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Planning a visit to the Netherlands and fascinated 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 is best to go to at the least as soon as. This listing contains not solely cities and cities but additionally stunning villages and beautiful areas.
And, in case you’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 wonderful locations to go to within the Netherlands.
Earlier than we begin with this listing of the most effective locations to go to within the Netherlands, listed below are a number of questions I’d prefer to reply first.
Journey to the Netherlands FAQ:
Do you want 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 implausible 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 you want to journey by way of a big metropolis each time you want 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 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 by way of Eurotunnel. Alternatively, you may also hire a automotive within the Netherlands. We all the time suggest utilizing Rentalcars.com.
You probably have longer than 4 and even 7 days within the Netherlands, you may go to most of those locations and not using a automotive as properly. Beneath, I’ll hyperlink a number 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 listing of probably 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 Might) is the preferred time to journey to the Netherlands (because the tulips are in full bloom), doesn’t imply that you just shouldn’t journey there exterior Might! It’s true that the climate may not be the most effective between November and April, however you may nonetheless benefit from the nation! The most effective time to journey to the Netherlands, for my part, could 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?
In an effort 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 of 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.
You probably have a automotive, then I like to recommend staying barely exterior massive cities, as parking charges within the accommodations within the metropolis centre are exorbitant (as much as 80 euros per day!).
Listed below are among the finest locations to remain in Amsterdam:
Excessive & mid-budget: Pillows Maurits, Resort Twenty Eight, Resort Tribe Amsterdam Metropolis
Reasonably priced: CityHub Amsterdam, Volkshotel
Listed below are the most effective locations to remain in Utrecht:
Excessive & mid-budget: MUZE Resort Utrecht, Resort 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 at the least as soon as!
15+ most stunning locations within the Netherlands that it is best to positively go to at the least as soon as
Giethoorn
Giethoorn is without doubt one of the Netherlands’ most stunning villages and one of the crucial widespread 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 through the excessive season, Giethoorn will get extremely busy.
Effectively, that’s as a result of Giethoorn is a captivating village with virtually no roads! Within the coronary heart of the village, there are solely canals and wood bridges. Locals, who stay there, have to depart 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!
Top-of-the-line 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 personal boat or pre-book area in a big boat prematurely right here.
Hoorn
Hoorn is without doubt 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. A number of folks truly select stay 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 may see it in all of the photographs of the town whenever you look it up on-line. Hoofdtoren is a fortified half-tower that used to guard the town, however now there’s a pretty 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 pretty espresso outlets, cafes and eating places the place you may spend a number of hours having fun with the 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. Nonetheless, among the homes are inhabited. The windmills had been truly moved there from different areas within the nation to be preserved.
Zaanse Schans is completely free to go to, and it’s a beautiful space to stroll round, take some photographs and be taught extra about life in Dutch villages within the 18th and Nineteenth centuries. There are additionally good cafes and outlets, the place you should buy some meals and souvenirs and some small museums as properly. 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 the town’s canals, historic buildings, and charming streets replicate 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 all Netherland’s liveliest cities! It was based by the Romans round 47 AD and have become an essential buying and selling and spiritual centre. Certainly one of its well-known landmarks is the Dom Tower, a tall church tower that gives beautiful views of the 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 be a college city, similar to Leiden, and its College can be one of many oldest. Additionally, for my part, Utrecht has among the most stunning canals and likewise a number of streets within the metropolis centre space are equally fairly! Top-of-the-line issues to do in Utrecht is to take a canal cruise and see the town from the water! You may pre-book a ship tour on-line right here.
Edam
Edam is without doubt 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 be dwelling to one of the crucial 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 may nonetheless purchase cheese in one in all its two cheese outlets – one in all them is extremely picturesque and might be a tremendous image spot.
Edam can 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 properly). Among the flower fields are proper subsequent to Keukenhof. Completely different flowers bloom at totally different instances – in early April, you’ll find numerous daffodils and hyacinths, whereas tulips you may solely discover between mid-to-end April and the start of Might.
Please needless to say all of the fields are personal, and it’s not allowed to trespass. Some daffodil fields aren’t fenced, so it’s attainable to take a photograph in entrance of the fields, however please be aware and don’t go deep into the fields as it could injury the flowers.
The best technique to take photographs within the tulip fields is by reserving a go to to a personal farm. There are a number of of them close to Lisse and Haarlem! Probably the most 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 need to say that the canals in Leiden had 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 numerous artwork throughout the town devoted to Jheronimus Bosch – you’ll find avenue artwork in small alleyways or statues within the park – trying to find them throughout Den Bosch was like a quest!
Apart from that, den Bosch has an attractive metropolis centre, very outdated canals and a beautiful environment!
Volendam
Volendam is one other place within the Netherlands that’s completely value visiting! It’s a captivating fishing village within the Netherlands with fairly homes, a beautiful harbour, and locals sporting conventional costumes. You may take pleasure in contemporary seafood, discover Volendam’s cultural historical past in museums, and even attempt on conventional Dutch garments for enjoyable photographs. Volendam offers you an actual style of Dutch tradition and is a singular and gratifying place to go to.
Marken
Marken is a small island village situated within the Netherlands close to Volendam. It provides a singular expertise for guests. The village is thought for its conventional wood homes, that are constructed on stilts and have a particular architectural model. You may discover the slim streets, go to native museums, and be taught in regards to the island’s historical past and maritime heritage. Marken additionally provides stunning views of the encompassing water and picturesque landscapes.
De Haar Fort
De Haar Fort is without doubt one of the Netherlands’ most iconic castles. It’s situated lower than quarter-hour away from Utrecht, and it’s a beautiful medieval fort with stunning gardens and a wealthy historical past. It’s the biggest fort 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 fort showcases a singular mix of medieval structure and opulent Nineteenth-century design. The fort has a powerful 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 in case you’re visiting on a chilly day. Nonetheless, the centre of the city seems to be 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 wonderful St. John’s Church with its vibrant home windows, and benefit from the cosy cafes and outlets. Gouda feels magical, particularly through 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 listing 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 wonderful 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.
For sure, Amsterdam is wonderful; it has nice museums – among the finest on the 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 may see, the Netherlands is far more than simply Amsterdam – there are many pretty locations to go to, from small villages like Giethoorn and Marken to massive cities like Utrecht and den Bosch!
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