Did you know that the Netherlands is Europe’s 10th most visited country? Over 15.9 million tourists arrived in this European country in 2022. It boasts a great mix of cities rich in art and culture and remote villages and towns endowed with natural beauty and splendid landscapes. The country is known for its windmills, tulip fields, and canals. But this is just the surface of what the Netherlands offers. So, if you are all set to explore this Northwestern European country, here are the 15 things to do in the Netherlands.
1. Explore the Canals of the Netherlands
The canals are the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of the Netherlands, especially the capital city of Amsterdam. The city has around 165 canals, and the canal pathway is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Exploring the canals by boat is one of the best things to do here. During your tour, you can see some of the iconic landmarks of the city, including the canal houses, museums, bridges, and more. You can choose an open electric boat, a hop-on-hop-off boat, or a traditional saloon boat to explore the canals and the nearby rivers. Other Dutch cities like Rotterdam, Utrecht, Leiden, and Zwolle are also known for their canals. You can explore these canals on standup paddles or kayaks.
2. Cycle Around the Windmills of Kinderdijk
One of the things that the Netherlands is known for is windmills. Did you know that the Dutch country has more than 1200 windmills dotting its landscapes? You will find windmills in several places in the country, including in Leidschendam, Aarlanderveen, and Zevenhuizen. But the most popular is surely Kinderdijk. The place has 19 classic windmills and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are pathways that will let you enjoy the view of the windmills on foot or bicycle. Boat tours are also available for those interested. You can explore the villages here to learn how the people in the area lived and worked in the past.
3. Visit the Anne Frank House
Anyone who knows about the Second World War would know about Anne Frank, the German-Jewish girl who was one of the countless Holocaust victims. Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is where Anne Frank and her family, along with eight other Jewish families, hid away from the Nazis. During her stay, Anne Frank wrote a diary stating her experiences of staying in the house’s annex, which became a bestseller after the war ended. Today, the place has been converted into a museum and lets you see the things described in her diary closely. During your visit to the museum, you will see Anne Frank’s room and her original diary. You will also find illustrations of short stories she wrote during the same time. This museum not just showcases the life of Anne Frank but also strives to spread awareness about issues like racism, antisemitism, and discrimination; a must-visit when in Amsterdam.
4. Admire the Masterpieces of Vincent Van Gogh
The Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, is a place that celebrates art and culture. The abundance of museums here prove this point. But if you can visit only one museum, the Van Gogh Museum is must-see. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam holds the greatest number of paintings and artworks of this famous painter. Here you will find 500 drawings, 200 paintings, and 700 letters by Vincent Van Gogh. You will not only be able to see his works but also get to know more about his life. Some of the paintings of Van Gogh that you can admire here include Self Portrait, The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and more
5. Taste of the Flavors of the Netherlands’ Cuisine
It is true that Dutch cuisine is not as popular as other cuisines in the world. But if you are visiting the Netherlands, you must try the local cuisine. Traditionally, the Dutch cuisine has evolved as per its farming, fishing, and animal husbandry. Also, there is a lot of influence from French, Arab, and Persian cuisines. Most of the dishes include potatoes, fish, and meat, as well as grains like oats, wheat, rye, barley, beans, etc. Bitterballen (a deep-fried meat dish), Haring Hollandse Nieuwe (raw herring with onions and pickles), Stroopwafek (mini waffle coated with caramel), Kibbeling (fried fish bites), Pannenokeken (Dutch pancakes), and Erwtensoep (Dutch soup) are few of the dishes to try when you are in the country.
6. Enjoy Nature and Culture at Hoge Veluwe National Park
While there are more than 20 national parks in the Netherlands, the Hoge Veluwe National Park is considered the best. Spanning an area of 5400 hectares, this national park has diverse landscapes, including sand drifts, forests, meres, heathlands, woodlands, ponds, and more. The national park has numerous hiking and biking trails for those who want to explore the park. White bicycles are available for free for those interested. One of the best things to do here is wildlife spotting, and you may get to see roe deer, red deer, wild boar, and mouflon. For the culture part, visit the Kroller-Muller Museum inside the national park, where you can admire the works of Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Seurat, Mondriaan, and Renoir.
7. Stroll Around the Tulip Fields
Apart from windmills and canals, the Netherlands is also known for tulips. You will find here acres of land filled with these colorful bulbs. The spring season (mid-April to early May) is when you can see colorful tulips in the country. While there are plenty of places in the Netherlands to see tulip fields, Bollenstreek is the most famous. It’s near the popular Keukenhof Gardens, and you will get to admire numerous fields filled with these vibrant colored flowers. Apart from this, North Holland, Beemster, Texel, Drenthe, Flevoland, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, and Goeree-Overflakkee are also home to tulip fields. During other seasons, you can see fields of flowers like hyacinths, daffodils, sunflowers, jonquils, and dahlias across the country.
8. Enjoy the Heineken Experience
Beer lovers around the world are familiar with Heineken and must go for the Heineken experience if visiting Amsterdam. Started more than 140 years ago, Heineken is the oldest brewery in the country. A tour of the place lasts for 1.5 hours. The tour is self-directed with an audio guide to take you through the various displays, including numerous interactive ones. During the tour, you will learn about its rich history, different traditional brewing techniques, and its iconic branding. You will get to see the historic brewing rooms and play some interactive games. A beer tasting session is also included at the end of the tour, making it even more special.
9. Visit the Dutch National Museum
Art lovers will have a field day in the Netherlands, with so many museums and art galleries to explore. But one that you should not miss at any cost is the Dutch National Museum, or Rijksmuseum. This museum will give you a glimpse of Dutch art history. Located on Museum Square along with other important mosques, the Rijksmuseum is home to more than 8,000 works of art. As you explore the numerous permanent and temporary exhibits of the museum, you will get to see the popular works of artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, Marlene Dumas, Erwin Olaf, and more. The museum organizes guided tours, special exhibitions, courses, and workshops regularly.
10. Mud Walk on the Wadden Sea
You may be used to hiking or trekking on different terrains. But are you up to some mud walking? Yes, you can go for mud walking or waldopen, as the Dutch call it, in the Netherlands’ Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the world’s largest unbroken intertidal zone. While the mud walk may seem interesting, it is important to remember that it is not for the fainthearted. During low tide, you can walk on the seabed as the water recedes. Prepare to see clams, crabs, cockles, and even seagulls as you embark on this activity. But make sure you choose a guided mud walking tour for safety reasons.
11. Witness the Netherland’s Beauty on a Stoomtram
Biking is a common way of exploring anywhere in the Netherlands. But if you are looking for a unique way of doing it, the stoomtram is a good option. The stoomtram is an antique steam train that starts from Hoorn and ends at Medemblik. It is a 20-kilometer railway track that takes an hour to complete. During the journey, you get to enjoy the gorgeous landscapes of Northern Holland, including the quaint villages and floral fields. You also get to visit the museum at Hoorn, which will give you all the information you need to know about stoomtram and the history of the country’s railways.
12. Explore the Underground Caves in Maastricht
Located in the southeastern Netherlands, Maastricht is known for its Medieval-style buildings. But the main attraction of the place is its underground caves. The caves are popularly called the caves of Mount Saint Peter and are a huge tunnel network that runs under the St-Pietersberg massif. Earlier, there were more than 20,000 tunnels used for mining. Currently, only 8000 remain. But the history of these caves is fascinating. Once mining was stopped in the area, it was used for artistic purposes. You can still see some exceptional wall art here. The underground caves provided shelter to thousands of Jews during World War II. These caves were also used to hide valuable paintings, armaments, etc. from the Nazis. You can join a series of guided tours to explore the different parts of these fascinating caves.
13. Try the Cheese in Edam
The Netherlands is also famous for cheese. If you are a fan of Dutch cheese, Edam is a place you must visit. It is where Dutch cheese, the round-shaped, red rind, cheese made with mild cow’s milk, was first invented. A tour here allows you to learn about the history of Dutch cheese. There are also some interesting interactive displays. If you are visiting the Netherlands during summer, visit Edam on Wednesdays, as you can explore a cheese market in the morning. You can taste and buy cheese produced by local farms.
14. Take Surfing Lessons
Not many know that the Netherlands is a great place for surfing. The northwestern and northern winds create the perfect conditions for surfing. Some of the best surfing spots in Netherlands are Ouddorp, Bergen aan Zee, Wijk aan Zee, Camperduin, Zandvort, Domburg, Noord Scheveningen, etc. If you are a novice, there are plenty of places where you can take surfing lessons in the Netherlands. You will find several reputed surfing academies that have surfing batches for beginners and advanced-level surfers. Many of them also offer private lessons.
15. Indulge in Retail Therapy
No holiday is complete unless you indulge in some retail therapy. Like most European countries, the Netherlands is also known for its fashion and style. Amsterdam is undoubtedly number one when it comes to fashion, but there are other cities as well where you can buy the latest fashion. One of the best places to shop in the Netherlands is Maastricht. From shopping malls and luxury boutiques to flea markets, there are a lot of options here. Rotterdam, Den Bosch, Arnhem, and Alkmaar are some of the other places where you can enjoy shopping in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Netherlands
1. When is the best time to visit the Netherlands?
April to October is the best period to visit the Netherlands. During these months, the country experiences spring, summer, and autumn, and the weather remains pleasant. Winter season is best avoided as the country experiences extreme winters.
2. What is the best way of commuting in the Netherlands?
Public transportation in the Netherlands is convenient, economical, and easy too. You can take a tram, train, and bus to travel within the country. Bicycles are the best way to commute within the cities. Moreover, you can also explore cities on foot.
3. What are the three essential tips tourists should know while visiting the Netherlands?
Three essential things to keep in mind when travelling to a Schengen country like the Netherlands are as follows:
- Always carry cash, as credit cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Keep a raincoat or umbrella ready, as it can rain anytime in the Netherlands.
- If you plan to explore the country’s vast array of museums, it is best to get a Museum Card. This card will allow you to visit maximum museums not just in Amsterdam but also all over the Netherlands.
4. Do I need a visa to travel to the Netherlands?
This will depend on the country you belong to. Some countries enjoy visa-waiver status and can visit Netherlands for a short period without a visa. For others, the Netherlands visa requirements ask for a Schengen visa, with which you can explore 26 other Schengen countries along with the Netherlands.
5. What language is widely spoken in the Netherlands?
Dutch is the Netherland’s national language and is widely spoken across the country.
Conclusion
Does the list of things to do in the Netherlands pique your interest? If yes, do plan a trip to the country soon and try out the things that you like the best.