This is a famously progressive – and flat – European country which borders Belgium and Germany, Amsterdam aside, it’s often overlooked as a travel destination but its home to areas of seriously stunning natural beauty. From canal-dotted cities to national parks filled with dark, green forests, here are the places I want to share with you…
1. Hoge Veluwe National Park
The Hoge Veluwe National Park is the largest national park in the country and, in my opinion, home to some of the country’s most naturally beautiful landscapes.
Dotted with deer, wild boar, and thick forest areas, the park is tranquil and excellent for wildlife watching. I recommend walking along the heath fields or, in true Dutch style, taking the free bikes available to cycle over the meandering trails.
- Location: Central part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Fall (for hiking and wildlife spotting amidst blooming landscapes and mild weather).
- Activities on offer: Hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, exploring sand dunes, and visiting the Kröller-Müller Museum.
- Accommodation: Hotel de Sterrenberg, Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Buunderkamp, and Hotel Kruller.
- Map Location and Directions
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2. Jordaan District, Amsterdam
Although the country’s carefree capital city is arguably most famous for its coffee shops, the city has another side.
I recommend heading to the Jordaan district to find Amsterdam‘s real beauty. Once a working-class district, it has risen through the ranks to become one of the city’s most exclusive areas.
Here, you can expect maze-like streets with bohemian cafes, art galleries, and design boutiques selling the latest trends. However, I think the real draw of this part of town is the narrow canals, which are gorgeously flanked by tall and colourful traditional gabled houses.
Don’t forget to explore further afield thought in this incredible city and squeeze in all the must-sees like the Anne Frank Museum, the Flower Market, the Van Gogh Museum, and see the Old Masters at the National Museum.
The capital city is chock full of art museums, but if you want to see one of the most famous Dutch paintings, the Girl with a Pearl Earring, it’s housed at the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague.
- Location: Western part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer (for canal tours and walking tours in pleasant weather).
- Activities on offer: Walking tours, exploring canals, visiting museums and galleries, and dining at local cafés.
- Accommodation: The Dylan Amsterdam, Canal House Hotel, and Pulitzer Amsterdam.
- Map Location and Directions
3. Utrecht
Make sure you include a visit to The Domtoren (the highest tower-like gothic church in the Netherlands) and its adjoining attractive Cloister gardens.
- Location: Central part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring (to enjoy canal-side cafés and the city’s charming streets in bloom).
- Activities on offer: Canal tours, visiting Dom Tower, exploring museums, and walking through the medieval city center.
- Accommodation: Mother Goose Hotel, Eye Hotel, and Grand Hotel Karel V.
- Map Location and Directions
4. Keukenhof Gardens
No visitor should leave this country without seeing a tulip! If you visit around springtime, you’ll see some of the country’s best blooms at Keukenhof Gardens near Lisse (the bulb region).
Also known as the Garden of Europe, it’s the world’s largest flower garden. Expect wavy rivers of violet and yellow flowers and banks of red tulips, making every photo look spectacular!
- Visitor Center Address: Stationsweg 166 A, 2161 AM Lisse
- Best time to visit: Spring (for the world-famous tulip displays in full bloom).
- Activities on offer: Tulip viewing, photography, guided garden tours, and picnicking.
- Accommodation: Hotel Restaurant de Nachtegaal, NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst, and Boutique Suites Lisse.
- Map Location and Directions
5. Leiden
Located around 25 miles from Amsterdam, this small but beautiful city is famous for having the oldest university in the country and being the birthplace of Rembrandt. I personally think this place is a gem!
The large student population gives the place a youthful vibe. However, the scenery is still very traditional—expect peaceful canals, important museums, and a gorgeous old town filled with centuries-old architecture.
- Location: Western part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer (for canal cruises and visiting botanical gardens).
- Activities on offer: Museum visits, walking tours of historical sites, canal boat rides, and exploring botanical gardens.
- Accommodation: Boutique Hotel d’Oude Morsch, Golden Tulip Leiden Centre, and Van der Valk Hotel Leiden.
- Map Location and Directions
6. Kinderdijk
Only 16 km from Rotterdam, Kinderdijk is the village where you’ll find nineteen windmills dating back from the late Medieval Age and onwards.
It’s an enchanting place and one of the best and most important Dutch tourist sites – in 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Time your visit around 2-7th September to coincide with “Mills in Floodlight” a popular and free event where the windmills are spectacularly illuminated at night.
- Location: Western part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Fall (to explore the iconic windmills and picturesque landscapes in mild weather).
- Activities on offer: Visiting windmills, cycling along canals, boat tours, and learning about Dutch water management history.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kinderdijk, Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Witte Brug, and Bastion Hotel Barendrecht.
- Map Location and Directions
7. Biesbosch National Park
This country’s answer to the Everglades, Biesbosch National Park is Europe’s last remaining freshwater tidal area. It results from several rivers meeting and shaping an interesting delta where unique fauna and flora thrive.
A picturesque network of narrow and wide creeks, it’s the place to do practically everything, from hiking and biking to riding and canoeing and everything in between!
- Location: Southwestern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Summer (for kayaking, hiking, and spotting diverse wildlife in the park’s wetlands).
- Activities on offer: Canoeing, birdwatching, hiking, and guided nature tours.
- Accommodation: Stayokay Dordrecht, Van der Valk Hotel Dordrecht, and Hotel de Brabantse Biesbosch.
- Map Location and Directions
8. Ijsselmeer
This vast, shallow freshwater lake, formed by building a dam, is the largest in the country. I love that it’s an atmospheric place with a haunting beauty, especially on cold and misty days.
The natural reserve has plenty of activities to offer including surfing, swimming and of course sailing, Expect to see catamarans, clippers and even a handful of historic sailing vessels, which will take you back to a different era!
- Location: Northwestern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Summer (for sailing and watersports on the expansive freshwater lake).
- Activities on offer: Sailing, windsurfing, swimming, and visiting nearby historic fishing villages.
- Accommodation: Hotel van Dijk in Kampen, Beach Hotel de Vigilante, and Hotel Medemblik.
- Map Location and Directions
9. Delft
Delft is a small picturesque city located on the south foot, and I personally think it’s a real gem! It’s one of the country’s most well-preserved historic towns where you can wander through tranquil walkways and past beautiful canals, giving you a taste of ‘Old Holland’.
You should include a visit to the Old Church (Oude Kerk), and art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the impressive Dutch decorative art collection at the excellent Stedelijk Museum het Prinsenhof.
- Location: Western part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer (for exploring the historic town and visiting the Delftware factories).
- Activities on offer: Visiting the Royal Delft factory, walking tours, canal cruises, and exploring historical sites.
- Accommodation: Hotel Johannes Vermeer, WestCord Hotel Delft, and Hotel De Koophandel.
- Map Location and Directions
10. Frisian Islands
The Frisian Islands are a chain of islands that stretch from the Netherlands to Denmark. In 2009, they finally made the UNESCO World Heritage List. The islands are stunning, with villages steeped in history and clusters of dune-swept inland.
Island highlights include fine sandy beaches, lush green scenery with black and white cattle, and beautiful, unspoiled landscapes. People visit the islands to walk, cycle, kick back, and enjoy the scenery.
- Location: Northern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Summer (for beach activities, cycling, and wildlife viewing on the islands).
- Activities on offer: Beach walks, birdwatching, cycling, and seal watching tours.
- Accommodation: WestCord Hotel Noordsee (Ameland), Grand Hotel Opduin (Texel), and Hotel Nes (Ameland).
- Map Location and Directions
11. Groningen
Groningen is a large city. The Groningen-Assen metropolitan area has roughly 500,000 residents and is located in the northern part of the country. It is also an ancient city—approximately 950 years old, to be exact.
Like most large modern cities, this one offers something for everyone, including many museums, restaurants, shopping places, sports activities, theaters, and fantastic nightlife. Regardless of what month you’re there, you’ll find plenty of things to do, I promise!
- Location: Northeastern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Fall (for vibrant university town life and cultural events).
- Activities on offer: Exploring museums, attending cultural events, cycling tours, and visiting historical buildings.
- Accommodation: Hotel Prinsenhof, NH Groningen Hotel de Ville, and The Student Hotel Groningen.
- Map Location and Directions
12. Veluwezoom National Park
This is a private national park and the oldest park in the country. It is roughly 360 feet above sea level, and its landscape includes forests and heathland home to animals such as cattle, wild boars, and badgers, among others. It is one of the best places to explore in the country.
Although it covers only 19 square miles, it is filled with different animals and vegetation. If you’re a nature lover, this park should be on your to-do list, whether you’re there to look at the sand drifts, the red deer, or anything else it offers.
- Visitor Center Address: Heuvenseweg 5A, 6991 JE Rheden
- Best time to visit: Fall (for hiking among colorful forests and enjoying wildlife spotting).
- Activities on offer: Hiking, cycling, wildlife viewing, and enjoying panoramic views from Posbank.
- Accommodation: Sandton Hotel De Roskam, Landgoed Rhederoord, and Fletcher Landgoed Hotel Avegoor.
- Map Location and Directions
13. Rotterdam
I would say don’t miss Rotterdam! Rotterdam is a big and fun city with more than 650,000 residents, making it the second-largest city in the country.
It houses a magnificent university and boasts skyscrapers, a riverside setting, and second-to-none cultural offerings.
The city was destroyed during World War II but is now home to some extraordinary architecture, making it one of Holland’s beauty spots.
You can enjoy many sporting activities, shopping, museums, and hundreds of buildings with historical and architectural significance.
- Location: Western part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Summer (for architectural tours, museums, and outdoor festivals).
- Activities on offer: Exploring modern architecture, visiting museums, boat tours of the harbor, and shopping.
- Accommodation: Mainport Hotel, Hotel New York, and The James Hotel.
- Map Location and Directions
14. De Haar Castle
This magnificent castle has existed since 1391 and makes a fantastic day trip. Its architecture and overall design are spectacular, and you’ll be amazed at everything it offers. If you love old castles, then definitely don’t miss this one!
It has been destroyed and renovated numerous times throughout the centuries, and right now, it consists of a park and a beautiful garden area.
You’ll find very ornate carvings, tapestries and paintings, and beautiful old porcelain that you won’t soon forget. It is also home to one of only two carrier coaches of the wife of a Japanese shogun—the other one is in Tokyo!
- Visitor Center Address: Kasteellaan 1, 3455 RR Utrecht
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer (for castle tours and strolling through the gardens in bloom).
- Activities on offer: Guided castle tours, walking through gardens, and attending seasonal events.
- Accommodation: Van der Valk Hotel Breukelen, Carlton President Hotel, and Boutique Hotel ZIES.
- Map Location and Directions
15. Scheveningen
One of the eight districts of The Hague, Scheveningen is a modern seaside resort that includes a beautiful beach, an esplanade, a lighthouse, and a pier.
Whether you’re there for windsurfing or kiteboarding, I suggest walking through the area and seeing its beautiful sights!
A few of the activities that make the city special include a New Year’s Day winter swim, a fireworks display throughout the summer months, and a flags day in spring when the first new herring of the year is auctioned. You can also enjoy beaches, museums, and old churches while you’re there.
- Location: Western part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Summer (for beach activities, water sports, and seaside dining).
- Activities on offer: Beach activities, surfing, pier walks, and visiting the SEA LIFE aquarium.
- Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus, Carlton Beach Hotel, and Boulevard Hotel.
- Map Location and Directions
16. Middelburg
Located in the country’s southwestern part, Middelburg has sports teams, theaters, concert halls, and many sightseeing opportunities.
The former city hall is worth a visit, and other attractions include buildings and churches with religious and architectural significance.
Middelburg has been home to dozens of painters, musicians, writers, actors, and actresses since 1575. If you love history and natural beauty, this is one city you shouldn’t miss!
- Location: Southwestern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer (for exploring historic sites and cultural festivals).
- Activities on offer: Walking tours of historical sites, visiting museums, and exploring traditional Dutch architecture.
- Accommodation: Boutique Hotel The Roosevelt, Hotel Middelburg, and Van der Valk Hotel Middelburg.
- Map Location and Directions
17. Binnenhof Palace, Hague
The Binnenhof in Hague is a complex of buildings in the middle of The Hague. The history of the buildings is not well-known, but we know that the main building was built as a ballroom in the beginning.
The building has a vast courtyard in the front, a Gothic fountain, and a few statues, including one of King William II.
The House of Representatives and Senate hold their sessions in one area of the building, which is exquisite both inside and exterior, making it a perfect sight for anyone who loves history or architecture.
- Visitor Center Address: 2513 AA The Hague
- Best time to visit: Spring and Fall (for walking tours and learning about Dutch history in pleasant weather).
- Activities on offer: Guided tours of the parliament buildings, exploring nearby museums, and strolling through Hofvijver Lake.
- Accommodation: Hotel Des Indes, Hilton The Hague, and Park Hotel Den Haag.
- Map Location and Directions
18. Dunes of Texel National Park
This extraordinary park is located on the island of Texel in the western part of Holland and is quite large. It boasts several different areas for you to look at and enjoy.
Some of its many attractions include birds such as godwits, pheasants, spoonbills, geese, gulls, and terns, among many others, as well as rabbits, hedgehogs, hares, and water mammals that include porpoises and seals.
If you’re an animal lover, then I highly recommend a visit. It is roughly 17 square miles—enough to offer something for everyone!
- Location: Northwestern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer (for birdwatching, beach walks, and cycling through the dunes).
- Activities on offer: Hiking, cycling, birdwatching, and exploring sand dunes.
- Accommodation: Grand Hotel Opduin, Hotel Kogerstaete Texel, and Strandhotel Noordzee.
- Map Location and Directions
19. Ommen
Located in Eastern Holland, this town has existed since 1248 and is very old. It has roughly 18,000 residents and quite a few hamlets and villages within.
During the warmer months, you can enjoy many different markets and fairs, as well as concerts, ceremonies, and numerous other activities throughout the year.
If you decide to visit the area, make sure you visit them online first so that you can plan your trip around the activity that interests you most. This could include everything from old churches and windmills to museums and hiking trails and everything in between.
- Location: Eastern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Summer (for outdoor markets, fairs, and exploring local nature reserves).
- Activities on offer: Hiking, cycling, and exploring nearby nature reserves and historical sites.
- Accommodation: Charme Hotel Wildthout, Paping Hotel & Spa, and Hotel de Zon & Spa.
- Map Location and Directions
20. Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a small neighbourhood in Zaandam. It is primarily famous because it has many historic windmills and houses that are old but very well-preserved—almost like a beautiful open-air museum.
The neighbourhood is a popular tourist attraction and home to seven museums and roughly eight windmills, some dating back to the mid-1500s. These include sawmills, oil mills, a mustard mill, and a dye mill.
- Location: Northwestern part of the country.
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer (for exploring the windmills and traditional Dutch houses in scenic weather).
- Activities on offer: Visiting windmills, exploring traditional Dutch houses, boat tours, and learning about local crafts.
- Accommodation: Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, Zaan Hotel, and Heerlijck Slaapen op de Zaanse Schans.
- Map Location and Directions
