Holidays to Netherlands
Top destinations in Netherlands
Amsterdam
The Dutch capital gives you everything you need for a memorable getaway, from world-class museums and inventive restaurants to lush gardens and endless hiking and biking paths.
Rotterdam
The Netherlands’ second city makes for a perfect urban destination thanks to its cutting-edge museums, architectural wonders and impressively diverse food scene.
Eindhoven
The Netherlands’ design capital is a hotspot for cultural institutions and futuristic architecture. But don’t miss its artisan food halls and thriving craft beer scene.
Netherlands: fast facts
| Language | Dutch |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
Netherlands holiday highlights
Cruise the canals
Since the 1600s, canals have been used here to transport goods and protect cities. They remain a symbol of the Dutch Golden Age, when the country became a global power in art, science and trade. Experience them on a classic canal cruise or houseboat stay. Or see the waterways come to life with music during Amsterdam’s Grachtenfestival in August.
Gaze at gardens
Admiring the flowers is a top thing to do in the Netherlands. From March to May, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths tulips turn gardens, squares and the countryside into multicoloured wonders. The ‘Bollenstreek’ (Bulb Region) is maybe the best place to witness the spectacle, as it’s home to the Keukenhof Gardens, tulip-picking farms and the Bloemencorso Flower Parade.
Ride a bike
With around 35,000 kilometres of mostly flat bikeways, the Netherlands is the ultimate cycling destination. From children to commuters, everyone travels on two wheels. Whether exploring urban streets or enjoying the countryside, it’s the easiest way to feel like a local. The Dutch are so dedicated to cycling that they’ve created intercity bike highways and an illuminated path inspired by Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’.
Things to do in Netherlands
Top attractions
The Netherlands is famous for its tulips — visit the tulip farms in the Bollenstreek region or Keukenhof gardens for a colourful show like no other. Set aside a full afternoon to explore the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and see masterpieces by Dutch artists, from Vermeer to Van Gogh. In the heart of the Hague, don’t miss the stately medieval buildings of the Binnenhof, home of the Dutch Parliament.
Beaches
You’ll find some of the best beaches in the Netherlands on the North Sea coastline, with several under an hour’s drive from Amsterdam. Zandvoort is known for its great surfing conditions. For a classic seaside experience, visit Scheveningen, with its buzzing promenade and old-fashioned pier. Or relax along wide, tranquil stretches of dune-backed shoreline at Duindamseslag and Langevelderslag.
Nature
In the northern provinces, the windswept Wadden Islands hold some of the country’s most breathtaking nature. This region of intertidal mudflats, salt marshes and sandy plains teems with wildlife. Visit the islands’ protected areas, like the Dunes of Texel National Park and Schiermonnikoog National Park. Or head to Weerribben-Wieden National Park in Giethoorn for boating and canoeing around a serene wetland.
Culture and museums
The most famous museums in the Netherlands showcase iconic works of art. In Amsterdam, check out the Van Gogh Museum and the Old Masters collection at the Rijksmuseum. But there’s more to see here than pretty paintings. Tour the more than 1,200 windmills — historical symbols of industry and engineering. You’ll discover 19 examples from the 1700s in the UNESCO-listed village of Kinderdijk.
Cuisine
Check out traditional restaurants in the Netherlands for dishes like ‘bitterballen’ (deep-fried meatballs) and ‘stamppot’ (mashed potato and vegetable stew with smoked sausage). The Dutch are serious about their cheese — creamy gouda and semi-hard edam are staples. You can try them at Rotterdam’s ‘Markthal’ (market hall) and Alkmaar’s Friday cheese market. And the go-to sweet treat is the ‘stroopwafel’, a waffle-like biscuit with caramel syrup.
Family friendly
Fairy tales and fantasy mingle with thrilling theme park rides and entertainment at Efteling in Kaatsheuvel. Discover the power of water, the mysteries of outer space and more at NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam. There’s plenty to occupy curious minds at ARTIS.This historic park in Amsterdam hosts a zoo, planetarium, plus the world’s first microbe museum.
Find the best time to visit Netherlands
Weather in Netherlands
March – May: Though the weather can be slow to warm up, the Dutch flock to outdoor cafes at the first sign of spring sunshine. It’s the best time to visit the Netherlands to view tulips and other spring flowers.
June – August: Long, warm days alternate with cool rain and clouds. It’s a good idea to pack an extra layer and an umbrella, even on sunny days.
September – November: Warm weather gives way to clouds and rain as the temperature drops. Mist and fog on the canals are a common sight on late-autumn mornings.
December – February: Winter is chilly and overcast but usually above freezing, with high temperatures around 5°C. January sees an average of only two hours of daily sunshine.
Events in Netherlands
King’s Day (April): The entire country is decked out in orange for King Willem-Alexander’s birthday party on 27 April. The royal family visits a different municipality every year. But the celebrations in Amsterdam and Utrecht are favourites, full of music, games and flea markets.
Holland Festival (June): This Amsterdam arts festival draws cutting-edge performers from all over the world for three weeks of music, dance, theatre and more.
Bloemencorso Zundert (September): Teams work all summer to compete for the most beautiful design at this flower parade, the largest in the world. Watch massive floats made of flowers parade through the streets of Zundert.
Know before you go
Local etiquette
In the Netherlands, splitting the bill is the norm, even for something small like a coffee — hence the expression ‘going Dutch’. The rules and etiquette of cycling are strictly followed here. Always use the bike lane and signal with your bell when passing. Keep in mind that the Dutch are known for being very direct — so don’t mistake this for rudeness.
Health and safety
The Netherlands’ cycling infrastructure is robust, but accidents still happen. Obey all posted signs and regulations and consider wearing a helmet, even though they’re not required by law. The weather can be erratic. The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) provides timely warnings of weather changes to help you prepare.
LGBTQ+ travel
This is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in the world, with Amsterdam being the epicentre of queer tourism. Neighbourhoods like Reguliersdwarsstraat and Kerkstraat are packed with dance clubs, karaoke bars and drag bingo. But cities like Rotterdam and Utrecht also have thriving gay scenes. Utrecht even has its own version of Amsterdam’s famous Canal Pride, a floating Pride festival.
Budget
It’s possible to have a cheap holiday in the Netherlands. Expect to pay around 18 euros (€) for an inexpensive meal and €5 for a beer. The average short taxi ride costs about €12, but getting around on a bike is cheaper. The ‘I amsterdam City Card’ offers discounts on city-wide attractions and public transport.
Getting around Netherlands
Public transportation
Buses: Though much of the country is connected by train, buses are excellent for regional trips. Use the 9292 app to buy tickets and coordinate your travel between most public transport providers in the Netherlands, including regional bus services.
Trains: Operated by the national rail company NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), train service is fast, reliable and frequent. High-speed lines run between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Schiphol International Airport. It’s less than 20 minutes from Schiphol to Amsterdam. And the trip between Amsterdam and Rotterdam takes about an hour.
Boats: In the summer, local ferries are a great way to explore the Wadden Islands. Bring your bike on board and island-hop your way through the archipelago. A waterbus service runs from Rotterdam to Dordrecht, plus routes to the tidal wetlands of De Biesbosch National Park.
Domestic flights
You won’t find many domestic flights in the Netherlands. And with its relatively small size and extensive ground transport, you won’t miss them.
Driving
Road networks are well maintained, but be careful when driving around trams, buses and cyclists. Keep an eye out for bus- or bike-only lanes. You may see road signs warning ‘auto te gast’ (cars are guests), meaning cars are allowed, but bikes have priority.
