If you're looking for a beautiful country that's full of cool cities and interesting sights, look no further than the Netherlands. It's packed with cool places to visit, from tulip fields and windmills to charming villages and museums.
The capital, Amsterdam, is a must-visit for anyone visiting the Netherlands, especially if you're an art lover. Its canalside mansions, a trove of 17th-century paintings and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank lived make it one of the best places to visit in the world.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a treasure-packed city with plenty to offer. The city’s canal-woven core is laced by atmospheric narrow lanes.
There are a host of quirky shops, boutiques and eateries to explore along these streets. There’s also an array of museums and galleries.
Away from the centre, up-and-coming neighbourhoods teem with creative enterprises, from art galleries to craft breweries and tech start-ups. Then there are some of Europe’s hottest clubs, which make this a must-visit destination for young people.
There are also fun nature-based attractions to check out. There are aquariums, a zoological museum and a butterfly pavilion.
Gouda
Gouda may be renowed for cheese, but this smaller city is also a great place to explore. From the city centre to the outskirts, there are plenty of things to do in this Dutch gem.
The historic city is surrounded by postcard-perfect canals, which are a perfect way to explore the picturesque architecture. A meal along one of these waterways is a must, but make sure to book well in advance.
To get a taste of Holland of old, head to the Red Lion Windmill on the fringes of Gouda’s old town. The building dates back to 1727 and is a great historical attraction.
Rotterdam
If you’re looking for a blend of architecture and nightlife, Rotterdam is the place for you. The city is a tough port town that also has a sophisticated shopping district and a hip artistic vibe.
There are so many things to do in Rotterdam, but here are our favourites:
You can take a boat tour around the ports of Rotterdam to get a really great overview. A Spido Harbor Tour is perfect for this and lasts about 75 minutes.
You can also take a trip to Delfshaven, a charming inner-city area that was spared the bombing in World War II. The warehouses, wharves and bridges of this area show a different side to the city and the Pilgrim Fathers church is definitely worth a visit.
De Hoge Veluwe National Park
De Hoge Veluwe National Park is an ideal destination to visit in the Netherlands. It’s a great place to go hiking, cycling and wildlife spotting.
The national park combines forests, sand drifts, lichen steppes and heathlands that form the perfect natural environment for various types of animals, including roe deer, foxes, badgers and wild boar. Birdwatchers will also be impressed by the variety of birds that congregate in this magnificent natural landscape.
The park’s rich heritage is a testament to the vision of its founding couple Anton and Helene Kroller-Muller. Their art collection is housed at the Kroller-Muller Museum, while their hunting residence, Jachthuis Sint Hubertus, is located within the park.
Groesbeek
Groesbeek is a small town with a rich history. The town was a key landing point during Operation Market Garden in 1944 and is home to the Canadian War Cemetery.
It is the only one of its kind in the Netherlands and contains 2,610 Commonwealth burials from World War II. This includes 2,338 Canadians.
There are also other war graves here from various nationalities. It is a poignant place to visit for anyone interested in World War II history.
Other things to do in Groesbeek include visiting the Freedom Museum. This museum is a great way to learn about the history of World War II and what freedom means to different nationalities.
