If you’re wondering where are the best places to visit in the Netherlands, look no further. We went to the experts. This list, written by Ask the Dutch Guy, outlines the best in the country. See the author’s details below.
The Netherlands is one of the dreamiest and most enchanting places in Europe if not the whole world. People from around the globe know the country for its canals, windmills, and tulips, but the Netherlands offers much more.
It is the home of medieval castles, breathtaking gardens and nature parks. There are friendly locals who would love to ride a bicycle with you around the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Oh, yes, be prepared to get on a bike and ride.
The Netherlands is known for urban cycling. This cool and relaxed lifestyle is perfect since the country boasts of fairy-tale-like sceneries and destinations.
According to Culture Trip, “roughly half of the country ride a bike on a daily basis”, and “bicycles actually outnumber people in many Dutch cities”. This makes touring the country even lovelier. Here are just five among many of the best places to visit in the Netherlands.
Best Places to visit in the Netherlands
1. Amsterdam canals
Most travellers come to the country to see and experience a lovely boat ride along the capital city’s canals. Amsterdam’s man-made grachten (in-city canals) is over 100 kilometres long, passing under 1,500 picturesque bridges and along 1,550 monuments.
Each canal offers an interesting site that could easily leave visitors breathless. Amsterdam is known for many other things, including its infamous Red Light District, but the canals are clearly its top draw.
The city’s network of canals made it into UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2011. It’s definitely the best tourist attraction in the city, a must-see when in the Netherlands.
While hiring a private open-air boat with a personal guide is the preferred choice by many, strolling or cycling along the canals is quite an experience as well. Major museums and art galleries are easy to reach. Each turn, nook, and corner promises to reveal an attraction that will enhance a tourist’s experience while in the city.
Pedalling through the Grachtengordel neighbourhood is a leisurely bike ride going back to hundreds of years in the past, with its wooden bridges, houseboats along the canal, quaint 17th-century homes and 400-year-old streets, as well as lovely boutique shops, cafés, and gardens.
2. Keukenhof
When visiting in spring, you shouldn’t miss Keukenhof and its millions and millions of flowers. Located not far from Amsterdam, Keukenhof is the largest and most famous flower park in the world. It’s known and admired for housing 7 million flowers in bloom! Travellers from everywhere know the Netherlands for its flowers, especially tulips.
Several gardens are grouped in four pavilions with a majestic collection of tulips, roses, daffodils, hyacinths, orchids, carnations, irises, lilies and many others, spread over a 70-acre land. Can you imagine the amazing display of colours and the fragrant aroma that fills the air as you walk by?
Also referred to as the “Garden of Europe,” there is no other park like this in the world. This explains why it attracts over a million visitors every year, despite the fact that Keukenhof only opens from mid-March to mid-May when the tulips are in bloom.
3. Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands. It’s home to 800 years of Dutch history and magnificent collections that could not be seen anywhere else in the world. With a stunning building, grand interior design, lively events, truly world-class amenities, and rare art and antiquities, the Rijksmuseum offers a comprehensive overview of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to modern times.
Visitors, both local and international, will develop a keener and deeper appreciation of the Netherlands and our people.
It has an extensive collection of about 7,000 works of art, including 5,000 paintings and 35,000 books. For art lovers and those who simply appreciate beauty, a day is not enough to truly take in the splendour that is offered in the national museum.
One could already spend half a day just appreciating Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid”, Avercamp’s “Winter Landscape with Ice Skaters”, and Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” and “The Sampling Officials of the Amsterdam Drapers’ Guild”.
In addition to Rijksmuseum, art lovers might also want to visit and spend a few more hours at the Rembrandt House Museum, located in the city’s historic Jewish Quarter. There is also the Van Gogh Museum, which is home to the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s works and that attracts around 1.5 million visitors every year.
4. Anne Frank house
The Anne Frank House is not just for history buffs or literary fans but also for everyone who loves stories of hope and human triumph. The actual home where Anne Frank’s family hide for much of WWII is definitely a must-see when in Amsterdam. Her story, bravery, and hope makeup one of the most celebrated human-interest accounts associated with the Second World War. It is amazing that such an important landmark has been preserved for everyone to see and experience.
On 6 July 1942, the family went into hiding inside this building at Prinsengracht 263. This is where little Anne wrote her famous diary that told the story of her legacy and her family’s bravery. They were Jewish refugees from Frankfurt, and Anne’s remarkable diary has since been translated into 51 languages.
Now a museum, the back of the fully-restored house has been kept in its original state. The atmosphere inside remains authentic and subdued. The Anne Frank House is a museum with a story as told through quotes, photos, videos, and original artefacts.
On display are Anne’s two other notebooks – “Favourite Quotes Book” (Anne’s collection of her favourite quotes) and “Tales Book” (containing Anne’s original short stories; she hoped to be a famous writer and journalist) – and her original red-checked diary, which she received for her 13th birthday on 12 June 1942.
5. Windmills of Kinderdijk
Aside from canals, tulips, and art masterpieces, the Netherlands is also world-famous for its windmills, particularly the windmills of Kinderdijk. One of the country’s top attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 19 magnificent Kinderdijk windmills were built between 1722 and 1761.
Local residents constructed these impressive buildings with 92-foot sails to drain the fenlands and transfer water to a higher basin that flowed into a river, creating an extensive irrigation system that still stands after hundreds of years.
Thanks to these gigantic man-made structures, the village of Kinderdijk has remained dry and above water. Like most of the other four attractions on this list, the windmill complex in Kinderdijk is unique in the world.
When and where to go in the Netherlands
While winter in the Netherlands is as magical, the best months to visit are April and May in spring. The summer is lovely, too, but several destinations could be too busy and crowded during the peak summer months, especially in July.
The most popular places for tourists to stay in are around the vicinities of the Centrum neighbourhood, the Canal Ring, Museum District, and the laid-back Jordaan neighbourhood.
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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About the author
Ask The Dutch Guy is your go-to guide when it comes to The Netherlands. The goal of Ask The Dutch Guy is to showcase the beauty of The Netherlands and to inspire others to explore the country. Read more about Ask The Dutch Guy at https://askthedutchguy.com. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
Photo Credits
Photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such, in the public domain, or some stock photos were supplied by DepositPhotos.
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Lady Fi
Gorgeous!
Carol
What an amazing place – I’ve always wanted to visit that beautiful garden.
Nancy
Gorgeous photos! I want to zoom right over there after seeing your shots!
Ildiko
Beautiful post. I have been to the Netherlands once and saw the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam. Would love to see Keukenhof and the windmills. Hope to go back in the future. Holland is a lovely country.
Jacqueline Le
Oh, I’ve visited a few of these as agree they are a must visit. I have been to the Rijk Museum multiple times I just love it there. Haven’t ventured much outside of Amsterdam though, so save those places for the next visit.
Rob + Ann
Oh my, YES to this list! We really enjoy parks and gardens, so Keukenhof is at the top of our list, but then… Windmills! And everything else on this list. 😉
Jori Sutton
Loved Amsterdam! It’s just so fun to walk around! Although I agree that Anne Frank House is an absolute must
Karen
I sent a 6 hours air layover exploring Amsterdam and it was such a teaser. This is a great list of things I would love to do when I can spend some real time in the Netherlands.
Jamie Sharpe
I’m a huge fan of Amsterdam but this is a great reminder that I need to get out and explore some of the other areas of the Netherlands. Soon!
Farrah
Ahh, so pretty! I came here once upon a time when I was pretty young so I don’t remember as much of it — it’d be awesome to get to come back to explore again someday!
Rita
Definitely true and enchanting. I haven’t been, would love to visit. My fairy-tale-like scenario is being in a lovely boat under a wooden bridge.
Thanks for sharing this awesome travel guide.
Rachel Hall
I have always wanted to visit the Netherlands to see the flowers and now I know to go to Keukenhof. Such a great trip. I love the Netherlands – I think it is an underrated country! I have visited Anne Frank’s house a few years ago and I love the way it is phrased in the article about how it’s for people who love stories of hope and human triumph. This is so true. I really couldn’t agree more, I think it brings everything to life and you really do learn a lot about the power of human kind.
gloria li
I would go to The Netherlands just for the windmills, thanks for sharing these must see highlights
Sandee
Sounds like a wonderful place to explore.
Have a fabulous day and weekend, Rhonda. Big hug to you both. ♥
Alex J. Cavanaugh
The Rijksmuseum would definitely be a stop for me, and the windmills would also be cool.
The Netherlands also produces some cool prog rock and metal bands…