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Planning a visit to the Netherlands and fascinated with what to incorporate in your itinerary? Don’t fear, we’ve bought you coated! On this article, I’d like to share with you 15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that it is best to go to not less than as soon as. This record consists of not solely cities and cities but additionally stunning villages and beautiful areas.
And, for those who’re questioning the best way to 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 record of the most effective locations to go to within the Netherlands, listed here are a couple of questions I’d wish to reply first.
Journey to the Netherlands FAQ:
Do it’s good to automotive to journey across the Netherlands?
In the event you’re questioning whether or not you want a automotive to journey across the Netherlands, the reply isn’t 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. Nevertheless, some locations don’t have nice connections between them, which means that it’s good to journey through a big metropolis each time it’s good to journey from level B to level D, for instance.
In our case, we went to Amsterdam 5 instances and not using a automotive; nonetheless, for our street journey, the place we visited all of those areas, we really used our automotive. We drove all the best way to the Netherlands from the UK through Eurotunnel. Alternatively, you may also hire a automotive within the Netherlands. We at all times suggest 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 automotive as properly. Under, I’ll hyperlink a couple of excursions that embrace a few of these locations that aren’t as simply accessible and not using a 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 record of essentially the most stunning locations within the Netherlands:
Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans day tour from Amsterdam – test costs and availability right here
Edam, Market & Volendam tour from Amsterdam – test costs and availability
When to journey to the Netherlands?
Lastly, when to journey to the Netherlands? Must you 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 simply shouldn’t journey there outdoors Could! It’s true that the climate may not be the most effective between November and April, however you’ll be able to nonetheless benefit from the nation! One of the best time to journey to the Netherlands, for my part, 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?
To be able to see most of those locations, I like to recommend splitting your journey in half and staying half of the journey in Amsterdam – that method, you’ll have the ability to see many 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 automotive, then I like to recommend staying barely outdoors giant 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 finest locations to remain in Amsterdam:
Excessive & mid-budget: Pillows Maurits, Lodge Twenty Eight, Lodge Tribe Amsterdam Metropolis
Reasonably priced: CityHub Amsterdam, Volkshotel
Listed here are the most effective locations to remain in Utrecht:
Excessive & mid-budget: MUZE Lodge Utrecht, Lodge Oudegracht
Reasonably priced: ibis Utrecht, Strowis Hostel
With out additional ado, let’s get began with 15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that it is best to go to not less than as soon as!
15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that it is best to undoubtedly go to not less than as soon as
Giethoorn
Giethoorn is likely one of the Netherlands’ most stunning villages and one of the vital standard vacationer areas. Most individuals come there on a day journey from Amsterdam – it’s lower than 1.5 hours away! Nevertheless, 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 an enthralling 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 dwelling!
The most effective methods to discover Giethoorn is by taking a ship journey! 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 guide a non-public boat or pre-book house in a big boat upfront 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. Numerous individuals really select reside in Hoorn and commute to Amsterdam for work. Hoorn was 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 whenever you look it up on-line. Hoofdtoren is a fortified half-tower that used to guard town, however now there’s a beautiful 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 beautiful espresso outlets, cafes and eating places the place you’ll be able to spend a couple of hours having fun with 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. Nevertheless, among the homes are inhabited. The windmills have been really 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 properly. It’s very near Amsterdam, too, and you may 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 full of landmarks! 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 Outdated City, the spectacular New Church, and the historic Outdated Church, the place members of the Dutch royal household are buried.
Utrecht
Utrecht is one in every of Netherland’s liveliest cities! It was based by the Romans round 47 AD and have become an vital buying and selling and spiritual centre. Considered one of its well-known landmarks is the Dom Tower, a tall church tower that gives beautiful views of town. Utrecht is usually referred to as the “Domstad” due to this tower.
We actually loved the environment in Utrecht – it was very laid-back and enjoyable. Possibly 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, for my part, Utrecht has among the most stunning canals and in addition a lot of streets within the metropolis centre space are equally fairly! The most effective 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 individuals, and you may discover the city centre in lower than an hour. Edam can also be dwelling to one of the vital 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 in every of its two cheese outlets – one in every of them is extremely picturesque and might 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 properly). Among the flower fields are proper subsequent to Keukenhof. Completely different flowers bloom at totally different instances – in early April, you could find a number 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 usually are not fenced, so it’s doable to take a photograph in entrance of the fields, however please be aware and don’t go deep into the fields as it might harm the flowers.
The best option to take images within the tulip fields is by reserving a go to to a non-public farm. There are a couple of of them close to Lisse and Haarlem! One of the crucial well-known ones is the Tulip Barn.
Leiden
Leiden is dwelling to the oldest College within the Netherlands. It additionally has among the most stunning canals within the nation – having visited many of the prettiest cities within the nation, I have to say that the canals in Leiden have 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 liked 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 number of artwork throughout town devoted to Jheronimus Bosch – you could find road artwork in small alleyways or statues within the park – looking for them throughout Den Bosch was like a quest!
In addition to that, den Bosch has a phenomenal metropolis centre, very outdated canals and a stunning environment!
Volendam
Volendam is one other place within the Netherlands that’s completely price visiting! It’s an enthralling fishing village within the Netherlands with fairly homes, a stunning harbour, and locals carrying conventional costumes. You may get pleasure from contemporary seafood, discover Volendam’s cultural historical past in museums, and even attempt on conventional Dutch garments for enjoyable images. Volendam provides you an actual style of Dutch tradition and is a singular and fulfilling place to go to.
Marken
Marken is a small island village positioned within the Netherlands close to Volendam. It affords a singular expertise for guests. The village is understood for its conventional picket homes, that are constructed on stilts and have a particular architectural fashion. You may discover the slim streets, go to native museums, and study concerning the island’s historical past and maritime heritage. Marken additionally affords stunning views of the encircling water and picturesque landscapes.
De Haar Fort
De Haar Fort 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 citadel with stunning gardens and a wealthy historical past. It’s the most important citadel within the Netherlands. Initially constructed within the 14th century, it underwent intensive renovations within the late Nineteenth century beneath the supervision of famend architect Pierre Cuypers. The citadel showcases a singular mix of medieval structure and splendid Nineteenth-century design. The citadel 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 Fort 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 brief cease, particularly for those who’re visiting on a chilly day. Nevertheless, the centre of the city seems to be 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 vigorous 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. Probably the most stunning place in Gouda is, nonetheless, 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 simply completely want to go to it when going to the Netherlands. The rationale it’s talked about final on this record 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 really solely go to Amsterdam and skip different superb locations within the nation (that’s really 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 finest on the 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 beautiful locations to go to, from small villages like Giethoorn and Marken to giant cities like Utrecht and den Bosch!
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