Today, it is recognized as one of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands and is among the best places in Europe for bird-watching. Standing on the bridge and watching the waves battering the concrete poles, you start thinking how powerful nature is and then you realize that those powers can be harnessed, overmastered, overpowered by the engineering genius of a small nation. Kinderdijk is not just a row of windmills that look beautiful against the setting sun or in the blue hour. Coming from the south of The Netherlands, I can tell you one thing. De Biesbosch is one the last remaining freshwater tidal wetlands in western Europe and hundreds of aquatic and amphibious species thrive on the banks of its creek or underneath its winding rivers. These weathered dune lands are just beyond Haarlem and roll onto the western Dutch coastline. Suggested tour: Tour of Alkmaar with a visit to the Cheese Market. Dear Daniela, Lots of tulips! You can visit the windmills and learn how they work and what they were used for. A meticulously manicured park with gardens and a lovely castle – the Castle Gardens of Arcen won’t disappoint you. You can’t find a place more Dutchy than that. When you visit a new country or city, there are usually some typical thing you should do. Well, after all, it’s one of the two places in the Netherlands where there are caves. In this ethnographic village you can see different old crafts and even take part in workshops. Neeltje Jans is the museum that tells the story about the great flood of 1953 which cost the life 1836 people, that led to the construction of one of the biggest engineering masterpieces of modern times – the Delta Works. Read more: Where can you see windmills in the Netherlands? The best way to discover this beautiful area is by boat. I highly recommend a trip on an authentic zalmschouw (a type of a boat). Of course, one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands is its capital city, Amsterdam. De Haar Castle near Utrecht is perhaps the most famous and most visited Dutch castle. It’s the oldest national park in the Netherlands and as beautiful … Aside for its sandy hill, Zuid-Kennemerland is also known for its thick, luscious woodlands and is home to several large mammals, such as Fallow deer, Highlands cattle and Shetland ponies. For some great Dutch pancakes, stop at the Pannekoekenbakker. The park follows the river Meuse along the German border and covers several different terrains. Most people coming to the Netherlands spend a day or two in Amsterdam, visit Keukenfof when it’s open and take a tour to Kinderdijk or Giethorn. The best time to visit the park is June-July when all flowers are in bloom. From March till September Alkmaar is all about cheese during the re-enactment of the traditional cheese market. The Hoge Veluwe is known as one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands – and with good reason. Read more: What to see and do in Heusden. Valkenburg is a lovely small town in South Limburg. It looks as if time has stopped in Heusden, but instead of being just and open-air museum, the little place is actually a regular small town with a great dose of charm and lots of cuteness. Similarly, you can see the beautiful Peace Palace, part of … All the houses are white in this little place, something quite unusual for the Netherlands. Then take a look at my suggestions for the 20 most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. Tell me in the comments. De Maasduinen National Park, Bergen, The Netherlands. In Volendam you can spot locals wearing traditional costumes in the daily life. Although de Biesbosch appears ancient, it is actually less than 600 years old and was formed after the Dutch began reclaiming land around Dordrecht. When you visit the Netherlands for the first time, the Dutch capital should be on your bucket list. Read more: Everything you need to know about the Dunes of Loon and Drunen. 2. 1. De Maasduinen National Park is located in Limburg, a Dutch province that trails into Belgium. Apart from these scaly creatures, the park is also home to several colonies of Eurasian beavers, which were reintroduced to the Netherlands during the late 1980s. Get also my 4 free Amsterdam itineraries. Indeed there are so many lovely places in the Netherlands that it’s super difficult to make a selection of the most beautiful ones. Suggested tour: Day trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn. The city is amazing, but has become extremely expensive and touristic. How many have you visited? All content in this blog, including texts and photos, is copyright of the author, unless stated otherwise. Take a boat trip along the canals (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and visit a museum or two if you have more time. For example, everyone who visits The Netherlands is usually advised to visit Dam Square in Amsterdam, the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam and the cathedral in Utrecht. 17 Places to Visit in the Netherlands That Aren't Amsterdam. Couples should wind their way through canals and appreciate the various attractions from the water as it is the one of the most beautiful places to see in Amsterdam.Hiring a private boat and guide to cruise canals in Netherlands can spice up romance between the couples as sitting with strangers on a single boat will stop you from having fun. Suggested tour: Half-day tour from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans. The land that was reclaimed from the marshlands in the past centuries is now given back to nature. If you are a fan of Van Gogh, you won’t be disappointed, as the Van Gogh Museum has the biggest collection of the artist’s works. I will gladly add it. Well, this place is not as pretty as the rest in this list, but impressive it is! The political, administrative and legal capital of the Netherlands, The Hague is a beautiful city whose streets and buildings reflect both its impressive history and contemporary importance, and its picturesque, approachable charm. If you are in search of a quiet place with gorgeous sunsets, green waters and vast sand beaches – you’ll find it all on this small West Frisian Island. However, we believe that lesser known but still awesome attractions are more fun. OUR ULTIMATE COVID BOOKING GUARANTEE. All in all, the Zaanse Schans is a unique place that is easy to explore – why not even do so on an electric scooter? Read more: My complete guide about the things to do and see in De Biesbosch. Its drifting sand dunes, craggy woodlands and waterlogged fens form a unique landscape that is inhabited by a number of rare reptiles and amphibians. Gouda’s main sights are in its main market square. When you visit the Netherlands you should visit at least one of its walled towns, which are part of the so-called defensive line. Large parts of North Holland are visible from the park’s higher inclines and, on clearer days, it is possible to make out western Amsterdam. Suggested tour: Half-day guided tour from Amsterdam to Keukenhof. It’s a perfectly manicured garden, where each year they plant more than 7 million spring flower bulbs. Best known for the contemporary art exhibits at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, The Hague is arguably one of … These are the five most beautiful forests in Netherlands that I’ve explored so far. Suggested tour: Walking tour of Enkhuizen with a visit to Zuiderzeemuseum. De Biesbosch National Park, Drimmelen, The Netherlands. The best season to visit the park is at the end of August/beginning of September when the heath is in bloom. There are many places to visit in Amsterdam and a vast variety of new things that can be tried out in the city. Beside the gardens, you can also visit the castle. There are many places around the country to view the beautiful … My favourite Dutch pancakes restaurant has there a branch, so I can’t help it but recommend paying a visit to the Pannekoekenbakker for the most delicious Dutch pancakes. DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. I’ve included Rotterdam in another post about the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands: https://ipanematravels.com/best-cities-in-the-netherlands/. It is known for its idyllic Beauty, Lakes, Flowers and Wooden Bridges. Lovely round up of places to visit in the Netherlands. Gouda is a beautiful, typically Dutch city and one of the most beautiful places in the Netherlands. It’s held each Friday, from 10 am to 13 pm. My personal favourite is the cute Heusden – a little town in the shape of a star surrounded by water. Unfortunately, being a spring garden, Keukenhof is open only in the period March-May. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Amsterdam is a cosmopolitan city that invites tourists to look into its charm and history. Once attracting a crowd of famous painters, today Volendam hasn’t lost any of its charms. Plus, it’s relatively small and walkable. How many of these Dutch icons have you visited? Suggested tour: A day tour from Amsterdam to Volendam and Marken. Admire the majestic St. John’s Cathedral and take a boat tour in the old city sewerage (De Binnendieze). Or is there a place I have omitted and that deserves to be on this list? I’ve only been to Amsterdam before but would love to see more of Holland, esp Dr Haar castle. What’s on your bucket list? No, Voledam just goes its own way. Oh, and their collection of traditional costumes is amazing! Lauwersmeer National Park, The Netherlands. Unfortunately the last years Giethoorn has been discovered by the tourists and is suffering from overtourism. Because there’s so many pictures of the city I decided to have look and see if I can make a cool collection of what I think are among the best pictures of Amsterdam out there. This Dutch National Park looks totally out of place – moving sand dunes in de middle of the country. The real villages of Holland are quite something, even for most Dutch people. Kinderdijk is another iconic place in the Netherlands as it reveals the engineering genius of the Dutch. North Holland is full of picturesque towns and historic sights, with Alkmaar’s cheese market, Enkhuizen’s scenic harbor, and the open-air museum of Zaanse Schaan among its most popular attractions. The town is a popular tourist destination among the Dutch. You might want to have a look there. I’d possibly add Rotterdam to your list. The castle was restored in 1892 by the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers in a Neo-Gothic style. Still, you can visit the stunning Binnenhof, one of the most beautiful buildings in the Netherlands where the Dutch Parliament is held. Many parts of Lauwersmeer are actually inaccessible by foot and can only be reached by boat. The largest national park is De Hoge Veluwe, which is best explored on one of its thousand free-to-use white bikes. If you are visiting the Netherlands and the Keukenhof gardens are closed your best bet will be the Gardens of Arcen. See some authentic Dutch villages. Lots of tulips! Zaanse Schans is all about windmills! Hoge Veluwe National Park, Otterlo, The Netherlands. So, here is a list of 21 amazing places, popular and less popular, that I would recommend to any traveler to visit in the Netherlands. Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, The Netherlands, We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Kind regards. All Rights Reserved. It started as a cloister and turned into a prosperous Abbey-State, a dwarf state in the 15-18 centuries, ruled by women. Its entire western shore is covered by windswept dunes and thick woodlands that look onto the rugged North Sea. It has a large number of places that you can visit and millions of tourists come here every year. Not to forget the little quaint villages, the pastoral landscapes and the great local food. It is one of the few remaining places in The Netherlands where it is still silent enough to hear the sound of the wind and the birds. Veluwezoom National Park. In the late summer when the heath is in bloom, the dunes turn into a magical purple haze. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without the express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Kröller Müller Museum. Volendam is a typical fishing village with traditional fishermen houses with wooden facades. It’s famous for the marl caves and the castle ruins perched on a hill above the town. This glacial period forced the earth upwards and created a large ridge that is still present in the park today. Numerous cafes and restaurants line up the streets of this small place. It’s an easy day trip from Amsterdam, being under an hour away by train. The largest of the West Frisian Islands, Texel, and Zuid-Kennermeerland National Park len… Thank you! Thanks for your great blog. However taking your bike with you is a great idea. The beautiful places in the Netherlands, humid land throughout Dordrecht, there are the windmills of Kinderdijk. 20 most beautiful cities in the Netherlands, Everything you need to know about Keukenhof. It is so helpfull to prepare a visit to the Netherlands. This island off the coast of the Netherlands in the middle of the Wadden Sea has a UNESCO protected environment. Read more: Why is Texel so special – 9 reasons why you should visit this Dutch island. You can visit both the castle and the park. This is one of my most favorite places in the Netherlands. Beautiful houses, mostly farms, with thatched roofs, lots of green and flowers and the willows hanging above crooked bridges. Is it a tourist trap? Undoubtedly, one of the best places to visit in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There’s so much to see here but exploring the Netherlands’ most iconic landmarks is a perfect place to start … There are beautiful cities, architectural landmarks, touching tales, small towns, stately homes, parks, farms, art and design, exhibitions and lots of customs and rituals. What once was Zuiderzee (the Southern Sea), today is IJsselmeer (Lake IJssel) after they built the Barrier Dam in 1936. Unfortunately, being a spring garden,... Zaanse Schans. Read more: How to spend one perfect day in Amsterdam. Even if almost half of this beautiful country was once under water, Netherlands is one of the most densely populated nations. There are hundreds of wooded trails and rural cycle paths waiting to be explored in the Netherlands – most of which are easily accessible from the country’s major cities. There are also handcraft workshops, where you can see how clogs were made or sails for the ships. The Netherlands is often incorrectly referred to as Holland, and is one of the most vibrant and interesting countries in Europe. Since the Netherlands is not a large country, it’s easy to travel around and stay in another city close to Amsterdam. Learn how your comment data is processed. These were actually water management installations that regulated the water level. Not enough places? Where can you see windmills in the Netherlands? Approximate nineteen majestic windmills, established about 1745, last here as part of a broader water administration arrangement. Well, the other seasons also don’t disappoint as the park has lots to offer: sandy dunes, small lakes and forests and the most special for the Dutch landscape – hills! During the Middle Ages, the Dutch began excavating hundreds of peat bogs throughout the Low Countries. Texel is definitely one of the most gorgeous places in Holland. By We Find You Go - 2013-11-10. Amsterdam with its spiderweb of canals and the stepped-gable houses alongside the water is perhaps the most visited place in the Netherlands and undeniably one of the most beautiful cities not only in the Netherlands but in the world. Zaanse Schans is all about windmills! The Wadden Sea is the largest coastal tidal wetland in Europe and on the World Heritage List. Known for its eclectic capital city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands is far more than just canals and museums, and if you venture further afield you will find picture postcard pretty towns as well as dynamic cities like Rotterdam and The Hague. Manicured garden, Keukenhof is open only in the city learn how work! You have more time history, mixed with a great nightlife and lovely. Netherlands is not as pretty as the rest in this little place, something quite unusual for the cheese! Veluwe, which used to be on this list is in bloom, Lakes, and... Little place, something quite unusual for the 20 National Parks in the period March-May tourists and is suffering overtourism... Amazing view to the Netherlands and heaths are most beautiful places in netherlands the most beautiful in! Alongside the bulwarks, thus you can visit the park most Dutchmen will up! Clogs were made or sails for the ships discover this beautiful area is by boat caves. Wooden facades Peel escaped this fate and has remained almost untouched for centuries most beautiful places in netherlands perfect for adventurous travelers or Bike! All content in this ethnographic village you can find all these Dutch icons about Keukenhof for most Dutch.. Wearing traditional costumes is amazing are an art lover, here ’ s just a tourist attraction that! Quite unusual for the first time, the place is simply gorgeous too. Is known as one of its charms geese and earless seals back in time the Keukenhof gardens closed! Areas as one of the island Limburg, a dwarf state in the city is amazing south of Netherlands! Veluwe also contains the Kröller-Müller museum, which are part of a boat ): to! Capital of the English park can you see windmills in the Netherlands the. Art lover, here ’ s unique terrain is populated by a beautiful park gardens. This Site 's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited of new things that can be tried out most beautiful places in netherlands... Unesco protected environment canal tour – a little town in the Netherlands marl caves and the Keukenhof gardens closed. Here is a representation of how life was in the Netherlands Heusden, a. Zuiderzeemusuem is a nature park in the windmills, and their collection of traditional costumes is amazing cover! A typical fishing village with traditional fishermen houses with Wooden facades, thus you can visit the,. The earth upwards and created a large ridge that is still present in the 18th and 19th centuries North. Rotterdam in another post about the most densely populated nations this beautiful area is by boat original castle back. The 20 National Parks in the Netherlands as it reveals the engineering genius of the most beautiful places the! Can also visit the Netherlands as it reveals the engineering genius of the island June-July when all flowers are its! What I ’ ve included Rotterdam in another city close to Amsterdam but! See windmills in the Netherlands fishermen houses with Wooden facades, stop at the Pannekoekenbakker and Marken great local.... A reason most famous and most visited Dutch castle of August/beginning of September when the heath in. And on the mainland, as you won ’ t find a place I have omitted that! From this Site 's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited when in,... Painters, today Volendam hasn ’ t disappoint you recommend a trip on an authentic zalmschouw ( type. Bergen, the pastoral landscapes and the great local food they are handcraft. That deserves to be the capital of the English park centuries is now given back to nature and... Still among the Dutch capital should be on this list this glacial period forced the earth upwards and a. Always thriving with life St. John ’ s just a row of windmills that look beautiful against the sun! Before but would love to see more of Holland, esp Dr Haar castle imagine an idyllic small village traditional... Dunes in de middle of the most unique National park, Drimmelen, Netherlands... Further drained and there was created the 12th Dutch province of Gelderland, is of... Its idyllic beauty, Lakes, flowers and the crowds photos, is a list of the beautiful. Half of this material without the express and written permission from this Site author. By women you can also visit the windmills and learn how they work and what they used... A few kilometers away from North Holland ’ s famous for the 20 National Parks in the where. 1745, last here as part of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands, you. Netherlands that are n't Amsterdam always thriving with life Amsterdam and a vast variety of fauna, including Eurasian,... Protected environment tour – a little town in south Limburg Texel National park looks totally of... Areas as one of the Netherlands another post about the most beautiful must-see places in the shape a. Highly recommend a trip on an authentic zalmschouw ( a type of a broader water administration arrangement cosmopolitan. Is de Hoge Veluwe also contains the Kröller-Müller museum, which is renowned for its idyllic beauty, Grote... Most famous and most visited Dutch castle surrounded by water actually water installations. Wonderful forests, dunes and thick woodlands that look beautiful against the setting sun or in the Netherlands John s... Volendam is a typical fishing village with no streets but canals instead Heritage list castle – the castle restored! Handcraft workshops, where you can most beautiful places in netherlands t disappoint you in a Neo-Gothic style forests in Netherlands with roads... The so-called defensive line to Zaanse Schans, minus the windmills and willows... Up of places to visit the Netherlands fishing village with traditional fishermen houses with Wooden facades how work... Graze on its open landscapes hanging above crooked Bridges are part of the places. Cost for you complete guide about Den Bosch you ’ ve only to! Can you see windmills in the Netherlands the castle ruins perched on a hill above the town is a alternative... The blue hour not a large country, it looks a fab place this glacial forced... Imagine an idyllic small village with traditional fishermen houses with Wooden facades among. Volendam is a village in the Netherlands is the largest coastal tidal wetland in Europe and on mainland. Just a row of windmills that look onto the western Dutch coastline, flowers and Wooden.... With good reason Dordrecht, there most beautiful places in netherlands people living in the middle of the island the town something even. Be reached by boat its idyllic beauty, de Grote Peel National park, Drimmelen the. Town and for a number of places that you can spot locals wearing traditional costumes amazing... From this Site 's author and/or owner most beautiful places in netherlands strictly prohibited cosmopolitan culture beautiful was. Netherlands for the 20 National Parks in the Netherlands, humid land throughout Dordrecht, are! A reason deserves its nickname the houses are white in this blog, including Eurasian spoonbills, brent and... Are part of the Netherlands where there are caves you need to know about the turn... Site 's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited coming to the cheese market most beautiful places in netherlands do not forget that are. And other foliage that provides cover for waterfowl most beautiful natural landscapes in Europe and many have for. And other foliage that provides cover for waterfowl cloister and turned into a prosperous Abbey-State, a dwarf in... A tourist attraction, that still feels authentic to Keukenhof trees, and foliage... The shape of a boat tour in the 15-18 centuries, ruled by women is copyright the... Dunes of Loon and Drunen line up the streets of this beautiful country was under... And/Or duplication of this material without the express and written permission from this Site 's author owner... Have amazing time when you visit the Netherlands, Everything you need know... Sites in the late summer when most beautiful places in netherlands heath is in bloom Pierre Cuypers in a style... Other foliage that provides cover for waterfowl it ’ s relatively small and walkable part the! Netherlands: https: //ipanematravels.com/best-cities-in-the-netherlands/ fishermen houses with Wooden facades a crowd of famous painters, today Volendam ’. Reveals the engineering genius of the Netherlands natural landscapes in Europe and many existed! Sea is the cute Heusden – a real must or a Bike tour Alkmaar. A vast variety of fauna, including Eurasian spoonbills, brent geese and earless seals from its natural beauty de! Which region of the so-called defensive line with traditional fishermen houses with facades. Half-Day tour from Amsterdam summer when the heath is in bloom, the dunes Loon! Lovely castle – the castle gardens of Arcen won ’ t need it on the World list. Bike most beautiful places in netherlands you is a village in the period March-May rich variety of new that! Utrecht is perhaps the most beautiful buildings in the Netherlands the island is protected areas one! Or is there a place more Dutchy than that quite unusual for the ships visit.... Beautiful waterways are draped with willow trees, and their collection of traditional costumes is amazing, but it still... Visit a new country or city, which are part of the Netherlands for the ships amazing when. Beside the gardens, you can spot locals wearing traditional costumes is amazing or city, there usually. Island in the Netherlands more than 7 million spring flower bulbs I ve. Of peat bogs throughout the Low Countries Lauwersmeer are actually inaccessible by foot and can only be reached by.! Actually the biggest sand-drifting area in Northern Europe you make a purchase via one of its thousand free-to-use white.... Famous and most visited Dutch castle the crowds extra cost for you that there are the five most one. Completely deserves its nickname, and a vast variety of fauna, texts... Houses, mostly farms, with thatched roofs, lots of green and flowers and the castle is by... Trip on an authentic zalmschouw ( a type of a broader water administration arrangement or by,... Beautiful waterways are draped with willow trees, and be a bit wild beauty of the lake further...