The Netherlands travel (2024)

The Netherlands travel (1)

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Tradition and innovation intertwine here: artistic masterpieces, centuries-old windmills, tulip fields and romantic candlelit cafés coexist with visionary architecture, cutting-edge design and phenomenal nightlife.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • The Netherlands travel (2)

    Van Gogh Museum

    Amsterdam

    This wonderful museum traces Van Gogh's life and artistic development via the world's largest collection of his work. More than 200 canvases are on…

  • The Netherlands travel (3)

    Vondelpark

    Amsterdam

    Attracting over 12 million visitors per year, Amsterdam’s favorite playground is the green expanse of Vondelpark, with its 116 acres (47 hectares) of…

  • The Netherlands travel (4)

    Anne Frank Huis

    Western Canal Ring

    Visiting the Anne Frank Huis is one of Amsterdam's most profound experiences. Tragically, of the 107,000 Jewish adults and children deported from the…

  • The Netherlands travel (5)

    Rijksmuseum

    Amsterdam

    The Netherlands’ top treasure house, the Rijksmuseum (pronounced ‘rikes’), is among the world's finest art museums. With over 1.5km of galleries, it packs…

  • The Netherlands travel (6)

    Museum het Rembrandthuis

    Amsterdam

    Housed in Rembrandt's former home on lively Jodenbreestraat, this evocative museum provides an unparalleled insight into one of the Netherlands’ greatest…

  • The Netherlands travel (7)

    Van Nelle Fabriek

    Rotterdam

    Designed and built between 1925 and 1931, this modernist World Heritage–listed factory northwest of the city centre is an icon of 20th-century industrial…

  • The Netherlands travel (8)

    Mauritshuis

    Den Haag

    Offering a wonderful introduction to Dutch and Flemish art, this splendid museum is set in a 17th-century mansion built for wealthy sugar trader Johan…

  • The Netherlands travel (9)

    Sint Janskerk

    South Holland

    Impressive for both its size and its magnificent stained-glass windows, Sint Janskerk had chequered beginnings: previous incarnations of the building…

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Top picks from our travel experts

The 21 best free things to do in Amsterdam

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Catherine Le Nevez

  • The Netherlands travel (10)

    Oosterpark

    Amsterdam

    The lush greenery of Oosterpark, with wild parakeets in the trees and herons stalking the large ponds, brings an almost tropical richness to this diverse…

  • The Netherlands travel (11)

    Poezenboot

    Western Canal Ring

    Cat-lovers may want to check out this quirky boat on the Singel. It was founded in 1966 by a local woman who became legendary for looking after several…

  • The Netherlands travel (12)

    De Duif

    Southern Canal Ring

    In 1796, following the French-installed government’s proclamation of religious freedom, De Duif became the Netherlands’ first Catholic church to be built…

  • The Netherlands travel (13)

    Below the Surface

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    During the construction of Amsterdam's 2018-opened Noord/Zuidlijn (North–South metro line), more than 134,000 archaeological finds were unearthed from…

  • The Netherlands travel (14)

    Frankendael House

    Amsterdam

    This area was rolling countryside several centuries ago. In the 18th century, wealthy Amsterdammers would pass their summers and weekends in large country…

  • The Netherlands travel (15)

    OBA: Centrale Bibliotheek Amsterdam

    Amsterdam

    This being Amsterdam, it has one of the coolest libraries you can imagine, built in 2007 and spread over multiple light, bright floors. The basem*nt is…

  • The Netherlands travel (16)

    Concertgebouw

    Amsterdam

    The Concert Hall was built in 1888 by AL van Gendt, who managed to engineer its near-perfect acoustics. Bernard Haitink, former conductor of the Royal…

  • The Netherlands travel (17)

    NEMO Science Museum

    Amsterdam

    Perched atop the entrance to the IJ Tunnel is this unmissable green-copper building with a slanted roof, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and…

  • The Netherlands travel (18)

    Albert Cuypmarkt

    De Pijp

    Some 260 stalls fill the Albert Cuypmarkt, Amsterdam's largest and busiest market. Vendors loudly tout their array of gadgets, homewares, flowers, fruit,…

  • The Netherlands travel (20)

    Stadsarchief

    Southern Canal Ring

    A distinctive striped building dating from 1923, this former bank now houses 23km of shelving storing Amsterdam archives. Fascinating displays of archive…

  • The Netherlands travel (21)

    Bloemenmarkt

    Southern Canal Ring

    Flowers are not treats, but essentials in Amsterdam. Ever since 1860, this famous flower market has been located at the spot where nurserymen and women,…

  • The Netherlands travel (22)

    Vondelpark

    Amsterdam

    Attracting over 12 million visitors per year, Amsterdam’s favorite playground is the green expanse of Vondelpark, with its 116 acres (47 hectares) of…

  • The Netherlands travel (23)

    Cannabis College

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    This nonprofit centre offers visitors tips and tricks for having a positive smoking experience and provides the low-down on local cannabis laws. There are…

  • The Netherlands travel (24)

    Rijksmuseum

    Amsterdam

    The Netherlands’ top treasure house, the Rijksmuseum (pronounced ‘rikes’), is among the world's finest art museums. With over 1.5km of galleries, it packs…

  • The Netherlands travel (25)

    Bimhuis

    Amsterdam

    On the IJ riverbank, Bimhuis is the Netherlands' most important jazz venue. Its stylish digs are at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ and it draws international…

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Budget Travel

The 21 best free things to do in Amsterdam

Mar 13, 2024 • 7 min read

There's a host of freebies to help you save money in Amsterdam, from architectural jewels and archeological treasures to inventive exhibits and concerts.

  • The Netherlands travel (28)

    Cycling

    Why a cycling holiday with my mom through Holland’s tulip fields was the post-pandemic trip we needed

    Apr 7, 2023 • 8 min read

    The Netherlands travel (29)

    COVID-19

    The Netherlands is easing lockdown - here's what travelers need to know

    Jan 17, 2022 • 3 min read

    The Netherlands travel (30)

    Air Travel

    Vaccinated US tourists can once again visit the Netherlands as it reverses entry ban

    Sep 16, 2021 • 3 min read

    The Netherlands travel (31)

    Festivals & Events

    The best time to go to the Netherlands

    Apr 22, 2021 • 5 min read

  • The Netherlands travel (32)

    Art

    Smell fragrant and foul scents of the 17th century at this Dutch art exhibition

    Mar 19, 2021 • 2 min read

    The Netherlands travel (33)

    Air Travel

    Airline launches quarantine-free travel to Amsterdam from the US

    Dec 8, 2020 • 2 min read

    The Netherlands travel (34)

    Train Travel

    This whale tail sculpture saved a train that went off the rails

    Nov 4, 2020 • 2 min read

    The Netherlands travel (35)

    Family Travel

    The Netherlands' 11 best cycling routes and locations

    Aug 20, 2020 • 4 min read

  • The Netherlands travel (36)

    Cycling

    The Netherlands’ newest bike garage is like an enormous space-age airport for cyclists

    Aug 3, 2020 • 2 min read

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Beyond The Netherlands
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    Amsterdam
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    Rotterdam
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    Southern Canal Ring
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    Amsterdam Noord
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    Western Canal Ring
Beyond The Netherlands
The Netherlands travel (2024)

FAQs

How many days in the Netherlands is enough? ›

If you want a good taste of what the Netherlands has to offer, 7 days is adequate time. If you just want to get a quick fix of the Netherlands, it's common to do 2-3 days in and around Amsterdam then move on to elsewhere in Europe.

Why is the Netherlands worth visiting? ›

Water, water everywhere!

The Netherlands without water? Unimaginable. Watery locations like the North Sea and IJsselmeer lake are both worth a trip in themselves. And don't forget the many rivers, waterways and canals that give Dutch cities and landscapes their own unique character.

Should I travel to the Netherlands? ›

Netherlands - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution in the Netherlands due to terrorism.

Is it easy to travel around the Netherlands? ›

The Netherlands boasts an efficient and affordable public transport system. It is easy to travel throughout the Netherlands by train, bus, metro or ferry. What's more, it is incredibly sustainable.

How much money do you need per day in Netherlands? ›

Average 50-60-70 EUR per person per day for food, 30-40 per person per day for sight seeing tickets etc., 10-15 per person per day for transport before you do some shopping etc.

Is 5 days enough for the Netherlands? ›

The Netherlands isn't all tulips, windmills, and weed shops. With five days in Amsterdam you'll go beyond the basics and see some of this capital city's hidden delights.

What is so special about Netherlands? ›

The Netherlands is famous for many things, such as delicious foods like Dutch Cheese and Stroopwafels. It's also known for its beautiful cities- storybook places like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, historical figures like Anne Frank, and magnificent artists like Vincent Van Gogh.

Is Netherlands a cheap place to visit? ›

The average cost of a trip to the Netherlands for one person for a week is around $1,118-$2,448 (₹83,000-₹1,82,000). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Is it cheap to go to the Netherlands? ›

For a round-trip ticket, flights to the country can range from $500 to $1,500, depending on the season and availability. Accommodation costs vary as well, with budget hotels or hostels starting from $50 per night and luxury hotels reaching up to $300 per night.

What is the best way to visit the Netherlands? ›

One of the most efficient ways of travelling to and in the Netherlands is by train. Thanks to an extensive, well-maintained rail network you can enjoy comfortable rides with breathtaking views of the Dutch landscape.

Is Netherlands friendly to foreigners? ›

Dutch people are very direct and open in their communication style. People from other countries and cultures may interpret this directness as being rude. But that's far from being true. Most Dutch people are actually extremely humble, welcoming, and friendly towards foreigners.

Do you need a car in the Netherlands? ›

Bikes are the quickest way to get somewhere or walking if you want to be different. A car is necessary if you want to go to some place like IKEA or a plant nursery, but you can rent one for those occasions and many stores deliver now.

Is 3 days enough in Netherlands? ›

Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in the city. Amsterdam is quite small, so you don't have to be here for a long time to see all the best attractions. If you're wondering what to do in Amsterdam in 3 days, this is the article for you. Here is a list of what to see in Amsterdam in 3 days.

What is the best month to go to Netherlands? ›

The best time to visit the Netherlands is in June, or between September and November, when the leaves change and the foods and beers of the festive season emerge. You'll get the best balance of value, quiet, and activities during these times, and temperatures are pleasant, ranging from 48 to 66°F.

How many days do you really need in Amsterdam? ›

A few days in any city is never enough time to really see it, but given Amsterdam's compact nature, it's definitely enough time to hit all the “major” attractions during a quick visit. You don't have to walk far either (you can walk the length of the city center in about 45 minutes).

Is 7 days too long in Amsterdam? ›

One week in Amsterdam is more than enough time to explore what the Dutch capital has to offer. It also allows you to explore some more amazing cities in The Netherlands. After visiting the city three times (two of which were recent trips), I'm clued up on all the best spots you NEED to add to your Amsterdam itinerary.

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