Dreaming of canals, culture, and countryside? Head to the Netherlands! I like the way the Netherlands combines history and modern flair with ease. This compact yet vibrant country offers charming cities, world-class museums, windmill-dotted landscapes, and colorful tulip fields. You can go cycling through Amsterdam, explore medieval towns, or cruise down a river lined with quaint villages.
Netherlands Highlights:
- For Art Lovers: Tour the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam – See works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh in the heart of the capital.
- For Photographers: Visit the Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse to see fields of tulips and vibrant spring blooms (open March–May).
- For Cyclists: Explore the country via scenic bike routes , incouding towns, dunes, and farmlands
- For History Buffs: Walk along the historic streets of Utrecht and Haarlem where you'll see canals, cathedrals, and centuries-old architecture.
- For Architecture Fans: Marvel at Rotterdam’s Cube Houses and modern skyline
Best Time to Visit the Netherlands
The best time to visit is from April to October. Spring offers blooming tulip fields and mild temperatures. I like visiting in the summer because of all the outdoor festivals.
How to Get to the Netherlands
- By Air: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) is the main international gateway and one of Europe’s busiest
- By Train: High-speed rail connects the Netherlands to major cities in Europe
- By Car: Major highways link the Netherlands to the rest of Europe
Where to Stay in the Netherlands
- Recommended for First-Time Visitors: Hotel Estherea (Amsterdam) sits on a quiet canal near major sights.
- For Budget Travelers: Stayokay Hostels has locations in Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, and more.
Best Things to Do in the Netherlands
1. For families: Attractiepark Slagharen
Rating: ★★★★★
Planning a family trip to the Netherlands? Don’t skip Attractiepark Slagharen.
Perfect for cooling off in the summer, this popular amusement park has both dry rides and a water park, Aqua Mexicana.
It’s one of the most visited parks in Europe, you'll see why.
You’ll find everything from rollercoasters and classic theme park rides to carnival-style games.
If you decide to spend the night, the park has wigwam tents, cottages, mobile homes, and traditional campsites.
Zwarte Dijk 37, 7776 PB Slagharen, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 (0) 523-683000
2. For art lovers: Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is an art museum that houses the works of famous artist Vincent van Gogh as well as some pieces by artists from the same era. The museum is located at Amsterdam South's Museum Square alongside many other museums. The Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of the artist's paintings and drawings in the world. The museum is comprised of two buildings: The Reitveld Building and the Kurokawa Wing. The Rietveld is the main building and houses the permanent collection, including an exhibit about the restoration of paintings and Van Gogh's works. The smaller Kurokawa Wing is an oval building that is used for temporary exhibits.
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 (0) 205-705200
3. For animal lovers: Diergaarde Blijdorp
Diergaarde Blijdorp is a zoo in northwestern Rotterdam. At nearly 160 years old, it is one of the oldest zoos in the country. Like many zoos around the world, the Blijdorp is largely divided according to regions of the world. The zoo is home to a variety of exciting animals, such as rhinos, gorillas, red pandas, and many more. Animal feedings, demonstrations, and talks are scheduled daily and there are also special weekly events such as shark feedings and keeper talks. In addition to the exciting animal exhibits, the zoo features an aquarium, known as the Oceanarium, as well as a botanical garden.
Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JG Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 (0) 104-431495
4. For fantasy lovers: Efteling
Efteling is a fantasy-themed amusement park located in Kaatsheuvel. The park's attractions are based on a variety of ancient legends, myths, stories, and other elements of folklore. The park is the largest theme park in the country and one of the oldest of its kind in the world. It originally opened in 1952 as a small nature park with a children's playground, and is now a full-service theme park with activities and amenities for both children and adults. The park is divided into several areas, including a hotel, an 18-hole golf course, a holiday park, and four sections that house the majority of the rides and attractions in the park.
Europalaan 1, 5171 KW, Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 (0) 416-537777
Attractions for Couples
5. For photographers: Erasmusbrug
Erasmusbrug, or the Erasmus Bridge in English, is a bridge connecting the north and south parts of the city of Rotterdam and is located in the city center. The bridge is the second largest in the country and is named after Desiderius Erasmus, who was a well-known humanist and theologian. The bridge is nicknamed The Swan and has two sections: A cable-stayed part and a prominent bascule bridge section for ships to pass under. The bascule section is the heaviest and largest in Western Europe. The bridge is quite unique in appearance and has appeared in several films. It is also part of the annual World Port Days festival held in the city each year.
3011 BN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
6. For puzzle fans: Escher Museum
The Escher Museum is an art museum in The Hague that displays the artwork of Dutch graphical artist M.C. Escher. The museum is located inside the Lange Voorhout Palace, which is the former residence of Dutch royalty. The works in the museum include an impressive number of lithographs and woodcuts by Escher, many of them known throughout the world. The third floor is devoted to optical illusions and includes the well-known Escher Room, where adults seem to be smaller than children, as well as several other illusions. The museum is furnished with 15 chandeliers made by local artist Hans van Bentem, which were specially made for the museum and include chandeliers with designs based on sharks, spiders, stars, and sea horses.
Lange Voorhout 74, 2514 EH Den Haag, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 (0) 704-277730
7. For interactive museum fans: Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience is an interactive museum located on the site of a former brewery that was the beer giant's first. For more than a hundred years, the company brewed their iconic beer at this location. The experience-based tour travels through the history of the famous beer brand and guests have the chance to taste a variety of brews. The tour is self-guided using an audio app that you can download to your device for free. It is also accessible by renting a device for a small fee. The Heineken Experience takes approximately 1.5 hours, and the walk takes you through the old brewery with staff located at key points to tell you all about their beer.
Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 20 721 5300
8. For cyclists and nature lovers: Hoge Veluwe National Park
Hoge Veluwe National Park is a 55-square-kilometer park in the province of Gelderland. The park has a variety of habitats including sand dunes, woods, and heathlands. The park is accessed by one of three entrances in the villages of Schaarsbergen, Hoenderloo, and Otterlo. Hoge Veluwe is best explored by bicycle, which can be used for free by visitors as much of the park is not accessible by car. A variety of wildlife can be seen in the park, including two species of deer as well as wild boar and mouflon. There are also several other notable museums on the park grounds. In the center of the park is the Marchantsquare, which boasts a restaurant, toilets, bike repair shop, and the park's visitor center.
Apeldoornseweg 250, 7351 TA Hoenderloo, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 (0) 800-8353628
Unique Attractions
9. For curious travelers: Hungry Birds, Amsterdam Street Food Tours
Hungry Birds is a tour company in Amsterdam that offers food-centric tours. The tours give travelers the opportunity to learn about the culture of the Netherlands through street food and interesting city landmarks. Tour guests will get the opportunity to interact with many of the owners and operators of various food establishments throughout the city and hear stories of the family businesses that have shaped the Amsterdam food scene. Guests are encouraged to ask questions and interact with the hosts and tour guides. Tour experiences include daytime, evening, and Sunday food and drink tours as well as a Saturday craft beer tour called the Thirsty Birds Experience.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Phone: +31 (0) 619-296774
10. For romantics: Jordaan
One of the best ways to get a pulse on the city of Amsterdam is to wander the narrow lanes of Jordaan, known as the 9 Streets. Perhaps the most charming neighborhood in the country's capital, the Jordaan neighborhood of Amsterdam is a look into the city's history. This section of town was originally a neighborhood for working class folks, but these days, its narrow streets and interesting buildings are some of the most desirable real estate in the city. The hip neighborhood is a haven for shopping and has many independent art galleries, gardens, dining establishments, antique shops, and bars.
Plan Your Trip