10 Prime Cities for a Sensible Netherlands Street Journey

Street journeys are enjoyable after they’re spontaneous, however it’s a good suggestion to know a few of the finest locations to cease alongside the best way so that you don’t miss out. So listed below are the high cities for a Netherlands Street Journey you’ll wish to embody in your plans.

Most individuals who board a airplane to the Netherlands have their eyes firmly set on the stunning metropolis of Amsterdam, and I don’t blame them. There’s no denying it’s certainly one of Europe’s high cities with all of its tradition and nightlife however, exterior of The Dam, there are numerous different cities within the Netherlands with tons to supply. The perfect factor is, they’re all only a brief drive away… 

From historic cities with Roman Ruins to ‘the happiest place on the earth’, the Netherlands has a variety of locations to go to when driving throughout the nation. You’ll discover Delft’s compact pedestrian zone, ultra-modern and quirky Rotterdam, and the split-level canals of Utrecht – a metropolis that provides terrace eating places at water degree and buying lanes above!

There’s a lot to see, which is why figuring out the highest cities for a Netherlands highway journey makes certain you intend accordingly. Right here’s my choose of probably the most unmissable cities to cease at, which collectively offer you an important style of the varied Netherlands.

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1. The Hague

The Hague is broadly recognised because the political capital of the Netherlands and is the place the Dutch royalty and authorities reside. It’s filled with museums and ample buying choices in The Hague, typically coming throughout at an elegant and complicated metropolis.

The Hague has a inhabitants of over half 1,000,000, making it the third-largest metropolis within the Netherlands, following Amsterdam and Rotterdam. However in contrast to many different touristy spots, The Hague feels extra like a functioning, residing metropolis that occurs to even be a magnet for guests because of its cultural and governmental significance. That is why it’s one of many high cities for a Netherlands highway journey, because it’s a pleasant window into what the Netherlands is absolutely like.

Try my listing of a few of the nice issues to do on a weekend in The Hague, to present you extra of an thought of what to anticipate.

2. Haarlem

Haarlem is round 12 miles from Amsterdam, however is way much less visited compared. Nonetheless, it nonetheless has the identical iconic canals, cobbled streets and cultural issues to do because the capital. It’s additionally residence to the nation’s oldest museum and its latest hofjes (courtyards), in addition to an countless choice of bars and eating places.

There are some nice actions to do in Haarlem. I positively advocate visiting the Teylers Museum and the Grote Market!

3. Delft

Delft is described as a picturesque city, boasting stunning canals and cobblestone streets. It’s solely 10 minutes away from The Hague, so that you would possibly select to spend time in simply certainly one of these high cities for a Netherlands highway journey in the event you’re attempting to cowl extra distance every day. Nonetheless, Delft and The Hague are fairly totally different and each value exploring if in case you have time.

Traditionally, Delft is important because the birthplace of the famend painter Johannes Vermeer and the origin of the well-known blue and white porcelain that when discovered its approach to Tsarist Russia. These are nice concepts for souvenirs out of your highway journey, or yow will discover extra concepts in my weblog on what to purchase in Amsterdam.

The town has numerous Dutch Renaissance structure. Moreover, certainly one of its iconic constructions, the Nieuwe Kerk tower, is nice for panoramic views. You’ll be able to even see The Hague from up there. Different locations to go to in Delft embody its well-known tilted church and the genuine Sixteenth-century fish market.

4. Rotterdam 

This southern port metropolis is like Amsterdam’s rowdier, extra liberal, little sister. It’s the second-biggest metropolis after Amsterdam, has the identical fairly canals and even its personal purple mild district. However, Rotterdam had most of its buildings worn out throughout World Battle Two. Within the years it was rebuilt, it took on a extra trendy and carefree vibe.

Now, there’s no finish to the quirky buildings and engaging monuments – even simply wandering across the metropolis is like paying a go to to an artwork museum. I do advocate visits to the Wereldmuseum and Nederlands Fotomuseum although.  

Tons of of scholars name Rotterdam residence and make up the 160 nationalities residing right here. Which means there’s variety in relation to meals decisions, one thing I like. It additionally means there’s actually enjoyable locations to exit within the evenings and at evening.

Head to De Witte Aap Bar right here was as soon as named the world’s finest so pop alongside for stay music and effortlessly cool vibes.

5. Maastricht 

For those who’re a historical past buff, Maastricht is for you. Some even say it’s the oldest city within the nation, though a couple of Dutch locals would possibly debate you on that. However what you will discover right here is Roman ruins, medieval monuments and Gothic church buildings.

Maastricht is near Belgium, a part of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, a bustling worldwide metropolis that boasts a inhabitants of roughly 3.9 million and encompasses notable German and Belgian cities resembling Aachen, Liège, and Hasselt. You’ll little doubt really feel the affect of those different European international locations right here, which is why it’s one of many high cities for a Netherlands highway journey.

A number of the finest issues to do in Maastricht embody going underground to the caves of St Peter, the place labourers labored away and troopers hid through the metropolis’s sieges. Ensure that to additionally try the Basilica of Saint Servatius and the Bonnefantenmuseum.  

6. Utrecht 

Utrecht is among the quirky ones. Simply 40 minutes south of Amsterdam, it’s often known as the guts of Holland but doesn’t actually see that many vacationers. It is residence to the Netherlands’ largest college although which implies you’re by no means caught for nightlife.  

Regardless of being in style with a youthful crowd, it’s managed to maintain onto its outdated heat attraction and is the most effective place to go to find the genuine Dutch method of life. 

One other oldie, there’s numerous medieval walkways and gothic structure. Fortunate for us, it’s constructed aaround the Domtoren, the tallest tower within the nation, which makes for a useful landmark if you’re busy getting misplaced.  

One other cool function is town’s split-level. A lot of the outdated city’s eating places are situated on the identical degree because the canal, under road degree, which is extraordinarily uncommon.  

Utrecht additionally has 9 museums and was as soon as even dubbed the happiest place on the earth.

Severely, who’d wish to miss out on visiting the happiest place on earth on a enjoyable highway journey!

I’m placing that right down to the very fact it’s residence to the Miffy museum. Creator, Dick Bruna, is from town and also you’ll discover a museum and sq. devoted to rabbit’s adventures.  

7. Groningen 

They are saying all good issues are available small packages and we’re making use of that to Groningen. It solely has a inhabitants of 200,000 which implies it’s actually not the biggest metropolis in Holland, however it’s up there with the most effective, ticking the containers of eco-friendly and quite a lot of enjoyable.  

In Holland a motorbike is your finest pal and Groningen is the place that initiative started. This northern metropolis is a well being hotspot but additionally takes care of the surroundings and has even been named as a Fairtrade city. Which means you’ll discover bicycle pace bumps, natural shops and craft homes. This simply provides to the inventive vibe which pulls in so many college students, that and town’s 24-hour bars.  

8. Den Bosch 

Be at liberty to have a go at saying this one’s precise identify, s’Hertogenbosch – even the locals go for its nickname.  

Den Bosch is an outdated, fortified metropolis holding on to lots of its authentic buildings. The Moriaan is the truth is the oldest constructing in the Netherlands and St John’s Cathedral is claimed to be amongst the nation’s high with its gothic design.  

Boasting the most effective of all the things, town additionally claims to rival Amsterdam in relation to the nation’s finest canals. They’re less commercialised and little extra peaceable so you’ll be able to cruise alongside them and even glide beneath the buildings in a canal community, known as Binnendieze.  

When you’re again on dry land, strive a bossche bol. This is the metropolis’s delicacy and is one for the candy tooth. A giant ball of pastry drizzled in chocolate ball with a cup of espresso is the finest. 

9. Giethoorn

Okay I do know this a village, however it has to make my listing of the highest cities for a Netherlands highway journey as a result of it’s simply so distinctive and exquisite and value it.

Giethoorn is just not too removed from Amsterdam, however is way more rural. It’s dubbed the Venice of the North due to its waterways. These are a lot smaller canals than the likes of Amsterdam, and have conventional thatched-roof, picket homes on both aspect. It’s actually like stepping right into a fairytale village.

It’s necessary to do not forget that there aren’t any roads right here, so that you gained’t be capable to drive round as soon as in Giethoorn. To get round you’ll be able to hire a small boat and even simply stroll round. However this makes it a pleasant change from being caught in a automobile – stretch these legs out!

10. Amsterdam

After all this one needed to make my listing of the highest cities for a Netherlands highway journey – it’d be just like the elephant within the room if I didn’t. However whereas there’s a lot extra to the Netherlands than Amsterdam, it’s nonetheless an important metropolis to make any highway journey epic.

Whereas right here, you’ll be able to go to all types of museums, galleries, bars, eating places, the purple mild district and way more. Stroll or cycle alongside canals, drink Heineken, go to flower markets, and loosen up in the primary squares.

Even in the event you solely have a brief period of time, it’s potential to benefit from Amsterdam in a day. Learn my weblog on have probably the most enjoyable in 24 hours in Amsterdam.

The perfect highway journeys within the Netherlands

Heading out on a highway journey throughout the Netherlands is among the finest methods to get to know the nation. You’ll almost certainly see stuff you hadn’t imagined or in any other case wouldn’t have in the event you have been flying. It additionally means you’ll be capable to use my listing of high cities for a Netherlands highway journey to plan the place you wish to go and what you wish to see.

From the enduring canals and museums of Amsterdam to the picturesque cities like Giethoorn and Utrecht, a Netherlands highway journey supply such quite a lot of landscapes and issues to see. Every metropolis and route gives totally different experiences, ensuring no two days are alike.

Though this listing of the highest cities covers a variety of locations to cease when driving throughout the Netherlands, there are many others to take a look at too if in case you have time. Haarlem is one other nice metropolis that’s residence to the nation’s eldest museum, and cities like Breda, Eindhoven and Alkmaar every have their very own attraction.

Quicklist of my high cities for a Netherlands highway journey

• The Hague
• Haarlem
• Delft
• Rotterdam
• Maastricht
• Utrecht
• Groningen
• Den Bosch
• Giethoorn
• Amsterdam