Travel

Best Tourist Cities in the Netherlands

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The Netherlands is a charming country with many charming sights. Here are the main cities that you can not miss.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the famous capital of the Netherlands. You may have seen a lot of bike photos against the background of the famous canals there, right? It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world!

The city breathes architecture, history, nature, flowers and art. In addition, it is well known for the ducts and canals that cut through the city streets. The most widely used means of transport by the population and tourists is undoubtedly the bicycle.

One of Holland’s most famous attractions is boating through the capital’s more than 160 canals, built under 1,250 bridges connecting the streets. In addition, another way to get to know the canals is by bike, pedaling and enjoying the landscape, which forms angles of incredible beauty. Be sure to enjoy the lovely sunset in this place.

Know, then, what to do in Amsterdam:

  • Anne Frank House;
  • channels;
  • Van Gogh Museum;
  • Dam Square and Royal Palace;
  • Begijnhof square;
  • Oude Kerk Church;
  • Red Light District;
  • Rijksmuseum museum;
  • Prinsengracht (great point for shopping);
  • Waterlooplein flea market;
  • Ajax football club stadium.

Hague

The Hague is considered the seat of the Dutch government. Similarly, the city is home to most royals – hence its nickname Royal City.

There are several museums, parks, palaces and monuments among the districts of The Hague. Discover the main sights of this charming city:

  • Binnenhof, the seat of the government of the Netherlands;
  • Mauritshuis Museum;
  • Dutch Parliament;
  • Noordeinde Palace;
  • Peace Palace;
  • Scheveningen;
  • Scheveningen Beach;
  • Madurodam Park;
  • photo galleries Het Mauritshuis.

Maastricht

Maastricht is the capital of the province of Limburg. It is located in the south and borders Belgium. The city is considered one of the oldest sites in the country, having been reported to have been inhabited since the dawn by the Romans.

Its cultural and historical heritage has remained largely preserved, and today much of the city’s past can be explored through museum exhibits and visits to ancient churches. It is currently a predominantly university city.

The city of Maastricht receives many tourists each year, who come to the Armed Forces Cemetery to honor the more than 8,000 US soldiers who were killed during World War II and buried there.

See the main sights of Maastricht:

  • Romanesque Basilica of St. Servatius (Sint-Servaas Basiliek);
  • The Bisschopsmolen Mill;
  • Helpoort;
  • Basilica of Our Dear Lady (Basiliek van Onze Lieve Vrouwe);
  • Blanche Dael Maison;
  • Vrijthof Square (and its bohemian life);
  • St. John’s Church (Sint-Janskerk);
  • Boekhandel Dominicanen bookstore;
  • St. Petersburg Fortress (Fort Sint-Pieter).

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is famous for its infrastructure when it comes to maritime trade. The city is home to the largest port in all of Europe. What was just a fishing village has become one of the main European centers.

Despite being destroyed by a series of bombings during World War II, the region has been rebuilt and today is an example of development and overcoming.

The city boasts imposing buildings, modern buildings blended with incredible architecture of historic neighborhoods that seem to have emerged from the Middle Ages and still portray the history of an ancient Holland.

Discover the main sights of Rotterdam:

  • Cube Houses;
  • Erasmusbrug (Erasmus bridge);
  • Euromast observation tower (with a height of 96m, from which you have a panoramic view of the city);
  • port of Rotterdam;
  • Kubuswoningen (Cube Houses);
  • Centraal Station (Rotterdam Central Train Station);
  • Boijmans van Beuningen Museum (contains masterpieces by famous artists such as Dalí, Van Gogh, Bosch and Rembrandt);
  • Markthal Rotterdam (City Municipal Market);
  • Wereldmuseum Museum (founded in 1883);
  • Old Harbor (first port of the city that is currently disabled, serving only for tourism).

Delft

Delft is situated between two other important cities: The Hague and Rotterdam. It is a region famous for producing and exporting Delftware ceramics and hand-painted blue and white porcelain since the 16th century. It is undoubtedly one of the most charming regions of the Netherlands.

Local architecture blends development with a rustic, picturesque and medieval tone. In fact, Delft covers a little bit of every part of the Netherlands: canals that run through the streets, windmills, typical architecture, historic center and a very welcoming people.

The main attractions are as follows:

  • Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church (the tourist can climb the 376 steps leading up to the tower);
  • Het Prinsenhof Museum;
  • channels;
  • Oostpoort Bridge;
  • Molen de Roos (maize mill whose construction dates from 1679);
  • Botanical Garden;
  • Oude Kerk (Old Church);
  • cafeteria Chocolate Company Café Delft;
  • City Hall (building built in 1200);
  • street markets;
  • Vermeer Center (cultural center named after Johannes Vermeer);
  • Delft blue heart.

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is located in the province of Molenwaard in South Holland. The region is between the crossing of the Noord and Lek rivers. The city is famous worldwide for its windmills (you may have seen some pictures!).

Kinderdijk offers that traditional, tranquil, bucolic climate of the Dutch countryside. Such is its importance and beauty that the region has been included by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1997. And indeed, Kinderdijk presents the largest set of windmills in the whole of the Netherlands (with about 19 monuments, whose construction dates back to to the eighteenth century).

The goal of two mills was to drain water from nearby canals and to protect the soil against the high level of the Lek River, thus avoiding flooding on the plantations and farmers’ houses with every rain. In addition to enjoying the beautiful view, it is possible to take a boat trip through the canal.

Utrecht

Utrecht is considered the fourth most important and populous city in the Netherlands (with 350,000 inhabitants) and is one of the oldest in the country, having served as a fortress for the Roman Empire some 2,000 years ago. In this sense, the historic center stands out, as well as museums, monuments, secular buildings and canals that surround the city.

The city is one of the most similar to Amsterdam, with several canals and houses with typical architecture. Today it is a university region that exudes relaxation and an intense social life.

Located approximately 40 km from Amsterdam, Utrecht is small and can be found in just one day. See below the main sights:

  • Utrecht University;
  • Dom tower (it is the tallest tower in the Netherlands, with 120 meters);
  • Canal Oudegracht, which crosses the entire historic center and is where the bare feet, cafes and restaurants are crowded;
  • Museum Quarter (historic center of Utrecht);
  • Gothic cathedral of Saint Martin.

Giethoorn

Giethoorn is a small and charming village with approximately 2,600 inhabitants. The region’s bucolic, fluffy air, thatched-roof houses and wooden bridges form a backdrop that seems to have come out of a fairy tale.

Car traffic through the village is strictly prohibited. It is only possible to travel by bicycle, on foot or by boat, along the 6.5 kilometers of canal. Therefore, it is known as the “Northern Venice” and the “Dutch Venice”.

The village gained visibility in 1958 as setting the stage for the film Fanfare by Dutch director and filmmaker Bert Haanstra. Since this episode, the place has attracted a large number of tourists.

Gouda

Gouda is a town in the province of South Holland, about 20 km from Rotterdam and 30 km from The Hague. The region is very famous for being the pioneer in the creation and manufacture of gouda cheese. In addition to this delicious delicacy, it also offers the typical stroopwafels (this is a traditional Dutch sweet made with caramel filled cookies).

In fact, Gouda city is a charm, with many canals and windmills, which bring a bucolic air typical of the country.

Here’s what to do:

  • Markt (the main square of the city);
  • Stadhuis (City Hall Building);
  • De Waag (former cheese-making house);
  • Sint-Janskerk Church (St. John’s Church, is the tallest in the country);
  • Molen De Roode mill (built in 1619, is the oldest in the city);
  • Tower of the ancient Sint-Barbarakapel (Chapel of St. Barbara).

Lisse

If you go to the Netherlands, be sure to include Lisse in your script. The city is located about 30km from Amsterdam and is known for housing the famous Keukenhof tulip fields. It is 32 hectares of area where several species of flowers are cultivated.

During the months of March, April and May, they open, and it is possible to enjoy a surprising scenery by the colorful. It is the largest exhibition of tulips in the world! They are even exports from the Netherlands.

In addition to the extensive flowered fields, Keukenhof also features covered pavilions where typical exhibitions and shows depict Dutch culture and customs are held, as well as a small zoo and convenience stores, restaurants and eateries.

Leiden

Leiden is a university town located 30 minutes from Amsterdam. This is a great option for a day trip, which is an amazing round trip. The city boasts several historic jaw-dropping landmarks for beauty.

See what you can know there:

  • Molen de Valk mill;
  • Nieuwe Beestenmarkt square;
  • Rapenburg canal;
  • Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (Museum of Archeology);
  • Leiden University;
  • Hortus Botanicus (Leiden Botanical Garden);
  • Sint-Pieter Church ( Pieterkerk);
  • Oude Singel channel.

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