Everyone thinks they know what to expect from the Netherlands. Canals, tulips, windmills – you’ve seen it all on Instagram, right? But there’s something about standing on a quiet canal bridge at sunrise, or cycling through endless fields of purple heather that hits differently in person. This country packs more variety into its tiny size than it has any right to.
These are the most beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands that prove this country is way more than just Amsterdam. From colorful flower fields that stretch to the horizon to medieval towns that feel frozen in time, Dutch beauty has a way of sneaking up on you.
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👉 My Favorite Tour in the Netherlands
#1 tip to save money on your trip to the Netherlands
Let’s first cover some quick tips that will save you time and money on your Dutch adventure.
- FLYING: If you haven’t already, I HIGHLY recommend signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going). Last summer, I flew to Amsterdam for just $370 roundtrip thanks to their email alerts. The premium and elite version are even better!
- Food: Save by shopping at budget supermarkets like Albert Heijn and Lidl. Local markets like Albert Cuyp offer fresh stroopwafels and other Dutch treats for half the tourist prices.
- Transport: Get an OV-chipkaart and load it with credit – it works on all trains, trams, metros, and buses nationwide. Rent a bike for city exploring (around €10/day) instead of relying on public transport in city centers. Between cycling and using off-peak train discounts, this has saved me hundreds of euros on each trip.
The Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, can be surprisingly expensive. But if you follow the strategies above, you can explore this charming country for much less. Now, without further ado, let’s jump into the best places to visit in the Netherlands:
1. Keukenhof Gardens
- 📍 Location: Lisse, South Holland
- 🏆 Best For: 🌷 Tulip lovers, garden strolls, springtime getaways
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring themed gardens, boat rides past tulip fields, capturing flower displays
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to May 🌸
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel de Lis – Cozy base near the park with free parking
Keukenhof is what spring dreams are made of. Every year, millions of flowers bloom across 80 acres of sculpted gardens in Lisse, with tulips in every shade imaginable. The walking paths are wide and peaceful, guiding you past flower beds, fountains, and art installations. It’s more than just a photo op, this place hits all the senses.
You can hop on an electric boat ride through the surrounding bulb fields for a slow scenic view or stop by one of the indoor pavilions to see rare floral designs and rotating exhibits. The variety of colors and scents is almost overwhelming in the best way.
It does get crowded, but if you arrive early or on a weekday, it’s much calmer. Whether you’re into nature, photography, or just enjoying a slow morning outside, Keukenhof gives you a front-row seat to one of the most vibrant seasonal shows in Europe.
2. Giethoorn
- 📍 Location: Giethoorn, Overijssel
- 🏆 Best For: 🛶 Slow travel, fairy-tale scenery, boat lovers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Cruising in a whisper boat, crossing footbridges, visiting local museums
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to September 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel de Harmonie – Peaceful waterfront stay right on the canal
Giethoorn feels like it belongs in a storybook. Picture narrow canals instead of streets, thatched-roof cottages, and wooden bridges connecting everything. The best way to get around is by boat, and you’ll hear nothing but the soft putter of whisper motors and the occasional duck splash.
Rent a small electric boat or hop on a guided tour to explore the village from the water. It’s peaceful, quiet, and wildly photogenic. Some of the houses have private docks with flower-covered boats, while cozy cafés line the edge of the canals for a mid-ride treat.
It’s best to visit during shoulder season or early morning when it’s not overrun with tourists. Even though it’s popular, it still manages to feel like a hidden gem. If you want a slower pace and views that feel straight out of a fantasy film, Giethoorn is your spot.
3. Zaanse Schans
- 📍 Location: Zaandam, North Holland
- 🏆 Best For: 🌬️ Windmill views, Dutch traditions, cultural day trips
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting a working windmill, watching clog carving, sampling local cheese
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to October 🌿
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Heerlijck Slaapen op de Zaanse Schans – Charming B&B inside a historic house
Zaanse Schans is like stepping into a Dutch postcard. Rows of towering windmills line the riverbank, each one still spinning and working like they did centuries ago. The wooden houses, painted in green and white, look like they haven’t aged a day.
You can explore the windmills up close, climb inside, and watch how they grind spices, pigments, or oil using wind power. There are artisan workshops where you can see clogs being made by hand and taste cheese the old-fashioned way. Everything is walkable and designed to teach you something while still being fun.
Although it’s just outside Amsterdam, it feels like a different world. Go early in the morning to skip the tour buses and enjoy the breeze from the river while locals bike past. Zaanse Schans keeps old Dutch traditions alive in a way that’s accessible, colorful, and totally worth a visit.
4. Maastricht
- 📍 Location: Maastricht, Limburg
- 🏆 Best For: 🏰 Architecture lovers, history buffs, foodies
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the city walls, underground cave tours, dining at Vrijthof Square
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Monastère Maastricht – Stylish former monastery near the city center
Maastricht feels more like a Belgian or French city than your typical Dutch town. Cobbled streets weave through pastel buildings, and gothic towers rise above lively cafés and bakeries. It’s laid-back but full of surprises, from Roman ruins to jazz performances in medieval squares.
The city’s past runs deep. You can literally go underground to explore limestone caves once used as wartime hideouts. Above ground, the Basilica of Saint Servatius and centuries-old bridges remind you just how long Maastricht has been around. It’s compact, so walking or biking is the best way to see it all.
Food? It’s a standout. Think more French bistro than Dutch pub. Maastricht has a growing reputation for fine dining, and even the casual spots serve up local wine and Limburg pies. If you want a Dutch city that doesn’t feel entirely Dutch, this is where to go.
5. Utrecht
- 📍 Location: Utrecht, Utrecht Province
- 🏆 Best For: 🚲 Urban cyclists, canal explorers, hidden-gem seekers
- 📸 Top Experiences: Climbing the Dom Tower, dining along canal wharves, exploring Museum Speelklok
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March to October 🌸
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Mother Goose Hotel – Boutique rooms in a cool historic building
Utrecht doesn’t try too hard, and that’s its charm. It’s younger, less touristy than Amsterdam, but just as full of personality. The canals here are lower than street level, lined with old cellars turned into cafes, studios, and hangouts. It’s low-key magical, especially at night when the bridges light up.
The Dom Tower stands tall as the city’s landmark. If you’re up for the climb, the views stretch far beyond the rooftops. Utrecht is also home to quirky museums and cool neighborhoods like Lombok and Voorstraat, packed with record stores, indie shops, and cozy food spots.
Locals ride bikes like it’s second nature, and it’s easy to join them. Even with the student crowd, the vibe stays relaxed. Utrecht is the kind of place where you’ll find a hidden garden just off a busy street or stumble into a canal-side market without planning to.
6. The Hague
- 📍 Location: The Hague, South Holland
- 🏆 Best For: 🖼️ Art lovers, beachgoers, architecture fans
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the Mauritshuis, exploring the Peace Palace, relaxing at Scheveningen Beach
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to September 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Indigo The Hague – Chic hotel across from the Royal Palace
The Hague mixes international importance with a surprisingly chill vibe. It’s home to the Dutch royal family and international courts, yet you can bike from a museum to the beach in less than 30 minutes. The streets are wide, the buildings are grand, and everything feels just a little more polished.
You’ll find Rembrandts and Vermeers at the Mauritshuis, then catch sunset at Scheveningen Beach with your feet in the sand. It’s not the party coast, more of a calm seaside scene with seafood stands, long promenades, and laid-back cafés.
Even with the government presence, the city doesn’t feel stiff. There’s modern architecture next to old courtyards, food trucks parked near embassies, and neighborhoods like Zeeheldenkwartier with cool design shops and brunch spots. The Hague’s vibe is a little diplomatic, a little coastal, and totally underrated.
7. Delft
- 📍 Location: Delft, South Holland
- 🏆 Best For: 🏺 Art history, peaceful canals, Dutch ceramics
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring Royal Delft, visiting Nieuwe Kerk, strolling Markt Square
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to October 🌼
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel de Emauspoort – Cozy inn steps from the city center
Delft looks like it was made for a postcard. Narrow canals, old churches, and blue-and-white pottery give the town a timeless charm. It’s small, walkable, and less crowded than other Dutch cities, which makes it feel like a secret spot, especially early in the morning when everything’s quiet.
This is the hometown of painter Johannes Vermeer, and the city honors him with museums and murals tucked in side streets. You can visit Royal Delft, the original factory for the iconic blue ceramics, and even watch artists hand-paint each piece.
The heart of Delft is its market square, where you can sip coffee under the shadow of the Nieuwe Kerk, then grab fresh stroopwafels from a street cart. It’s a place where time slows down. If you want a classic Dutch vibe without big crowds, Delft hits the spot.
8. Rotterdam
- 📍 Location: Rotterdam, South Holland
- 🏆 Best For: 🏙️ Modern design, foodies, cultural festivals
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the Cube Houses, visiting Boijmans Depot, walking across Erasmus Bridge
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The James Rotterdam – Stylish stay in the city center
Rotterdam flips the script on Dutch cities. After being heavily bombed in WWII, it rebuilt with bold modernism instead of nostalgia. The result is a skyline that feels more like a European version of a design museum. Imagine geometric apartments, art-filled public spaces, and architecture that makes you pause.
The Cube Houses are fun to see up close, and the new Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot lets you peek into a museum’s behind-the-scenes. Grab lunch at Markthal, where dozens of food stalls sit under a giant mural-covered arch, and don’t skip a stroll along the Erasmus Bridge as the sun sets over the Maas River.
Rotterdam also has a cool, creative energy. Festivals, galleries, and music venues pop up in reimagined industrial buildings. It’s edgy without being overwhelming, and perfect for travelers who want something a little different from the usual canal town vibe.
9. Veluwe
- 📍 Location: Gelderland, central Netherlands
- 🏆 Best For: 🌲 Nature lovers, hikers, peaceful retreats
- 📸 Top Experiences: Cycling in Hoge Veluwe, spotting wildlife, visiting Kröller-Müller Museum
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to October 🌿
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel de Sterrenberg – Modern nature retreat near the park entrance
The Veluwe is where you go to recharge. Dense forests, wide heathlands, and drifting sand dunes make this region one of the best natural escapes in the Netherlands. It’s quiet, spacious, and ideal for long walks or bike rides without the usual tourist buzz.
Inside Hoge Veluwe National Park, you’ll find free-to-use white bikes and well-marked paths through forests, moors, and meadows. The park is also home to the Kröller-Müller Museum, which has one of Europe’s top Van Gogh collections, plus a massive sculpture garden set in nature.
Outside the park, villages like Otterlo and Ede are solid hubs with bike rentals, bakeries, and local inns. If you want to explore the Netherlands beyond cities and canals, the Veluwe offers a laid-back, scenic side that’s easy to reach and great for a weekend outdoors.
10. Texel Island
- 📍 Location: North Holland, West Frisian Islands
- 🏆 Best For: 🏖 Beach lovers, 🚲 cyclists, 🐦 nature escapes
- 📸 Top Experiences: Cycling the dunes, visiting Ecomare, seal watching at De Slufter
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September ☀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Boutique Hotel Texel – Cozy, eco-friendly stay with island charm
Texel is the Netherlands’ largest Wadden Island, and it’s got everything you’d want in a weekend escape like wide beaches, breezy bike trails, and wildlife you actually get to see up close. It’s peaceful but never boring, and it’s easy to get around without a car.
Grab a rental bike when you step off the ferry and cruise through pine forests, past sand dunes, and into tiny villages like De Koog or Oudeschild. Nature reserves like De Slufter are home to birds, salt marshes, and views that stretch all the way to the North Sea.
Don’t miss a stop at Ecomare, where rescued seals are cared for and released back into the wild. You’ll also find great local markets, cheese farms, and beach cafes that feel laid-back but cozy. Texel gives you the outdoors, the sea, and local flavor all in one go.
11. Kinderdijk
- 📍 Location: South Holland, near Rotterdam
- 🏆 Best For: 🌬 Windmill lovers, 🚶 slow travelers, 📷 photography
- 📸 Top Experiences: Biking the windmill trail, visiting a working mill, catching golden hour views
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June or September to October 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Het Wapen van Alblasserdam – Modern hotel with 20 rooms, just a quick bike ride from the windmills
You’ve seen windmills in pictures, but Kinderdijk makes them feel alive. With 19 historic windmills lining the canals, this UNESCO site shows exactly how the Dutch have battled water for centuries. The whole setup is more than a postcard, it’s an engineering story that’s still running today.
The walking and biking paths here are super flat and easy to follow, with stops to peek inside working windmills that still pump water the old-fashioned way. Interactive visitor centers help break it down if you’re curious about the how and why behind the whole system.
Kinderdijk isn’t just for history buffs, it’s also one of the most photogenic spots in the country. Sunrise and sunset reflect the windmills on the still water, and it’s quiet enough that you can hear the breeze in the reeds. Bring a camera or just slow down and take it all in.
- Read next: Top Europe Attractions & Activities
12. De Biesbosch National Park
- 📍 Location: North Brabant and South Holland
- 🏆 Best For: 🚣 Kayaking, 🌿 wetland explorers, 🦫 wildlife spotting
- 📸 Top Experiences: Canoeing through creeks, hiking De Pannekoek trail, visiting beaver habitats
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May to September 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Trusten – Modern rooms in nearby Werkendam, close to park access
De Biesbosch is the Netherlands’ biggest freshwater tidal wetland, and it feels totally different from the country’s usual canal-side towns. It’s wild, green, and full of narrow waterways that are best explored by kayak or canoe. You won’t find many crowds here, just birds, beavers, and silence.
The park’s layout is a maze of rivers, creeks, and willow forests. You can rent boats right at the entrance or join a small guided paddle tour if you want to learn more as you go. On foot, hiking trails like Pannekoekpad take you through wide open spaces and raised boardwalks.
Visitor centers like Biesboschcentrum Dordrecht give maps, tips, and wildlife info if you’re into birdwatching or just want to avoid getting lost. For a nature day that feels more like an adventure than a stroll, this park is easily one of the most underrated outdoor spots in the country.
