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Planning a visit to the Netherlands and fascinated by what to incorporate in your itinerary? Don’t fear, we’ve obtained you lined! On this article, I’d like to share with you 15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that you must go to at the least as soon as. This checklist contains not solely cities and cities but additionally stunning villages and beautiful areas.
And, if you happen to’re questioning tips on how to simply go to all of those locations, I’ve a separate article with the itinerary for 4-days within the Netherlands by automobile and seven days within the Netherlands that embrace most of those superb locations to go to within the Netherlands.
Earlier than we begin with this checklist of the very best locations to go to within the Netherlands, listed below are a couple of questions I’d wish to reply first.
Journey to the Netherlands FAQ:
Do you have to automobile to journey across the Netherlands?
When you’re questioning whether or not you want a automobile to journey across the Netherlands, the reply isn’t any, not essentially! The general public transport system within the Netherlands is unbelievable and really dependable, and most of those locations are simply accessible by public transport. Nonetheless, some locations don’t have nice connections between them, which means that you have to journey through a big metropolis each time you have to journey from level B to level D, for instance.
In our case, we went to Amsterdam 5 occasions and not using a automobile; nevertheless, for our highway journey, the place we visited all of those areas, we really used our automobile. We drove all the best way to the Netherlands from the UK through Eurotunnel. Alternatively, you may as well hire a automobile within the Netherlands. We at all times advocate utilizing Rentalcars.com.
If in case you have longer than 4 and even 7 days within the Netherlands, you’ll be able to go to most of those locations and not using a automobile as nicely. Beneath, I’ll hyperlink a couple of excursions that embrace a few of these locations that aren’t as simply accessible and not using a automobile.
Which excursions to absorb the Netherlands
As talked about above, these are the excursions I like to recommend taking to journey to among the locations from this checklist of essentially the most stunning locations within the Netherlands:
Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans day tour from Amsterdam – examine costs and availability right here
Edam, Market & Volendam tour from Amsterdam – examine costs and availability
When to journey to the Netherlands?
Lastly, when to journey to the Netherlands? Do you have to solely journey to the Netherlands in spring? Whereas spring (primarily the start of Could) is the most well-liked time to journey to the Netherlands (because the tulips are in full bloom), doesn’t imply that you just shouldn’t journey there outdoors Could! It’s true that the climate won’t be the very best between November and April, however you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the nation! The perfect time to journey to the Netherlands, for my part, can be from April to the top of October.
What’s the very best place to remain within the Netherlands to discover all these locations by public transport?
With a purpose to see most of those locations, I like to recommend splitting your journey in half and staying half of the journey in Amsterdam – that manner, you’ll have the ability to see a lot of the locations within the North utilizing public transport and excursions and the center of the nation and the remainder of the journey in Utrecht – you’ll have entry to the cities and locations within the South of the nation.
If in case you have a automobile, then I like to recommend staying barely outdoors giant cities, as parking charges within the motels within the metropolis centre are exorbitant (as much as 80 euros per day!).
Listed here are among the greatest locations to remain in Amsterdam:
Excessive & mid-budget: Pillows Maurits, Resort Twenty Eight, Resort Tribe Amsterdam Metropolis
Reasonably priced: CityHub Amsterdam, Volkshotel
Listed here are the very best locations to remain in Utrecht:
Excessive & mid-budget: MUZE Resort Utrecht, Resort Oudegracht
Reasonably priced: ibis Utrecht, Strowis Hostel
With out additional ado, let’s get began with 15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that you must go to at the least as soon as!
15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that you must positively go to at the least as soon as
Giethoorn
Giethoorn is likely one of the Netherlands’ most stunning villages and one of the crucial widespread vacationer areas. Most individuals come there on a day journey from Amsterdam – it’s lower than 1.5 hours away! Nonetheless, on the weekends or through the excessive season, Giethoorn will get extremely busy.
Effectively, that’s as a result of Giethoorn is a captivating village with virtually no roads! Within the coronary heart of the village, there are solely canals and wood bridges. Locals, who dwell there, have to go away their automobile at a parking zone after which change to both a motorcycle or stroll all the best way till they attain their residence!
Among the best methods to discover Giethoorn is by taking a ship trip! You may see the very best views from the water and admire the thatched-roof homes and tranquil waterways. You may both arrive there and queue to e-book a personal boat or pre-book house in a big boat prematurely right here.
Hoorn
Hoorn is likely one of the 15 most stunning locations to go to within the Netherlands, and it’s a historic city positioned in shut proximity to Amsterdam. Plenty of individuals really select dwell in Hoorn and commute to Amsterdam for work. Hoorn was a vital and well-known port, and it was additionally the place of residence of the Dutch East India Firm. The signature constructing in Hoorn is Hoofdtoren – you’ll be able to see it in all of the images of the town once you look it up on-line. Hoofdtoren is a fortified half-tower that used to guard the town, however now there’s a pretty restaurant positioned there. Hoorn has loads of buildings constructed within the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and most of them are concentrated within the metropolis centre space. There are additionally loads of pretty espresso outlets, cafes and eating places the place you’ll be able to spend a couple of hours having fun with the town.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is an 18th-century mannequin village with stunning windmills, fairytale homes and wonderful cafes. It’s not an actual village. Nonetheless, among the homes are inhabited. The windmills had been really moved there from different areas within the nation to be preserved.
Zaanse Schans is completely free to go to, and it’s a stunning space to stroll round, take some images and study extra about life in Dutch villages within the 18th and Nineteenth centuries. There are additionally good cafes and outlets, the place you should purchase some meals and souvenirs and some small museums as nicely. It’s very near Amsterdam, too, and you’ll simply go to it on a day journey!
Delft
Delft is one other beautiful metropolis within the Netherlands. It’s a comparatively small metropolis, however nonetheless, it’s filled with landmarks! The town is known for its affiliation with the famend painter Johannes Vermeer and the long-lasting blue and white pottery known as Delftware. Within the seventeenth century, Delft was a hub for the Dutch East India Firm, and the town’s canals, historic buildings, and charming streets replicate its wealthy heritage.
Delft is especially well-known for its stunning medieval Previous City, the spectacular New Church, and the historic Previous Church, the place members of the Dutch royal household are buried.
Utrecht
Utrecht is one in all Netherland’s liveliest cities! It was based by the Romans round 47 AD and have become an necessary buying and selling and non secular centre. Considered one of its well-known landmarks is the Dom Tower, a tall church tower that provides beautiful views of the town. Utrecht is usually known as the “Domstad” due to this tower.
We actually loved the ambiance in Utrecht – it was very laid-back and enjoyable. Perhaps it’s as a result of Utrecht can also be a college city, similar to Leiden, and its College can also be one of many oldest. Additionally, for my part, Utrecht has among the most stunning canals and likewise a lot of streets within the metropolis centre space are equally fairly! Among the best issues to do in Utrecht is to take a canal cruise and see the town from the water! You may pre-book a ship tour on-line right here.
Edam
Edam is likely one of the well-known cheese cities. It’s completely tiny – its inhabitants is lower than 10,000 individuals, and you’ll discover the city centre in lower than an hour. Edam can also be residence to one of the crucial well-known Cheese markets within the Netherlands. It takes place on Wednesday morning each week in July and August.
You may, nevertheless, go to Edam on any day of the week – you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase cheese in one in all its two cheese outlets – one in all them is extremely picturesque and may very well be an incredible image spot.
Edam can also be very fairly – it’s one of many prettiest little cities within the Netherlands! It’s very clear and compact – and an absolute pleasure to go to!
Lisse flower fields
Lisse is the place the place among the most stunning flower fields are positioned (and the “flower route” as nicely). Among the flower fields are proper subsequent to Keukenhof. Totally different flowers bloom at totally different occasions – in early April, you will discover a variety of daffodils and hyacinths, whereas tulips you’ll be able to solely discover between mid-to-end April and the start of Could.
Please understand that all of the fields are personal, and it’s not allowed to trespass. Some daffodil fields will not be fenced, so it’s attainable to take a photograph in entrance of the fields, however please be aware and don’t go deep into the fields as it might injury the flowers.
The simplest option to take images within the tulip fields is by reserving a go to to a personal farm. There are a couple of of them close to Lisse and Haarlem! One of the vital well-known ones is the Tulip Barn.
Leiden
Leiden is residence to the oldest College within the Netherlands. It additionally has among the most stunning canals within the nation – having visited a lot of the prettiest cities within the nation, I need to say that the canals in Leiden had been amongst my absolute favourites!
s-Hertogenbosch (den Bosch)
S-Hertogenbosch, or the way it’s usually referred to – den Bosch, is the capital of the North Brabant area of the Netherlands. It’s a really quirky metropolis – and we completely cherished it due to that.
Why quirky? Effectively, den Bosch is the hometown of one of many Netherlands’ most well-known painters, Jheronimus Bosch. There’s a variety of artwork throughout the town devoted to Jheronimus Bosch – you will discover avenue artwork in small alleyways or statues within the park – looking for them throughout Den Bosch was like a quest!
Moreover that, den Bosch has a stupendous metropolis centre, very previous canals and a stunning ambiance!
Volendam
Volendam is one other place within the Netherlands that’s completely value visiting! It’s a captivating fishing village within the Netherlands with fairly homes, a stunning harbour, and locals carrying conventional costumes. You may take pleasure in recent seafood, discover Volendam’s cultural historical past in museums, and even attempt on conventional Dutch garments for enjoyable images. Volendam offers you an actual style of Dutch tradition and is a singular and satisfying place to go to.
Marken
Marken is a small island village positioned within the Netherlands close to Volendam. It presents a singular expertise for guests. The village is understood for its conventional wood homes, that are constructed on stilts and have a particular architectural model. You may discover the slender streets, go to native museums, and study in regards to the island’s historical past and maritime heritage. Marken additionally presents stunning views of the encircling water and picturesque landscapes.
De Haar Citadel
De Haar Citadel is likely one of the Netherlands’ most iconic castles. It’s positioned lower than quarter-hour away from Utrecht, and it’s a beautiful medieval fort with stunning gardens and a wealthy historical past. It’s the most important fort within the Netherlands. Initially constructed within the 14th century, it underwent intensive renovations within the late Nineteenth century below the supervision of famend architect Pierre Cuypers. The fort showcases a singular mix of medieval structure and splendid Nineteenth-century design. The fort has a powerful assortment of artwork, furnishings, and historic artefacts, offering insights into the lives of its former inhabitants, the noble Van Zuylen household.
You may pre-book tickets for De Haar Citadel on-line right here.
Heusden
Heusden is a small fortified city surrounded by historical partitions and dotted with windmills and small canals. Once more, Heusden is a really quick cease, particularly if you happen to’re visiting on a chilly day. Nonetheless, the centre of the city seems charming and really picturesque. The 2 windmills of Heusden are essentially the most picturesque spot within the metropolis.
Gouda
Gouda is one other one of many well-known cheese cities within the Netherlands. You may go to the energetic cheese market, see the superb St. John’s Church with its vibrant home windows, and benefit from the cosy cafes and outlets. Gouda feels magical, particularly through the candlelight evenings. Essentially the most stunning place in Gouda is, nevertheless, its primary sq.!
Amsterdam
Lastly, the final however not least of essentially the most stunning locations to go to within the Netherlands is Amsterdam. Amsterdam is essentially the most iconic metropolis within the nation, and it goes with out mentioning that you just completely want to go to it when going to the Netherlands. The rationale it’s talked about final on this checklist of the highest 15+ cities and cities to go to within the Netherlands is that it’s an apparent selection, and everybody is aware of about Amsterdam. Most individuals really solely go to Amsterdam and skip different superb locations within the nation (that’s really me – I visited Amsterdam 6 occasions earlier than I had an opportunity to discover different locations within the Netherlands). Therefore, I needed to offer some highlight to different locations.
Evidently, Amsterdam is superb; it has nice museums – among the greatest on this planet, and actually stunning canals, parks and buildings!
Abstract of essentially the most stunning locations to go to within the Netherlands
I hope you loved this text about essentially the most stunning locations to go to within the Netherlands – as you’ll be able to see, the Netherlands is far more than simply Amsterdam – there are many pretty locations to go to, from small villages like Giethoorn and Marken to giant cities like Utrecht and den Bosch!
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