Top 10 Places To Visit In The Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as the jewel of Europe, is one of the famous tourist destinations and is full of its proud history, culture, and architecture.
It was once underwater, and now most of it is above or below sea level.
With its rich culture, historical architecture, and beautiful landscapes, the Netherlands truly is one of Europe’s most underrated tourist destinations.
It has plenty to offer, from buzzing cities to breath-taking countryside, so whether you want to visit Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague, there are plenty of different places to explore in this beautiful country and many things to do in each city.
To help you plan your trip, here’s our pick of the top 10 places to visit in the Netherlands.
Table of Contents
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and is probably the first stop for many travelers.
It is visited by millions of travelers every year because it is crammed with culture, history, and architectural sites. The people of Amsterdam are quite friendly.
You can spend days in Amsterdam visiting museums, eating delicious food at different cafes and restaurants, and enjoying the nightlife.
Shopping is also a fun experience here. These activities make it a hot spot for many travelers.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a perfect blend of history and culture and was a small fishing village, and it got a new rise in its architecture after World War II.
This place is a perfect spot for vacation, and many tourists visit it every year. In summer you can enjoy many international film festivals and north sea jazz festivals.
Rotterdam canals, Rotterdam zoo, and fun parks are places you must go to when in Rotterdam.
To explore some of the historical parts of Rotterdam, you can visit the Delfshaven district.
Hoge Veluwe National Park
Hoge Veluwe National Park must be on your travel checklist during your visit to the Netherlands if you are a wildlife lover because it is the largest national park in the Netherlands and host some of the major wildlife species such as deer and wild boar.
The thick forest surrounds the national park.
You can do several activities according to your liking, such as seeing wildlife or simply exploring the area by cycle or foot through the tracks made for these purposes.
The Hague
The Hague, maybe the most amazing destination to visit in the Netherlands, is a place of great elegance and world-class art.
The Hague is well known for the displays in the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag and is nicknamed the Royal City by the Sea because of the royals that live there.
Summer visitors are smitten with Scheveningen’s beaches. Although Amsterdam is the capital, the Parliament, or Binnenhof, is situated in The Hague.
Visit Panorama Mesdag for a 360-degree panorama and Madurodam, a small metropolis.
Gouda
Gouda is famous for its buildings, canals, and cheese, of course..
You can spend a day here, and Gouda is famous for its food and syrup waffles which you can give a try.
The exquisite 15th-century town hall and the stunning glass windows in St. Janskerk are two of Gouda’s attractions.
The small city center is surrounded by canals and is only a five-minute walk from the station.
Jordaan District, Amsterdam
Many travelers visit Amsterdam, but they often forget to watch its real beauty in the Jordaan district.
This city has something in it, and its streets are lined with art shops and boutiques selling unique trends.
The real beauty of this district is the narrow canals surrounded by large houses.
There are several museums to visit in the Jordaan district; some famous ones are the Anne Frank Museum and the Van Gogh Museum.
Keukenhof Gardens
The thing the Netherlands is most famous for is its tulip, and a trip to there must include seeing the sea of Tulips.
These tulips mostly bloom in springtime, and the best place to see them is Keukenhof Garden, which is the home of tulips and is also the world’s largest flower garden.
There is a sea of multiple color flowers and red tulips in springtime. The Keukenhof garden is one of the most mesmerizing and beautiful places to visit.
Groningen
This culturally diversified university city is modest but features two institutions, making it the major site to visit in the northern Netherlands, particularly in the arts, business, and education.
Museumgoers will never be bored in Groningen, where the Groninger Museum is one of the most inventive and modern in all of Holland.
There is also a graphics museum, a comics museum, a naval museum, and a university museum. Groningen has a thriving music and theatre scene, and many street cafés offer live entertainment.
Nightlife locations are popular due to the city’s large student population, with The Grote Markt, the Peperstraat, and the Vismarkt being the most popular.
Erasmusbrug Bridge
Erasmusbrug is the Netherlands’ second-biggest top-tier bridge, located in the heart of Rotterdam.
The bridge connects the city’s south and north sides. It has two walkways, two-cycle tracks, two tram lines, and four lanes.
Ben Van Berkel designed and built this 802 meters long and 33.8-meter broad bridge in 1996.
It is indeed a wonderful example of artificial architecture. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and I am sure you would not want to miss it.
Maastricht
This city in the Netherlands looks a bit like France and Spain due to French architecture and Spanish ruins.
This city is famous for its food, and you can try some of the luxurious and delicious food in any 5-star restaurant. It is the best place with history and nature.
The city has hills and the Meuse River, located on both sides of the city.
There are an infinite number of churches that you can visit, and Het Vrijthof plaza, the Caves of St Pieter, and Vestigingswerkens are all popular tourist destinations.
Top 10 Places To Visit In The Netherlands: Conclusion
The Netherlands is one of the most beautiful and scenic countries in Europe, so it’s no wonder that it has inspired artists like Vincent van Gogh, who lived in the country for several years and created many famous paintings there.
With gorgeous architecture, quaint streets, and impressive museums, The Netherlands offers so many fantastic places to visit that it’s hard to even make an exhaustive list.
If you’re looking to travel somewhere unique, consider taking a vacation to the Netherlands.