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Planning a visit to the Netherlands and occupied with what to incorporate in your itinerary? Don’t fear, we’ve received you coated! On this article, I’d like to share with you 15+ most lovely locations within the Netherlands that you need to go to at the least as soon as. This checklist contains not solely cities and cities but additionally lovely villages and gorgeous areas.
And, in the event you’re questioning the way to simply go to all of those locations, I’ve a separate article with the itinerary for 4-days within the Netherlands by automobile and seven days within the Netherlands that embody most of those wonderful locations to go to within the Netherlands.
Earlier than we begin with this checklist of one of the best locations to go to within the Netherlands, listed below are a couple of questions I’d wish to reply first.
Journey to the Netherlands FAQ:
Do it’s good to automobile to journey across the Netherlands?
In case you’re questioning whether or not you want a automobile 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. Nonetheless, some locations don’t have nice connections between them, that means that it’s good to journey by way of 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 automobile; nonetheless, for our highway journey, the place we visited all of those areas, we really used our automobile. We drove all the way in which to the Netherlands from the UK by way of Eurotunnel. Alternatively, you may as well hire a automobile within the Netherlands. We all the time advocate utilizing Rentalcars.com.
In case you have longer than 4 and even 7 days within the Netherlands, you possibly can go to most of those locations and not using a automobile as effectively. Under, I’ll hyperlink a couple of excursions that embody a few of these locations that aren’t as simply accessible and not using a automobile.
Which excursions to soak up the Netherlands
As talked about above, these are the excursions I like to recommend taking to journey to a number of the locations from this checklist of probably the most lovely 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 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 exterior Might! It’s true that the climate may not be one of the best between November and April, however you possibly can nonetheless benefit from the nation! One of the best time to journey to the Netherlands, in my view, could be from April to the top of October.
What’s one of the best place to remain within the Netherlands to discover all these locations by public transport?
With a view 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 a lot 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.
In case you have a automobile, then I like to recommend staying barely exterior giant cities, as parking charges within the inns within the metropolis centre are exorbitant (as much as 80 euros per day!).
Listed here are a number of the greatest locations to remain in Amsterdam:
Excessive & mid-budget: Pillows Maurits, Resort Twenty Eight, Resort Tribe Amsterdam Metropolis
Reasonably priced: CityHub Amsterdam, Volkshotel
Listed here are one of the best 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 lovely locations within the Netherlands that you need to go to at the least as soon as!
15+ most lovely locations within the Netherlands that you need to undoubtedly go to at the least as soon as
Giethoorn
Giethoorn is without doubt one of the Netherlands’ most lovely villages and one of the vital well-liked 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 throughout the excessive season, Giethoorn will get extremely busy.
Properly, that’s as a result of Giethoorn is an enthralling village with virtually no roads! Within the coronary heart of the village, there are solely canals and wood bridges. Locals, who reside there, have to go away their automobile at a parking zone after which change to both a motorcycle or stroll all the way in which till they attain their residence!
Among the best methods to discover Giethoorn is by taking a ship trip! You possibly can see one of the best views from the water and admire the thatched-roof homes and tranquil waterways. You possibly can 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 without doubt one of the 15 most lovely locations to go to within the Netherlands, and it’s a historic city situated in shut proximity to Amsterdam. Plenty of folks really select reside in Hoorn and commute to Amsterdam for work. Hoorn was once a vital 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 possibly can see it in all of the photographs of the town once you look it up on-line. Hoofdtoren is a fortified half-tower that used to guard the town, however now there’s a beautiful 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 beautiful espresso outlets, cafes and eating places the place you possibly can spend a couple of hours having fun with the town.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is an 18th-century mannequin village with lovely windmills, fairytale homes and beautiful cafes. It’s not an actual village. Nonetheless, a number of the homes are inhabited. The windmills had 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 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 purchase some meals and souvenirs and some small museums as effectively. It’s very near Amsterdam, too, and you’ll simply go to it on a day journey!
Delft
Delft is one other attractive metropolis within the Netherlands. It’s a comparatively small metropolis, however nonetheless, it’s filled with 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 the town’s canals, historic buildings, and charming streets replicate its wealthy heritage.
Delft is especially well-known for its lovely medieval Previous City, the spectacular New Church, and the historic Previous 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 vital buying and selling and spiritual centre. Considered one of its well-known landmarks is the Dom Tower, a tall church tower that provides gorgeous 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. Perhaps it’s as a result of Utrecht can be a college city, identical to Leiden, and its College can be one of many oldest. Additionally, in my view, Utrecht has a number of the most lovely canals and in addition a lot of streets within the metropolis centre space are equally fairly! Among the best issues to do in Utrecht is to take a canal cruise and see the town from the water! You possibly can 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 residence 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 possibly can, nonetheless, go to Edam on any day of the week – you possibly can nonetheless purchase cheese in one in all its two cheese outlets – one in all them is extremely picturesque and could possibly 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 a number of the most lovely flower fields are situated (and the “flower route” as effectively). Among the flower fields are proper subsequent to Keukenhof. Completely different flowers bloom at completely different instances – in early April, yow will discover loads of daffodils and hyacinths, whereas tulips you possibly can solely discover between mid-to-end April and the start of Might.
Please remember that all of the fields are non-public, and it’s not allowed to trespass. Some daffodil fields aren’t fenced, so it’s potential to take a photograph in entrance of the fields, however please be conscious 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 non-public farm. There are a couple of of them close to Lisse and Haarlem! Some of the well-known ones is the Tulip Barn.
Leiden
Leiden is residence to the oldest College within the Netherlands. It additionally has a number of the most lovely canals within the nation – having visited a lot of the prettiest cities within the nation, I have 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? Properly, den Bosch is the hometown of one of many Netherlands’ most well-known painters, Jheronimus Bosch. There’s loads of artwork throughout the town devoted to Jheronimus Bosch – yow will discover avenue artwork in small alleyways or statues within the park – trying to find them throughout Den Bosch was like a quest!
Moreover that, den Bosch has a lovely 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 an enthralling fishing village within the Netherlands with fairly homes, a beautiful harbour, and locals carrying conventional costumes. You possibly can get pleasure from recent seafood, discover Volendam’s cultural historical past in museums, and even strive on conventional Dutch garments for enjoyable photographs. Volendam offers you an actual style of Dutch tradition and is a novel and pleasurable place to go to.
Marken
Marken is a small island village situated within the Netherlands close to Volendam. It gives a novel expertise for guests. The village is thought for its conventional wood homes, that are constructed on stilts and have a particular architectural model. You possibly can discover the slim streets, go to native museums, and be taught in regards to the island’s historical past and maritime heritage. Marken additionally gives lovely views of the encompassing water and picturesque landscapes.
De Haar Fortress
De Haar Fortress is without doubt one of the Netherlands’ most iconic castles. It’s situated lower than quarter-hour away from Utrecht, and it’s a gorgeous medieval fortress with lovely gardens and a wealthy historical past. It’s the biggest fortress 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 fortress showcases a novel mix of medieval structure and opulent Nineteenth-century design. The fortress 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 possibly can pre-book tickets for De Haar Fortress on-line right here.
Heusden
Heusden is a small fortified city surrounded by historic partitions and dotted with windmills and small canals. Once more, Heusden is a really brief cease, particularly in the event you’re visiting on a chilly day. Nonetheless, the centre of the city appears 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 possibly can go to the vigorous 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 throughout the candlelight evenings. Probably the most lovely place in Gouda is, nonetheless, its essential sq.!
Amsterdam
Lastly, the final however not least of probably the most lovely 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 simply completely want to go to it when going to the Netherlands. The rationale it’s talked about final on this checklist 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 wonderful 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 wished to offer some highlight to different locations.
Evidently, Amsterdam is wonderful; it has nice museums – a number of the greatest on the planet, and actually lovely canals, parks and buildings!
Abstract of probably the most lovely locations to go to within the Netherlands
I hope you loved this text about probably the most lovely locations to go to within the Netherlands – as you possibly can 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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