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Escape the capital’s crowds and explore some of the best places to visit in the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam…
For some reason, when people think of the Netherlands, they think of Amsterdam. But it’s worth venturing out of the capital to see more of this excellent country.
Whether you want windmills and traditional Dutch architecture, tranquil canal-filled cities to escape the crowds of Amsterdam, or stunning countryside to explore on foot or by bike, there’s somewhere to suit every kind of traveller on the list below.
I’ve visited the Netherlands several times, as my old job’s head office was based there – I even spent a month housesitting near Rotterdam. I’ve explored a lot of the country, but nowhere near all of it, so I asked locals and travel bloggers to share their recommendations for this article.
If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, I hope this helps you see a bit more of the country…
21 Places to Visit in the Netherlands
In a hurry? There’s a map and a short version of this list at the bottom of the page!
Rotterdam
Famous for its huge port – the largest in Europe – Rotterdam is a cool, contemporary city with so much to do. There are loads of fun things to do in Rotterdam. Lots of fascinating museums, as well as tons of modern architecture like the quirky Cube Houses on Overblaak Street.
There’s also some excellent shopping, especially along the brilliantly named Coolsingel Street. I loved the Euromast for some incredible views of the city and beyond – although the wind in January was pretty fierce!
Top things to do in Rotterdam
- Cube Houses
- Euromast
- Erasmusbrug – an iconic white bridge across the Nieuwe Maas
The Hague
The seat of government in the Netherlands can be found in the Hague, a city rich in history, culture, and art. The gothic-style parliament buildings, the Binnenhof, are a dramatic sight – but there’s a lot more to the Hague than politics!
As the only big city with a beach directly on the North Sea coast, the Hague is a pretty popular seaside destination. Expect beaches and beach clubs, picturesque city streets, boutique shops, and an amazing foodie scene! Check out my friend Chloe’s fab guide to a seaside city break in the Hague here.
- Binnenhof – historic government building
- Escher in Het Paleis
- Mauritshuis Museum – home to Vermeer’s famous “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting.
Kinderdijk
You can’t visit the Netherlands without seeing a few windmills! And one of the best places to see them is Kinderdijk. The riverside town is home to 19 windmills dating from around 1740.
This is the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s also a beautifully green and pretty area, especially in summer. From Rotterdam, you can take a Waterbus ferry upriver to Kinderdijk.
- Explore the windmills
- Musuemmolen Nederwaard
- Bakkerswaal Lake
Keukenhof Flower Gardens, Lisse
Recommended by: Emma, Travel on a Time Budget
Flower fans won’t want to miss the Keukenhof flower garden. Just half an hour from Amsterdam – in the town of Lisse – it’s open for several weeks in the spring.
Keukenhof is not your average garden. Known as the ‘Garden as Europe’, it covers more than 30 acres. With an estimated 7 million bulbs that will bloom into swathes of stunning and vibrant colours, it’s an incredible sight. It’s extremely popular, so book your tickets in advance!
- Climbing the windmill and looking out over the fantastic countryside.
- Taking a canal ride or clambering over the river’s stepping stones.
- Exploring Lisse’s beautiful 17th-century Keukenhof Castle.
- Witnessing the spectacular Bloemencorso Bollenstreek parade when it reaches Lisse.
NEXT DATES: In 2025, the gardens are open from 20 March until 11 May. The Bloemencorso Bollenstreek parade takes place on 12 April.
Utrecht
My personal favourite, Utrecht is a beautiful Dutch city with a rich history and stunning architecture. A university town, it’s popular with students, attracting a pretty young crowd and a fairly artistic vibe.
Don’t miss the Dom Tower, a 600-year-old Gothic cathedral tower that was cut off from the Domkerk by a devastating tornado in 1674. Views from the top of the tower are amazing. On a clear day, you can see as far as Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
- Climb the Dom Tower and visit the underground ruins at DOMunder
- Museum Speelklok
- Oudegracht Canal
RELATED POST: Exploring the “real” Netherlands in Utrecht
Maastricht
Recommended by: Iris, Mind of a Hitchhiker
This small city is the second oldest in the Netherlands. Due to its long history, dating back to the Romans, Maastricht is chock-full of heritage buildings. There are ancient churches, fortifications, narrow alleyways, and an old bridge crossing the Meuse River. Today, the student population keeps it a lively city.
Maastricht’s culture is different from the rest of the Netherlands due to its isolation. Its people have a distinct identity, with a dialect to match. Make sure to enjoy some wholesome activities in Maastricht:
- Enjoying the serenity of the Dominicanen bookstore
- Strolling past the Meuse River
- Going up the Sint Janskerk church tower vantage point
- Doing a guided tour of the North Caves or the Casemates
- Visiting the decommissioned ENCI quarry
Haarlem
For a taste of “typical” Dutch life, head to Haarlem. Just a few minutes from Amsterdam by train, this pretty town has a canal lined with picturesque Dutch architecture, but it’s much quieter than its popular neighbour. So it’s a great place to unwind.
Like the rest of the Netherlands, it’s a pretty quirky city. Don’t miss the chemist at number 3 Gierstraat, which dates from 1849 and is one of the oldest shops in Haarlem. I also loved the Jopenkerk Bar, a brewery and beer hall housed in a converted church – great for live music, good beer, and stunningly atmospheric.
- Windmill de Adriaan
- Teylers Museum
- Zuid-Kennemerland National Park – a nearby coastal national park edged by sand-dunes.
Zaandijk and Zaanse Schanz
Recommended by: Sam at My Flying Leap
Take a short train ride north of Amsterdam to visit Zaandijk, a picturesque village in the Dutch countryside. Zaandijk is known for its speciality museums, including Zaanse Schans: a recreated Dutch village with brightly painted wooden homes and picturesque windmills dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
Zaandijk proudly showcases Dutch heritage. Here, you can tour the windmills, the cheese shop, and the bakery – be sure to try a freshly-made stroopwafel with a coffee. You can even learn how to make the famous Dutch wooden shoes at the Wooden Show Workshop!
- Visit the charming Zaanse Schans
- Take a Zaandijk canal cruise
- Try a stroopwafel and learn how to make one
Eindhoven
Recommended by: Allen, Live Less Ordinary
Eindhoven was once known as an ‘ugly’ industrial city. But these days it’s famous for its inspired and innovative architectural designs. Among these are the flying-saucer-shaped Evoluon building and “The Blob”; a futuristic glass and steel structure located in the city’s old quarter.
- Van Abbemuseum: a massive modern and contemporary art museum.
- Stadswandelpark, aka City Walking Park – a bit like an outdoor art gallery with modern sculptures.
Delft
Recommended by: Bilyana, Owl Over the World
Delft is a small town known for its historic centre, and – of course – for the famous blue pottery. It’s only a 25-minute train ride from The Hague, making it a popular day-trip destination.
There are plenty of fun things to do in Delft – but just wandering around the lovely town is perhaps the biggest appeal.
- Check out The Markt – Delft’s main square, home to Delft City Hall and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church).
- The Girl with the Pearl Earrings – The original is kept in the Mauritshuis in The Hague, but you can find the “Girl with the Pearl Earrings” everywhere in Delft.
- Explore the historic city centre.
- Shopping – especially for pottery!
Leeuwarden
Recommended by: Rachel, Rachel’s Ruminations
A small city in the northeast of the Netherlands, Leeuwarden is the capital of the province of Friesland. Many of its residents speak both Dutch and Frisian fluently.
With an almost completely intact city centre, Leeuwarden’s narrow streets are lined with lovely old brick buildings, many of which date to the 1600s. They lean picturesquely along the cobbled streets, and the several compact blocks of the centre are usually free of cars (but watch out for bikes!).
- Oldehove: a leaning 16th-century church tower, unfinished but still well-loved.
- De Waag: a weighing house from 1590, now a pleasant café on a canal.
- The Fries Museum: This museum always has interesting special exhibitions.
Gouda
Recommended by: Sarah, CosmopoliClan
Every Thursday from April to August, Gouda hosts one of the country’s most popular cheese markets, a tradition that dates back to the 14th century. Held in the shadow of the picturesque town hall, Gouda cheese market sees farmers arrive by carriage, unload their cheese wheels, and negotiate with traders by clapping hands.
There’s a small food market next to the trading zone, where you can purchase dozens of Gouda cheese variations. Once your done sampling, walk the medieval streets and admire the enchanting canals of this inviting and compact little town.
- Experience the Gouda cheese market.
- Visit the city’s idyllic town hall.
- Admire the stained-glass windows of the St Jan’s church.
- Sink your teeth in a stroopwafel, the Dutch delicacy that was created in Gouda.
Alkmaar
Recommended by: Alina, World of Lina
Alkmaar is another city famous for its cheese. Around 30 minutes north of Amsterdam, the small city of Alkmaar has pretty canals, windmills, and a famous cheese market. This market can be visited every Friday from 10am-1pm at the Waagplein square in front of the Waag building.
- The Dutch Cheese Museum (Kaasmuseum)
- The Beatles Museum
- The Stedelijk Museum (history & art museum)
- De Groot (historical landmark with windmills)
Leiden
Recommended by: Bridget at The Flashpacker
Oozing character and history, lovely Leiden is possesses the charm of Amsterdam without its crowds. Famous as Rembrandt’s birthplace, the town has a lively student vibe and ivy-clad university buildings. Leiden is also the best base from which to visit the Keukenhof Gardens and the Dutch tulip fields.
To make the most of a day in Leiden, here is the pick of the best things to do and see:
- Stroll, eat and drink along the banks of the picture-perfect canals.
- Hortus Botanicus Leiden – one the oldest botanical gardens in the world.
- American Pilgrim Museum.
- Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde – a museum which celebrates world cultures.
Veluwe National Park
Recommended by: Maartje & Sebastiaan from The Orange Backpack
The Veluwe National Park is ideal for both outdoor and art lovers. This is known as the best nature reserve in the country and boasts excellent hiking and biking trails. The entry ticket includes use of the free white bikes you can find at the bicycle parking stations.
Inside the park, make sure to visit the Kröller-Müller Museum to see its famous collection of modern art: featuring works by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, and others. It started as a private collection of the Kröller-Müller couple, who built their own small chateau in the park, which you can also visit.
Groningen
Recommended by: Lotte from lotte-eschbach.nl
As someone who has lived here for seven years, I’m speaking from experience when I say Groningen is the most fun city in the Netherlands! 25% of the population is made up of students, which gives the city a unique and upbeat vibe.
The city centre has many historic buildings and beautiful canals, as well as an abundance of restaurants and bars (without closing time). There are lots of fun things to do such as:
- Ice-skating on ‘de Grote Markt’ (when visiting Groningen in winter)
- Go for a swim at the Stadsstrand (city beach)
- Climb the 97-meter-tall Martini Tower
- Admire the colourful houses in the Reitdiephaven
- Visit the Groninger Museum
Texel
Recommended by: Daneila, Exploring the Netherlands
Texel is a small island off the north coast of the Netherlands, popular with locals as a summer staycation destination. Boasting surprisingly large white-sand beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and great food, the island is ideal for those who want to escape the city.
To get to Texel, you first need to get to Den Helder (about 1 hr 20 from Amsterdam by train/car), then take the ferry to the island. Some of the best things to see and do on Texel include:
- Climbing the Texel Lighthouse in Cocksdorp
- Visiting the seal shelter at Ecomare
- Hiking in the Dunes of Texel National Park
- Visit at least one of the island’s cute villages: Den Burg, Den Hoorn, Oudeschild, or Oosterend.
Efteling
Recommended by: Jamie, Travel-Addict
Efteling is a fairytale-based theme park located in the south of the Netherlands. It’s the largest theme park in the country, and one of the oldest in the world!
The theme park spans across a beautiful forest-themed location and features numerous rides and storytelling exhibits. The fairytales featured throughout the park are those of the Brothers Grimm, the true traditional ones.
- Flying Dutchman Rollercoaster
- Fairytale Forest
- Baron 1898 Rollercoaster
- Water Fountain show at Aquanura
Top Tip: If you arrive at opening time, the staff choose a child to help “open” the park in a small ceremony, which can make it that extra bit special.
Zwolle
Recommended by: Dymphe, Dymabroad
Zwolle is the capital of the Overijssel province. It’s a small city which is not often visited by tourists. Here you can experience what local life in a city in the Netherlands is like, which is great to experience!
It’s also a particularly beautiful city. There’s a small historic centre packed with fascinating architecture. The history of the city stretches back to the 8th century. The best sights in Zwolle include:
- Museum de Fundatie
- Grote Kerk
- The Sassenpoort gatehouse
Giethoorn
Recommended by: Sean, LivingOutLau
Giethoorn is a small idyllic town in the province of Overijssel, approximately 1.5 hours from Amsterdam by car. Known as “the town with no roads”, the only means of transportation is by boat via the canals, or on foot via the occasional footbridges. With less than 3,000 residents, this peaceful town doesn’t really need any roads!
Giethoorn is the perfect day trip from Amsterdam for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Come for a day of relaxation as you float down the tranquil canal and admire the quaint thatched-roof farmhouses around town. As one of the lushest areas in Amsterdam, Giethoorn is the ideal escape into nature!
- Join a canal cruise
- Rent a canoe and explore the canal and its surroundings
- Visit the Schreur Shipyard
- Discover the “Het Olde Maat Uus” Museum
Arnhem
Recommended by: Shobha, Just Go Places
A small city close to the German border in the Netherlands, Arnhem is famous for the failed WWII attempt by the British to capture a bridge over the Rhine. The British were thwarted by the Nazis who put up a massive resistance because they did not want Allied troops so close to their border. Today, it’s named the John Frost Bridge after the leader of the British paratroopers.
Arnhem suffered massive bombing during the war, so many of its medieval buildings are gone. Luckily, the Eusebius Church in the centre of town survived. From the top of its spire, you can enjoy fabulous views over the countryside.
- John Frost Bridge
- Netherlands Open Air Museum
- Visit the nearby National Parks at Hoge Veluwe and Veluwezoom
Places to Visit in the Netherlands: Map and Short List
- Rotterdam – cool, contemporary city.
- The Hague – north coast beach city and the seat of government in the Netherlands.
- Kinderdijk – large collection of historic windmills.
- Keukenhof Flower Gardens, Lisse – for tulips and spring flowers.
- Utrecht – historic university city with an arty vibe.
- Maastricht – second oldest city in the Netherlands.
- Haarlem – quirky canal town a few minutes from Amsterdam.
- Zaandijk & Zanse Schanz – picturesque village known for speciality museums.
- Eindhoven – known for its innovative artistic architecture.
- Delft – home of the famous blue pottery.
- Leeuwarden – small, historic city known for its old buildings.
- Gouda – home of the famous cheese!
- Alkmaar – pretty city with a famous cheese market.
- Leiden – artistic, canal-filled city that feels like a chilled version of Amsterdam!
- Veluwe National Park – this large nature reserve is also home to an impressive contemporary art gallery.
- Groningen – youthful student city known for its fun vibes.
- Texel – large white sandy beaches.
- Efteling – fairytale-based theme park.
- Zwolle – a small city not often visited by tourists – which is part of the appeal!
- Giethoorn – a town with no roads, only canals!
- Arnhem – famous for the failed WWII attempt by the British to capture a bridge over the Rhine.
Getting Around the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a relatively small country, so getting around is pretty easy. The best way is probably to rent a car so that you can explore at your own pace. If you’re staying in Amsterdam as a base, many of the places on this list are within an hour or two’s drive, so you can easily take a series of day trips.
However, if you don’t want to drive, don’t fear! The public transport systems in the Netherlands are excellent, especially the trains. They are also generally quite reasonably priced. So you can get to most places very easily by train, bus, or ferry.
I spent a month living in Dordrecht, just outside of Rotterdam, and never once experienced a delayed train. Even the buses were always right on schedule! Use Google Maps to plot your route – and if you get stuck, there’s usually very good information on the tourist board’s website.
If you have a great recommendation to add to this list of the best places to visit in the Netherlands – please leave a comment!
I went to Middelburg in the south and absolutely loved it. It’s basically a whole town made of brick. There are two great windmills, beautiful canals and while it’s not necessarily a big tourist destination, that’s also what makes it so nice. It’s just you and the locals…and beauty.
Ah excellent thank you for the recommendation. That sounds excellent – especially if there aren’t many tourists. That’s always a big appeal for me :)
Sorry, finished the last comment before saying the rest, which was that I’m really looking forward to seeing these five locations! Middelburg is the only place I went in the Netherlands, and these are great locations for the bucket list. Next year for sure!
Awesome, if you do go back you should definitely try to swing by a few of these! I recommend Utrecht most of all – it’s just a really lovely, sweet city and there’s something about it which is really nice. A lot of Dutch people we met also said it’s there favourite city – our friends were even moving there from Haarlem – so I take that as proof that it’s a good city :)
I went to Maastrict a few years ago, just before Christmas. It was amazing. It’s a real foodie place with amazing views and sights. I swear I came back 1/2 a stone heavier. I would definitely recommend it, it’s got such an interesting, hidden history too.
Sally @ Life Loving
Oh wow, now I want to visit even more! It’s one of a few places in The Netherlands left on my list – hoping to go back in summer this time (after three winter visits!) and make it down to Maastrict. Thanks for commenting!
I totally agree with #5! :)
Haha – still need to go there after you recommended it to me! It was just a bit too far from Dordrecht where I was staying last time. Hoping for next year sometime :)
The market in Edam is very nice. Not far from Amsterdam and, in the Spring, you pass many fields of tulips on the way there.
Ah, another great suggestion – thanks Mike! There is so much more to see in The Netherlands, people need to remember to leave Amsterdam when they visit!!
I completely agree with this list. Though, I would add Alkmaar. Still in North Holland and north of Amsterdam. In the spring and summer, they have a famous cheese market, but the highlight is wandering through the streets and the insane canal cruise!
Ooh sounds amazing! There are so many beautiful places in The Netherlands, I feel like my list could go on and on. I’ll have to visit Alkmaar when I’m there next :)
Wonderful cities! You can also try to visit the Giethoorn and Steenwijk. There are many things to do in those cities.
Thanks for the tips! I’m about to update this post very soon to add in some more must-see places!