With a unique, impressive history of ingenuity, a lifestyle that embraces freedom, and charming architecture that will have you enchanted the moment you arrive in the country, the Netherlands is much more than Amsterdam alone. To help you decide where to go and what to see, we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do and places to visit in Netherlands.
Find your Amsterdam
Europe’s most beguiling capital city: cultural and renegade, charming and naughty. Integrated within the concentric canal system is the heady mix of gabled merchant townhouses, the Red Light sailor’s quarter, metropolitan arts museums including one focused solely on the celebrated works of Van Gogh, the wafty aroma of ‘coffeeshops’ and the Heineken Brewery. Amsterdam collides all human senses, and in one way or another, will bewitch all that choose to visit.
Explore the Dutch way
It’s impossible to miss the endless lanes of two-wheels on the pancake-flat land, with a staggering 13 million bicycles existing in a national population of roughly 17 million people. At least one in three ride a bike to work – rain, hail or shine.
Reflect at Anne Frank Huis
The haunting bestselling diary led to the creation of the Anne Frank museum, where you can feel the touching story of the teenage Jewish girl hiding from Nazi persecution during WWII in the very place she and her family fought to survive. A poignant must visit on any Netherlands tourism itinerary.
Experience traditional village life in Volendam
The quaint fishing village is a far cry from the more famous ‘Dams. You’ll notice locals stomping in klompen clogs, Edam cheese farms, and tasty raw herring stands with diced onion. Tidy Dutch cottages lining the seafront mark the nostalgic traditions of yesteryear.
Europe’s biggest port in Rotterdam
The Netherland’s owes much of their riches from ‘New World’ discovery to Europe’s largest port city, with the charming Delfshaven neighbourhood spared from Nazi WWII bombing, leaving it to echo the Golden Age voyages of the 17th century.
The political capital of Den Haag (The Hague)
The seat of government and throne of the King, the administrative capital Den Haag may seem to have drawn the short straw when it comes to the capital excitement of Amsterdam. Yet there’s prominence to be had, with the International Criminal Court and foreign embassies stationed here, and delightful strolls around the historic neighbourhood of Binnenhof and art of Mauritshuis waiting.
Browse for some Delftware
This blue and white postcard pottery of bucolic scenes from the 17th century is quintessential Netherlands, as painted by resident artist, Johannes Vermeer. The perfect kitchen souvenir.
Small-scale Amsterdam in Utrecht
Filled with university students, artsy cafes and beautiful canals, Utrecht offers happy summer strolls along the Oudegracht or ice skating in the winter when the canals freeze over.
Tulip Festival at the Keukenhof
Seven million spring bulbs bloom every March in Europe’s largest flower garden, with a dazzling hotchpotch of colour bringing visitors from all over the world until mid-May. Tulips are the unofficial symbol of the Netherlands, and the Keukenhof in colourful full bloom is an unforgettable sight.
Find a traditional windmill
Wooden windmills have long since been replaced by sleek skyscraper-high versions that stand in testament to Dutch engineering ingenuity, but some traditional examples remain in places like Kinderdijk, the area of Waterland, in Zaandam and even some along the Amstel River just a short cycle from the heart of Amsterdam.
Embrace the Netherlands’ naughty side
Though there is much more to the Netherlands than weed and prostitutes, the legalisation of both means they have become synonymous with the country for many outsiders. Embrace the Dutch approach with walks in the Red Light District where you can take in a live sex show if you so desire, or light up a joint in one of the so-called ‘coffeeshops’ where hash and marijuana can be purchased. If that’s not your style, learn all about the history of Dutch tolerance in the Hemp Museum.
Get ‘gezellig’ with friends
The Dutch throw the term ‘gezellig’ like it’s going out of style – though it is definitely not. The word refers to anything enjoyable, cosy or fun enjoyed in a nice atmosphere, as well as to time spent with loved ones or friends. Try your hand at gezelligheid by choosing a comfortable seat in a café, enjoying a couple of slow drinks or a meal, and watching the world go by in the company of travel buddies.
Join the ‘Oranje’ fever
Orange is the official colour of the Netherlands due to its presence on the old flag and the royal family’s surname ‘van Oranje Nassau’. The Dutch go all out dressing in orange anytime there is a national celebration, a major sporting event or even just on a random Tuesday – and no outfit is too ridiculous.
Take a moment to appreciate Dutch engineering
The Netherlands is known as a global leader when it comes to engineering water controls, as they developed effective techniques for draining wetlands to make them usable for agriculture, the building of cities and more. The Dutch Home to approximately 3,000 polders – low-lying pieces of land protected from flooding by dikes.
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC
