Things to do in the Netherlands
Canal cities, tulip fields, windmills and a country best seen from the saddle of a bike. Here is our guide to holidays in the Netherlands.
Canals and bikes
Bicycles and canals are the two things almost every visitor to the Netherlands remembers, and Amsterdam has plenty of both.
Netherlands holidays: small country, big experiences
The Netherlands is small, flat and wonderfully easy to travel around. In a single week you can explore the canals of Amsterdam, cycle between windmills, walk through fields of tulips in spring and spend a day in a modern city like Rotterdam. Trains are frequent, distances are short, and almost everyone speaks excellent English.
For travellers from the UK, it is also close to home, with short flights, direct trains from London and overnight ferries to the Dutch coast. Here are the best things to do in the Netherlands, from the capital to the countryside.
Amsterdam: canals, museums and cafés
Most visitors start in Amsterdam, the capital, with its UNESCO-listed canal ring, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. It is also a great food city, and locals have shared their favourites for our guide to the best Italian restaurants in Amsterdam.
Planning to stay a few nights? See our selection of top hotels and offers in Amsterdam to find somewhere close to the canals.
Italian fine dining in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has a lively restaurant scene, with everything from neighbourhood pizzerias to creative fine dining.
Places to visit in the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam
Some of the best places to visit in the Netherlands are less than an hour from Amsterdam by train.
Utrecht: a lively university city with canals lined with wharf cellars, now cafés and restaurants.
Rotterdam: bold modern architecture, a big harbour and a creative food and art scene.
The Hague: the seat of government, with the Mauritshuis museum and the beach at Scheveningen nearby.
Haarlem: a charming historic town with cobbled streets and a beautiful market square.
Delft: small canals, a historic centre and the famous blue and white pottery.
Tulips, windmills and countryside
In spring, the bulb fields between Haarlem and Leiden turn into stripes of red, yellow and purple, and the Keukenhof gardens draw visitors from all over the world. It is one of the most colourful sights in Europe.
For windmills, head to Zaanse Schans just outside Amsterdam or to Kinderdijk near Rotterdam, where a whole row of historic mills stands along the waterways. Both are easy day trips.
Along the way, stop for Dutch classics: warm stroopwafels from a market stall, a paper cone of chips with mayonnaise, raw herring in early summer, or apple pie with whipped cream in a village café. Cheese towns such as Gouda and Edam are also easy to reach on a day trip.
Where to stay
Amsterdam is the obvious base for a first trip, but staying in Utrecht or Haarlem can be a calmer and often cheaper alternative.
Cycling in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the best countries in the world for cycling. Dedicated bike paths link towns and villages, the landscape is flat, and signposted routes make it easy to plan a day out. Hire a bike in any city and ride out into the polders, along the dykes or to the dunes on the North Sea coast.
If you want to combine the Netherlands with its neighbours, see our overview of the best places to visit in Europe.
When is the best time to visit the Netherlands?
The best time to visit the Netherlands is from April to May, when the tulips are in bloom and the weather is getting milder, and from June to September, when the long days are perfect for cycling and terraces.
King's Day at the end of April is a huge national celebration, with street parties across the country. Winters are cold, grey and damp, but the museums, cosy cafés and festive lights make a winter city break worthwhile.
Frequently asked questions about the Netherlands
Is Holland the same as the Netherlands?
No, not exactly. Holland refers to two provinces, North Holland and South Holland, which include Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The Netherlands is the name of the whole country. Many people use Holland to mean the entire country, but the Dutch government officially promotes the name the Netherlands.
What language do they speak in the Netherlands?
The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch, and in the province of Friesland, Frisian is also spoken. Most Dutch people speak excellent English, so visitors from the UK rarely have problems communicating in shops, restaurants and hotels.
How do you get to the Netherlands from the UK?
You can reach the Netherlands from the UK by plane, train or ferry. There are frequent flights to Amsterdam Schiphol and other Dutch airports, direct Eurostar trains from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, and ferry routes from the east coast of England to Dutch ports.
Is the Netherlands expensive to visit?
The Netherlands can be fairly expensive, especially accommodation in Amsterdam. You can save money by staying in smaller cities such as Utrecht or Haarlem, travelling by train or bike, and eating at markets and casual cafés. Outside Amsterdam, prices are often noticeably lower.