plenty of other charming places to visit, and possibly a more authentic experience. To steer you in the right direction, here's our pick of the top five cities to visit in the Netherlands.

1. Rotterdam

2. the hague, 5. amsterdam, travel ideas for netherlands, created by local experts.

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The best of the Netherlands and Belgium

This trip will bring you the best of two countries: the Netherlands and Belgium. From the quaint streets, canals and windmills of Holland to beer and Belgium chocolate tasting in three beautiful Belgium cities. This trip has it all.

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Experience the Liberation Route in BeNeLux

Explore the path of the World War II Liberation Route through Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Visit important landmarks and museums on the way with this self drive itinerary, with enough time to explore cities such as Brussels and Rotterdam on the way.

You might visit Amsterdam for its history, but Rotterdam is the place to go for architecture aficionados. The city didn't fare well in the Second World War, and when it was rebuilt, the city council decided that instead of resurrecting the city as it was, it would be rebuilt with the future in mind.

The resulting post-war architecture and modernist skyscrapers make Rotterdam a treasure trove for design fans. Make sure you check out the Cube Houses, Nieuwe Luxor Theatre and the Van Nelle Factory. For more insight into the artistic movements that inspired these buildings head to the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen to see its exhibition on De Stijl and the Bauhaus, plus several centuries of Dutch and European art.

Rotterdam is also the largest port in Europe, from where hopeful Dutch families once emigrated to New York, or New Amsterdam as it was once known. You can learn more about Rotterdam’s nautical past at the Maritime Museum.

Thinking of visiting the Netherlands? We can help! Try our new tailor-made trip service and enjoy a fully personalised trip planned just for you!

One of the grandest cities in the Netherlands, The Hague is the polar opposite of Rotterdam. The Dutch royal family lives here and the city is full of large, beautiful mansions, pretty parks and leafy streets. What it lacks in edginess it makes up for in casual, laid-back elegance, and it's a great city to visit for fine dining.

There are plenty of good museums to choose from too, like Museum Beelden an Zee – hidden in the sand dunes of the Scheveningen beach resort – which focuses on contemporary sculpture, to the Prison Gate Museum that brings alive tales of crime and punishment in years gone by (a great one for kids and adults alike). Before you leave make sure you see Vermeer's masterpiece Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis .

The grand buildings of the Binnenhof in The Hague © Tom Goossens/Shutterstock

If you're interested in military history, you'll be interested in Arnhem. The infamous Battle of Arnhem took place here in September 1944. Allied Forces tried, and failed, to capture what is now known as the John Frost Bridge in their plan to advance into Germany. Almost 2,000 Allied troops died in the battle (mainly British and Polish forces) along with some 1,300 German soldiers and close to 500 Dutch civilians.

Most of the Allied soldiers are buried at the Oosterbeek War Cemetery , a visit to which is a sobering yet worthwhile experience. To find out more about Arnhem’s role during the war, you can also visit the Arnhem War Museum. The city is also featured in our new book Travel the Liberation Route Europe which commemorates the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Europe.

Windmills at the Open Air Museum in Arnhem © Wunigard/Shutterstock

Gouda is a cheese-lover’s paradise, of course, but did you also know the city is also famous for its pottery and waffles? Apparently the now ubiquitous-in-Starbucks stroopwafel was invented here in the 19th century.

But back to cheese for a moment… If you're in town on a Thursday make sure you head to the cheese market held in the beautiful town square from 10:00am-12:30pm from April to August. The market is a full-on celebration of things Dutch – national costumes, clogs, huge wheels of cheese and traditional crafts, plus merchants and farmers clapping hands in the traditional way each time they agree on a deal.

If you haven’t had your fill of cheese after that, you can also visit the Cheese and Crafts Museum in Goudse Waag building, where you can watch how cheese is made.

For a souvenir that won't make you put on weight, you can buy some of your very own traditional Gouda pottery at shops in the town, or at the annual ceramics market held at the end of May.

A cheese shop displays its wares in Gouda © symbiot/Shutterstock

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The draw of Amsterdam is clear to see: the city is an Instagrammer's dream, with gorgeous 17th-century architecture and quaint cobbled streets. If you haven't been before, make sure you see the most obvious sights – the Rijksmuseum , Anne Frank’s House , and Van Gogh Museum all worth your time and money. The city also boasts a solid list of free entertainment .

After this, take the time to soak in the laid-back vibes, wandering along the canals and sampling a craft coffee or craft beer at one of the many excellent cafe bars.

Amsterdam's nightlife is a wholly unique experience – running the gamut from hardcore Club NYX (which even has a DJ booth in the toilet), or Progress Bar, which mixes socially progressive talks and events with epic club nights.

Start planning your trip by choosing your accommodation with our guide to the best places to stay in Amsterdam .

Amsterdam is packed with classic and charming canal views © S.Borisov/Shutterstock

Find more holiday ideas in the Netherlands with our guide to the best things to do in the Netherlands .

For more information on these cities and the rest of the country, purchase the newly updated Rough Guide to the Netherlands .

Top image: Goudas cheeses in the window © Jose Luis Carrascosa/Shutterstock

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19 Best Cities to Visit in the Netherlands Besides Amsterdam by residents

February 13, 2020 by Karen Turner 46 Comments

As a Dutch resident, I’ve been lucky enough to see many of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands that aren’t as well known to tourists as well as the Dutch countryside.

Although you’ve probably heard why you should visit Amsterdam, the prettiest Dutch cities to visit are often peaceful, less crowded, and more memorable.  Keep reading for the 19 most atmospheric and beautiful cities/towns in the Netherlands that will help you discover more of the Netherlands.

I have lived in Amsterdam ( click for insider tips !) and the Hague.  One of my favorite hobbies to take a train to a new Dutch city or town or village (dorp) that I haven’t been before.

Although Amsterdam is a lovely city, its centre is full of touristy shops and if you simply take the train, you’ll discover some beautiful small Dutch towns and large cities in the Netherlands that are full of incredible architecture and history.

As much as I love Amsterdam, the Netherlands is so much bigger and people joke that Amsterdam is like Dutch Disneyworld, so if you’re wondering where to go in the Netherlands…any of these cities might be a good idea to experience the real Netherlands.  It should be noted that some of the cities are near Amsterdam while others are quite far, so depending on your time, make time to visit somewhere else.

Baarle-Nassau

Schiermonnikoog.

• 1 Best Places to Visit in Noord Holland
• 2.0.1 Click for my complete guide to Haarlem.
• 3 Muiden: The perfect day trip from Amsterdam
• 5 Best cities to visit in South Holland (Includes best cities to visit in Zuid Holland, Brabant, and Limburg)
• 7 ‘s-Hertogenbosch / Den Bosch:
• 8 Den Haag / The Hague
• 10 Baarle-Nassau
• 12 Rotterdam
• 13 Maastricht
• 15 Central cities to visit in the Netherlands
• 17 Northern & Eastern Cities (from Amsterdam) to visit in the Netherlands
• 20 Giethoorn
• 21 Schiermonnikoog
• 22 Groningen
• 23 Leeuwarden
• 24 Have you been to the Netherlands? What was your favorite city besides Amsterdam?
• 25 Enjoyed this? Share it!

Best Places to Visit in Noord Holland

You might be wondering: Is Holland the same as the Netherlands? Well, Holland is part of the Netherlands. It refers to one specific part of the Netherlands on the west coast (aka Noord Holland/South Holland).

Noord Holland is where most of the population lives, so people generally tend to call the Netherlands Holland as a result…however, you’re better off not describing the whole of the Netherlands as Holland since there are LOTS of other regions in the Netherlands worth visiting.

Noord Holland is where Amsterdam is located, so you’ll find many cities close to Amsterdam to visit.  The fantastic train system in the Netherlands means that the towns near Amsterdam (in Holland) are at most about one hour from Amsterdam, which makes these cities the perfect one day trip from Amsterdam (or longer!) . Click for a complete list of the 20 best day trips from Amsterdam

Haarlem: An easy day trip from Amsterdam

Haarlem is often overlooked due to its close proximity to Amsterdam. People assume because they’ve visited Amsterdam that there’s nothing of worth in Haarlem, however, Haarlem is older than Amsterdam. (Similarly, you can easily find cheap accommodations in Haarlem and take the train to Amsterdam.)

Haarlem’s town center is dominated by the imposing St. Bavokerk (also known as Grote Kerk, Big Church). Built on the spot of a burned down 12th-century church, it became an official cathedral in 1557. It’s beautiful inside and out, with stunning stained glass windows and an organ on which a young Mozart—among other musicians of yore—played many a tune.

Beyond the cathedral, Haarlem has some great museums such as the eccentric Teyler’s Museum and De Hallen, a tiny contemporary art museum. If relaxation is in order, check out the Jopenkerk, a hip craft beer bar and restaurant in a converted church, and be sure to follow up with the city’s best fries (and mayonnaise) at De Friethoes.

In short, Haarlem is a great day trip from Amsterdam for people who want to escape the hustle and bustle (and the tourist traps!) for a day. (Thanks to Alex .)

Click for my complete guide to Haarlem.

Muiden: the perfect day trip from amsterdam.

This beautiful and historic Dutch town close to Amsterdam (only 40 minutes by bus) is the home of one of my favorite Dutch castles (Muiderslot) .   Muiden minimizes cars and you’ll often see large ships passing through the town.  Be sure to stop into one of the historic brown bars for a drink or a meal after visiting Muiderslot castle.  You’ll feel like you stepped back in time.  Click for more information about visiting castles in the Netherlands.

This atmospheric star-shaped fortress city in the Netherlands is widely considered one of the best Dutch cities to explore due to its well-preserved walls/moat and beautiful houses.

It is an easy train ride from Amsterdam to Naarden and you’ll find that there’s plenty of things to do outside of Amsterdam if you discover this beautiful Dutch city at your own pace.

Although there’s so many cute towns in the area, experiencing Naarden means that you’ll also get a glimpse into Dutch history as it has one of the oldest churches in the Netherlands (dating back to 1572!).  Perfect for a half-day trip from Amsterdam or a day trip combined with visiting Muiden.

Best cities to visit in South Holland (Includes best cities to visit in Zuid Holland, Brabant, and Limburg)

A bit further from Amsterdam, you’ll find the cities of South Holland, Brabant, and Limburg. This area is about 1-3 hours from Amsterdam, but these towns/cities are rich in culture, history, and beauty. (Sometimes less!)

This charming university town only thirty minutes from Amsterdam is full of charm, stunning canals, beautiful Dutch canal houses, and so few crowds that you’ll be wondering where everyone is.  Leiden can be mistaken for Amsterdam if you show the right photo although once you visit the historic Pieterskwartier, you won’t want to return to the crowds in the Red Light District.

Click for a complete guide to Leiden

‘s-Hertogenbosch / Den Bosch:

‘s-Hertogensbosch, or Den Bosch for short, is the capital city of North Brabant, famous for its hospitality, good food and people who know how to enjoy life.

Den Bosch is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands with city rights dating back to 1185. One of the most remarkable sights is the Gothic St. John’s Cathedral, built between 1380 and 1530. During a recent renovation on one of the flying buttresses, there was added a statue of an angel holding a cell phone.

Those who love art can visit the Jheronimus Bosch Art Centre to learn about Den Bosch’s most famous painter (Hieronymus Bosch). From the tower of the Centre, you will have a breathtaking view of the city. A different way to see Den Bosch is to take a boat tour on the Binnendieze through the city’s canals, including under many of the buildings.

There are also markets on the main square on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Many restaurants are located at the Markt, De Parade and Vismarkt squares and on the streets: Korenbrugstraat and Korte Putstraat.

The specialty of Den Bosch is the  Bossche bol – a gigantic profiterole covered with dark chocolate and filled with whipped cream. Den Bosch is a perfect destination for a one-day trip, however, my advice is to stay a few days extra so that you can thoroughly enjoy the city.  During Carnaval, the city changes names and turns into a giant party in the streets.

(Thanks to Daniela from Ipanema Travels To.. .)

Den Haag / The Hague

Den Haag is often overshadowed by Amsterdam, but it is full of fantastic museums as well as historic architecture. Although Amsterdam is the capital, the Hague is the third-largest city in the Netherlands and the home of Dutch Parliament.

For history geeks, it’s also the home of the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court in addition to hosting many of the main governing bodies of the Netherlands. One of the ones not to miss is the beautiful Binnenhof, which was a castle originally built in the 13th century to house counts. It is now used for meetings of the cabinets. (The Hague is about 1 hour from Amsterdam.)

Den Haag is also full of hofjes (historic courtyards that used to be almshouses), fantastic museums, and a lively Chinatown. For math and art geeks, you can visit the Escher Museum, which is housed in a former palace. The building is beautiful, but the art is even more fascinating.

Even more famous is the Mauritshuis, which houses  Girl with the Pearl Earring  and The   Goldfinch . If you’re an art geek with a love for the Dutch Golden age, this beautiful museum in a palatial setting is a must-see during your trip.

If you’re in Den Haag, don’t miss the Netherlands’ most famous boardwalk along the beach:  Scheveningen . The pier is a day in itself with tons of activities for couples and families alike!

Click for an insider’s guide to what to do in the Hague with 30+ things to do in the Hague!

Click for a one day guide to the Hague

Heusden is a small fortified town on the River Maas. A bird view of the town is pretty amazing, as it looks like a star from the air. Heusden is the perfect destination for slow travel in the Netherlands as you can walk along the old city walls, get lost in the narrow streets, or sit at café Havenzicht to watch the yachts passing by.

The town was built in the early 13th century to replace a castle destroyed by the Duke of Brabant. The stronghold played a significant role in the Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648) against Spanish dominance. In the 70’s the town has been completely restored based on a map from 1649.

There are many places to eat in Heusden, but you should try the Dutch pancakes at De Pannekoekenbakker.  When walking around in Heusden, there are many art galleries, including the shop of famous Dutch footwear designer Jan Jansen.

(Thanks to Daniela from  Ipanema Travels To.. .)

Baarle-Nassau is one of those bizarre oddities you need to see to believe. Its misshapen borders are tightly entwined with the Flemish enclave of Baarle-Haartog, thanks to a handful of fickle treaties in medieval days of yore.

The task of figuring out which country a building resides in is so confusing that the town had to create a rule: country of residence is determined by which country the front door opens into. Since taxes in Belgium are lower, that led to a rush to renovate houses to have doors opening to the Belgian side!

The queer little town(s) merits a day trip at the very least. A scenic cycle, drive, or bus ride from nearby Tilburg will bring you to its wacky borders, marked on the ground with small crosses.

You can pick up a pannenkoek (pancake) at De Pannenkoekenbakker on the Dutch side, then hop over to Belgium to sample a Flemish brew or three at De Lantaern. No passport necessary! (Thanks to Alex, Lost with Purpose .)

Gouda is known for its world-famous cheese, but the city has so much more.  It is only 55 minutes by train and compact, so you can easily make it one of your day trips from Amsterdam and it is a must-see for the Netherlands if you’re a cheese lover.  Thanks to Maartje!

The impressive Town Hall on the central market square is a unique monument not to miss! Courtyards: the oldest yard dates back to even 1449!  St Jan church is the tallest church in the Netherlands and has huge stained glass windows. Look up and admire the facades of the Gouda houses with special ‘gevelstenen’, some even date back to 1609.

Stroopwafels are traditional Dutch syrup waffles. Try the waffles at Van Vliet bakery, where thousands are freshly baked daily on Lange Groenendaal street.

The Gouda cheese market occurs from April to the end of August. On Thursday mornings you can witness cheese making, cheese trading and weighing cheese in de Waag.

Click for a complete guide to Gouda 

Rotterdam is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands with a population only second in size to Amsterdam.  If you’re looking for another city to visit, Rotterdam is where to go in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam due to its dramatically different cityscape.

Most of Rotterdam was destroyed in World War II, so they’ve had to rebuild everything. For modern architectural buffs, Rotterdam is a great place to explore for its architecture, including the famous Blaak cube houses and the Rotterdam Market Hall. You can go up the Euroscope and take in the panoramic view of Rotterdam.

There are a number of good restaurants in Rotterdam, including Guliano (Italian) and Takumi (Japanese ramen). Rotterdam has the largest Asian population in the whole Netherlands, so Chinatown is where to go for Asian food. Rotterdam is a great city for nightlife.

The Witte de Withstraat street is Rotterdam’s bar street. I personally loved Wunderbar, which is a bar that is below ground but allows you to order through a window on the street level.  (Thanks to Tendelle .)

Click for a complete guide to Rotterdam

Maastricht is one of the most charming cities in the Netherlands and it can be easily explored in a weekend. The city is perfect for a slow, romantic weekend spent exploring a beautiful cathedral bookstore, strolling the tangled streets, touring historic caves, and eating/drinking delicious regional cuisine at affordable prices.

It’s a scenic 2.5-hour train ride each way south to Maastricht from Amsterdam and it costs about 25 euros per way. Its proximity makes it easy to hop over to Aachen, Germany for only 5 euros.

Recommended for a weekend trip from Amsterdam or a 1-2 day stopover between the Netherlands and Germany if you’re Eurorailing!

Read more about Maastricht here .

Delft is a quaint medieval town close to Rotterdam. about 1 hour from Amsterdam It’s well-known for being home to the Delft University of Technology, so it’s a vibrant and international university town.

The “Delft blue pottery” is famous from here, and many collectors flock to Delft to buy this special pottery as a Dutch souvenir. Don’t miss the Nieuwe Kerk’s impressive view over the city (and sizeable climb). Click to see how you can visit a Delft factory for free.

The city center of Delft is very beautiful. One of the hidden gems is that below street level and at the canal-level, there are tucked away benches for people to sit on. These benches are hidden from plain sight, perfect for a romantic date spot.

You can read a complete guide to Delft here as I routinely visit this beautiful Dutch city!

Central cities to visit in the Netherlands

Utrecht is the 4th largest city in the Netherlands and it’s the major Dutch city south of Amsterdam (only 40 minutes!). Utrecht is also a very old city that dates back to 1122 and it is the kind of city that you can get (happily) lost in.

I highly recommend exploring the beautiful and compact city center on foot, there are beautiful old houses, pretty canals and lots of cozy cafes (some with cellars opening up to the canals).  Its canals are two stories, unlike Amsterdam’s canals.

One must-visit is the Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands (112 meter high). Other interesting places to visit are the Railway Museum and Neude. For kids, there’s the Miffy museum.

If you’re planning a trip around the Netherlands and you’re looking for a good base in the Netherlands, Utrecht is perfect as it is exactly in the center of the Netherlands and it has reasonable accommodations.   (Thanks to Lotte ) 

You’ll hear Dutchies raving that it is one of the best Dutch cities to visit and I’m apt to agree that it is one of the top places to visit in the Netherlands outside of Amsterdam.

Click for my guide to a day trip to Utrecht .

Northern & Eastern Cities (from Amsterdam) to visit in the Netherlands

Just an hour by train from Amsterdam is a charming little city called Zwolle. In the centre, you will find beautiful Medieval buildings that make you feel like a princess! The streets are intimate but also have a broad range of shops and restaurants to explore. One of the most unique sites you will come upon in Zwolle is Waanders The Broeren, a beautiful bookstore situated in a 15th century church.

Designer BK Architecten elegantly designed the store without altering any of the church’s original structure. The best part is that you can enjoy the beautiful ambiance of the church over delicious food and drinks in the brasserie, nestled in the heart of the cathedral. It’s about 1.5 hours to Zwolle from Amsterdam. (Thanks to Melissa )

You can read a complete guide to things to do in Zwolle here.

Ommen is a historical city located on the banks of the Vecht River. Though it’s home to less than 9,000 residents, Ommen has been called a city since 1248, when it was granted stadsrechten (city rights) in order to protect itself from pillaging.

Today, Ommen is the ideal balance between a fun tourist spot and a serene country escape. Due to its small size and “remote” location (for the Netherlands, anyway), it remains a bit of a secret in the larger international community.

Notable spots around Ommen include the Reformed Church, the city’s oldest building (originally constructed in the 12th century), and three old-fashioned windmills – two of which are still in regular operation.

After wandering through the charming city square and narrow side streets, you can relax by the river, linger at a waterside café, or cycle through the picturesque Dutch countryside. The area is probably best known for the Bissingh – a festival that takes place every July, made up of markets, live music, and other events. The Bissingh now spans several weeks. (Thanks to Emily for this contribution).

You may have seen photos of Giethoorn although few people know it by name (or can pronounce it correctly). It really is one of the prettiest dutch towns that I’ve seen. The small village of Giethoorn is in Overijssel and it is a bus ride away from Zwolle. This little town has no streets; only bridges, canals, and bike lanes.

You can rent a boat for 15 euros (per hour) to enjoy its picturesque canals although you should bring your own drinks/food as food in the town commands tourist prices (although it is possible to stop off for some frites!).

Tip: Go late in the afternoon to avoid large groups and stay overnight to enjoy the quiet small town feel. I consider boating around Giethoorn one of my favorite experiences in any one of the Dutch cities to visit in the Netherlands.

Click for information on visiting Giethoorn from Amsterdam.

Schiermonnikoog is part of a Dutch group of islands called the Waddeneilanden (Wadden islands). The island is also the Netherlands’ first National Park, and the perfect getaway for nature lovers and bike enthusiasts.

What makes this, and other islands like it, so special, is that it’s virtually car free.  Permanent residents of the island, of which there are only about 900, need a special permit to keep a car. Due to the small size and flat landscape, very few choose to do so, making Schiermonnikoog a car-free cycling paradise.

Nature lovers have plenty to look forward to on the island. Schiermonnikoog hosts the widest beach in Europe, has plenty of hiking trails, offers great bird watching opportunities, and is great for spotting sunbathing seal families.

It’s the perfect place to see the surprising variety of Dutch nature up close. If you tire of hedonism and history, head north to Schiermonnikoog to recharge your batteries, and immerse yourself in one of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands.  (Thanks to Alex, Lost with Purpose.) [If this appealed to you, you also might love the idea of Texel , which is about 2 hours north of Amsterdam.]

This lively student city in the north of the Netherlands is full of charm and friendly folks. It’s also home of the world’s tallest climbing wall, the Excalibur . (I can proudly say that I’ve climbed it!)  

We got happily lost in the beautiful historic centre with many cute shops, art galleries, and brown bars serving up delicious local beers.  We enjoyed the incredible architecture of the University of Groningen, which was established in 1614. The campus is absolutely stunning and worth visiting. The Grote Markt has many food stands, including some amazing Venezuelan food (the best I’ve had!)

Click to read my guide to climbing Excalibur & a complete guide to Groningen written by a local.

The capital of Friesland, Leeuwarden, was named the 2018 European Capital of Culture and you can discover its rich history while walking around the city center.

Fryslân (Friesland) as a region has a unique culture and language (Frisian).  The unfinished church is one of Leeuwarden’s most famous landmarks although you’ll also find beautiful parks. Leeuwarden is one of Fryslân’s eleven historic cities with beautiful architecture and a rich history.   (To read more about Friesland or Leeuwarden, click here!)

Have you been to the Netherlands? What was your favorite city besides Amsterdam?

If you have a favorite that is not included yet, please comment below!

Enjoyed this? Share it!

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

May 13, 2017 at 8:37 pm

Wow! This is such a comprehensive post that opened my mind to other places outside of Amsterdam. I’d heard of a few (think Utrecht and Gouda, plus Holland) but had no idea about the others. I LOVE that first picture of Haarlem too. For someone who’s from the UK it’s kinda shameful I haven’t been yet, but this will definitely come in handy if I ever do!

May 13, 2017 at 8:45 pm

Such a nice list about Netherlands! I visited Amsterdam and Utrecht before, and had great time there 🙂 So many other cities to explore!

May 13, 2017 at 8:53 pm

Pinned this interesting read! We were just discussing yesterday about how we could spend a week in Netherlands and I knew of only Rotterdam and Amsterdam!… Thanks for your inputs, now I have too much to fit in a week.. lol..

May 13, 2017 at 9:07 pm

It´s been ages since I was in Amsterdam and the coast – but never was to many of these towns on your list! Looks awesome and since I´m not all that far from NL, a road trip has to happen next year! Giethoorn looks like out of a fairytale, x

May 13, 2017 at 9:16 pm

I fell in love with the Netherlands upon my first visit, but now I absolutely can’t wait to get back!

May 13, 2017 at 9:48 pm

They really are picturesque! I have only been to Amsterdam, so your post gives me inspiration to explore more for sure. Pinned for later.

May 13, 2017 at 9:49 pm

I really like Utrecht and I was lucky to be there on the Queen’s Day some years ago. Thanks for all the suggestions about other places to visit, Baarle-Nassau in particular sounds intriguing. I’ve just clicked through to your Amsterdam post as we’re going in October!

May 13, 2017 at 10:15 pm

I live very close to Naarden and it is a beautiful city. It’s also a great area for cycling through the forest. It’s nice to see an article about other places than Amsterdam. There is so much to see in the Netherlands.

May 14, 2017 at 12:18 am

Omg I cannot believe there is a TOWN called GOUDA and its actually all about CHEESE. These cities are the perfect excuse to come back to the Netherlands for more Stroopwafel 😛

May 14, 2017 at 12:36 am

I didn’t know the Netherlands have so many beautiful cities and towns. I’ve only been to Rotterdam and Maastricht but I should definitely visit some more – especially because I’m a neighbour haha.

May 14, 2017 at 9:05 am

I have only been to Amsterdam, but I’d love to see more of the Netherlands! This post was very inspiring. I’m pinning it for when I plan a return trip 🙂

May 14, 2017 at 6:29 pm

I smiled throughout this post as i have been to many of them. So much more to explore though. Thank you for this comprehensive list!

May 14, 2017 at 10:19 pm

Love this list! I’ve only ever been to Amsterdam (guilty as charged), but I’d love to see the countryside and smaller towns and maybe do a bicycle trip around the country one day!

May 14, 2017 at 11:17 pm

I have to admit that I am one of those people who has only been to Amsterdam and really haven’t had any urge to venture outside of it. This post has definitely inspired me to head back to the Netherlands though! Giethoorn looks amazing!

May 15, 2017 at 10:31 am

Explore Friesland too. There are lots of small villages like Makkum (the fishers village) a village just close by Afsluitdijk or drop by in Aldfaerserf Openluchtmuseum in Allingawier. You can visit Leeuwarden too and some other big cities in Friesland.

May 15, 2017 at 11:13 am

Hi May, Thanks for commenting. I actually just visited Friesland this weekend (for the first time) to visit Leeuwarden as well as Franeker. Super charming and I’ll be adding about 5 more cities to this list very soon, including at least one in Friesland. Driving the Afsluitdijk was really incredible. Thank you for commenting and I will include more regions soon!

May 15, 2017 at 12:16 pm

Here is an interesting one.I was once accepted for a Masters in Maastricht. Life happened, but now it’s now super high on my list! I love seeing places beyond Amsterdam, so this list is really good!

May 15, 2017 at 6:05 pm

This post has definitely inspired me to visit the Netherlands ! I’d love to see the countryside, small towns and do a bicycle trip around the country 🙂 I’ve only visited Amsterdam few years ago… but there are so many places to explore outside of Amsterdam !

May 15, 2017 at 8:05 pm

Karen, lovely article. However, as an American living in Den Haag, and having to answer the question quite often about the Holland/Netherlands question, I thought I might give you a bit of info. Noord Holland and Zuid Holland are the two most populated provinces, and where the largest cities are located, thus the overarching term for the country as Holland. Although you do mention Zuid Holland far into your post, at the top you only mention Noord Holland. You might want to edit to include both provinces. Bedankt!

May 15, 2017 at 11:07 pm

Dear Suzanne, You are very correct. I wasn’t necessarily clear with my wording in the original copy, but I’ve updated to reflect the reality of the Randstad. Thank you for your comment. Thank you for reading. 🙂

July 30, 2017 at 1:51 am

Leiden in South Holland is also worth a visit. It’s a very old university town and it’s my husband’s hometown, incidentally. I have visited it many times and love the waterways that flow through it including the Oude Rijn.

May 15, 2017 at 8:14 pm

LOL I was reading this article and wishing you would mention my city Groningen. x

May 15, 2017 at 11:06 pm

JUST updated with Groningen. I actually intended to include it originally, but ran out of time prior to publication. I really enjoyed it, especially the lovely brown bars and the Excalibur climbing wall! Adding 4 more now to round it out at 20!

May 15, 2017 at 8:49 pm

Hello Karen, Oh wow! I’m sure you’ve visited the oldest planetarium in the world- Planetarium Eise Eisinga. I’m excited to read your next blog 🙂

May 19, 2017 at 3:14 am

Wow, this is a wonderful post! The first and last time I went to Netherlands, was when I was 16… That’s very long ago. Being from Germany, I definitely missed out on visiting the surrounding countries. You pictures are gorgeous and inspire to visit even smaller cities! It seems there are little gems everywhere!

May 19, 2017 at 8:27 am

Nice blog! Maybe you could add a fee words about the forts that were built to protect the cities from marauding armies, the Hollandse Waterlinie. The forts are converted for many different purposes. Gorinchem, where I live, has four or five of them. The city is surrounded by complete ramparts and fortifications as well, and you can visit Woudrichem/Loevestein castle plus fort Vuren by foot ferry.

May 20, 2017 at 3:01 pm

Love this! We went to Amsterdam last year and checked out Utrecht which I loved. Our next destination in the Netherlands is Rotterdam so excited that it made the list as well. 🙂

May 21, 2017 at 5:56 pm

I went to Amsterdam almost two years ago and absolutely loved it! This is such a great post to explore more of the Netherlands besides the big city. I will be saving this for my travel planning!

May 24, 2017 at 10:30 am

OH MY GOSH! This is amazing. Beautiful photos, amazing experience. I envy you. 🙂

June 18, 2017 at 3:53 pm

Thanks for this post! I want to explore other parts of the Netherlands but didn’t know where to start. These towns sound awesome and I’ve actually heard of some of them. Giethoorn looks so sweet and beautiful!

June 29, 2017 at 2:10 pm

Oh my God nice pictures thanks for shear it.

July 15, 2017 at 1:19 pm

I love how you also listed some lesser known places, like Zwolle and Leeuwarden. Personally, I also really love Breda and Middelburg 🙂 Oh… and Deventer.

July 17, 2017 at 11:40 am

Muiden is a very beautiful place to be.Muiden is a city and former municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It lies at the mouth of the Vecht and is in an area called the Vechtstreek

July 30, 2017 at 2:39 am

Hi Daphne, I was recently there and loved it. I need to update this post with the new places I’ve been recently!

August 21, 2017 at 11:45 am

I live in Amsterdam but in this kinda posts i never read anything About my home town Breda in the south. City famous for its old beautiful centre, Forrest at the south, beer, candies, carnaval, jazz festival And last but not least the Netherlands most famous DJ (Tiësto) is from this place. Good to combine with Rotterdam as there is a highspeed train from Amsterdam via Rotterdam to Breda.

November 3, 2017 at 2:58 pm

I live here for a 4 years already (in Gouda – totally agree on its appearance on your list!). I cannot really say I love Amsterdam, it is waaaaay to crowded for me… But other small cities like Haarlem, Dordrecht, Delft, Leiden….mmmm…. small and cozy :)))) For those who said they never knew Netherlands has so many beautiful places to visit – there are even more!

July 13, 2018 at 5:27 pm

Nice compilation. Disappointed that the nice Zeelandic towns like Middelburg and Vlissingen are missing. Maybe you are yet to explore those

July 13, 2018 at 5:28 pm

Hi Raj, I was in Middelburg about 2-3 weeks ago. I’ll definitely be updating it to include it. 🙂

Watch for a guide this month!

Best, Karen

September 19, 2018 at 1:06 am

Nice list,but Amersfoort deserves to be on it as well,my hometown. Mooie lijst,maar Amersfoort verdient on we ook op te staan,mijn stad One of the oldest medieval towns in the Netherlands 20 km. from Utrecht. From Amersfoort you can go anywhere in The Netherlands,it is Railroad hub.

September 15, 2019 at 10:12 pm

Hi, my favourite towns are Marken (I love lighthouses) and Elburg – you wont forget either in a hurry.

October 23, 2019 at 9:54 pm

I’m just wrapping up a 3.5 week trip the the Netherlands, ending in Amsterdam. I started in Delft, with side trips to The Hague and Leiden; then Rotterdam, Utrecht, Maastricht and finally Amsterdam, heading to Haarlem tomorrow (which is how I found your blog). I’ve loved each place in its own way but, so far, Leiden is my favorite.

October 24, 2019 at 11:37 am

Hi Eileen, Thank you for this lovely comment. It makes me so happy to read this as there are so many charming cities in the Netherlands to see! Curious if Leiden takes the crown for you after seeing Haarlem! I regularly visit Delft and Leiden myself. 🙂

August 16, 2020 at 11:12 pm

Please mention Arnhem, a beautiful city and take the side trip to the POSTBANK!!!

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• 22 Best Places To Visit In Netherlands: The Perfect Mixture Of Art And Culture

23 Mar 2023

The crown jewel of Europe, the Netherlands is one of the many fascinating holiday destinations across the world that steals away the hearts of all travelers. It’s a treasure trove of rich history, heritage, culture, and art. But where to head to in the Netherlands? Here is a short, crisp glance at some of the best places to visit in Netherlands that will make you pack your bags right away. From endless flower fields and high windmills to beautiful water canals and scenic architecture, Netherlands had got all for you in one place.

Top 22 Best Places To Visit In Netherlands

This list of the best places to visit in Netherlands is all you need for your trip to this beautiful European country that caters to every kind of explorer – the hopeless romantic, the photography fanatic, the history buff, and the nature lover!

• Amsterdam : A Beautiful City
• Delft : Celebrate The Artwork
• Rotterdam : Perfect Blend Of History & Culture
• The Hague : For A Vibrant Nightlife
• Maastricht : With A Medieval-Era Architecture
• Edam : A Tourist’s Personal Favorite
• Eindhoven : Explore The Museums
• Leiden : For A Scenic Experience
• Utrecht : Explore The Incredible Architecture
• Giethoorn : For Super Scenic Waterways
• Leeuwarden : Your Offbeat Destination
• Haarlem : A Medieval City
• Groningen : Experience The Splendid Canals
• Middelburg : An Old Town In Netherlands
• Volendam : Of The Most Charming Places
• Kinderdijk : Discover The Rural Village
• Thorn : A Picture-Perfect Destination
• Alkmaar : Know More About Dutch Architecture
• Breda : A Place With A History
• Gouda : Famous For Its World-Class Cheese
• Arnhem : An Old Settlement
• Texel : Dive Into The Culture

1. Amsterdam: A Beautiful City

Image Source

Undoubtedly, one of the best places to visit in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is an awesome package of stunning scenery and significant history, mixed with a great nightlife and a cosmopolitan culture. This is among the most unique places to visit in Netherlands. Amsterdam is one of the best places to visit in Netherlands with family. 

Location: North Holland Places To Visit In Amsterdam : The Anne Frank House, Bloemenmarkt, Vondelpark, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and more Things To Do In Amsterdam: Catch the ferry to Amsterdam North, Take the canal cruise, Discover the world famous shopping streets.

Must Read: Nightlife In Amsterdam

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2. Delft: Celebrate The Artwork

Featuring many intriguing artworks, Delft is a progressive town working hard on restoring its antiqued appearance. With its extremely charming water canals, numerous museums and fabulous artworks, the downtown of Delft is among the beautiful places in Netherlands other than Amsterdam. Delft is famous for being the birthplace of famous Dutch artist, Johannes Vermeer and also for its blue and white Delftware crockery. The place is counted among the best cities to visit in the Netherlands. 

Location: West Netherlands Places To Visit In Delft: The Old Canal (Oude Delft), The Lambert Van Meerten Museum, The Vermeer Delft Museum, Delft City Hall, The Prince’s Court and Prinsenhof Museum and more. Things To Do In Delft: Climb the bell tower in the New Church for incredible views of miles away, Learn the insights of the Delft Pottery at Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles.

3. Rotterdam: Perfect Blend Of History & Culture

Image Credit: Yorick Groen for wikipedia Given its history and beauty, it is the perfect escape for vacationers of all kinds: families, friends, and couples. Located in the South of the Netherlands, Rotterdam is globally renowned for being the most beautiful city in Netherlands. Its blend of history, culture, rich architecture, and major city attractions allure visitors worldwide.

Location: South Netherlands Places To Visit In Rotterdam: Rotterdam Central Station, The Euromast Tower, De Markthal, Rotterdam Zoo, Climbing Park Fun Forest and more are some prominent places to visit in Rotterdam Netherlands. Things To Do In Rotterdam: Take part in workshops and tastings at Fenix Food Factory, and also witness the ports of the town with the Rotterdam Boat Tour.

Suggested Read: Beaches In Netherlands 

4. The Hague: For A Vibrant Nightlife

The Hague is home to the Dutch government, despite the fact that Amsterdam is the capital of Netherlands. Visitors here love its modern vibe but more than that, they are entranced by its old world charm that can only be felt when you actually visit the city. The city also boasts of its vibrant nightlife with its grounded art and culture.

Location: South Holland Places To Visit In The Hague: Madurodam, Mauritshuis, Binnenhof, Duinrell and Gemeentemuseum Den Haag are some of the most famous places to visit in Hague Netherlands. Things To Do In The Hague: See the sky as a curved surface at the Celestial Vault, Witness some natural wonders at the First Natural Lanzart.

5. Maastricht: With A Medieval-Era Architecture

Image Credit: Turkish414 for Pixabay

If at all there is one thing that you can’t miss on a Netherlands sightseeing vacation, it is a visit to this historic city of Maastricht. Considered to be one of the best places to visit in Netherlands , it is a must for everyone to witness the stunning package of medieval architecture and modern atmosphere that the town offers.

Location: South Netherlands Places To Visit In Maastricht: Bonnefanten Museum, Mount Saint Peter and the St. Pietersberg Caves, The Old Town Walls and Hell Gate, Natural History Museum Things To Do In Maastricht: Walking in Maastricht: Wilhelminabrug and St. Servaasbrug, Visit the Red Church at Sint Janskerk

Suggested Read: Best Places For Bachelor Party 

6. Edam: A Tourist’s Personal Favorite

Image Source What makes it a hot favourite among tourists is the Wednesday cheese market it hosts. Edam owes its fame to the fact that it’s the producer of world famous Edam Cheese which is exported to the world. Also, Edam is an important town historically and that is why it is yet another town in the list of places to visit in Netherlands other than Amsterdam.

Location: North Holland Places To Visit In Edam: Volendam Museum, Paard Van Marken, Edams Museum, Edam Cheese Market and more. Things To Do In Edam: Cheese tasting at the Edams Cheese Market and explore this small historic town with the windmills at the countryside.

7. Eindhoven: Explore The Museums

Image Source It is the numerous and varied types of museums in Eindhoven which makes it one of the most famous places among the top 10 places to visit in Netherlands. Eindhoven boasts of its fair share to creativity, technology, and design. It is undoubtedly a must visit on a trip to Netherlands. It is among the famous places to visit in Netherlands.

Location: South Netherlands Places To Visit In Eindhoven: Van Abbemuseum, Philips Museum, DAF Museum, PSV Museum and more. Things To Do In Eindhoven: Visit Speelpark De Splinter for a wonderful day out at this famous picnic spot, You can also do a two-hour design themed tour of the city and guided cycle tours are also available to know the insights of the Eindhoven.

Suggested Read: Cruises In Netherlands 

8. Leiden: For A Scenic Experience

Image Credit: Csupordezso for Pixabay

Housing various tree lined canals marked with old windmills and numerous museums ranging from science and natural history to Egyptian history, Leiden is among the must see famous places in Netherlands. The scenic canals, abundant wooden bridges and lush covered parks make the city ideal for visiting.

Location: South Holland Places to Visit In Leiden: Museum Boerhaave, National Museum of Antiquities, Hortus Botanicus Leiden, The Molen De Valk Windmill Museum and more. Things To Do In Leiden: Walk on Leiden stones and Visit the world’s second oldest observatory at the Leiden Observatory.

9. Utrecht: Explore The Incredible Architecture

Image Credit: Edwin for Pixabay

Primarily famous for housing the largest college in Holland, the University of Utrecht, it also owes its fame to incredible historic city architecture. An iconic site that has been associated with the medieval period since a very long now and has a plethora of scenic water canals, this one is a must visit attraction for all.

Location: Central Netherlands Places To Visit In Utrecht: The Oude Hortus, Trajectum Lumen, DOMunder, Dom Tower and more Things To Do In Utrecht: Bike tours, Boat excursions

Suggested Read: Castles In Netherlands 

10. Giethoorn: For Super Scenic Waterways

Giethoorn is quite interesting. You ought to love the place anyhow. It allows you spend your vacation among super scenic surroundings of waterways and canals on the village side. The best way to reach Giethoorn is either by a boat or by off roading on a bicycle. It is also called the ‘Village With No Roads’. Set amidst absolute tranquility of nature, Giethoorn is among the best places to see in Netherlands.

Location: Overijssel, Netherlands Places To Visit In Giethoorn: Museum De Oude Aarde, Museum Gloria Maris, The Histomobile and more Things To Do In Giethoorn: Chill and admire the glorious canals and their beauty and spend some quality time with your family.

11. Leeuwarden: Your Offbeat Destination

One of the offbeat places in Netherlands, Leeuwarden is another stunning tourist place in the league of top places to visit in Netherlands. Leeuwarden’s close proximity to Amsterdam makes it an ideal one day getaway from the capital. The place got a good number of places to eat and drink as well as some galleries and museums which showcase precious artworks.

Location: Friesland, Netherlands Places To Visit In Leeuwarden: Aqua Zoo Friesland, Fries Museum, Natuurmuseum and Keramiekmuseum Princessehof Things To Do In Leeuwarden: Discover the 11 fountains and enjoy the nightlife in Leeuwarden

Suggested Read: Honeymoon Destinations

12. Haarlem: A Medieval City

Located merely 15 minutes away from Amsterdam and Schiphol airport, Haarlem is a medieval yet charming city which boasts of numerous intact medieval structures around the town. The city got some excellent dining options, shopping opportunities, and some great beaches in the close vicinity too. What else does one need when deciding upon the best places to visit in Netherlands!

Location: Northwest Netherlands Places To Visit In Haarlem: Grote Kerk, Frans Hals Museum, Teylers Museum, Ten Boom Museum and more. Things To Do In Haarlem: Climb a landmark windmill, Hit the shops, Discover Haarlem’s hidden courtyards, Cycle to the beach, Go beer tasting in a former church.

13. Groningen: Experience The Splendid Canals

Another Netherlands top attraction is Groningen because it is a hub of history, culture, and art backed by splendid beauty of canals and waterways. If you consider yourself as a history buff or a nature lover then a vacation in Groningen is perfect for you. The city also boasts of two famous colleges and a vibrant nightlife as well. Furthermore, it is the cheapest city in Netherlands. 

Location: North Netherlands Places To Visit In Groningen: Groninger Museum, Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum, Nederlands Stripmuseum and more Things To Do In Groningen: Shopping in Groningen, Discover some of the best restaurants in Groningen

Suggested Read: Churches In Netherlands 

14. Middelburg: An Old Town In Netherlands

Image Credit: Djedj for Pixabay

Originally established to withstand Viking attacks, Middelburg is the oldest town which makes it the best tourist places in Netherlands. Middelburg is also one of the best places to visit in Netherlands. You would not want to miss out on this culturally and architecturally rich city on your trip to Netherlands.

Location: South Western Netherlands Places To Visit In Middelburg: Delta Works, Mini Mundi, Zeeuws Museum, Vleeshal Middelburg Things To Do In Middelburg: Bicycle tour, Shopping in Town Hall, Dine in the attractive restaurants in the town.

15. Volendam: Of The Most Charming Places 

Located just 12 kilometers North of Amsterdam, Volendam is a delightful fishing village. This is among the most charming places to visit in the Netherlands other than Amsterdam. Famous for its local delicacies, fish, and cheese, it’s a must-visit for foodies. Leaving Volendam without sampling its tantalizing cuisine would not do justice to your trip.

Location: Northeast of Amsterdam Places To Visit In Volendam: Volendam Museum, Paard Van Marken, Edams Museum, Edam cheese market Things To Do In Volendam: Go fishing and try fishes at various restaurants in Volendam

Suggested Read: Best Places To Spend Christmas In Europe

16. Kinderdijk: Discover The Rural Village

Kinderdijk is an ideal example of a rural village in the Netherlands known for its iconic 18th-century windmills. Enjoy the lush greenery and beautiful countryside scenes that is quintessentially Dutch. The 19 windmills erected in the village, that were used to avoid flooding and keep the soil dry, have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, you ought to check them out. For someone who likes the countryside, will fall in love with the criss-cross bike trails, waterways, and footpaths.

Location: Molenwaard, Netherlands Places To Visit: Museummolen Nederwaard, Museummolen Blokweer,Donckse Forest Things To Do: Check out the windmills, go hiking or biking, explore the village

17. Thorn: A Picture-Perfect Destination

Image Credit: ID 12019 for Pixabay

Every instragrammer and photographer ought to check this placeout in the Netherlands because that is how charming and pretty this place in the Netherlands. The place lies near the Belgium border. it is hard to fall in love with the cobbled streets, white-washed brick buildings, and charming scenery. Don’t miss the tenth century abbey church in the town center.

Location: Limburg Places To Visit: Gemeentemuseum Land van Thorn, Abdijkerk Thorn, Begijnhof Things To Do: Guided tours, visit to the museum

Suggested Read: Amsterdam In March

18. Alkmaar: Know More About Dutch Architecture

Alkmaar is a very fascinating destination for visitors who want to know more about Dutch architecture and history as it goes back to 900 AD. Once upon a time, Alkmaar was a very important agricultural hub. The place had a floating auction house and farmers came from far off places to sell their produce here.

Location: Netherlands Places to visit: The Broeker Veiling Museum, Piet Windmill, Weighing house, Cheese Museum, and the national beer museum are a must to have on the itinerary. Things to do: Visit the museum, go strolling through the place, visit the marketplace.

19. Breda: A Place With A History

Breda is an interesting medieval city which is also a must-see attraction for people who want to explore the architecture and history of the place. This was once fortified and has always occupied a very important strategic position. It also has a well preserved historic center till date. There are a lot of storehouses and Gastespoort in Port quarter which is one of the famous Breda’s three medieval gates.

Location: North Brabant Province Places to visit: The Breda Castle, the Grote Kerk which dates back to 1920; the Begijnhof, Spaniard’s hole. Things to do: Visit the Breda Museum which is located in a Meat Hall dating back to the 17th century, go hiking, go cycling in Mastbos which is a beautiful woodland near the Bouvigne castle.

Suggested Read: Shopping In Netherlands

20. Gouda: Famous For Its World-Class Cheese

Gouda is a popular tourist destination for its world-famous cheese which has been produced in the region for centuries. Cheese lovers and foodies alike shouldn’t miss out on the chance to visit the place on a Thursday (in the months of April to August). This is the time when the city comes to life due to its age-old cheese markets for its tourists to enjoy.

Location: Netherlands Places to visit: Historic Center, Cheese Museum Things to do: Visit the cheese market and take part in cheese weighing, auctioning, making and more, Go for wine and beer tastings, go for canal cruises, take a guided walking tour.

21. Arnhem: An Old Settlement

It is a small old town situated on the place of a Roman settlement. This town is an ideal place for discovering the Gelderland province since they have a lot to showcase. When here make sure to explore the old city center which you can easily tour on foot to see a lot of 15th-century style of architecture along with parts of the beautiful old town walls. When preparing the list of things to see in Netherlands, don’t forget to add this amazing destination. 

Location: Netherlands Places to visit: Netherlands Open Air Museum, Airborne Museum Hartenstein, Kroller Muller Museum, Wine Museum. Things to do: Go cycling at the National Park de Hoge Veluwe, go strolling through the old city.

Suggested Read: Beaches In Amsterdam 

22. Texel: Dive Into The Culture

It is the biggest Frisian Island located just off the mainland of northern Holland. It offers travelers a wide range of activities to take part in. This is a great place to take your family for a little vacation since there are a lot of interesting places for dining and shopping here. There are also many museums and other landmarks here which will fascinate the kids and adults alike.

Location: Northern Holland Places to visit: The Whaler’s Cottage, the Shipwreck, and Beachcombing Museum, the Aviation and Wartime Museum, the Local History Museum. Things to do: Get a bicycle and go exploring the 30 km long coastline, visit the beaches during summer months, go kite sailing, enjoy surfing, go swimming, go windsurfing and go catamaran sailing.

Further Read: Most Popular Europe Trips 

The Netherlands is an amazing city to visit for a vacation. It’s fascinating history, couple with its cozy weather and the innumerable activities which visitors can engage in gives anyone lots of options to explore. All these best places to visit in Netherlands await you for the most unforgettable vacation of your lives! Pick your favorite destination and plan your trip to Europe with TravelTriangle NOW!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Netherlands

What is Netherlands known for?

Netherlands is known for being a small country but having a rich culture and heritage and for the many amazing places to visit in Netherlands. that’s a wonderful destination and is also known for its great cuisine.

What countries make up the Netherlands?

The constituent of all countries which are Aruba, Curacao, Sint Marteen and the Netherlands.

Is Denmark better than Netherlands?

Both Netherlands and Denmark are special in their own ways. Denmark is home to some majestic castles, captivating landscapes and innovative architecture whereas Netherlands is known for its rich history, culture and art.

What can I shop for in Netherlands?

There are many things that you can shop for in the Netherlands. Some of those things are Blond Amsterdam Breakfast set, handmade wallets, Dutch Licorice, customised clogs and bathrobes.

What is the best time to visit the Netherlands?

The country enjoys a temperate climate with milder summers as compared to the moderate winters. If you enjoy the company of tulips blooming, then, the time period between March and Mid May would be the best time to visit the Netherlands, along with other places to visit in Europe.

What are the top places to visit in the Netherlands in January?

Winters may not be the wisest time to visit The Netherlands weather-wise, but it surely has a huge number of museums and indoor tourist attractions that might save you from the cold outside. We’d recommend places like Groningen, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, and Utrecht to visit in The Netherlands in January.

What are the places to visit in the Netherlands in May?

The Netherlands comes to life when the sun is shining. The best places to visit in the Netherlands in May include The Hague, Amsterdam, and Scheveningen. The Netherlands in May is something you should not miss. The most important highlight of the summer in the Netherlands is the Canal Festival.

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16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Netherlands

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated May 11, 2023

The Netherlands is known everywhere as a land of windmills, canals, and tulips, and today's visitors certainly will find these among its many tourist attractions.

But along with the country's many breathtaking gardens and picturesque villages, those sightseeing here will also find the vibrant cities, like Amsterdam, filled with museums showcasing a rich heritage of artists (think Rembrandt and Van Gogh). Other places to visit include numerous medieval castles and cityscapes, along with a 13,800-acre national park, and a tide control system that's been named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World .

Given the relatively small size of The Netherlands, all these attractions and fun things to do are within a relatively compact area, and the landscape is quite flat (the highest elevation is barely a thousand feet above sea level).

Consequently, it's extremely easy to do at least a little of your sightseeing the Dutch way: by bicycle. Many of the top travel destinations and major cities in the Netherlands actively encourage the use of pedal-power and provide free bikes to explore the sights. However you choose to see the Netherlands, you're guaranteed a great time in one of the friendliest and most liberal cultures in Europe.

Be sure to plan your travel itinerary with our list of the top tourist attractions in The Netherlands.

1. Jordaan and Amsterdam's Canals

2. keukenhof, lisse, 3. rijksmuseum, amsterdam, 4. historic binnenhof, the hague, 5. anne frank house, amsterdam, 6. oude haven, rotterdam, 7. van gogh museum, amsterdam, 8. the windmills of kinderdijk, 9. de hoge veluwe national park, otterlo, 10. cathedral square, utrecht, 11. the ijsselmeer (zuiderzee), enkhuizen, 12. delta works: zeeland's spectacular dikes, 13. historic valkenburg, 14. royal delft, delft, 15. de haar castle, 16. the netherlands open air museum, best time to visit the netherlands.

Highlight : Explore Amsterdam's canals and historic neighborhoods by boat and on foot

Canals are as important a part of Amsterdam's cityscape as they are to the city of Venice, and some of the most enduring memories for any visitor are the time spent exploring the city's wonderful waterways.

While many of Amsterdam's best tourist attractions can easily be accessed by boat tour or water taxi — including most of the major museums and art galleries — nothing beats strolling along the smaller, quieter streets that line the waterways.

Particularly charming is the Jordaan, a neighborhood built in the early 1600s to house workers and immigrants drawn here for the city's religious tolerance. Along with its small canal-side houses, look for the neighborhood's many "hofjes," the quaint inner courtyards hidden behind the buildings.

Another photo-worthy neighborhood is the Grachtengordel , with its many small bridges and quaint 17th-century homes. You'll be rewarded as you explore these 400-year-old streets with examples of beautiful architecture, small boutique shops, cafés, and gardens. Be sure to look out for the many houseboats moored along the canals.

Just a 10-minute stroll away is Dam Square, a must-visit when in Amsterdam. In addition to its numerous restaurants, cafés, and shops this vast public square is home to some of the city's most-visited tourist attractions. These include the spectacular Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace); the attractive New Church (Nieuwe Kerk); and the country's most important war memorial, the National Memorial Statue .

Highlight : Europe's largest collection of tulips with miles of walking trails and hot houses

Think of the Netherlands, and you'll inevitably think of tulips, the country's most popular flower. And one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands showcases these and other spring bulbs in spectacular abundance. Given its handy location relative to Amsterdam — it's a 45-minute drive away, or just under an hour by public transit — it makes for a fun and easy day trip from the country's largest city.

Keukenhof, otherwise known as the "Garden of Europe," is located on the outskirts of the town of Lisse in what's widely considered the "bulb belt" of the Netherlands. The largest public garden in the world, it boasts more than 70 acres of what was once the former kitchen (or "keuken") garden of a large country estate, Keukenhof displays more than 700 varieties of tulips, which are at their height in April and May.

But thanks to its massive commercial hot houses, the display continues almost year-round. In these, you'll see endless rows of flowering tulips, along with thousands of hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils.

Address: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands

Highlight : A vast collection of famous artworks by artists including Rembrandt and Van Gogh

The spectacular Rijksmuseum , aka the National Museum, in Amsterdam's Museumplein (Museum Square) has been collecting rare art and antiquities since 1809. Not surprisingly, its extensive collection today amounts to nearly seven million works of art, including 5,000 paintings in more than 250 rooms, as well as a vast library with some 35,000 books.

Apart from its unique collection of old masters, this spectacular museum offers an exhaustive account of the development of art and culture in The Netherlands and is especially rich in traditional Dutch handicrafts, medieval sculpture, and modern art. Be prepared to spend the best part of a day — or longer — exploring this museum's endless treasures.

If you've time to squeeze a little more Rembrandt into your Amsterdam travel itinerary, here's a must-visit for you: the Rembrandt House Museum , located in the city's historic Jewish Quarter. Many of his best-known works were painted during the 20 years the great artist spent here, with some still recognizable scenes from the neighborhood.

The house remains much as it would have been during Rembrandt's life (guided tours are available). You can enhance your experience by booking a stay close by at Luxury Suites Amsterdam , located just steps away from the museum and one of the best places to stay in Amsterdam for those who enjoy luxury accommodations.

Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands

Highlights : Historic capital of the Netherlands with well-preserved architecture and parliament

Known the world over as the location of the International Court of Justice, The Hague (Den Haag) is also the political center of The Netherlands. It's here the country's government does their work, and where you'll find the home of the Dutch Royal Family in Noordeinde Palace.

The Hague also makes for an excellent travel destination for visitors wanting to get a taste of the country's rich history. Whether you're staying here for a few days or visiting as a day trip from Amsterdam , start your exploration in the city's historic Binnenhof district. Literally translated as the "Inner Court," the Binnenhof dates back as far as 1250 CE. It's the oldest part of the city and a delight to explore on foot.

Set around a central courtyard, the attractive older buildings here once housed the country's ruling classes and have been remarkably well-preserved. The crown jewel here is the Knights' Hall (Ridderzaal). Built in the 13th century, this imposing castle-like building with its twin towers is still in use for government events, including the opening of parliament every September. Highlights include the Gothic hall with its stained-glass windows and wood-beamed ceiling.

Address: 2513 AA Den Haag, Netherlands

Highlight : Hiding place of Anne Frank where she wrote her famous diary during WWII

The Anne Frank House is a must-see when in Amsterdam. On Prinsengracht , in the home where Anne's family hid for much of WWII (they were Jewish refugees from Frankfurt), is where this remarkable girl wrote her famous diary. Although she died just two months before the war ended, her legacy lives on through her words, which have since been translated into 51 languages.

The back of the fully-restored house where the Frank family had their hiding place has been kept in its original state as much as possible and is a poignant monument to a tragic slice of world history and a brave young woman who continues to inspire people around the globe.

A word of caution: tickets for this must-see attraction do sell out, so be sure to reserve yours online well ahead of time. And if you're visiting in warmer weather — spring and summer are widely considered some of the best times to visit Amsterdam — be sure to allow time to explore the surrounding area with its charming old canals on foot.

Address: Prinsengracht 263-267, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Highlights : Europe's largest port with a historic harbor area, vessels, and museums

Located an easy one-hour train ride from Amsterdam, the port city of Rotterdam is well worth visiting for its well-preserved Old Harbour, or Oude Haven. The city has a long and rich maritime history thanks largely to its location on the Nieuwe Maas, an arm of the Rhine River, and its proximity to the English Channel.

Part of Rotterdam's superb Maritime District, Oude Haven is ideal for those who enjoy seeing the sights on foot. The harbor is chock-full of old houseboats and sailing ships, many of them on display at the Maritime Museum Rotterdam .

In addition to the 20 or so historic vessels on display in the water, a variety of indoor displays can also be enjoyed, including a replica of a vessel dating back over 2,000 years.

Address: Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam, Netherlands

Highlights : One of the world's top art museums focusing on the work of Vincent Van Gogh

As befits one of the world's greatest artists, the spectacular Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is ranked an impressive #2 in a leading list of the top art museums globally, attracting almost 1.5 million visitors each year.

Home to the world's largest collection of Van Gogh paintings — many donated by the artist's family — this impressive gallery and museum was specially built to showcase the more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters in its vast collection.

Works by his contemporaries are also on display. A highlight is participating in the museum's new "Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience," which offers a fascinating, high-tech, interactive look at the artist's life and times, as well as his best-known work.

If the city's excellent museums are your priority, you may in fact want to consider visiting them off-season during the quieter, cooler times of year. Given that both these popular attractions are things to do indoors and easy to get to via the city's excellent public transit, it's easy to keep warm, and the city's climate is relatively mild, even in winter.

Address: Museumplein 6, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Highlight : The largest collection of preserved historic windmills in the Netherlands

On the River Noord between Rotterdam and Dordrecht is the famous village of Kinderdijk ("Children's Dike"), which takes its name from an incident during the St. Elizabeth's Day flood of 1421 after a child's cradle had been stranded on the dike.

The big draw these days are the fantastically preserved 18th-century windmills. Now UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the 19 Kinderdijk windmills, built between 1722 and 1761, are the largest surviving concentration of windmills in the Netherlands.

Originally used to drain the fenlands, these majestic buildings with their impressive 92-foot sails are open to the public from April to October, including special Mill Days when the sails are set in motion. These picturesque windmills make for a fun excursion for those based in Rotterdam during their Netherlands stay.

• Read More: Top Tourist Attractions in Rotterdam & Easy Day Trips

Highlights : Vast national park with hiking, biking, wildlife, horseback riding, and camping

You may be surprised to learn that the Netherlands, a relatively small country, boasts one of the world's most diverse national park programs. The largest is De Hoge Veluwe National Park (Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe), between Arnhem and Apeldoorn, rightly considered one of the best places to visit in the Netherlands for outdoor enthusiasts .

Covering nearly 13,800 acres, this national park is the largest continuous nature reserve in the country, as well as being one of the most popular day trip destinations for locals and visitors alike. Featuring dense woodlands in the north, as well as a fascinating sculpture park, the area was once a country estate and hunting reserve, and to this day is home to many red and roe deer.

The best-preserved part of the park encompasses an area of dramatic dunes interspersed with heath and woodland and interrupted in the south and east by moraines up to 100 meters high. It's also a popular area for bird-watching, as well as hiking and biking (use of bikes is free to visitors).

The highlight of this beautiful park for many — and the reason many people choose to come here — is the outstanding Kröller-Müller Museum (Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller), housing the world's second-largest collection of works by Van Gogh. In addition, the collections include Impressionist and Expressionist paintings by Cézanne, Manet, Monet, and Renoir. Outdoors, one of Europe's largest sculpture gardens shows works by Rodin, Hepworth, Dubuffet, and others.

Address: Houtkampweg 6, Otterlo, Netherlands

• Read More: Exploring De Hoge Veluwe National Park: A Visitor's Guide

Highlights : Pedestrian-friendly old city center, cathedral tower with views, and museums

A popular tourist destination for its many fine historic buildings, the Dutch city of Utrecht should definitely be included on your Netherlands travel itinerary.

Start your exploration of this pedestrian-friendly city in Cathedral Square. The Domplein, as it's known locally, is the site of St. Martin's Cathedral, or Dom Church (Domkerk). Although founded in 1254, much of what you see dates from the 14th and 15th centuries.

You'll also want to visit the Domtoren , a surviving stand-alone church tower built in the 1300s that rises high above the surrounding buildings. Be sure to make the climb up to the viewing platforms for its superb views over Utrecht. Although there are 465 steps to climb, the guided tour that comes with the climb is an excellent introduction to the city's rich history.

Address: Achter de Dom 1, 3512 JN Utrecht, Netherlands

Highlights : Beautiful lake region with historic waterways, quaint villages, and cultural attractions

Among the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands are the small hamlets along the Ijsselmeer (Lake Ijssel), the freshwater lake that resulted from the closing of the sea entrance to the Zuider Zee. These towns flourished during Amsterdam's Golden Age, when they had access to the Atlantic and prospered as fishing and trade centers, but lost importance as the harbors silted up.

Today, they're among the most photographed tourist attractions in the country. Time seems to have stood still for the fishing village of Marken and the seaports of Volendam and Enkhuizen , where many of the colorful houses have become museums and shops.

Enkhuizen has preserved many of its buildings and seafaring industries in the open-air Zuiderzee Museum , where the cultural heritage and maritime history of the old Zuiderzee region is preserved. Here, you can see craftsmen at work learning old maritime skills. In Volendam's harbor, you can see a collection of colorful old wooden boats.

Address: Wierdijk 12 - 22, Enkhuizen, Netherlands

Highlights : Modern dike system with dams, canals, and visitor center

Incorporating the deltas of the Rhine, the Maas, and the Schelde Rivers, Zeeland includes the numerous islands and peninsulas of the southwestern section of the Netherlands. Much of this area of recently formed land is below sea level and therefore reliant upon impressive dikes, as well as modern flood prevention techniques.

As you travel the area, you'll see evidence of the mega-engineering project known as the Delta Works . These massive structures — basically hi-tech dams — can control how much water enters the area's key estuaries from the North Sea.

Consisting of dams, sluices, locks, dikes, and storm-surge barriers, this awe-inspiring US$7 billion project has been declared one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Highlights : Medieval village with preserved buildings, castle ruins, and large spa complex

For those looking for a little ancient history, the Netherlands is not without its own medieval (and earlier) attractions. Romantic little Valkenburg, in the picturesque Geul Valley, boasts the country's only hilltop castle,. Long a popular holiday resort, the town's other big draws are its many caves and the spa facilities at Thermae 2000 , one of the largest such establishments in the Netherlands.

In addition to the ruins of the 12th-century castle on Dwingelrots (Castle Rock), there's also the interesting 14th-century St. Nicolaaskerk Basilica . Another highlight is the town's famous Christmas Market (mid-November to December 23rd) held in the Velvet Caves, the maze of old passageways leading to and from the castle.

Highlight : Home of the famous Royal Delft pottery with factory tours and shopping

Located between the cities of The Hague and Rotterdam (and therefore easy to get to), Delft is known the world over for its famous blue and white porcelain products. Delftware, as it's usually known, has adorned shelves and dining rooms the world over since the 1600s, and remains as popular today as it was back then.

Known in English as Royal Delft , the original manufacturer, Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles N.V., has been around since 1653 and offers a variety of fun experiences for visitors.

In addition to informative tours of the factory, including a chance to see talented artisans hand painting pottery, you can visit the factory's vast collection of Delftware, and even finish up with a posh afternoon tea experience in the on-site tea room.

Address: Rotterdamseweg 196, 2628 AR Delft, Netherlands

Highlights : Fairytale castle with huge grounds, hiking trails, and guided tours

Near the lovely old city of Utrecht, the fourth largest in the Netherlands, De Haar Castle (Kasteel De Haar) is the largest fortification in the country.

This spectacular castle, built by the famous Dutch architect PJH Cuypers, required so much land (it sits on a spectacular 250-acre park) that the entire village of Haarzuilens had to be relocated to accommodate it. While the original castle site was established in the 14th century, this newer structure dates from 1892 and is well worth taking the time to explore.

Inside, you'll be rewarded with impressive collections of antiques, furniture, paintings, and tapestries, but it's the gardens that really draw the crowds — along with the castle's fairy-tale looks.

Highlights : Living history museum with costumed interpreters, cultural events, and interactive workshops

The city of Arnhem is well worth including on your Netherlands travel itinerary. Famous for its location on a branch of the Rhine River and the battles that ensued here during WWII, it's here you'll find the Netherlands Open Air Museum (Nederlands Openluchtmuseum).

This family-friendly attraction has provided visitors with a fascinating look at traditional Dutch lifestyles for well over 100 years, with costumed guides offering unique insights into cultural, farming, and manufacturing aspects of life up to the mechanization of the 1900s.

Authentic period homes, workshops, and businesses offer hands-on opportunities to learn about and appreciate once-common practices, from fishing to baking and even clog making. Other highlights include a still-operating vintage tram, cultural events and concerts, and fun kids' programs.

Address: Hoeferlaan 4, 6816 SG Arnhem, Netherlands

As one of the most visited countries in Europe, the Netherlands can get pretty busy during the peak summer months, especially in July when the schools break up.

The spring shoulder months of April and May are a great time to visit Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands, with many of the country's best parks and gardens bursting into life with an abundance of greenery and flowers (tulips are everywhere in the Netherlands!).

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18 Places to Visit in the Netherlands That Aren't Amsterdam

By Chris Schalkx

Take it from a born-and-raised Dutchman: There are plenty of places to visit in the Netherlands that aren’t Amsterdam . If you stick to just the capital city, you’re only scratching the surface of this small-but-mighty country.

Look beyond Amsterdam’s tourist-thronged canal belt, and you’ll find plenty of villages plucked straight out of a classic painting by one of the Old Masters—windmills, tulips , swirling waterways, and all. There are sprawling national parks brimming with birdlife and criss-crossed with cycling trails , while envelope-pushing cities like Eindhoven and Rotterdam show that the country is a creative powerhouse too.

The best part? The national train network reaches all corners of the country, and its relatively small size puts even the most far-flung places within a day-trip distance from Amsterdam. Below, 18 places to visit in the Netherlands that aren’t Amsterdam—from frozen-in-time villages to museum-packed cities —to consider adding to your itinerary.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Katherine LaGrave and Caitlin Morton.

Wrapped in the Dutch countryside within easy day-trip distance from Amsterdam, Zaandam once stood at the heart of the Dutch milling industry. Remnants of these glory days can be found at Zaanse Schans, a short drive north from downtown, where a stroll through its jumble of windmills and clapboard houses feels like stepping into a real-life version of an Old Masters painting. Downtown, the ubiquitous Zaan-style architecture has gotten a mind-bendingly modern makeover at the landmark Inntel Hotel (an Escher-esque mash-up of traditional Zaanse houses), and the Zaandam City Hall, which reinterprets the shapes of Zaanse houses into minimalist masterpieces.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Zaandam in 15 minutes.

For Dutch standards, the two-hour train ride to this northern city is a nearly impossible schlep, but the picturesque journey through rolling farmlands is well worth it. Criss-crossed with canals and dotted with monumental churches, Renaissance-era gardens, and warehouses dating back to the 16th century, Groningen is packed with history. But as one of the country’s main university towns, the city has a surprisingly forward-thinking nightlife scene too. Most of the action happens around de Grote Markt (Big Market) square, which hosts a lively fish and food market by day, and turns into a party hub after dark.

How to get there : Trains from Amsterdam with a transfer in Utrecht or Almere bring you to Groningen in about two hours.

Thought this place was pancake-flat? Most of it is, yes—but Maastricht and the surrounding Zuid Limburg countryside prove that there’s more to this land than polders and endlessly flat farmland. Start off in Maastricht, the country’s southernmost major city, where you can walk through centuries worth of history in its cathedrals and limestone mines. After, venture into the undulating hills, forests, and meadows of Zuid Limburg via picturesque towns such as Valkenburg and Gulpen, from which miles of walking and cycling trails roll into every direction. The area’s close proximity to Belgium and Germany make it possible to visit all three countries within a single day.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Maastricht in two and a half hours.

This tiny village in the country’s northeast is often referred to as the “ Venice of the Netherlands,”and it’s easy to see why. With its thatched-roof farmhouses and wooden arch bridges, Giethoorn seems to have come straight out of a fairytale. It’s best explored via its network of bike lanes and canals—either by boat, or by ice skating during the frozen winter months. For a lay of the land, make the Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus your first stop. Set in a former farm, this museum walks guests through Giethoorn’s fascinating history via historic artifacts, hand-written letters, and hands-on workshops on old-timey cottage crafts.

How to get there : Trains from Amsterdam bring you to Zwolle in about an hour, from where buses link to central Giethoorn.

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This picturesque fishing village is Holland’s best-known for a reason: It’s filled with colorful wooden houses, bobbing fishing boats, and seafood stall after seafood stall dishing up fish and chips, smoked eel, and pickled herring piled high with onions (to be eaten like the Dutch: in a single gulp). Once you’ve had your share of Volendam, hop on a ferry across the Markermeer lake to Marken, another old-timey Dutch village on a small island some 30 minutes away.

How to get there : Bus 316 leaves from Amsterdam Central station and brings you to Volendam in around 30 minutes.

Imagine a scene of the bucolic Dutch countryside, and the village of Kinderdijk is probably what comes to mind. In other words: lots of windmills. The village’s 19 monumental mills were built in the early 18th century to prevent flooding and keep soil dry, and the mill network has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Some of the mills, including Blokweer and Nederwaard, are open to the public and function as fascinating museums that share a peek into the lives of the families that once inhabited them.

How to get there : Buses leave from Rotterdam and bring you to Kinderdijk in about 30 minutes.

Alkmaar has many intriguing museums and lots of medieval architecture worth checking out, but most visitors flock here for one reason: cheese. The town is known for its traditional cheese market, which takes place on Friday mornings from April to early September. There’s plenty to see in other months too, though: There’s a cheese museum located in the 16th-century Waagtoren tower, half a dozen hofjes (almshouses) with gorgeous courtyard gardens, and a handful of ornately decorated churches dating back to the 17th century.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Alkmaar in just over 30 minutes.

Haarlem’s cobbled streets and pretty canals make this northern Dutch city feel like Amsterdam without the tourist crowds. Even its museums are of a similar caliber, with the renowned Frans Hals Museum exhibiting pieces by Dutch Masters such as Frans Hals and Pieter Bruegel, and its ‘Hal’ wing showcasing contemporary works by international artists. There are historic churches, market squares and quaint hofjes to explore, while the miles of dunes rolling along the coast make for a perfect break away from the city.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Haarlem in 15 minutes.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

This park is one of the largest in the Netherlands, and within its 13,343 acres, counts rare wildlife, some of the most iconic buildings in the country, and the Kröller-Müller Museum , which showcases a collection of nineteenth and twentieth century art in addition to the largest private collection of Van Goghs. Zoom around on a (free) white bike—the park has about 1,700 on loan at central locations.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Apeldoorn in an hour, from where buses link to various points around the park.

Wadden Sea Islands

The five islands in the Wadden Sea, part of an archipelago of about 50 islands that stretches all the way to Denmark , are some of the country’s best places to unplug. Each one has a unique character, but all deliver seaside tranquility in spades—windswept dunes, cheeky seals, frozen-in-time villages and all. Seek out Texel, the largest of the bunch, for its wildlife-rich nature reserves; opt for largely car-free Schiermonnikoog, if it’s beachside hiking you’re after; or plan a trip to Vlieland during its annual Into The Great Wide Open festival around September, which transforms the island into a giant laid-back music and arts exhibition.

How to get there : Ferries from different cities on the mainland (including Harlingen) with a seasonally-changing schedule bring you to each island in about one to one and a half hours.

You can’t visit the Netherlands and not seek out some of its famous technicolor tulips. There are many places around the country to view the beautiful flowers , but the Keukenhof Gardens (open from March to May) and sprawling fields around the town of Lisse are a sure thing. The floral frenzy is at its peak around mid-April, when the annual Bloemencorse Bollenstreek parade of flower-adorned floats will travel from Noordwijk to Haarlem, with a stop at the Keukenhof along the way.

How to get there : The Keukenhof Express bus from various locations around Amsterdam and Schiphol airport brings you to the Keukenhof in about 30 minutes.

Many people flock to Delft for its eponymous blue pottery, but don’t overlook the town’s Renaissance architecture and Vermeer Centre museum (the Dutch painter, famous for such works as Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Milkmaid , was born and died here). The compact size of its historic center make it a perfect spot for leisurely strolls: Stop for coffee along its canals, browse Delftware in its numerous boutiques, and sample cheeses at the cafe-lined Markt square in front of the Nieuwe Kerk, where a lively local market pops up every Thursday.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Delft in an hour.

If you like technology and design, head to Eindhoven, a southern city home to some of the country’s most envelope-pushing museums and design academies. Seek out the Van Abbemuseum for its modern and contemporary art; stop at industrial park-turned culture hub Strijp-S; and hit up the Inkijkmuseum , a micro-museum located in a former washhouse. The city is at its best during the yearly Dutch Design Week (the largest design fair in northern Europe), which takes over Eindhoven’s creative spaces every October .

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Eindhoven in just under one and half hours.

Utrecht’s historic canal houses have two stories, and its centuries-old wharf cellars now serve as spots to enjoy food and drinks at water level—something unique to this city. You can also enjoy the towering churches and cozy cafes of Utrecht by bicycle, as it’s one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. It’s also the perfect place for history buffs, with sites like the Dom Tower and Centraal Museum offering glimpses into the country’s past.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Utrecht in 25 minutes.

Beemster Polder

About thirteen miles north of Amsterdam, the Beemster region is a prime example of a Dutch polder—a flat piece of green farmland formed by draining a body of water. Aside from its cultural significance (it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999), the Beemster Polder is a gorgeous landscape, complete with little canals, windmills, and lush green fields. Make sure to stop by Middenbeemster, which, like most towns in the country, is impossibly charming.

How to get there : Buses from various locations around Amsterdam bring you to the Beemster in about 30 minutes.

Holland’s second-largest city lost most of its heritage buildings during World War II bombings, but now leads the way in envelope-pushing architecture. Its skyline is a highlight reel of works by architecture greats such as Rem Koolhaas, who designed the gravity-defying De Rotterdam tower that soars above the Meuse river. Other standouts include the quirky cube houses ( for rent on Airbnb !) by Dutch architect Piet Blom; the horseshoe-shaped Markthal building by local architecture firm MVRDV; and the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, a bowl-shaped metallic edifice that’s home to the Boijmans Van Beuningen’s 151,000-piece art collection.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to Rotterdam in 45 minutes.

Located near the Belgian border in the province of Limburg, Thorn is another one of those postcard-pretty Dutch hamlets with cobblestone roads and ancient churches. What makes Thorn unique, though, is its whitewashed architecture; at the Thorn Museum in the center of town, you’ll learn why this all-white look was an ingenious form of Medieval tax evasion. The other can’t-miss attraction is the 10th-century abbey church, which throughout history grew into a tiny kingdom ruled by noblewomen.

How to get there : From Amsterdam, trains to Weert take about two and a half hours, from where buses connect you to Thorn.

Amsterdam may be the capital, but the Dutch parliament meets in this stunning city on the North Sea. Within its Gothic-style Inner Court lie some of the country’s best museums, including an homage to M.C. Escher and the Mauritshuis (which houses Girl with the Pearl Earring ). Most locals, though, flock to The Hague for its beaches: long stretches of sand lined with lively boulevards, seafood restaurants, and breezy beach clubs.

How to get there : Direct trains from Amsterdam bring you to The Hague in 50 minutes.

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5 of the best road trips to take in the Netherlands

May 14, 2024 • 7 min read

Explore more of the Netherlands by car (or bike) with these top driving routes © Karl Hendon / Getty Images

Beyond the Netherlands ’ biggest and best-known cities, a patchwork of farmland, fields, villages and towns laced by canals, polders, dykes and windmills unfolds across the flat, low-lying Dutch landscapes.

These road trips will give you a taste of the Netherlands’ exquisite scenery, age-old traditions and ingenious innovations. With state-of-the-art roads, driving is an ideal way to make spontaneous stops and discoveries. The country’s short distances and extensive cycling paths offer the option to hop off or even swap out the car completely and travel these routes by bike.

Ready to explore the Netherlands? Here are the places that should be on your agenda  

1. Through the bulb fields

Best road trip for colorful photo ops Haarlem–Leiden; 64km (40 miles); allow one day

Time it right to travel through a kaleidoscope of color on this glorious route, which takes in the best of the Bollenstreek bulb-growing region. Leaving the cobbled streets and gabled buildings of  Haarlem , you’ll soon pass open fields and flower farms. On the northwestern edge of pretty Lisse, the  Keukenhof Gardens put on showstopping displays of blooms (some 7 million) during spring.

Throughout the year, you can visit Keukenhof’s castle gardens free of charge, and find out more about the Netherlands’ national flower at Lisse’s Museum De Zwarte Tulp (Museum of the Black Tulip). Turning west takes you to coastal Noordwijk, with its white-sand dunes roamed by fallow deer, foxes, speckled green sand lizards and a cacophony of birdlife. From here, it’s a half-hour drive south to historic  Leiden , hometown of Rembrandt as well as the Hortus Botanicus Leiden , the Netherlands’ oldest botanic gardens.

Planning tip: Tulip season runs from around mid-March to mid-May, when the Keukenhof Gardens are open (book tickets in advance). This route is also lovely during the dahlia flowering season from mid-August to mid-October. Check the Bollenstreek’s  flower map to see what’s in bloom, and for flower fields that you can enter (the map also flags production fields, which you can capture from outside instead).

Want to explore the tulip fields by bike? Here's how to do it

2. The Dutch cheese route

Best road trip for cheese lovers Gouda–Alkmaar; 126km (78 miles); allow one to two days

Feast on delectable Dutch cheese along this route linking the Netherlands’ trio of historic cheese towns.

Charming, canal-woven Gouda has been the center of the surrounding valley’s cheese trade since the Middle Ages. A recreated cheese market takes place in front of the historic waag (weighing house) weekly in spring and summer. If you miss it, you can learn about Gouda’s cheese history at its interactive Cheese Experience .

North past lush pastures and the spinning windmills of traditional working village  Zaanse Schans , swing by the former fishing village of Volendam, with cheese producers that you can visit on its southern edge. Endearingly kitschy old-time attractions like traditional Dutch national costume dress-ups line Volendam’s boat-filled waterfront. Just north again, Edam is a treasure with cobbled streets, hand-operated drawbridges, and warehouses (in its 17th-century heyday, there were over three dozen shipyards here). Discover production techniques and taste samples at Edam’s cheese purveyors, and/or catch the town’s engagingly re-enacted weekly summer cheese market .

A half-hour-or-so drive northwest through classic polder landscapes, Alkmaar was awarded weighing rights after repelling occupying Spanish troops in 1573 by opening the locks and flooding the area with seawater. It too holds a recreated cheese market weekly in spring and summer, when porters bring in cheeses for inspection by white-smocked dealers then whisk them off to be weighed. A refreshing place to finish is the Nationaal Biermuseum in the old De Boom brewery, with a canal-side tasting room.

Detour: To sample sheep and goats milk cheeses at producer Kaasboerderij Wezenspyk on the bucolic island of Texel , continue some 40 minutes north of Alkmaar to port town Den Helder and catch a 20-minute car ferry ( prebook in high summer).

Pick the right time for your visit to the Netherlands with our seasonal guide

3. Hanseatic League route

Best road trip for medieval architecture and history Doesburg–Elburg; 138km (86 miles); allow one to two days

Hanseatic history lingers in the medieval streets along the Netherlands’ eastern river, the IJssel. Back when Amsterdam and Rotterdam were still small villages, these nine historically linked cities were part of the powerful league of northern European merchant guilds and market towns, which dominated trade from the 13th to the 15th centuries.

Begin in fortified Doesburg, famed for mustard that’s been produced and traded here since 1457 (mustard soup is a local speciality) and the Netherlands’ oldest public house and one-time weighing house, the 1478 Stadsbierhuys de Waag. Pass through apple orchards and strawberry farms en route to Zutphen (aka Torenstad, the “town of towers”) and on to Deventer, with its striking  Gothic hall-church built between 1450 and 1525. Head to Hattem, then splendid Zwolle, bounded by a star-shaped canal and city walls. Travel through maize fields and dairy pastures to Hasselt and on to Kampen’s ensemble of medieval gates, houses and towers, on the lower reaches of the IJssel.

End your journey in Elburg, with its small, square-shaped historic center. This fortified former fishing town once sat on the shoreline of the Wadden Sea, before the early 20th-century construction of the Netherlands’ longest dyke, the 32km (20 mile) Afsluitdijk, creating the freshwater IJsselmeer lake. Across the water at the lake’s southern end lies the Netherlands’ newest province, Flevoland, reclaimed in the 1950s and ‘60s.

4. On the trail of Van Gogh

Best road trip for art lovers Zundert–Hoge Veluwe National Park; 195km (121 miles); allow one to two days

Once you’ve seen the world’s greatest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s works at Amsterdam’s  Van Gogh Museum , it’s rewarding to delve deeper into the artist’s early life and works on this pilgrimage through varied and little-visited countryside.

Start in Zundert, where Vincent was born on March 30, 1853 and spent his earliest years. Vincent’s father was a vicar at Zundert’s squat, red-brick Dutch Reformed church – look for the bronze monument of Vincent and his brother Theo out front. Zundert hosts the world’s largest flower parade on the first Sunday of September. A 20-minute drive north through fields ablaze with dahlias in late summer is the town of Etten-Leur, where Vincent had his first studio; the Van Gogh Church here highlights his artistic beginnings and holds a copy of the 1881 document first registering him as an artist.

Approaching Eindhoven ’s rural northeastern edge, amid crop fields of maize, sugar beets and potatoes, is the small village of Nuenen. It’s here that Vincent began producing art in earnest. Appearing in several of his works are the Opwetten Watermill (now a restaurant) and 1884-built De Roosdonck (still a working windmill). Nuenen’s Van Gogh Roosegaarde cycle path twinkles after dark like his iconic starry nights.  

Flower and fruit farms and forested nature reserves skirt the edge of Arnhem to this trip’s showpiece. Within the rambling Hoge Veluwe National Park , amid sculpture-studded gardens, the  Kröller-Müller Museum 's exceptional collection of Van Gogh’s works is second in the world only to his eponymous museum in Amsterdam.

5. Friesland’s Elfstedentocht (Eleven cities tour)

Best road trip for getting off the beaten track Leeuwarden–Leeuwarden; 225km (140 miles); allow two days

Part of Frisian tradition for centuries, the 1909-founded Elfstedentocht ice-skating tour along frozen canals, rivers and lakes is the world’s largest on natural ice. These days it holds near-mythical status, as it’s only able to take place when the ice is thick enough, which is increasingly rare due to the warming climate. The last tour was 1997 but hopes remain high every year. This driving loop traces its route as it takes in all 11 of Friesland ’s historic cities.

From the provincial capital Leeuwarden , with its Roman heritage and herringbone brick streets, travel through green polder grassland grazed by black-and-white Holstein-Friesian cattle to Sneek, guarded by its fairy-tale early 17th-century defensive gate the Waterpoort. Next up is IJlst, followed by the moated, fortified city of Sloten. Continue to windswept Stavoren on the shores of the IJsselmeer lake, then Hindeloupen, with its narrow streets, wooden bridges and sea captains’ houses. Travel to Workkum and onward to Bolsward. From Harlingen on the Wadden Sea, continue past fields of wheat, potatoes and flax to reach Franeker and Dokkum, before wrapping up back in Leeuwarden.

Detour: Along the Friesland coast, across the Wadden Sea’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed intertidal zone of mudflats, the crescent-like chain of  Frisian Islands can be accessed by ferry from Harlingen.

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These Are The 8 Safest Cities As Of 2024

Ranked based on a variety of safety measures, these are the world's safest cities you can visit.

• Travel to safe cities like London, Copenhagen, and Dubai to experience culture, history, and stunning sights with peace of mind.
• These cities offer safe transportation and low crime rates, making them ideal destinations for solo travelers or families exploring new places.
• Enjoy the vibrant atmospheres of Montreal and Reykjavik for a mix of history, nightlife, and natural beauty in secure environments.

Earth is full of amazing cities, from America’s New York, one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in and home to one of the most beautiful city parks in the US , to Australia’s Sydney, which offers some of the most serene beaches . However, tourist attractions aren’t all that matters in travel, and vacationers are increasingly choosing places that have been statistically proven to be safe to explore.

A new study by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection just named the world's safest cities in 2024, with the list of the most visited international and domestic cities sourced from Forbes , USA Today , Expedia , and more. 31 cities across the globe were ranked by survey respondents based on a variety of safety measures. The survey findings, along with data from the latest safe-cities index from Economist , GeoSure Global’s rankings, and Numbeo’s crime index were then weighed to come up with the results.

These Are The 7 Safest Countries To Visit In 2024

8 london, united kingdom, survey score: 79.2.

Apart from having a long, fascinating history and an amazing arts scene, London is one of the most popular tourist destinations and one of the safest cities to visit in 2024. From the Palace of Westminster to the London Eye to Big Ben, the European city is famous for many things.

It is also recognized for the Thames, one of the most scenic rivers in Europe , which runs through the city. It also offers several colorful shops, museums, and restaurants to explore. London’s high safety ranking is largely because of its safe transportation system.

Learn how to navigate the London Underground like a local .

7 Copenhagen, Denmark

Survey score: 79.4.

Copenhagen is an endless hub of significant tourist attractions that offers a wide range of things to do, including architectural wonders, museums, and art galleries. It is famous for some of the most scenic places in Europe, like Tivoli Gardens and the Amalienborg and Christianborg palaces.

However, Copenhagen also boasts multiple hidden gems that showcase a unique side of it. Visitors will be happy to hear that Denmark’s beautiful city is very safe to explore.

Learn how much it actually costs to explore this Danish city .

6 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Survey score: 80.0.

Dubai is famous for its towering skyscrapers, luxury shopping centers, and world-class skydiving experiences. The city is also famous for the Palm Islands, home to three artificial archipelagos, including Palm Jumeira, which is worth visiting for many reasons, including being home to the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab , which is renowned for its “seven-star status.”

Despite its low scores for safety for women and LGBTQ+ people, it ranks among the safest cities to visit as of 2024.

This UAE hotspot is always perceived to be an expensive destination, but there are actually ways to save and have a budget trip in Dubai .

5 Amsterdam, Netherlands

Survey score: 80.2.

Amsterdam is famous for its vibrant culture and beautiful canals. There are plenty of fabulous things to do in Amsterdam , including touring the Rijksmuseum , which houses almost 6,000 paintings by some of the most recognized artists, including Frans Hals and Rembrandt.

Amsterdam was ranked highly because it’s safe for female tourists, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people.

10 Best Activities To Try During 36 Hours In Amsterdam

4 sydney, australia.

A lot of things perfectly define the essence of Sydney, including the Sydney Opera House , which is an architectural wonder and an entertainment venue where tourists can enjoy world-class performances. One can spend time exploring the Sydney Harbor Bridge , Bondi Beach, and the Rocks as well.

The city’s high safety score mostly came from American travelers who have visited the country and haven’t experienced anything negative concerning safety.

3 Reykjavik, Iceland

Survey score: 80.3.

The capital of Iceland, which was recently ranked among the world’s happiest countries , is famous for its vibrant street art scene, where vacationers explore a wide variety of art, including urban graffiti and wall poems. It also boasts beautiful natural surroundings and a thriving nightlife scene with a variety of nightclubs and bars to choose from.

Reykjavík also boasts breathtaking surroundings, and Videy Island, Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach, and Lake Tjornin are bucket-list-worthy. The city ranks highly in all safety measures, including safety for solo female travelers, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and terrorism.

2 Montreal, Canada

Survey score: 80.7.

Montreal, the second-oldest city in Canada, is brimming with history. In particular, Montreal has a vibrant nightlife scene with lots of unique things to do and an incredible culture. A trip to Old Montreal is a brilliant trip back to the city’s past, as it’s one of the most well-preserved historical spots in the country.

From the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal to Place d’Armes, there are plenty of things to do and see in Montreal . The city’s high ranking is because it offers one of the safest transportation systems, and those who’ve used mass transit will understand why it’s on the list.

10 Underrated Cities In Canada To Visit Instead Of Montreal

1 honolulu, hawaii, survey score: 83.2.

Honolulu is one of the top-rated tourist destinations in the US and has a lot to offer. Honolulu has a bustling nightlife scene with plenty of fun things to do , while the scenic urban hikes in Honolulu take vacationers through the city’s lush vegetation and some of the most pristine beaches nearby.

Hawaii's capital city made it to the list of the safest cities worldwide, even with its low ratings for safety for solo female travelers, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people, which the respondents see as some of the highest among other popular destinations.

Learn about some of the first-timer safety tips for visiting Honolulu .

7 US Cities That Look Like Popular European Cities

• Discover European charm in the US with cities like Holland, Michigan, Leavenworth, WA, and St. Augustine, FL.
• Experience Dutch tulip fields, Bavarian architecture, and Spanish influence without leaving America.
• From Danish windmills to Spanish streets and Swiss mountains, these cities offer a taste of Europe in the US.

As world travelers, most often dream of traveling to Europe and visiting ancient, long-gone European cities , eating great food, and admiring the transformative architecture that transports you through time. However, you don't have to travel all the way to Europe to get that classic European sensation.

You can find beautiful half-timbered villages, ancient architecture, centuries-old windmills, and cobblestoned streets in the United States. Whether it's in the mountains of Colorado or the coast of Florida, these American cities that look and feel European should be added to your bucket list!

7 Cool Summer Destinations In Europe To Beat The Heat

Holland, michigan, this dutch city in michigan is widely known for its massive tulip fields.

Holland, Michigan (as you can guess by its name) proudly displays its Dutch heritage and bears a striking resemblance to Amsterdam and the Bollenstreek tulip fields.

Holland was originally settled by Dutch immigrants in the 1800s and has preserved its distinct Netherlands feel.

Today, you can see the authentic De Zwaan Windmill and the downtown Dutch Village, making you feel like you've completely left the United States. Be sure to visit Holland, Michigan, in April or May when the tulips are in full bloom.

• Popular Attractions: Windmill Island Gardens , Nelis' Dutch Village , Holland Farmers' Market
• Best Time To Visit : April-May
• European Lookalike: Bollenstreek, The Netherlands

Leavenworth, Washington

An alpine village in the cascade mountains that resembles the bavarian region in germany.

Leavenworth, Washington, is a purposeful homage to the stunning Bavarian region in Germany. The town's architectural style creates a truly European ambiance with its half-timbered buildings, colorful flower boxes, and authentic shops and restaurants.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the town's Bavarian culture by enjoying traditional German cuisine, exploring the shops, and attending seasonal festivals. You can even celebrate Oktoberfest and the famous Christkindlmarkt in the winter in Leavenworth .

• Popular Attractions: Icicle Brewing Company , Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum , Mnchen Haus
• Best Time To Visit : September-December
• European Lookalike: Bavaria, Germany

Leavenworth & 9 More Of Washington's Prettiest Winter Towns

St. augustine, florida, the oldest city in the united states still boasts spanish architecture.

St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest city in America , is still deeply influenced by its Spanish roots, which are apparent in every corner of the city.

The city's well-preserved Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos fortress , resemble the Spanish Renaissance period and are still stunning to look at today.

Walking through the old streets and along the Floridian coast feels like walking through a coastal Spanish town like Sitges or Estepona.

• Popular Attractions: St. George Street, Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine , Lightner Museum
• Best Time To Visit : March-May
• European Lookalike: Sitges, Spain

Solvang, California

Prepare to be fully immersed in scandinavian culture in the santa ynez valley.

Located near Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley is an authentic and immersive Danish village that looks completely out of place in Western California. And that's not a bad thing!

Solvang, California, is a charming European-style city that features windmills, Danish bakeries, local wineries, and even beer gardens that reflect the Scandinavian culture in Denmark.

It's worth visiting Solvang during any season, but it's highly recommended to visit during the Christmas season to celebrate the Julefest Maker’s Market - a traditional European Christmas Market featuring local crafter's seasonal gifts and homemade goods!

• Popular Attractions: Elverhj Museum of History & Art , Paula's Pancake House , Danish Mill Bakery
• Best Time To Visit : April-December
• European Lookalike: Copenhagen, Denmark

10 Towns In The U.S. That Actually Look Like European Towns

Kansas city, missouri, the country club plaza was inspired by and modeled after the plaza in seville, spain.

Kansas City, also known as the "Paris of the Plains," might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about American cities resembling Europe. But it is full of surprises!

The Country Club Plaza in particular was actually modeled after the Plaza de Armas in Seville, Spain in 1922.

The Plaza is filled with romantic buildings, intricate fountains, and charming walking paths that give you a taste of Spanish charm right in the heart of the Midwest.

• Popular Attractions: Country Club Plaza , National WWI Museum and Memorial , Union Station Kansas City
• European Lookalike: Seville, Spain

7 Beach Towns In The U.S. That Look Like Europe

Carmel-by-the-sea, california, this enchanting city in california looks like it's been plucked out of a fairytale from germany's black forest.

Another California gem that gives off strong European vibes is Carmel-by-the-Sea. This charming coastal town is located on the Monterey Peninsula and features the most beautiful and colorful cottage-like buildings.

Stepping foot in Carmel-by-the-Sea is like landing in a Brothers Grimm fairytale in the Black Forest of Germany.

For the most unique and truly European experience, take a stroll down Ocean Avenue, which stretches from Highway 1 down to Carmel Sunset Beach. There are so many nooks and crannies, restaurants, and shops that you can't miss while you're here!

• Popular Attractions: Carmel Beach, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve , Ocean Avenue
• Best Time To Visit : September-November
• European Lookalike: Triberg, Germany

Ouray, Colorado

The "switzerland of america" bears a striking resemblance to famous switzerland mountain towns.

Ouray, Colorado, has rightfully earned its name as the "Switzerland of America", and offers many activities and attractions for a European-inspired getaway.

Completely engulfed by the San Juan Mountains, Ouray looks eerily similar to the beautiful Lauterbrunnen village and many other mountain towns in Switzerland.

One of the numerous mountain towns in America that look like Europe's Alps , Ouray offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking , rock climbing , and hot spring pools to enjoy while being immersed in a Swiss-like setting.

In addition to its stunning natural beauty, Ouray's downtown shops and cozy cafés provide an authentic alpine experience that captures the essence of Switzerland.

• Popular Attractions: Cascade Falls Park , Switzerland of America Lookout Point , Ouray Ice Park
• European Lookalike: Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland