The Best City Breaks in the Netherlands
Amsterdam
The nation’s capital and largest city, Amsterdam is an essential stopping point for most visitors to Holland, equally known for its world-class museums and architecture as for its laissez-faire attitude and historic red-light district. Many of Amsterdam's most famous sights, including the Rembrandthuis, the red-light district, the Royal Palace and the Anne Frank House are contained within the historic centre, or Grachtengordel. This pedestrianised zone of concentric canals is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is easily explored by foot, bicycle or tram. ‘De 9 straatjes’, or Nine Little Streets, is a particularly scenic neighbourhood within the Grachtengordel, recognizable from countless postcard images of Amsterdam
There’s plenty to discover outside the Grachtengordel though – the neighbouring districts of Jordaan and de Pijp feature much of the same 17th-century architecture, with a more lived-in feel and a wider, less tourist-focused range of bars, restaurants and cafes. Amsterdam-Noord, located across the harbor from the old centre, is a waterfront area with plenty of green space and some of the city’s best contemporary galleries and bars. In recent years, Amsterdam has taken steps to mitigate some of the negative effects of tourism on this compact city. Cruise ships have been banned, and the council even paid for targeted ads urging young British holidaymakers to stay away in an effort to discourage ‘party tourism’. Visitors to Amsterdam can take measures to ensure they visit the city in a way that contributes to a sustainable tourism model. Spend money on local businesses, keep the noise down at night, and try and spend some time outside the Grachtengordel exploring areas like Noord, de Pijp and Westerpark.
Rotterdam
Only 45 minutes by train from Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a very different city. While smaller than the capital, it feels bigger and busier. This is largely due to the port of Rotterdam – one of the largest working ports in Europe, it has provided the city with a cosmopolitan, international character and lively nightlife.
Rotterdam is also a major draw for architecture fans. As a centre of Dutch industry, the city was almost entirely destroyed in the Second World War. Since then, Rotterdam has become a proving ground for generations of modernist Dutch architects to exhibit some of their most imaginative designs. It is also famous for its nightlife, with a blend of centuries-old Bruine Cafes and forward-thinking nightclubs housed in the former warehouses.
The Hague
Next to Rotterdam, the Hague, or Den Haag, is a historic seaside city that houses several major institutions including the International Criminal Court, the Dutch Parliament, and the official residence of the Dutch Royal Family. As a result, it’s one of the best places to learn about Dutch culture and history.
‘The Most Beautiful Museum in the World’ is an ambitious nickname, but the Mauritshuis in the Hague manages to live up to it. This former palace is the best place to explore the works of the old Dutch Masters, including Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. Nearby, the Binnehof, or Dutch Parliament Building, may be one of the world’s most picturesque centres of political power. The complex of medieval and renaissance buildings, perched on the banks of a canal, can be visited with a guided tour.
In summer, visitor numbers to the Hague climb steeply as locals and tourists head to the city beach. For visitors looking for a more relaxed beach holiday, the small resort towns of Bloemendaal and Kijkduin offer a typical Dutch beach getaway. Elsewhere, families with kids will love Madurodam. One of Holland's most popular visitor attractions, Madurodam is a non-profit theme park filled with painstakingly constructed scale models of Dutch landmarks and cities. If you haven’t got time to see the whole country, whip through all the major sights in the Netherlands in a single afternoon at Madurodam.
Leiden
The 'City of Discoveries', Leiden is home to Holland’s oldest and most prestigious university. It’s also an underrated holiday destination. Leiden University is still one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, and the large student body provides it with a more progressive atmosphere and livelier nightlife than most other Dutch cities of its size.
Leiden is a great alternative to the crowds of Amsterdam or Utrecht – Like those two cities, it has a wealth of golden-age Dutch architecture, busy nightlife and a friendly, laid-back character, although with far fewer tourists. The city is also notable as the hometown of legendary Dutch artist Rembrandt. The studio where he first learned to paint is now a museum dedicated to his works.
Delft
Another Dutch city synonymous with a Renaissance artist, Delft is the birthplace of Johannes Vermeer. The provincial houses and middle-class medieval interiors that feature in so many of the artist’s works can be experienced first-hand in the old centre of Delft. Take a Vermeer walking tour and explore the history and culture of the town that inspired so many of the artist's works.
Delft's other major draw is the blue-and-white ceramics that made the city one of the most in-demand hubs of artistry and craftsmanship during the 18th and 19th centuries. Delft blue tiles decorate many of the city's streets and buildings, while the Delft porcelain industry is still going strong.
5 Must-try Foods in the Netherlands
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Bitterballen
The perfect bar snack, Bitterballen are breaded, deep-fried spheres filled with a glutinous meat paste that tastes far better than it sounds. Bitterballen are ideally consumed in a bar with a side of hot mustard.
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Poffertjes
Poffertjes are a popular street food, usually seen at festivals and outdoor markets. These tiny buckwheat pancakes are traditionally served with melted butter and icing sugar, and eaten to go.
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Roti
Suriname is a former colony of the Netherlands, and Surinamese culture and cuisine are now an integral part of Dutch society. Roti is a Surinamese dish, by way of India, comprised of flatbreads served with a selection of sauces and sides. The wide variety of Roti dishes provides a change from the potato-heavy Dutch culinary universe.
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Nasi Goreng
Indonesia was the largest colony of the Netherlands, enduring centuries of Dutch occupation. The classic Indonesian fried rice dish of Nasi Goreng is now a staple in eateries across the country, from authentic interpretations in Indonesian restaurants to fast-food variants in late-night snack bars.
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Oliebollen
If you’re visiting the Netherlands during the holiday season, and especially if you’re in one of the country’s traditional Christmas markets, these are a must-try. Deep fried doughballs covered in icing sugar, Oliebollen are proof that sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.
The Best Countryside Trips in the Netherlands
Friesland and the Wadden Islands
By European standards, the Netherlands is a young country, formed from the unification of a collection of culturally and linguistically-linked provinces in the 16th century. As a result, many areas still maintain an independent, localized character. This is especially clear the further away you travel from the South Holland conurbation. The province of Friesland, in the North, has a distinct culture, and language. Especially in rural areas, it’s not uncommon to hear the native language, Frisian, spoken instead of Dutch.
The Friesian capital Leeuwarden is an ideal base camp for exploring the province. Discover the crooked Oldehove belfry, Leeuwarden’s answer to the leaning tower of Pisa, and enjoy some of the freshest seafood in the country at the city waterfront. Friesland also contains the secluded Wadden Islands, popular with sailors, fishers and swimmers, and the world’s oldest planetarium in Franken.
Giethoorn
Giethoorn’s nickname ‘the Venice of the Netherlands’, almost does it a disservice. This floating village, crisscrossed by a network of canals, rather than roads, is a world away from the Renaissance splendor of the Italian city – Giethoorn's appeal lies instead in the lush green banks, pastoral farmhouses and friendly waterfront pubs and restaurants that open directly on to the waterways.
The village has long been a tourist staple and can get crowded in peak months of summer. Visiting during the off-season to experience the unique setting at a more relaxed pace.
Zeeland
The southern province of Zeeland is the least-populated in the Netherlands – though numbers rise in summer as crowds of holidaymakers head to the sandy beaches and resort villages that make up Zeeland’s Dutch Riviera.
The province has plenty of history and culture to offer as well – the capital, Middelburg, is a great place to experience 18th-century Netherlands. Formerly one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, Middelburg’s history as a thriving trading post is reflected in the city’s many listed buildings, including the Gothic market square.
Kinderdijk
Kinderdijk provides the iconic views and photo opportunities of Holland most visitors will be familiar with: windmills, Friesian cows and tulip fields. It’s also one of the world’s most ingenious engineering projects and less than an hour's travel from Rotterdam. This network of 19 windmills has been holding back the ocean for 400 years, allowing the Dutch to utilise land claimed from the sea. Head to the Kinderdijk museum to find out more about the function of the region, or simply enjoy the picture-postcard surroundings.
Holland or the Netherlands?
In the English-speaking world, you’ve likely heard the two terms used interchangeably – but which is correct? The nation is comprised of eleven provinces, collectively known as the Netherlands. This is the most accurate and common way to refer to the country. Two of these provinces, North Holland and South Holland, contain the bulk of the population, and historically the most wealth and political might. As a result, ‘Holland’ became a colloquial and misleading term for the entire nation. This confusion is compounded by the fact that many Dutch people (usually Hollanders) alternate between the two terms themselves. If in doubt, avoid using Holland at all, and just say the Netherlands. And if you do forget, most Dutch people will not be too offended.
Travelling in the Netherlands
If you’re able to, hiring a bike or e-bike is an affordable, convenient and fun way to get around. In major cities, it's usually the fastest mode of transport too. The Netherlands is famously flat as a table, and the cities are built with world-leading bicycle infrastructure. Riding around town on an upright Omafiets is a sure way to blend in with the locals.
Travel between most cities and major towns in the Netherlands is also very efficient, due to the nation's widespread and well-maintained rail network. Downloading a navigation app like Google Maps, used in tandem with a local Dutch eSIM, is the easiest way to stay in touch and navigate your way around the Netherlands.
eSIM data plans for the Netherlands
Using an eSIM in the Netherlands
If you're travelling to the Netherlands, having a mobile internet connection will help you get around, translate menus, and share your holiday photos.
A Netherlands eSIM is the easiest way to use mobile data without paying roaming charges. A prepaid Netherlands eSIM allows you to get connected to local Dutch mobile networks, so you can browse the internet and use apps without having to worry about hidden costs in your phone bill or spiralling roaming fees. And if you're planning on extending your trip to other European countries, you can even download a Europe-wide eSIM package.
