Places to Visit in the Netherlands: 9 Stops from Amsterdam to Giethoorn

The Netherlands is a small country with remarkable variety, offering far more than canals, bicycles, tulip fields and windmills. As a team working between Amsterdam and Türkiye, we travel across the Netherlands often, for both business and discovery. In this guide, we have gathered the places worth seeing, whether it is your first visit or your fifth.

1. Amsterdam: canals, museums and neighbourhoods

The 17th-century canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best starting point for exploring Amsterdam on foot or by boat. On Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum (home to works by Rembrandt and Vermeer), the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum sit side by side. Tickets for the Anne Frank House must be booked in advance. The Jordaan and De Pijp neighbourhoods, with their cafés and markets, best capture the city’s everyday rhythm.

2. Rotterdam: Europe’s architecture lab

Largely destroyed in the Second World War, Rotterdam rebuilt itself with bold architecture. The Cube Houses, the horseshoe-shaped Markthal, the Erasmus Bridge and one of Europe’s largest ports are the city’s icons. Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen was one of the first museums to open its art storage to the public.

3. The Hague and Delft

In The Hague, the seat of government and international courts, the Mauritshuis is home to Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring”. Scheveningen beach brings the sea within minutes of the city. Nearby Delft, with its blue-and-white pottery, canal-side houses and status as Vermeer’s birthplace, is perfect for a day trip.

4. Utrecht: canal-side cafés

About half an hour by train from Amsterdam, Utrecht is unique for its two-level canals, where old wharf cellars at water level have become cafés and restaurants. Climb the Dom Tower for a view over the whole city. Utrecht is also one of the country’s key trade fair cities, home to the Jaarbeurs exhibition centre.

5. Keukenhof and the tulip fields

Keukenhof in Lisse, with millions of flower bulbs, is one of the world’s best-known spring gardens and is open for only a few weeks each spring. Cycling through the tulip fields of the surrounding Bollenstreek region is one of the most memorable Dutch experiences. Opening dates change every year, so check the official calendar in advance.

6. Zaanse Schans and Kinderdijk: windmills

Close to Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans shows the traditional face of the Netherlands with historic windmills, wooden houses and cheese workshops. Near Rotterdam, Kinderdijk and its 19 18th-century windmills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Giethoorn: the village without roads

Giethoorn in Overijssel, with its thatched-roof houses and canals, is often called the “Venice of the Netherlands”. Much of the village is reached by boat or on foot, making it ideal for a quiet day.

8. Maastricht: the south’s different spirit

Close to the Belgian and German borders, Maastricht is one of the most distinctive Dutch cities, with cobbled streets, historic squares and a famous bookshop inside a former church. The green hills of South Limburg offer a separate route for hiking and cycling.

9. The North Sea coast and the Wadden Islands

Beaches such as Zandvoort and Noordwijk are very close to the big cities. For a quieter escape, the islands of the UNESCO-listed Wadden Sea, Texel above all, stand out with their dunes, lighthouses and wildlife.

Practical tips

• Getting around: The country is small and the rail network excellent; most major cities are less than an hour apart. You can check in and out on public transport with a contactless bank card.
• Cycling: The best way to get to know the Netherlands. Take care not to walk on cycle paths.
• Weather: Conditions can change quickly during the day; keep a rain jacket with you.
• Museums: Booking tickets online in advance is often required for popular museums.

Coming to the Netherlands for business?

Edda Creative builds bridges between the Netherlands and Türkiye. If you want to enter the Dutch market, set up a company here or attend trade fairs, explore the guides in our Expertise Notes or get in touch.