Although the Netherlands is considered a small country, there are many places worth visiting in the Netherlands. In this article, I have outlined some of the best places for you. I hope this gives you some inspiration on where to go in the Netherlands.
Of course, a visit to our capital should definitely be on your bucket list, but don’t forget that there is much more to discover. Don’t worry about travel, we have an excellent public transport network that makes it easy to get to all the places you want to go. Another option is to rent a car or book a tour that includes transportation. If you plan to travel a lot and cover a lot of territory, I suggest setting up a base in the center of the Netherlands.
So, let’s continue, here is a list of the most amazing places to visit.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam (the capital) is one of the most visited cities in the world. With its beautiful ring of canals and impressive architecture, it is sure to impress you. Amsterdam is also the starting point for many tourists, as the country’s largest airport, Schiphol, is located here. Visit one of the many museums, take a canal cruise, shop on Nine Streets, stroll through the Red Light District, enjoy the nightlife or relax in one of the cafes. Whatever holiday you want, Amsterdam can provide it!
Leiden
Leiden is a picturesque city in the province of South Holland, the birthplace of the master painter Rembrandt van Rijn. Stroll through the historic city center, visit the botanical garden Hortus Botanicus, enjoy the city from the canals and visit one of the city’s many museums.
Delft
Traditional canals, stunning architecture (such as the Renaissance-style town hall and ancient churches), the Delft Science Center, the world-famous Delft Blue pottery. Delft is a city steeped in history and often booked as a day trip from Amsterdam.
The Hague
The Hague is the political center of the Netherlands and is also important in the global political landscape (International City of Peace and Justice). A dynamic city with 30 theaters, 45 museums and almost 4,000 shops. And let’s not forget the popular beaches in the areas of Keikdain and Scheveningen!
Utrecht
Utrecht is the capital of the province of Utrecht (yes, the province and the city share the same name). The city is located in the center of the Netherlands. Small enough to walk and discover the medieval city, but big enough to spend days discovering and enjoying the museums, architecture, shops and festivals.
Maastricht
Maastricht is the capital of the province of Limburg and is located on the Maas River. Enjoy the Burgundian lifestyle in the lively city center and visit one of the culinary attractions. Be sure to try the “Limburgse Vlaai” (pie).
Groningen
Groningen is the capital of the province of Groningen. In the north of the Netherlands, it is often called “Stad”, which simply means “town”. Groningen is a student city, which makes it bright, young and active.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a port city in the west of the country in the province of South Holland. The city was recently recommended by Rough Guides as one of the cities to visit and ranked 10th out of 52 places to visit by the New York Times. If you love photography, you won’t want to miss the Erasmusbrug Bridge.
Gouda
Best known for its cheese market, cheese farms and of course Gouda cheese, Gouda is a perfect day trip town with some really nice walks around the town available from the local tourist office.
Nijmegen
Known as the oldest city in the Netherlands, Nijmegen has a rich history and is located close to amazing nature. Be sure to take one of the walks around the city with the guided tour of the BBB office (tourist bureau) of the city. It is located close to Germany, so it is easy to travel across the border.
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is known as the cheese city and is famous for its cheese market. The historic city has 399 national heritage sites and 700 municipal monuments. Great for a day trip! And don’t forget that Alkmaar is known as one of the best shopping cities in the Netherlands.
Lisse
Lisse is a small town and municipality in South Holland, home to the world-famous flower park Keukenhof. Keukenhof attracts over 900,000 visitors every year!
This list should have given you some great ideas. Did I forget something? Let me know and I can add it to the list!
