The Open Road Travel

The Netherlands, known for its canals, windmills, tulips, and wooden clogs, is a small country in northwestern Europe. While the country’s biggest attraction is easily its capital city, Amsterdam, there is plenty more to do and see. With that in mind, we want to show you some of the best things to do in the Netherlands besides visiting Amsterdam. From historic locations to cultural institutions, we will cover a little bit of something for everyone.

So, if you want to enjoy the complete Dutch experience when you visit the Netherlands, this is the article for you.

Nestled between Belgium and Germany in northwestern Europe, and with the North Sea to the west and north of the country, the Netherlands is made up of a combination of coastal lowlands, polders, grassy dunes, and sandy beaches.

The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the European Union and has a population of over 17 million people. The word “Netherlands” means low-lying country, and that is exactly what the Netherlands is.

The incredibly flat country has almost a third of its land lying below sea level and much of its land has been reclaimed from the waters of the North Sea, now being protected by a series of dikes and sea walls.

The Netherlands has a fairly mild climate and a considerable amount of rainfall throughout the year. The summer months offer the warmest temperatures but are often the busiest months and prices can be higher.

Springtime, around April – May, is the best time to visit the Netherlands, as you will still experience pleasant temperatures while also getting to enjoy your trip with significantly fewer crowds.

However, this is also the time of year when the country's beautiful tulips are in full bloom and Keukenhof gardens are open. If you plan on visiting this attraction, there will, of course, be crowds, as the gardens are only open in spring.

Moving on to our list of the best things to do in the Netherlands, I am going to suggest a range of places and activities which all offer something different.

These will include things that appeal to travelers with various interests, ensuring you have something to cover everything that the Netherlands is known for.

Known for its historic city centre and tree-lined canals, Utrecht is just as beautiful as the capital city, Amsterdam, but manages to maintain a small-town vibe. Utrecht is situated in the centre of the country, around 22 miles (35 kilometres) southeast of Amsterdam.

If you want to visit a more peaceful city and get a feel of quintessential Dutch life, you might want to add the city of Utrecht to your list of places to visit in the Netherlands.

The city was built around the famous Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. It is considered the symbol of Utrecht and has sat in the city’s historic centre for over six hundred years.

The Dom Tower is impressive enough from the outside, but, if you’re brave enough to walk up the tower’s 465 steps, you will get to experience an incredible view of the city which is more than worth the climb.

Utrecht also boasts countless shops, cafés, and restaurants, many of which overlook the canals. This is perfect for when you want to relax after a busy day of exploring the city or shopping at the boutiques that line the streets.

If you’re a history lover, you may want to pay a visit to the largest castle in the Netherlands, De Haar Castle, located just outside Utrecht.

With its towers, turrets, and moats, the castle looks like something out of a fairy-tale and the surrounding parks and gardens are just as beautiful.

The idyllic village of Giethoorn is in the northeastern Dutch province of Overijssel. This picturesque village is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the Netherlands’, due to its few roads and many canals.

Many of the homes in Giethoorn have pretty, thatched roofs and beautiful gardens, while, amazingly, some residents can only access their homes by boats on the canals.

There are also some parts of the village that are only accessible by footpath or canal. This gives Giethoorn a magical feel that draws visitors from far and wide.

Of course, in a village with so much water, taking a boat ride is an ideal and pleasant way to spend an afternoon. You can hire a boat for yourself and your party, or if you’d prefer, book a canal cruise tour, and let someone else do all the steering.

There is a wide selection of cafes and restaurants situated by the canals where you can relax and watch the ducks and boats go by.

You might be wondering how to get to Giethoorn with it being a car-free village. If you are driving, there is parking just outside the village, or you can use public transport. Either way, you’ll surely want to add this enchanting village to your itinerary.

Located in the province of South Holland (Zuid-Holland), Rotterdam is Europe's largest seaport and is famous for its modern architecture.

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. However, the two cities are very different, with the latter having a much more traditional look and Rotterdam possessing impressive, modern buildings.

The city of Rotterdam boasts a diverse range of nightlife, including a variety of bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

There are also many architectural highlights and attractions for visitors to enjoy.

One of these attractions is the Maritime Museum, which holds hundreds of maritime objects, including vintage ships and historic port models.

Here you can learn about the history of one of the largest harbours in the world, admire prize exhibits, and join in on numerous activities.

One of the many iconic pieces of architecture in Rotterdam is Markthal, or ‘market hall’.

This striking, arch-shaped structure is a residential and office building with a market underneath, which is home to tons of fresh food stalls, shops, and restaurants.

Rotterdam is a lot calmer and less chaotic than Amsterdam so, if you’d prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle of the capital but still stay in a city, Rotterdam may be a good spot to set up base.

Located to the west of the country just, a stone’s throw from the coast, Lisse is the heart of the flower-bulb region and is famous for its beautiful flower fields. Flower bulbs from Lisse are exported all over the world and the top attraction in the area is the Keukenhof Gardens.

Known as the ‘Garden of Europe’, Keukenhof is one of the world's largest flower gardens and attracts millions of visitors each spring. More than 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually, including hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips.

Keukenhof has a different theme each year, and the gardens are always breathtaking. If you plan on visiting the Netherlands between late March and mid-May, the Keukenhof gardens are a must-see.

Not only this, but the world-famous flower parade also passes through Lisse every year in April. The procession features floats covered in beautiful spring flowers and visitors can easily combine their day trip to Keukenhof with a view of the parade.

If you really want to treat yourself, why not book a helicopter sightseeing tour, where you get a bird’s eye view of the stunning flower fields, the parade, and even the Dutch coastline.

Just make sure to book well in advance, as these helicopter tours only take place on a limited number of days per year.

Renowned for its ceramic, blue and white pottery, Delft is located northwest of Rotterdam, in the province of South Holland. The world-famous Delftware has been produced in the city since 1602, but that is not Delft’s only claim to fame.

The city is also recognised for once being home to the painter Jan Vermeer, creator of ‘The Girl with the Pearl Earring’ and other well-known pieces of artwork. The Vermeer Centrum Delft is an information centre dedicated to the life and work of the famed Dutch painter.

Here you can admire reproductions of all the paintings by Vermeer in their original sizes and discover intricate details of his work as well as the intimate insights into his personal life.

If you’re more interested in pottery, the Royal Delft earthenware factory features a museum where visitors can learn about the history and production process of the famous pottery, which is still entirely hand-painted.

This is the only remaining Delft factory from the 17th century.

Like a lot of places in the Netherlands, Delft has many canals, so if you haven’t already had your fill of boat rides, you can take a canal taxi boat to the main tourist spots or rent a boat and explore the canals on your own.

Remaining in the province of South Holland, Kinderdijk is a village east of Rotterdam that is known for its iconic 18th-century windmills. If you have looked at any pictures of Dutch windmills, you’re sure to have seen the ones at Kinderdijk.

The nineteen beautiful windmills were built around 1740 for water management and, in 1997, they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area can be explored on foot, by bicycle, or even by boat.

Hopping on a boat during your stay is an ideal way to enjoy some incredible views and get some great pictures of the windmills.

Visitors can not only see the windmills but can also view the system of dikes, pumping stations, and reservoirs that have kept the water at bay for centuries. You can even enter one of the old mills and learn how it works from a real miller.

Occupying an area of 13,750 acres, De Hoge Veluwe National Park is famous for its rare plant and animal species and has an extremely diverse range of scenery.

Landscapes range from dense forests and grasslands to heaths and sand drifts, making the national park one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the country. It is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer, wild boar, and even a rare breed of sheep, mouflon.

The park can be explored on foot or, of course, by bike. You needn’t worry about bringing a bicycle along with you though, as the park has over 1,000 of them available for guests to use free of charge.

The park not only makes a great day out for lovers of nature but also attracts art fans. The Kröller-Müller Museum is an art museum and sculpture garden located in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, which was founded by Helene Kröller-Müller, an avid art collector.

Here, you can find the world's second-largest Vincent van Gogh art collection, only after the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

As for the best hotel to stay at in The Netherlands, I have selected one in the city of Utrecht, as this location is in the centre of the country, making it a convenient spot to stay.

Park Plaza is a modern hotel located around a 5-minute walk from the historical Utrecht city centre and Central Station. The hotel features comfortable, spacious accommodation with free Wi-Fi is present throughout. ,

Each room is tastefully decorated and features a private bathroom with a bath or shower, as well as amenities like a flat-screen TV, minibar, air-conditioning, and tea and coffee making facilities.

Park Plaza Utrecht has a trendy restaurant with a patio, which serves international cuisine, as well as seasonal à la carte dishes. There is also a warmly decorated bar on site, where guests can enjoy a local beer along with bitterballen (a Dutch meat-based snack).

If you don’t feel you’ve already had enough exercise with all the bicycle riding, there is a gym at the hotel as well as a sauna. Paid public parking is possible on site.

The Netherlands is a lovely, little country, full of historic sites, vibrant cities, quaint villages, and beautiful landscapes. As you can see, there is a lot more to this welcoming country than Amsterdam, and it is a destination that has something to offer all.

Hopefully, this list of best things to do in the Netherlands has helped you decide what you’d like to do and see during your trip. That means you can now get on with booking an unforgettable vacation to this fantastic country.