Destinations in the Netherlands

1. Alkmaar

The quaint town of Alkmaar can trace its origins back to around 900AD and is an interesting destination for anyone interested in Dutch history and architecture. At one time, the town was an important agricultural hub – farmers used to come from far and wide to sell their produce in a floating auction house, the Broeker Veiling Museum, which is a must-see on your itinerary. Other interesting attractions include the Piet windmill, one of the original ten windmills that stood along the town walls, the Weighing House, and the Cheese Museum on the Market Square.

Try to visit on a Friday when the cheese market is re-enacted for tourists. Close by you can visit the National Beer Museum, located in an interesting building dating back to the 1600's.

2. Amsterdam

Amsterdam is not only the cultural heart of the Netherlands but also one of the most interesting cities to explore in Europe. Art enthusiasts can lose themselves for days in a large variety of museums, including the Rembrandt House Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Hermitage Museum (a branch of the famous St. Petersburg Hermitage in Russia), and the modern art Stedelijk Museum, while children and science enthusiasts will love the Nemo Science Museum. For a change of pace, you can take a boat tour of the famous Amsterdam canals to see the city's famous narrow houses from a different perspective. Amsterdam is extremely easy to navigate by public transport, boat, or bicycle or on a free walking tour, and it offers year-round festivals to suit all interests.

3. Arnhem

Arnhem is a delightful old town located on the site of a previous Roman settlement. The town provides an ideal springboard for exploring the Gelderland province and has a lot of history to showcase. You can start by visiting some of the area's most interesting museums such as the Netherlands Open Air Museum (showcasing Dutch history), the Airborne Museum Hartenstein (to learn about the WWII Battle of Arnhem), the Kroller Muller Museum (van Gogh and a sculpture garden), and the Wine Museum. You can get outdoors and active in the National Park de Hoge Veluwe, where you can explore by free-to-use bicycles. Arnhem also has a very interesting old city center that you can tour on foot to see several examples of 15th century architecture and parts of the old town walls.

4. Breda

Located in the North Brabant province, Breda is a fascinating medieval city that is a must-see attraction for visitors interested in history and architecture. The once-fortified town has always occupied an important strategic position, and some of the highlights you can see in the extremely well-preserved historic center include the Breda Castle, the Gothic Grote Kerk (dating back to 1290 and boasting an impressive 97m tower), the Begijnhof, and Spaniard's Hole. The Port Quarter boasts a number of ancient storehouses and the Gastespoort, one of Breda's three medieval gates. The town also has a number of interesting museums, including the Begijnhof Museum and the Breda Museum housed in a 17th century Meat Hall. For a breath of fresh air you can go walking, hiking, or cycling in Mastbos, a lovely woodland near the Bouvigne Castle.

5. De Biesbosch

Occupying a unique position at the confluence of several rivers, De Biesbosch National Park encompasses the largest freshwater tidal delta in Europe. De Biesbosch provides a wonderful back-to-nature experience for wildlife watchers and a marvelous outdoor playground for hikers, walkers, cyclists, and boating enthusiasts. You can rent a boat or canoe to explore the maze of streams and canals frequented by dozens of beavers and water birds or join a guided canoe tour from one of the three visitor's centers. Guided birding walks and hiking excursions are available year round. If you would like to stay for a few nights, you can book into the Ecolodge or try Glamping. Nearby attractions include Holland's oldest city Dordrecht and the windmills of Kinderdijk.

6. Delft

Located in the west of the Netherlands, Delft is a picturesque little town whose historic downtown area encircled by canals makes it a favorite with history buffs and photography enthusiasts. The town is famous for its blue-and-white Delftware crockery and for being the birthplace of the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer who is buried in the Oude Kerk. You can easily explore the compact Historic Town Center on foot to visit the Oude Kerk (13th century), the lively town square and the Niewe Kerk (which is not so new – it was built in 1496!). There are some interesting museums to explore, including the Science Center Delft, the Delft Historic Tobacco Museum, the Vermeer Delft Museum, and the Paul Tetar van Elven Museum, which showcases Delftware.

7. Edam

The historic small town of Edam is located just 30 minutes from Amsterdam and was founded in the 12th century. You can take a step back in time as you stroll along the pleasant streets lined with authentic 17th century buildings. The town's main claim to fame is for being the producer of Edam cheese, which has been exported all over the world for centuries. Until 1922, farmers from all over the Netherlands traveled to Edam to sell their cheeses, and today the cheese market is re-enacted as a tourist attraction every Wednesday during the summer months. Other must-see attractions include the Edam Museum, (located in a beautiful house built in the 1540's), de Kaaswaag (cheese weighing house), and the 15th century Grote Kerk Cathedral. Edam Map

8. Eindhoven

The Dutch city of Eindhoven is an energetic and exciting place to visit, boasting more than its fair share of innovation, creativity, technology, and design. You can spend hours exploring the many city museums that cater to all tastes – try the Van Abbemuseum (modern and contemporary art), the fascinating Philips Museum (science and medical innovation), the Brabant Soccer Museum or Heritage Park, where you can tour life-size local farmsteads and houses from the Middle Ages and beyond. If you are interested in design you can do a two-hour design-themed city walk, and you can also discover the highlights of the city on a cycle tour or a guided walking tour. There are many enjoyable and educational activities for visitors travelling with children.

9. Giethoorn

Imagine the tranquility of spending a few days in a peaceful Dutch village surrounded by scenic waterways and canals. The centuries-old village of Hiethoorn is almost completely devoid of roads, and many houses can only be reached by boat or by making your way along a footpath or bicycle trail – bike rentals available in the village. As you can imagine, boating is the primary activity in Giethoorn, and you have a number of options for renting a suitable boat to explore the area. You can spend a peaceful day or two gliding along the canals, stopping at the many waterside restaurants to sample some regional Dutch food and drinks. There are three canal-side museums to visit, showcasing ancient Dutch life, vintage motor cars, and precious gemstones.

10. Gouda

Like Edam, Gouda is best-known for the world famous cheese that has been produced in the region and sold in the city for centuries. Foodies should not miss the chance to visit Gouda on a Thursday (April to August) when the city re-enacts the age-old cheese market for visitors to enjoy. You can look forward to a full day of fun, including cheese auctioning, cheese weighing, cheese-making exhibitions, and High Cheese at the Cheese Museum.

Other activities include tastings with beer and wine, canal cruises, and much more. The city has an excellent Historic Center you can explore on a guided walking tour, and there are a host of museums and interesting attractions for children. Map