15+ Most Stunning Locations within the Netherlands That You Ought to Go to

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Planning a visit to the Netherlands and occupied with 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 it’s best to go to not less than as soon as. This checklist consists of not solely cities and cities but in addition stunning villages and beautiful areas. 

And, if you happen to’re questioning simply go to all of those locations, I’ve a separate article with the itinerary for 4-days within the Netherlands by automotive 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 most effective locations to go to within the Netherlands, listed here are a number of questions I’d wish to reply first.

Journey to the Netherlands FAQ: 

Do it’s essential to automotive to journey across the Netherlands?

Should you’re questioning whether or not you want a automotive to journey across the Netherlands, the reply is not any, not essentially! The general public transport system within the Netherlands is incredible 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 it’s essential to journey through a big metropolis each time it’s essential to journey from level B to level D, for instance. 

In our case, we went to Amsterdam 5 instances with no automotive; nonetheless, for our highway journey, the place we visited all of those areas, we truly used our automotive. We drove all the best way to the Netherlands from the UK through Eurotunnel. Alternatively, it’s also possible to lease a automotive within the Netherlands. We at all times advocate utilizing Rentalcars.com. 

When you’ve got longer than 4 and even 7 days within the Netherlands, you’ll be able to go to most of those locations with no automotive as effectively. Beneath, I’ll hyperlink a number of excursions that embrace a few of these locations that aren’t as simply accessible with no automotive.

Which excursions to soak up 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 probably the most stunning locations within the Netherlands:

Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans day tour from Amsterdam – verify costs and availability right here

Edam, Market & Volendam tour from Amsterdam – verify 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 Might) 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 Might! It’s true that the climate won’t be the most effective between November and April, however you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the nation! The very best time to journey to the Netherlands, in my view, can be from April to the top of October. 

What’s the most effective place to remain within the Netherlands to discover all these locations by public transport?

With a view to see most of those locations, I like to recommend splitting your journey in half and staying half of the journey in Amsterdam – that approach, you’ll be capable 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.

When you’ve got a automotive, then I like to recommend staying barely outdoors massive cities, as parking charges within the lodges 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, Lodge Twenty Eight, Lodge Tribe Amsterdam Metropolis

Inexpensive: CityHub Amsterdam, Volkshotel

Listed here are the most effective locations to remain in Utrecht:

Excessive & mid-budget: MUZE Lodge Utrecht, Lodge Oudegracht

Inexpensive: ibis Utrecht, Strowis Hostel

With out additional ado, let’s get began with 15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that it’s best to go to not less than as soon as!

15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that it’s best to undoubtedly go to not less than as soon as

Giethoorn

Giethoorn is likely one of the Netherlands’ most stunning villages and probably the most fashionable 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 in the course of the excessive season, Giethoorn will get extremely busy.

Effectively, that’s as a result of Giethoorn is a captivating village with nearly no roads! Within the coronary heart of the village, there are solely canals and picket bridges. Locals, who reside there, have to go away their automotive at a car parking zone after which change to both a motorcycle or stroll all the best way till they attain their residence!

Probably the greatest methods to discover Giethoorn is by taking a ship trip! You may see the most effective views from the water and admire the thatched-roof homes and tranquil waterways. You may both arrive there and queue to ebook a non-public boat or pre-book area 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 situated in shut proximity to Amsterdam. Plenty of folks truly select reside in Hoorn and commute to Amsterdam for work. Hoorn was once an important 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 town once you look it up on-line. Hoofdtoren is a fortified half-tower that used to guard town, however now there’s a beautiful restaurant situated 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 beautiful espresso outlets, cafes and eating places the place you’ll be able to spend a number of hours having fun with town. 

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is an 18th-century mannequin village with stunning windmills, fairytale homes and beautiful cafes. It’s not an actual village. Nonetheless, among the homes are inhabited. The windmills have been truly moved there from different areas within the nation to be preserved. 

Zaanse Schans is totally 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 effectively. 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 referred to as Delftware. Within the seventeenth century, Delft was a hub for the Dutch East India Firm, and town’s canals, historic buildings, and charming streets mirror 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 among 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. Certainly one of its well-known landmarks is the Dom Tower, a tall church tower that gives beautiful views of town. Utrecht is commonly referred to 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, identical to Leiden, and its College can also be one of many oldest. Additionally, in my view, Utrecht has among the most stunning canals and in addition numerous streets within the metropolis centre space are equally fairly! Probably the greatest issues to do in Utrecht is to take a canal cruise and see 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 folks, and you’ll discover the city centre in lower than an hour. Edam can also be residence to probably the most well-known Cheese markets within the Netherlands. It takes place on Wednesday morning each week in July and August. 

You may, nonetheless, go to Edam on any day of the week – you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase cheese in one among its two cheese outlets – one among 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 situated (and the “flower route” as effectively). A number of the flower fields are proper subsequent to Keukenhof. Completely different flowers bloom at totally different instances – in early April, you’ll find quite a lot of daffodils and hyacinths, whereas tulips you’ll be able to solely discover between mid-to-end April and the start of Might. 

Please remember 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 conscious and don’t go deep into the fields as it could harm the flowers.

The best solution to take images within the tulip fields is by reserving a go to to a non-public farm. There are a number of of them close to Lisse and Haarlem! Some of the 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 have been amongst my absolute favourites!

s-Hertogenbosch (den Bosch)

S-Hertogenbosch, or the way it’s typically 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 may be quite a lot of artwork throughout town devoted to Jheronimus Bosch – you’ll find road artwork in small alleyways or statues within the park – looking for them throughout Den Bosch was like a quest! 

Apart from that, den Bosch has a phenomenal metropolis centre, very outdated canals and a stunning ambiance! 

Volendam

Volendam is one other place within the Netherlands that’s completely price visiting! It’s a captivating fishing village within the Netherlands with fairly homes, a stunning harbour, and locals sporting conventional costumes. You may get pleasure from contemporary seafood, discover Volendam’s cultural historical past in museums, and even strive on conventional Dutch garments for enjoyable images. Volendam provides you an actual style of Dutch tradition and is a novel and pleasant place to go to.

Marken

Marken is a small island village situated within the Netherlands close to Volendam. It presents a novel expertise for guests. The village is thought for its conventional picket homes, that are constructed on stilts and have a particular architectural type. You may discover the slender streets, go to native museums, and study concerning the island’s historical past and maritime heritage. Marken additionally presents stunning views of the encompassing water and picturesque landscapes.

De Haar Fortress 

De Haar Fortress is likely one of the Netherlands’ most iconic castles. It’s situated lower than quarter-hour away from Utrecht, and it’s a beautiful medieval fortress with stunning gardens and a wealthy historical past. It’s the biggest fortress within the Netherlands. Initially constructed within the 14th century, it underwent in depth renovations within the late Nineteenth century beneath the supervision of famend architect Pierre Cuypers. The fortress showcases a novel mix of medieval structure and opulent Nineteenth-century design. The fortress has a formidable 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 Fortress on-line right here.

Heusden

Heusden is a small fortified city surrounded by historic 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 appears charming and really picturesque. The 2 windmills of Heusden are probably 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 in the course of the candlelight evenings. Essentially the most stunning place in Gouda is, nonetheless, its foremost sq.!

Amsterdam

Lastly, the final however not least of probably the most stunning locations to go to within the Netherlands is Amsterdam. Amsterdam is probably 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 explanation 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 alternative, and everybody is aware of about Amsterdam. Most individuals truly solely go to Amsterdam and skip different superb locations within the nation (that’s truly me – I visited Amsterdam 6 instances earlier than I had an opportunity to discover different locations within the Netherlands). Therefore, I needed to present 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 probably the most stunning locations to go to within the Netherlands

I hope you loved this text about probably 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 beautiful locations to go to, from small villages like Giethoorn and Marken to massive cities like Utrecht and den Bosch!

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