The Netherlands is a small country, but the variety it packs in is astonishing. One day you’re gliding along Amsterdam’s canals by boat, the next you’re cycling among centuries-old windmills, and the day after you’re lost in Rotterdam’s futuristic architecture. In our video we rounded up the 20 most enchanting places in the Netherlands. In this guide we’ve arranged them as day trips so you can make the most of the country’s compact size.
Your base: Amsterdam
Most of the Netherlands is within an hour of Amsterdam by train, which is why many travelers plan their whole trip while staying in the city.
Amsterdam’s canals, with their 17th-century canal ring, are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The narrow, tall houses, bridges and houseboats lining the canals are the city’s trademark. The most enjoyable way to see them is on a boat tour: Amsterdam canal cruises and things to do.
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum, home to masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age, including Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” and works by Vermeer. Popular museums (the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House) may require advance online tickets; for the Anne Frank House it’s practically mandatory.
While exploring Amsterdam, watch out for bike lanes; pedestrians wandering into them cause some of the city’s most common accidents.
Day trip 1: Zaanse Schans and Volendam
North of Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is like an open-air museum, with historic windmills, wooden houses and cheese and clog workshops. You can add Volendam, known for its colorful fishermen’s houses and harbor promenade, on the same day. Nearby Marken has a similar atmosphere.
Day trip 2: Kinderdijk and Rotterdam
Near Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, with its 19 windmills dating from the 18th century, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The mills were built to keep land reclaimed from the sea and rivers dry, and they’re the most beautiful symbol of the country’s battle with water.
Rotterdam was largely destroyed in World War II and then became a laboratory for modern architecture. The horseshoe-shaped Markthal market, the yellow Cube Houses and the Erasmus Bridge, nicknamed “the Swan,” are the city’s icons. You can also see the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest, on a boat tour.
Day trip 3: Keukenhof and the tulip fields
Keukenhof, with millions of flower bulbs, is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. But it’s open only in spring (usually from late March to mid-May), and the dates can change each year, so check before you go. The tulip fields around the park burst into color at the same time; exploring them by bike is the most enjoyable way.
Day trip 4: Alkmaar, The Hague, Delft
The Alkmaar Cheese Market is a centuries-old tradition held on Friday mornings during the season (usually from spring to late summer). The Hague is known for the Binnenhof, the seat of government, and the Mauritshuis museum, home to Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Nearby Delft, with its canals and famous blue-and-white pottery, is small but utterly charming.
Other stops
- Utrecht: An alternative to Amsterdam, with two-level canal wharves and a student-town vibe.
- Giethoorn: A village known for canals instead of roads, nicknamed the “Venice of the Netherlands.”
- Haarlem: A calm, historic city very close to Amsterdam.
Getting around
Trains in the Netherlands are frequent, fast and punctual. At many stations you can check in and out directly with a contactless bank card; check in advance whether your card works. In cities, trams, buses and the metro use the same system. Renting a bike is the most natural way to get to know the country, both in cities and in the countryside.
International flights usually land at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a short train ride from the city center. To compare flights: flights to Amsterdam.
Visas and practical info
- The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area. Many travelers (including US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens) can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; others, such as Turkish citizens, need a Schengen visa.
- The currency is the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and some places are card-only.
- The weather is very changeable; bring a rain jacket even in summer.
- For mobile data: eSIM options for the Netherlands.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Amsterdam is expensive and in high demand, so book early. To protect your budget, staying in cities a short train ride away, like Haarlem, Utrecht or Leiden, is a good alternative. To compare options: hotels in and around Amsterdam.
When to go
- Spring (April–May): Tulip season, with Keukenhof open. The most popular and most crowded time.
- Summer: Long days and festivals, but Amsterdam is very crowded.
- Fall and winter: Quieter, good for museums and city breaks. The canals’ holiday lights are lovely too.
The Netherlands by bike: What to know
Renting a bike is the most natural way to experience the Netherlands, but there are some rules to follow. Keep right in bike lanes, signal turns with your hand and use lights in the evening. Always lock your bike, as bike theft is common in big cities. In city centers, leave your bike only in designated parking areas. In the countryside, marked cycling routes winding past tulip fields, windmills and canals can be the best part of your day trips.
Final word
You can see the Netherlands in a few days, but as we tried to show in the video, the country’s real charm lies in its small towns, windmills and canal banks. Watch the video, make your list, then round out your plan with these day trips.
Unusual facts
- A large part of the country lies below sea level; for centuries the Netherlands has been “built” against the sea with dikes, pumps and canals.
- The Netherlands is estimated to have more bicycles than people.
- Amsterdam is the capital, but the government, parliament and king are based in The Hague.
- The windmills of Kinderdijk are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- “Holland” is really the name of just two of the country’s provinces (North and South Holland); the official name is “Nederland.”
Things to watch out for & tourist traps
- Don’t walk in the bike lanes: the red-asphalt lanes belong to cyclists, and they ride fast.
- Central Amsterdam has crowded, pickpocket-prone spots (Central Station, Dam Square); wear your bag in front.
- Many canal edges have no barriers, so be careful, especially at night and with children.
- Keukenhof is open for only a few weeks in spring; check the dates and buy tickets in advance.
Netherlands guides
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in the Netherlands?
Amsterdam is a good base for a first visit; for a calmer, more affordable alternative, consider Haarlem, Utrecht or Leiden, all a short train ride away.
When should I go to see the tulips?
Tulip season usually runs from late March to early May; the peak shifts every year depending on the weather.
Is it safe to rent a bike in Amsterdam?
Yes, if you follow the rules: keep right, signal turns with your hand and cross tram tracks at a right angle.
