Travel Guide to Visiting the Netherlands
Planning a trip to the Netherlands? You are in for a trip full of great food, stunning buildings, beautiful canals, old traditions, and jaw-dropping landscapes. There’s no shortage of things to do in this small Dutch country, but many people limit their travels to Amsterdam. I LOVE the capital city (that’s why I chose to call it home), but visiting the 12 provinces of the Netherlands will expose you to a country that’s rich with culture and history beyond the typical tourist offerings of Amsterdam.
Wondering where you should visit, what you should pack, and when you should go? We’ll cover it all, so book that flight, pack your suitcase, and come to the Netherlands!
To continue to give you helpful travel advice for the Netherlands, this post contains affiliate links. What does that mean? Basically, if you click on an affiliate link, I earn a commission for referring you to the product/service. It’s important to know that this does not change the price for you.
Why traveling in the Netherlands should be on everyone’s bucket list
Way more than just Amsterdam
When most people think of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is the first place to pop into their minds. Coffee shops, the Red Light District, and canals play into the stereotypical mental image of the country’s capital, but there are so many more things to do in Amsterdam than the stereotypes! Check out the “Dancing Houses,” find peace in the Begijnhof garden, and overwhelm your tastebuds at De Foodhallen (a food hall in an old tram depot). This city is full of hidden gems– you just need to know where to look!
There’s no argument that Amsterdam is the most popular city in the Netherlands. Pre-2020, Amsterdam received approximately 20 million visitors each year. But this country is so much more than its most popular city. As someone who calls Amsterdam home, I believe you’re missing out if you don’t get outside the city. Some use the term Holland interchangeably with the Netherlands, but Holland is actually just North and South Holland– two of the country’s 12 provinces. Ready to go beyond the touristy areas to travel like a local?
Don’t miss the hunebeds in Drenthe. These stone monuments are prehistoric tombstones built by the Funnelbeaker people 5,000 years ago.
The Netherlands’ largest province, Gelderland, has something for everyone. Visit the castles, museums, or national parks and fuel up with Michelin-starred meals!
Groningen, the northernmost province in the Netherlands is home to the leafiest village in the country and a stunning coastline.
Talk about recent history! Established in 1986, Flevoland the youngest province developed from land reclaimed from the Zuiderzee within the past century. As the largest flower bulb region in the country, you can expect to see stunning flower fields.
In Friesland, you'll discover a completely different language (West Frisian), along with old traditions. In the warmer months, there’s a ferry from North Holland, but it’s also easily accessible by train. For a special experience, check out Stavoren and stay in a hotel that had turned massive wine barrels into private rooms with a spa.
Limburg, the southernmost province, borders Germany and Belgium. Don’t miss the great city of Maastricht and the enchanting Christmas market in Valkenburg. This province is home to Vaalserberg mountain. With an elevation of 1,058 ft, it is the tallest mountain in the country.
North Brabant, the birthplace of Vincent Van Gogh, is a nature and food lovers’ paradise. As you eat your way through this Michelin-star-studded province, be sure to take time for a city break in Tilburg.
In Overijssel, you’ll find Giethoorn, the Venice of the North, and lots of gorgeous monuments paying homage to the province’s rich history.
North Holland is where you’ll find the famous Amsterdam with its charming canals and architecture. But, it’s also home to adorable countryside villages best seen while on a bike tour. Haarlem is the capital of this province and is sometimes called little Amsterdam. It’s easy to get to by train or bus from Amsterdam but it much quieter while still offering so much to do and see.
In South Holland, “the Manhattan on the Meuse” is the place to be. Some of my favorite things to do in Rotterdam include visiting the museums, walking the port, and enjoying the incredible foodie scene. Don’t leave South Holland without visiting the administrative and royal capital of the Netherlands– The Hague. While visiting, just grab a seat at a restaurant in the Plein or Grote Markt squares and people watch while you enjoy a delicious meal.
While Utrecht is popular for its university, look past the students to discover this province’s hidden gems– castles, cute old villages, and a famous cheese market.
Feeling beachy? Zeeland is a province of islands and peninsulas with a seafarer’s vibe. After all, Zeeland means “sea land.” This province boasts the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants, so you’re in for a treat if you love seafood!
Incredible food
If you’re seeing stars, you’re not alone! The Netherlands has over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants, making this country a world-class culinary destination. It’s not all about the stars though. Throughout the country, you’ll find local dishes that will surprise your tastebuds with flavors you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Here’s a list of our favorite Dutch foods:
Cheese - Cheese lovers rejoice! The Dutch produce more than 1.4 billion pounds of cheese each year, and each resident eats more than 31 pounds of cheese annually. While Gouda and Edam cheese are the most popular, peruse the cheese markets in Gouda, Edam, Woerden, and Alkmaar to find more varieties and discover your favorite.
Meat - If you like your meat wrapped in more meat, you’re going to love Dutch cuisine. Blinde vink is a meal that consists of ground meat, wrapped in a thin slice of veal and roasted. Slavink is made with ground beef, pork, or a small bird, wrapped in bacon and fried in lard or butter. Bitterballen, a popular pub snack, are deep-fried meatballs coated in breadcrumbs. The Dutch also love their meat stews. Don’t miss hachee, zoervleis, and hazenpepper stew.
Seafood - With almost 300 miles of coastline and rich maritime history, it’s no surprise that the Dutch love their seafood. Kibbeling is a Dutch street food of battered and deep-fried fish, served with a dipping sauce. Want to eat like a local? Visit the Dutch coast for fresh Hollandse Nieuwe herring (or New Dutch herring) at a beachside fish stall. Order the raw herring on a bun with onions and pickles for the full experience.
Sweets - If you haven’t tried a stroopwafel, you haven’t really visited the Netherlands. A thin waffle is sliced horizontally and filled with stroop, a sticky syrup. While you can buy them packaged in the grocery stores, I love having them fresh at the Albert Cuyp Market or Lanskroon Bakery in Amsterdam. Still craving something sweet? Satisfy your sweet tooth with poffertjes, Dutch pancakes made with yeast and buckwheat flour.
Drinks - Want to drink like a local, too? Try Dutch beer (pale lager, witbier, herfstbok, lentebok) or jenever (sometimes called Dutch gin).
Stunning architecture
The architecture of the Netherlands is as vast and varied as the country itself.
I love the charming canal houses in Amsterdam and Laag Holland.
The juxtaposition of the terraced homes and modern office buildings of The Hague reminds me that this country relies on its history and modern times to shape the future.
The eclectic architecture in Rotterdam makes me feel as if I’ve transported to a different country (and let’s face it– maybe even a different planet).
And the modern, boxy architecture of Tilburg makes it feel like I’ve stumbled into a gorgeous outdoor art museum as I walk through the city.
No matter where you go, you’ll see the fingerprints of Dutch artists, craftsmen, and architects on every building.
Rich traditions
The Netherlands is home to rich traditions you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Want to experience true Dutch culture? Check out these festivals:
King’s Day - I hope you brought your favorite orange clothing if you’re planning to be in the Netherlands on April 27. Koningsdag, which celebrates the king’s birthday, is a day of partying across the country.
Bloemencorso - If you love flowers, visit the flower parade from Noordwijk to Haarlem which happens every April. After the parade, you can find the flower-covered floats on display in Haarlem.
Amsterdam Pride - Every August, Amsterdam’s canals are studded with rainbow-hued partygoers for the pride parade on the canal, where you’ll see drag queens, DJs, and decorated boats. One of the world’s largest pride events, you can expect two weeks of partying and over 300 events and activities.
Scheveningen Fireworks Festival - This festival, which usually takes place in August (although the dates have changed during the pandemic), is one of the coolest things to do in The Hague. The international festival requires that each team use fireworks produced in their home country to create their 11 - 13- minute display. We guarantee it’ll be a blast!
Sinterklaas - The red miter-wearing saint arrives by boat in mid-November, traveling through the country and leaving small sweets in the shoes of children at night. On the 5th of December, children sing songs until they hear a knock at their front door. When they open it, the good Dutch children will find gifts from Sinterklaas.
Every province has its own traditions and holidays. Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a local and ask about their favorite traditions.
Impressive landscapes
I hope you got a new memory card for your camera. The Netherlands is full of incredible landscapes you’ll want to photograph. Here are some places and things to add to your must-capture photo list:
Tulips - First, let me preface by reminding you to never walk into a tulip field without permission. The gorgeous blooms are the result of a lot of hard work, and no Instagram pic is worth trampling over them! That being said, I recommend following the tulip trails in Flevoland, Lisse, and Beemster. Want the most bulbs for your buck? Visit Keukenhof. It’s called the Garden of Europe for good reason, with over 7 million flower bulbs planted annually. You can expect way more than tulips in this floral paradise!
Windmills - While Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed village with 18th-century windmills, you’re sure to find gorgeous (and functional) windmills all across the country. We may not understand time travel yet, but if you visit the Zaanse Schans area in North Holland, you’ll feel like you stepped back in time when you find the windmills from the 17th-century!
Veluwezoom National Park - The country’s oldest national park, in Gelderland, is absolutely stunning during the summer when the ground is carpeted in purple heather.
Little Venice - In the village of Giethoorn in Overijssel, you’ll find thatched houses along the canal. With over 150 bridges and 62 miles of kayak/ canoe trails, water babies will love this mostly car-free area.
Oostvaardersplassen - The Oostvaardersplassen is a nature preserve in Flevoland, where you’ll find a wealth of flora and fauna. Keep your eyes open for sea eagles, black storks, Heck cattle, Konik horses, and red deer.
Looking for a list of what to do and where to go already done for you? Well, here’s a full one-week itinerary for your trip to the Netherlands!
Ready to book your trip to Holland?
The best time to visit the Netherlands
The Netherlands is loved by tourists from around the world– and for good reason. But you don’t necessarily want to rub shoulders with 20 million travelers. I recommend that travelers avoid peak season and travel to the Netherlands in April, May, June, or September.
In April and May, you’ll enjoy the colorful flowers and mild temperatures. Most days in September are still warm, without all the families visiting on summer vacations. Read more about the seasons so you can figure out exactly when is the best time to visit the Netherlands.
Packing for the Netherlands
No matter when you decide to visit the Netherlands, one word will help you with your packing: layering.
There’s a good chance you’ll experience rain while you’re in the Netherlands, so pack layers to avoid feeling uncomfortable while you explore. With over 130 days of rain each year, a wind and water-proof jacket and umbrella should make it into every suitcase headed for the Netherlands. Learn from my mistakes– leave the leather and suede at home. Unpredictable rain storms have ruined one too many pairs of my shoes. Speaking of shoes– pack sturdy walking shoes or boots. There’s so much incredible landscape, and you don’t want to be held back by blisters!
Because it can be tricky, here packing tips for Amsterdam for each season so that you are completely prepared.
Is the Netherlands safe?
The 2021 Safe Cities Index ranked Amsterdam #2 in the world for personal security. Of course, it’s important to be on guard for pickpockets and never leave your belongings unattended, but the risk of violent assault in the Netherlands is extremely low. With only 61 prisoners per 100,000 residents, the nation is famously shutting down prisons due to lack of use. That’s great news for travelers!
The Netherlands is waiting to welcome you, and I hope you’ll embrace everything this country has to offer. Visit Amsterdam, of course, but don’t neglect the rest of this gorgeous Dutch country. With incredible food, stunning landscape, rich culture, and amazing hospitality, you’ll ask yourself, “why didn’t I visit the Netherlands earlier?”