Amsterdam is a must-see on every trip to Holland, but the Netherlands are packed with other exciting destinations as well.
Holland has many attractions for tourists to enjoy, such as the country’s iconic windmills, beautiful flower fields, and historic city centres jam-packed with museums and other points of interest. These must-see attractions in the Netherlands are conveniently located.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Netherlands
1. Gouda
Gouda, a typical Dutch city with many historic buildings and beautiful canals, is a popular day trip destination due to its proximity to major highways and train lines. Cheese, stroopwafels (syrup waffles), candles, and clay pipes have all made the city famous.
Gouda is known for its stunning town hall (built in the 15th century) and the breathtaking stained glass windows at St. Janskerk. Just five minutes away from the train station is the tiny city core, which is surrounded on all sides by canals.
2. Rotterdam
Rotterdam, which was once a sleepy fishing village in the 13th century, is now the most progressive metropolis in the Netherlands. Rotterdam, like Amsterdam, is a great place to rent bicycles and explore the city’s many different neighbourhoods.
In 1620, the pilgrims set sail from the Delfshaven neighbourhood, which now hosts summer festivals and carnivals that draw tourists from all over Europe. Since it towers above Europe’s largest harbour, Erasmus Bridge is not only one-of-a-kind and intimidating, but also widely considered as a piece of beauty.
The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is where the vast majority of tourists choose to spend their time. It features works from the Middle Ages to the present day, including works by such masters as Salvador Dali, Vincent van Gogh, Hieronymus Bosch, and Rembrandt.
3. Groningen
This small but culturally rich city is home to two universities, making it the undisputed cultural, commercial, and academic centre of the northern Netherlands.
The Groninger Museum is one of the most forward-thinking and cutting-edge in all of Holland, and it is joined by a graphics museum, a comics museum, a marine museum, and a university museum, ensuring that museum-goers will never be bored in Groningen.
Groningen is a city rich in music and theatre; several of the city’s cafes even feature live performances. The Grote Markt, Peperstraat, and Vismarkt are some of the most well-known places to party due to the city’s large student population.
4. Haarlem
As the unofficial capital of the tulip bulb-growing region, Haarlem has earned the nickname Bloemenstad (or “flower city”) and hosts the annual Bloemencorso parade. Located on the banks of the Spaarne River, this sleepy suburb is home to numerous well-preserved mediaeval buildings.
The Grote Markt is a popular tourist destination due to its abundance of shops, restaurants, and museums. The Teylers Museum in Haarlem is the oldest museum in the country and features art, science, and historical displays. Franz Hals Museum, which houses works by numerous Dutch masters, is a popular destination for art lovers.
5. Utrecht
Utrecht’s inner canal wharf system, built to prevent parts of the Rhine River from entering the city centre, is the most distinctive architectural element of the city and a testament to its rich Middle Age heritage. One of Utrecht’s most notable features is the University of Utrecht, the largest university in the Netherlands.
The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Martin in Utrecht is awe-inspiring; its construction began in 1254 and lasted for the next two centuries. The Dom Tower, the Rietveld Schroder House, and the Museum Speelklok, which has a massive collection of chiming clocks, music boxes, and self-playing musical instruments, are must-sees for architecture and museum fans.
6. Maastricht
Maastricht, Holland, is a popular tourist destination due in large part to its lively main square, the Vrijthof; other major draws include the magnificent Saint Servatius Church, the Saint Jan’s Cathedral, and the historic fortifications, known as Vestigingswerkens.
Its lively town square features wonderful cafes, fashionable bars, and interesting galleries and boutiques, and it also hosts a number of annual events (with the local favourites arriving in the fall and winter). The Helpoort, the oldest town gate in the Netherlands, and the St. Pietersberg Caves are both very well-liked by visitors to Maastricht.
7. The Hague
The Hague is one of the most interesting Dutch cities to visit because to the impressive collections of modern art on display in the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis.
Scheveningen is a popular tourist destination in the Netherlands during the summer months, and it has earned the nickname “Royal City by the Sea” because of the large number of Dutch royals who live there.
The Hague’s luxurious department stores, quaint boutiques, and international art galleries are all within easy walking distance of the city’s many famous landmarks and historic areas.
Notwithstanding Amsterdam’s status as the nation’s administrative centre, the Binnenhof may be found in The Hague. Madurodam, a small city, and Panorama Mesdag, a 360-degree panorama of the Scheveningen Sea in the 19th century, are two more things to see and do in The Hague.
8. Delft
Delft, with its Renaissance-style city hall on Markt Plaza and its classic Holland canals, architecture, and feel, is a modern city that has made great strides in restoring its historic aspect. If you’re looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, this untouched town is the perfect weekend getaway.
The Prinsenhof, where William of Orange was shot and killed, is a popular tourist destination. The story of the Eighty Years’ War is told at this museum, which also houses some fascinating pieces of art. Visitors to Delft who are searching for a memento or print by Johannes Vermeer should not miss Vermeer Centrum.
9. Leiden
Leiden is a beautiful city to visit thanks to its tree-lined canals, historic windmills, wooden bridges, and green spaces. A trip down one of these beautiful canals in a boat is something you won’t soon forget. Leiden is home to a wide variety of museums covering subjects as diverse as Egyptian antiquities and windmills.
Extensive botanical gardens and the oldest academic observatory can be found in the Hortus Botanicus. The stunning Church of St. Peter was built in the 16th century, and it is here that many notable persons, including American pilgrims, are connected to the building.
10. Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most visited cities thanks to its well-known party scene, tolerance for cannabis, and red light district. But there’s so much more to see and do in the Dutch capital than just the canals—there are historic landmarks, top-tier museums, and well-known sights like the Anne Frank House, Vondelpark, and Bloemenmarkt, the floating flower market.
Amsterdam, the provincial capital of North Holland, is a large city with many distinct neighbourhoods, but the city’s excellent public transportation system makes travelling around quick and simple. Historic downtown Amsterdam is the beating heart of the city.
The majority of visitors spend their time in the city centre, where they may take canal cruises, see famous landmarks, visit world-class museums like the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, and listen to world-class concerts in the Concertgebouw.
