The Netherlands are a special destination in Europe. Most of the cities are built with canals and not roads and bicycles are most of the time the go to vehicle.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam are the biggest cities in the country and are a must-see. But, other than those two there are lots of other places and cities to visit! Observe the list below and make your choices!
Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands will for sure impress you! The city is one of the world’s most visited places and a popular tourist destination in Europe. Amsterdam is known for its cluster of canals and party-like atmosphere. The city is located over the Amstel River, in the region of North Holland. Getting around Amsterdam is usually done with public buses, metro, and of course bicycles!
The vibrant city of Amsterdam offers impressive historical buildings like the Anne Frank House and museums such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.
To experience Amsterdam in full you have to wander around the famous street markets, enjoy coffee at the numerous coffee shops and stroll around different shopping places like the Prinsengracht area. The city’s architecture and the nightlife will for sure amaze you!
Leiden
Situated in the South Holland province, Leiden is a breathtaking city. The setting of tree-lined canals, numerous beautiful bridges, and characteristic windmills is gonna live an unforgettable mark on you!
The city is also known as the birthplace of the great painter, Rembrandt van Rijn, and offers many different museums to visit and learn about the history of the place. Stroll around the city center and pass by the famous Hortus Botanicus gardens.
Utrecht
Utrecht is situated in the center of the country and is a pretty unique city. The city is famous for its canals where you can eat delicious food and enjoy drinks by the water. You have to explore the inner city on foot or via cycling which is actually the most used way of traveling in Utrecht. The city is built for bicycles!
Other than that Utrecht has to offer a plethora of activities like visiting amazing museums and learning about the country’s history as well as enjoying a walk through the city’s streets featuring local shops and cafes.
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Maastricht
Maastricht is located in the Limburg province in southern Holland close to Belgium and Germany. The city combines the old and the new uniquely and has a lot of tales to tell. The city’s history is enriched with Roman and other civilizations throughout the years and for that reason there is a lot to explore regarding museums and cultural attractions.
The central square, the Vrijthof, is the city’s heartbeat. There you will admire the magnificent Saint Jan’s Cathedral. The square is full of restaurants, cafes, and bars as well as shops to “inspect”.
Groningen
Groningen is a small city located in the north of the Netherlands and is known as the student city as it features two big colleges. For that reason, the city is considered a vibrant city, full of life.
Groningen is also famous for its art culture and its numerous interesting museums. The most visited is the modern Groninger Museum, but there are all kinds of museum types to uncover! Street cafes and restaurants add to the city’s active life. Nightlife in Groningen is also a big plus reflecting the big amount of students in the city.
Haarlem
Haarlem (often called “Little Amsterdam”) is a small city located about 20 km from the capital of the Netherlands. Haarlem attracts visitors because of its resemblance to Amsterdam minus the crowds and has a lot to offer as well. The city is situated in the north of Holland over the river Spaarne.
Haarlem has a huge amount of interesting museums to explore (like the Teylers Museum) regarding history, culture, science, and more. Of course, travelers can enjoy shopping in the famous Grote Markt, the city’s central square.
Rotterdam
The second biggest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is located at the southwest of Holland in the province of South Holland. Rotterdam is one of the world’s most famous and busiest ports. The city stands out for its setting featuring sea and modern design architecture. That’s the main reason the city attracts so many tourists.
Rotterdam has a lot of districts to explore and some of them are well known for the carnivals and festivals they host every year. Either you walk on foot or ride a bicycle you will find it pretty easy to navigate through the city.
Although Rotterdam offers a lot of museum options, the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum steals the show offering artworks on display from painters like Van Gogh and Dali. Rotterdam’s main touristic attraction is the Erasmus Bridge. The bridge is regarded as a work of art. Finally, the city has amazing nightlife!
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Gouda
Famous for its cheese (Gouda cheese) and the cheese market in general Gouda is a classic beautiful Dutch city. The city has a traditional Dutch feel to it considering the existence of stunning canals and old buildings.
The city is compact and is connected with bridges and canals. Gouda is ideal for a one-day trip!
Delft
Delft is another one-day trip opportunity from Amsterdam and is situated in the South Holland province. Delft is a small city with stunning architecture combining the Rennaisance style with ancient techniques. The City Hall in the town’s main square has certainly a unique style to it.
Other than architecture visitors can also enjoy walks by canals and wonderful parks. Delft is also known worldwide for its blue pottery (Delftware) as well as being the birthplace of a famous painter, Vermeer. Delft’s atmosphere and rhythm of life will relax you.
The Hague
The largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, The Hague is a very important city. The Hague is known as a political center and is where the Dutch parliament meets. The city is also known as the Royal city due to its Dutch royalty citizens over the years.
Other than that it is a stunning city offering interesting museums, crowded theaters, and a lot of ways to shop around. Let’s just not forget the notable beaches, where travelers can spend time by the sea!