Travel Guide Netherlands

The Netherlands, often referred to as Holland, presents itself as a country of unique character, shaped by its flat geography and its close relationship with water.

Why Go To Netherlands?

In a compact area, the Netherlands combines canal cities, major art museums, and a landscape of polders, dikes, and windmills reclaimed from the sea. The major cities of the Randstad – Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht – are no more than 77 kilometers apart and can easily be combined into one trip; plus, there are North Sea beaches, the Wadden Islands, and in spring, the flower fields around Lisse. Explore the country by bike on approximately 35,000 kilometers of structurally separate cycle paths.

Where in Netherlands?

Pick a region. The highlights, road trips and places below follow your choice.

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and by far its most visited destination: a city of 165 canals and almost 1,300 bridges, whose 17th-century canal ring has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2010.

Amsterdam has around 936,000 inhabitants and is located in the province of Noord-Holland, along the Amstel river and the IJ, a former sea arm. The historic center is defined by its canal belt, whose waterways once served as transport routes for merchant houses.

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Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is a living open-air museum on the River Zaan north of Amsterdam: green wooden houses, craft workshops, and a series of working windmills show what the oldest industrial area of the Netherlands once looked like.

Zaanse Schans is located in the municipality of Zaanstad on the banks of the Zaan, opposite Zaandijk. Its name dates back to a fortification from 1574.

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Lisse & Keukenhof

Keukenhof near Lisse is the most famous flower park in the Netherlands: Every spring, 32 hectares bloom with around seven million hand-planted flower bulbs, including 4.5 million tulips in 100 varieties.

Keukenhof is located in the northern municipality of Lisse in the province of South Holland. The park is open only eight weeks a year, usually from mid-March to mid-May; the peak bloom is typically in mid-April, but depends on the weather.

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Den Haag

The Hague is the Netherlands' seat of government and parliament, royal residence, and a city by the sea: The seaside resort of Scheveningen, with its historic Kurhaus, is part of the city.

Den Haag has approximately 566,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the province of Zuid-Holland. The Dutch government and parliament are located here, and the Royal House has resided in the city since 1831 – yet Amsterdam remains the country's capital.

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Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, home to Europe's largest seaport, and the destination for all seeking modern architecture.

Rotterdam is home to around 671,000 residents, making it the second-largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam. The city is located in the Rhine-Meuse Delta, mostly below sea level, and is divided into a north and south part by the Nieuwe Maas.

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Kinderdijk

In Kinderdijk, about 15 kilometres east of Rotterdam, 19 18th-century windmills stand along the canals – an ensemble that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. They were built around 1740 to drain the Alblasserwaard polder.

Kinderdijk, Molenlanden, Zuid-Holland. The windmills form a drainage system keeping the low-lying Alblasserwaard dry: In 1421, the Elisabeth Flood submerged adjacent areas, sparing Alblasserwaard.

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Utrecht

Utrecht is the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, centrally located in the country – a university city with canals, whose landmark is the 112.5-meter-high Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands.

Utrecht has around 376,000 inhabitants and is centrally located in the Netherlands. The Old Town is crisscrossed by the Oudegracht, a canal about two kilometers long, whose quays and cellar vaults lie directly on the water below street level – many of these former storage cellars now house restaurants and cafés.

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De Hoge Veluwe National Park

De Hoge Veluwe National Park is in Gelderland province, eastern Netherlands, northwest of Arnhem, between Ede and Apeldoorn.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park is located in the Veluwe forest area in the province of Gelderland, northwest of Arnhem between Ede and Apeldoorn, covering approximately 54.5 square kilometers. Its history began in 1909 when the couple Anton Kröller and Helene Kröller-Müller purchased the area as a hunting ground.

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More highlights in Netherlands

Unique experiences that make Netherlands unforgettable.

How to plan your trip to Netherlands

From the guide to the road: here is what comes next.

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Trip to Netherlands
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1Amsterdam3 days
2Zaanse Schans4 days
3Lisse & Keukenhof5 days
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3
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Regions to Discover

Explore the diverse regions of Netherlands.

Zeeland

Zeeland, in the southwest of the Netherlands, consists of islands and peninsulas between the Oosterschelde and Westerschelde estuaries, as well as a piece of mainland bordering Belgium. The province is known for its North Sea beaches, the seaside resort of Domburg, and the Delta Works storm surge barriers. Almost all of Zeeland lies below sea level. Following the 1953 storm surge, the Delta Works were constructed from 1960 onwards; its largest structure, the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier, has a visitor centre on the artificial island of Neeltje Jans. Middelburg, the capital, along with Veere, Zierikzee, and Goes, boast…

Overijssel

Overijssel is located in the east of the Netherlands between the IJssel and the German border. In the northwest of the province lies the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, a landscape of fens, lakes, and canals.The capital is Zwolle; other major cities include Deventer, Enschede, Hengelo, and Almelo. The west of the province is called Salland, the east Twente.

Province Utrecht

The Province of Utrecht is located in the center of the Netherlands and is the country's smallest. Its center is the eponymous university city of Utrecht, and the province's second-largest city is Amersfoort.The west consists of polderland. In the northeast, the Utrechtse Heuvelrug stretches through the province, a wooded sandy area with hills up to nearly 70 meters high.

Noord-Brabant

Noord-Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands, is home to Efteling theme park and is largely Catholic – Carnival is celebrated here every year. Its capital is ’s-Hertogenbosch, largest city Eindhoven; Tilburg and Breda also feature.Worth seeing are the old towns of ’s-Hertogenbosch and Breda. De Biesbosch National Park is one of Europe's last great wetlands.

North Holland

Noord-Holland is the peninsula between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer and, with Amsterdam, the most visited province of the Netherlands. Besides the capital, it features Haarlem, the cheese city Alkmaar, the old port towns Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the Wadden Island Texel.More than half of the province consists of reclaimed polders. Behind the dunes of Kennemerland stretches flat geestland, north of Amsterdam the watery Waterland, and in the southeast the forests and heathlands of Het Gooi.

South Holland

South Holland is the most densely populated province of the Netherlands, uniting two very different major cities: the port city of Rotterdam and the seat of government, The Hague. In between lie the historic centers of Leiden, Delft, Gouda, Dordrecht, and Schiedam.Along the North Sea coast, behind the dunes, are seaside resorts such as Katwijk and Noordwijk. Southeast of Rotterdam stand the windmills of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the south of the province, bridges and dams connect the islands of the Rhine Delta.

Friesland

Friesland in the northern Netherlands, province of lakes, Wadden Sea, and its own language: West Frisian, official alongside Dutch. The Wadden Islands Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog belong here.Leeuwarden is the capital. Visitors enjoy watersports on lakes, swimming at the coast and islands, and mudflat hiking. In summer, old sailing cargo ships race in the Skûtsjesilen regatta.

Limburg

Limburg is the southernmost tip of the Netherlands, nestled between Germany and Belgium – and the only province located entirely above sea level. The south is a hilly region, home to the capital Maastricht and the popular resort town of Valkenburg.At the Three-Country Point near Vaals, the Vaalserberg reaches 322.7 meters, making it the highest point in the European Netherlands. The Maas river flows through the province from south to north. Regional cuisine features asparagus and Limburger Vlaai, a traditional fruit tart.

Gelderland

Gelderland in the east is the largest province of the Netherlands by area and its most wooded part: In the north lies the Veluwe, the country's largest forest area. The largest cities are Nijmegen, the capital Arnhem, and Apeldoorn.The rivers Nederrijn, Lek, and Waal traverse the province from east to west, and the IJssel flows north to the IJsselmeer. Between these rivers lies the Betuwe, known for its fruit cultivation, and in the southeast, the agricultural Achterhoek.

Province Groningen

The Province of Groningen is the northeasternmost of the Netherlands and borders the Wadden Sea to the north, and Ostfriesland and Emsland to the east. Its center is the university city of Groningen with its old town.The area surrounding the city, the Ommelande, is flat and expansive. Old villages are located there on *Warften*, artificially raised mounds.

Recommended Itineraries

Discover the best routes through Netherlands.

Randstad Classic: Canal Cities and Windmills

The route connects Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, each only 10 to 40 minutes by train from one another. From Amsterdam, you travel to the windmills of Zaanse Schans; in spring, from Leiden to Keukenhof; and from Rotterdam, reach Kinderdijk in about 30 minutes by WaterShuttle. You don't need a car; train and bike are more practical in the city centers.

9 Days

Stops at a glance

1.Amsterdam
2.Haarlem
3.Leiden
4.Den Haag
5.Delft
6.Rotterdam
7.Utrecht

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The North: Cheese Market, Wadden Island and Friesland

From Amsterdam, you head to Alkmaar with its cheese market, held Fridays from early April to early September, then from Den Helder, a 20-minute ferry ride to Texel. Via the Afsluitdijk, you continue to Leeuwarden and Groningen, and on your return south, to the water village of Giethoorn.

9 Days

6 stops

The South and East: Brabant, Limburg and Veluwe

From Utrecht, it's on to ’s-Hertogenbosch with its Sint-Janskathedraal and boat trips on the Binnendieze, then to Efteling theme park in Kaatsheuvel, and south to Maastricht on the Maas. On the return journey north, about a two-hour drive, lies De Hoge Veluwe National Park, which you can explore with the free White Bicycles up to the Kröller-Müller Museum.

7 Days

5 stops

What you eat in Netherlands

Hollandse Nieuwe

Only herring caught between May and the end of August may be sold as Hollandse Nieuwe; the industry re-establishes the start of the season each year. You eat it raw, usually with chopped onions – held by the tail, cut into pieces or in a soft roll.

Bitterballen

The fried, crispy breaded balls with ragout filling are the small variant of the Kroket and belong to the Borrel, the late afternoon get-together. They are served hot with mustard.

Stamppot

For this winter dish, boiled potatoes are mashed with vegetables, the most well-known variant being with kale (boerenkool). Stamppot is served with smoked sausage (rookworst), bacon, gravy, and mustard.

Pea Potage

The very thick pea soup with pork and smoked sausage (rookworst) is traditionally eaten in winter and is more a stew than a soup. It comes with rye bread with butter and smoked bacon (katenspek).

Stroopwafel

A thin waffle is sliced horizontally and filled with a layer of syrup. This specialty originates from the city of Gouda and is now available nationwide at markets and in supermarkets.

Poffertjes

These small, fluffy yeast pancakes are baked in a special dimpled pan. You get them warm with butter and powdered sugar, especially at stalls at festivals and Christmas markets.

Good to Know

Essential info for your trip planning.

Land & People

The Netherlands, often referred to as Holland, presents itself as a fascinating interplay of innovative landscape…

History & Society

The history of the Netherlands is shaped by seafaring, trade, and an early quest for independence.

Food & Drink

Discover Dutch CuisineDutch cuisine is down-to-earth, often hearty, and reflects the country's maritime history and…

Practical Info

Entry and CustomsAs a citizen of an EU country, you only need a valid ID card or passport for entry into the…

Getting Around

Getting to the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is easily accessible from Germany by various routes, and distances within the…

RV Travel

The Netherlands is a straightforward RV destination: distances are short, roads flat and well-maintained.

Traveling with Kids

Explore the Netherlands with KidsThe Netherlands is an exceptionally child-friendly destination, perfectly suited for…

Best Time to Visit

When is the best time for your trip?

April

May

June

September

10–17°C·45–70 mm(moderate rain)

Die Monate April, Mai und Juni bieten angenehme Temperaturen und die höchste Wahrscheinlichkeit für sonniges Wetter, ideal auch für die Tulpenblüte im Frühling. Der September ist ebenfalls empfehlenswert, da das Wetter oft noch mild ist und die Touristenmassen des Hochsommers abgenommen haben.

Die Niederlande haben ein gemäßigtes maritimes Klima, das stark von der Nordsee beeinflusst wird. Dies führt zu milden Wintern und kühlen bis mäßig warmen Sommern. Extreme Temperaturen sind selten.Niederschlag: Regen ist über das ganze Jahr verteilt, ohne ausgeprägte Trocken- oder Regenzeiten. Die feuchtesten Monate sind tendenziell im Herbst und Frühwinter, während das Frühjahr oft am trockensten ist.Wind: Das Land ist bekannt für seine Winde, insbesondere an der Küste und in offenen Landschaften. Dies kann das gefühlte Wetter kühler machen, als die Thermometerwerte anzeigen.Wetterwechsel: Das Wetter in den Niederlanden kann sehr wechselhaft sein; ein sonniger Morgen kann sich schnell in einen bewölkten oder regnerischen Nachmittag verwandeln. Schichtenkleidung ist daher das ganze Jahr über ratsam.Regionale Unterschiede: Die klimatischen Unterschiede innerhalb der Niederlande sind gering. Küstenregionen erleben tendenziell mildere Winter und kühlere Sommer als das Binnenland, mit etwas mehr Wind und oft mehr Sonnenstunden.Sonnenschein: Die sonnigsten Monate sind Mai, Juni, Juli und August, während die Wintermonate sehr wenig Sonnenschein bieten.

Seasons

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Apr

May

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Hauptsaison

Übergangssaison

Nebensaison

Best Time to Visit

▶Show detailed monthly data

Month	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Sun (h)
January	3.0	65	2.0
February	3.0	55	3.0
March	6.0	50	4.0
April	10.0	45	6.0
May	14.0	55	7.0
June	17.0	65	7.0
July	19.0	75	7.0
August	19.0	75	6.0
September	16.0	70	5.0
October	12.0	75	3.0
November	7.0	80	2.0
December	4.0	75	1.0

Travel advice

Safety, entry requirements and health: the official, up-to-date advice for Netherlands is published by the UK government on GOV.UK.

Go to GOV.UK

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Travel Guide Netherlands

Why Go To Netherlands?

Where in Netherlands?

Amsterdam

Zaanse Schans

Lisse & Keukenhof

Den Haag

Rotterdam

Kinderdijk

Utrecht

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

More highlights in Netherlands

Giethoorn

Texel

Maastricht

How to plan your trip to Netherlands

Pick a route

Plan your trip

Use it on the road