Ultimate Netherlands Travel Guide – From Amsterdam to Hidden Gems

Amsterdam is often highlighted as the Heart of the Netherlands. This country is filled with hidden treasures, offering a more authentic and tranquil travel experience. In addition to its bustling canals and famous museums, the Netherlands boasts charming towns, serene countryside, and unique cultural sites that await true beauty admirers.

From the medieval streets of Haarlem and Delft that hold the historic charm, all up to the peaceful canals of Giethoorn, often called the “Venice of the North”. The rich diversity and deep history of the Netherlands, experienced through wandering villages, scenic paths, and excellent yet less-crowded museums, are a hallmark of Dutch life, connecting royalty and eco-conscious traditions.

This guide will take you beyond Amsterdam to discover the best-kept secrets of the Netherlands, perfect for travellers seeking a more intimate and memorable journey.

Netherlands Travel Itinerary: The Basics

Getting There

Travelling Netherlands will likely start and end your journey in Amsterdam. Getting there at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is one of convenient airports worldwide, offering direct flights to every continent except Australia. If you are travelling from the United States, many major cities take direct flights to Amsterdam.

Geography and Travel Distances

The Netherlands is a very compact country, and a well-developed public transportation system makes travelling easier. Travelling from the northernmost point to the southernmost point takes less than 4 hours by car. Although the Netherlands does not have distances to travel and explore (because the country is relatively small), there is still a lot to find interesting in densely populated cities, towns, cultural sites, and attractions.

Getting Around

You can choose to travel around by renting a car or relying on public transport. Driving into historic cities can be challenging due to narrow roads and expensive parking. However, the Dutch rail network is extensive and operates efficiently. For travelers needing help with ticket booking, pass options, and train schedules not just in the Netherlands but across Europe, RailEurope offers a reliable, user-friendly platform to plan your rail journeys.

Accommodation Recommendations

Hotels in Amsterdam and all of the Netherlands tend to be expensive, especially in the city centers. For better value, consider pre-booking, staying outside the central locations, and constantly searching for coupons for discounted rates. You will easily get a train within walking distance of the central station to your destination.

Money

The money transactions are made in euros (€). While card payments are commonly used everywhere but cash remains necessary mostly at smaller shops and grocery stores, which do not accept credit cards unless they are European-based. The Netherlands is among the most expensive countries in Europe, but it is generally cheaper than Norway and Switzerland.

Language

Dutch is officially spoken in the Netherlands, but English proficiency is exceptionally high. It is rare not to see someone speaking English fluently.

Cycling Culture

Dutch culture is deeply ingrained with cycling. People there prefer cycling more than travelling by bike and car, particularly in Amsterdam. Rental bikes are widely available for tourists to provide a convenient and cheap means of travelling. However, the bike lanes are always busy: keep to the right, obey the traffic signals, and stay alert.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

The Netherlands experiences very unpredictable weather, but often mild. It has frequent rain and wind.

• Best months: May and June offer the most pleasant conditions, with long daylight hours and warmer temperatures.

• Tulip season: April is the prime month to witness the iconic tulip fields, though it is also the busiest time for tourists.

• Summers can be cold and rainy, other times warm and dry.

Food

Dutch cuisine is something that is not liked everywhere, but the country’s excellent flavors are celebrated all over Europe. Exploring local food culture can be rewarding for visitors.

Smoking

Smoking is still legal and very common in the Netherlands, especially outdoors on terraces. Indoor smoking is prohibited to prevent potential fire hazards in the apartment.

Travel Insurance

Always ensure travel insurance before paying the travel expenses to cover unforeseen damages.

Day 1: Amsterdam

No trip to the Netherlands is complete without staying in Amsterdam. Assume you arrived in Amsterdam in the morning; you will have an entire day to dedicate to exploring the vibrancy of this city. The weather will be pleasant to make the most of your time outside.

If your accommodation does not allow you early check-in, you can keep your luggage securely at the luggage lockers available in Amsterdam Central Station.

Get yourself prepared for a fresh walk while you explore the city’s iconic tunnels, historic architecture, and cultural landmarks. Comfortable footwear is highly recommended because you can only get nice pictures in stilettoes, not a memorable travel experience.

Day 2: Amsterdam and Hoorn

Begin your second day with a unique experience at the Pannenkoekenboot (pancake boat), an all-you-can-eat pancake cruise along the IJ river in Amsterdam. To reach the boat, take a free ferry from the central station or make a 5-10 minute walk across the river. It’s a 75-minute cruise that departs at 11:00 am, with check-in 15 minutes prior, offering versatile dining options throughout the day.

After your meal, take a train to Hoorn. It’s a charming historic town on the Dutch coast. Hoorn is well-known for its preserved historic art and unique “sinking houses,” a result of the country’s soft soil causing uneven foundations on land. Amsterdam has its share of tilted houses.

Visit the key landmarks such as Hoofdtoren tower, the Westfries Museum, and the Great Kerk (Great Church). After strolling through Hoorn, take a bus to Edam, a storybook town that is famous for cheese and its pleasant walking streets.

From Edam, walk toward the fishing village of Volendam, which is 30 to 40 minutes away. Stop by scenic spots along the routes. Cheese enthusiasts should consider visiting the Edam Cheese Museum, which offers visitors an engaging experience about the history and production of Edam cheese, with opportunities to learn, taste, and explore the local cheese-making traditions. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance.

Upon arriving in Volendam, you will be greeted by the fresh aroma of seafood in the air. For authentic dining, Smit-Bokkum is highly recommended, widely regarded as one of the finest dining establishments in the Netherlands, especially for smoked eel.

Spend a comfortable second night in the city, so you won’t wake up tired for the third day of blooming adventure.

Day 3: Tulips and Windmills

Let's head to the Netherlands’ iconic tulip farm. Get back to the airport and rent a car, having your own car will provide greater flexibility and ease for this day’s journey.

If within reach, you must take a bus to Keukenhof, the famous tulip garden in Lisse. Keukenhof (also called Garden of Europe) is a beautiful place, often overcrowded, that offers natural tulip fields sightseeing and a breathtaking experience with vast and vibrant displays of millions of flowers, particularly tulips, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of colours and fragrances—and best of all, they are free to enjoy.

Although all the nearby farms are private and visitors should not walk through the fields, many do. Make sure your presence does not disturb the charm of the fields, so don’t pick any flowers. You will find local vendors often selling tulips by the roadside. Avoid parking cars on narrow roads to avoid causing traffic; instead, use the designated parking areas only.

Once you are done blooming in the flower fields, continue walking to Zaanse Schans, a historic Dutch village. It is a collection of ancient windmills along the river that still share a royal vibe.  However, the place might be busy, but walking through this picturesque town and learning about the history of windmills is well worth the visit.

If time allows, enjoy dinner along the river in Zaandam before heading back to the airport.

Day 4: The Hague

On Day 4, take a train to The Hague, which is internationally renowned as the home of the International Criminal Court, where significant multinational legal cases are adjudicated. It is also known for the Hague Conventions, which established foundational international laws.

Hague serves as the governmental seat of the Netherlands. The Binnenhof, the Dutch parliament complex, is open for visitors and walk around the grounds.

Be sure to visit the best of The Hague’s tourist spots, including:

• Mauritshuis Museum, which houses masterpieces by Dutch painters such as Vermeer and Rembrandt.

• Noordeinde Palace, the Dutch royal palace often compared to Buckingham Palace in terms of importance.

• Lange Voorhout, a street that holds the historic and elegant charm of the Netherlands.

For scenic sights, take a tram to Scheveningen Beach. It’s a popular coastal spot located just outside the city center. A walk along the beach will provide a refreshing and memorable time. You can take a ride on the Ferris wheel or enjoy a relaxed time with a drink overlooking the sunset.

Spend the night in The Hague and enjoy a pleasant dinner in this city of international peace and diplomacy.

Day 5: Maastricht

Take a train to the south, Maastricht, which is at the southernmost tip of the Netherlands. You will pass through Rotterdam, the country’s second-largest city, which you can skip. A little bit about it is that Rotterdam was severely damaged during World War II and was rebuilt in a modern architectural style. There is hardly anything you could find traditional Dutch style.

As you arrive in Maastricht, you will see the landscapes drastically changing; the rolling hills appear, which are a rare sight typically in the flat lands of the Netherlands. This region shares borders with Belgium and Germany, containing the country’s highest points. Begin the tour at the Vrijthof Plaza, the central square.

Take a walk toward the Basilica of Saint Servatius, a significant medieval church. On your way forward, include the key sighting at Saint Jan’s Church, where you can climb the tower for panoramic views of the unique Dutch rolling hills, Fort St. Pieter, a historic fortress offering insight into the region’s military past and Hell Gate (Helpoort), part of the old city walls and the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands.

After a day of sightseeing, enjoy dinner on the main square; immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the southern Netherlands before spending the night in Maastricht.

Day 6: Back to Amsterdam

After having a leisurely breakfast in the city of Maastricht, take the train back to Amsterdam. The return journey will take approximately two and a half hours. Once back, explore the part of Amsterdam that was left. The vibrant and eclectic northern part, located across the IJ river. The ferry from Amsterdam Central Station to this area is a 5-minute trip, departing every fifteen minutes.

Visit the A’DAM Lookout, where you can enjoy the city’s panoramic views, one of the highest vantage points in the city. The rooftop offers multiple pleasant spots to relax, and you are lucky if the sky is clear. Adjacent to Lookout, there is the Eye Film Museum, an architectural marvel. If you are not interested in the cinema, even the building's architecture is worth appreciating.

Stroll to the industrial district to Oedipus Brewing, and enjoy some samples of locally brewed craft beer. Besides, Walhalla Brewery and Taproom is conveniently located just a block away.

Conclude your day at an art market and gallery. As the sun sets, dine in at Pllek, a popular restaurant known for its ambiance. Pre-reservation is recommended to skip waiting.

Day 7: Haarlem and Final Day in Amsterdam

On your last day, spend the morning in Haarlem, a mesmerizing Dutch city located just about 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station. The cathedral in the central square is the second largest in the Netherlands and the most beautiful; visitors must include a visit to this place in their itinerary.

Wander through the narrow alleyways and Harlem’s quaint streets to absorb the city's character fully. The historic ambiance and crafted beers might help launch a memorable experience at Jopenkerk, a brewpub housed in a former church.

Farewell to the Netherlands

The departures are often heavy, marked by quite a tiredness. Either way, after days filled with cheese, beer, and the richness of Dutch royalty and culture, the time to head home inevitably arrives. The lively atmosphere, quiet surroundings, and peaceful countryside will leave everlasting impressions as souvenirs of a truly memorable journey.

Conclusion

Exploring the Netherlands is about far more than Amsterdam’s canals and museums, it’s a journey through tulip fields, medieval towns, royal palaces, and peaceful countryside. Each city and village offers a unique blend of history, culture, and charm, making the country an ideal destination for both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers. Whether cycling through Dutch lanes, tasting authentic cheese in Edam, or marveling at the windmills of Zaanse Schans, every day brings a new story to tell. With its compact size, excellent transport system, and welcoming culture, the Netherlands is easy to explore yet endlessly rewarding. A week-long trip offers only a glimpse, but the memories created will last a lifetime.

FAQ's

Q. What is the best time to visit the Netherlands?
April for tulips and May–June for pleasant weather and long days.

Q. Do I need to know Dutch to travel around?
No, most locals speak excellent English, making travel easy.

Q. Is the Netherlands expensive for travelers?
Yes, but it’s cheaper than Norway or Switzerland; budget options exist outside city centers.

Q. How can I get around the Netherlands easily?
Use trains and buses for long distances and rent bikes for city travel.

Q. What are must-visit places outside Amsterdam?
Haarlem, The Hague, Maastricht, Giethoorn, and the tulip fields in Lisse.