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Introducing The Netherlands

The Netherlands is so much more than just windmills and tulips! From top to bottom, its rich history can be experienced through the well-preserved architecture of its picturesque villages, churches, and canals. If nature is more your speed, the Netherlands boasts beautiful beaches and national parks to explore. It may be a small country, but there is something here for everyone! 

When is the best time to visit Holland?
The Netherlands is a country that can really be visited year-round. Even in the chilly winter months, you are still able to enjoy a stroll through the park or a cup of mulled wine at a local market. Situated on the coast of the North Sea, the Netherlands experiences moderate marine temperatures during Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November), colder temperatures in the winter (December- February) and warm, but manageable temperatures during the summer months (June-August). Spontaneous rainfalls can occur year-round, with the heaviest rains falling in October and November. 

Where should you go?
In the Netherlands, you really can have it all! Since the country is relatively small, you are able to see all its corners without having to travel long distances. This means that it is quite easy to visit the tulips fields in the Bollenstreek (Dutch bulb region), go cycling along the dunes near Bergen and Schoorl, wander through charming cobblestone streets of 17th-century villages such as Haarlem or Leiden, or go hiking in the Veluwe National Park, all while traveling from point A to B in only 1.5 hours on average.

How many days do you need?
In 5 days, you can experience all of the highlights of the west such as Amsterdam and its many art museums which boast works from the great Dutch Masters, the tulip fields in bloom around Haarlem, traditional Dutch windmills at the Zaanse Schans, and a cheese market in Alkmaar or Gouda. If you have 7 to 10 days to spend, you can visit more off-the-beaten-track places like the picturesque fishing villages of Monnickendam, Marken, and Volendam, take a boat tour or canoe excursion through Biesbosch National Park, or head south to Limburg to visit castles and go hiking in the only hills in the Netherlands. You can even enjoy some mudflat waking and the beach in the Wadden Islands.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 10 days · 14 days

The Netherlands Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Lievebrug Bridge in Ghent
Grand Tour of the Netherlands & Belgium - 14 Days

Castles, cathedrals, windmills, canals: this two-week itinerary takes you through highlights of the Netherlands and Belgium. Starting in the vibrant Dutch capital of Amsterdam and ending in the cosmopolitan Belgian capital of Brussels, the adventure offers a mix of cultural sightseeing and outdoor excursions. Learn about architecture in Rotterdam, see medieval Ghent from a boat, sample Belgian waffles in their place of origin, view original paintings by Vincent van Gogh, and experience natural landscapes with a ride through a national park on an e-bike. This grand tour has something for everyone!

Historic monuments on a tour of Holland and Flanders
Map of Highlights of Holland & Flanders - 7 Days
Highlights of Holland & Flanders - 7 Days

There's no need to choose between Holland and Flanders (the Dutch-speaking half of Belgium). This weeklong itinerary takes you to the highlights of both, including sightseeing in Amsterdam, an architecture tour in Rotterdam, a gourmet food tour in Antwerp, and a boat tour past medieval castles in Ghent. You'll sample cheeses where they're produced, spot windmills in the Dutch countryside, and relax with a Belgian crowd on a river beach. This whirlwind itinerary has something for everyone!

Church
Map of Highlights of Holland - 10 Days
Highlights of Holland - 10 Days

Experience the best of Holland along with some of its hidden gems on this 10-day trip! From big cities to charming small villages, you’ll experience a perfect cross-section of what the Netherlands has to offer. You’ll have the opportunity to admire all of the traditional Dutch characteristics: cheese markets, famous painters, typical canals, rich history, churches with stained-glass windows, windmills, lovely squares, and ancient cobbled alleys. In addition to exploring picturesque smaller cities such as Gouda, Leiden, and Delft, you will also visit Amsterdam, home to the country’s most famous museums, the vibrant, modern harbor city of Rotterdam, and even get some beach time!

The National Monument on Dam Square, Amsterdam
Map of World War II in the Netherlands - 5 Days
World War II in the Netherlands - 5 Days

History buffs won't want to miss this five-day tour of World War II sites and monuments in the Netherlands. From the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to the Camp Westerbork detention camp, and from refugee hideaways in the woods to military cemeteries and memorials, there's so much to see and learn. Spend the night at the site where the Netherlands was liberated from the Nazis, walk with a veteran across a landmark bridge at sunset in Nijmegen, and wrap up the itinerary with a visit to the National Monument in Amsterdam.

Children walking on the coast of the North Sea
Map of Family Tour of the Netherlands - 10 Days
Family Tour of the Netherlands - 10 Days

Welcome to the perfect family destination — Holland! On this 10-day adventure, you'll explore the canals of Amsterdam on a private boat, see the windmills of Kinderdijk and learn how they work, spot beavers in their natural habitat at De Biesbosch National Park, and spend several days on the relaxed island of Texel. Travel by train, ferry, canoe, bus, and bicycle as you make your way between the country's top destinations. Featuring a mix of activities for adults and children alike, and diverse landscapes from mudflats to tulip fields, this itinerary is fun for the whole family.

Bicycle in the Dutch Countryside
Map of Flower Tour of Holland - 5 Days
Flower Tour of Holland - 5 Days

This itinerary is all about flowers! In just five days, you will cycle through Dutch tulip fields on an e-bike, learn how tulips are grown, and see how they're sold at auction and at floating flower markets. View magnificent tulips on display at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, the largest flower park in the world, and learn all about the rich history of tulips and their value in Dutch culture at the Tulip Museum. The best time to plan this trip is March through May, with the tulips at their best in mid-April.

Make the Most of Your Time in the Netherlands

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Traditional windmills throughout the Alblasserwaard polder of Kinderdijk
How Many Days to Spend in the Netherlands

With five days in the Netherlands, travelers can explore Amsterdam's highlights and use the capital as a hub for nearby popular sites, including The Hague, Rotterdam, and...

The Netherlands Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest The Netherlands Content

Traditional windmills throughout the Alblasserwaard polder of Kinderdijk
How Many Days to Spend in the Netherlands

With five days in the Netherlands, travelers can explore Amsterdam's highlights and use the capital as a hub for nearby popular sites, including The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Seven days, however, is the right amount of time to cover main interests and discover more of the country than the average visitor with places like Marken, Edam, and Biebosch National Park. If you have 10 days, you can go farther afield to the northern province of Groningen or visit a second country and cross the border into Belgium.

An Amsterdam canal in spring
Best Time of Year to Visit the Netherlands

A country that can be visited any time of year, the Netherlands is best explored in the spring. The weather is brighter and warmer, and those iconic tulip bulbs are blooming. Yet with more than 400 museums showcasing renowned artworks, there’s something to see in every season. Not to mention, a coastal holiday in the summer, a cycling excursion in the fall, or, if you're lucky, an ice-skating outing on a frozen canal in the winter.

On the carousel at Efteling theme park
Family Adventure in the Netherlands & Belgium - 14 Days

Bring the whole family along on this kid-friendly journey around the Netherlands and Belgium! Start with a cruise along the canals of Amsterdam and a visit to a futuristic science museum. Then ride an old steam train to Medemblik, where you'll board an antique ship to Enkhuizen, known for its cheese markets. Cycle through the sand dunes to the North Sea, spot colorful tulip fields, and feast on traditional stroopwafels before spending three days at a popular Dutch theme park. Then cross the border to Belgium, where you'll go on a food tour of Antwerp, stay at a real Belgian farm, and relax at the beach resort of De Panne. Offering a great mix of outdoor adventure and cultural education, this itinerary is a hit with travelers of all ages.

The Netherlands Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
The Netherlands map: 7 Days in the Netherlands - 5 Unique Itineraries
7 Days in the Netherlands - 5 Unique Itineraries
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The Netherlands map: 10 Days in the Netherlands - 5 Unique Itineraries
10 Days in the Netherlands - 5 Unique Itineraries
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The Netherlands map: 5 Days in the Netherlands - 5 Unique Itineraries
5 Days in the Netherlands - 5 Unique Itineraries
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Trip Reviews for The Netherlands

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Charming Towns and World-Class Art
The Netherlands | Aug 3 - Aug 7, 2022

Barbara
Barbara H.
McLean, VA | Reviewed on Aug 08, 2022

We only had 4 nights in the Netherlands, but Mieke put together a great itinerary that made the most of our limited time. From the bustling pace of Amsterdam to the charming canal towns of Leiden, Haarlem, and Delft, we enjoyed every minute of each location. It was magical - a trip we will remember forever.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Reviewed on Aug 08, 2022

Thank you so much for your kind words, Barbara. It was wonderful meeting you in Leiden. Glad you have enjoyed it so much!

Mieke is awesome
The Netherlands | May 21 - May 29, 2022

S
Sarah L.
Wilkinsburg, PA | Reviewed on Jun 12, 2022

Working with Mieke was great. She offered cool and interesting suggestions such as the Upside Down which turned out to be a really fun activity for our family. She also put together an itinerary that gave us flexibility to do some exploring on our own as well as getting us tickets to the must see Van Gogh museum. The transportation in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands also worked out smoothly with tickets that gave us flexibility in travel times. Our favorite tourist destination... read more

Working with Mieke was great. She offered cool and interesting suggestions such as the Upside Down which turned out to be a really fun activity for our family. She also put together an itinerary that gave us flexibility to do some exploring on our own as well as getting us tickets to the must see Van Gogh museum. The transportation in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands also worked out smoothly with tickets that gave us flexibility in travel times. Our favorite tourist destination was the Gravensteen castle tour- it had everything you want to see in a castle plus a very funny audio guide. Loved it and missing the Netherlands and Belgium already.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2022

How wonderful to read all this, Sarah! I am glad you have had such a wonderful family time and enjoyed the reunion with your Dutch relatives. It is an honor to have been able to play a role in facilitating your family adventure! You have been wonderful guests and we loved hosting you here. Wishing you and the girls all the best,
Mieke

The Netherlands and Belgium
The Netherlands | May 29 - Jun 9, 2022

Cindy
Cindy w.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2022

We had an absolutely amazing time traveling to The Netherlands and Belgium thanks to Bas from Beat the Dutch Travel who we met through kimkim.

Throughout the planning process, Bas was exceptionally helpful; he asked us good questions to get a sense of our interests, needs, budget etc. and always responded to our messages in a timely manner. Early in the process he provided a potential itinerary which was sufficiently detailed to give us a sense of what our trip might look like and then... read more

We had an absolutely amazing time traveling to The Netherlands and Belgium thanks to Bas from Beat the Dutch Travel who we met through kimkim.

Throughout the planning process, Bas was exceptionally helpful; he asked us good questions to get a sense of our interests, needs, budget etc. and always responded to our messages in a timely manner. Early in the process he provided a potential itinerary which was sufficiently detailed to give us a sense of what our trip might look like and then refined it after our review. In addition to activities that were booked for us, Bas, and his colleague Mieke, also provided us with a curated list of restaurants and sights we might like to consider during unplanned times. All tickets for transit and for sights were purchased for us, which took the stress out of our travel planning. Having a local specialist make suggestions with regard to sights to see meant that we were able to take in the "must-sees" as well as some that were less likely to be visited by tourists. The accommodations that we selected, based on Bas' recommendations were all unique and interesting and suited our needs well.

During our trip we had private tours booked in Amsterdam, Nijmegen and Antwerp which helped us to get an appreciation for each of these cities from the perspective of and with the expertise of a local guide. One particular highlight of our trip, one for which we are particularly grateful was the opportunity to meet Bas when he acted as our driver so that we could visit 'The Crossing Bridge', the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, and Vrijheidsmuseum (Freedom Museum), which would have been difficult for us to visit via public transport. In addition to meeting a very practical need in terms of transport, we deeply appreciated the opportunity to learn about life in The Netherlands through is eyes.

Both Bas and Mieke were very responsive to our questions and concerns both before we traveled and then while we were on the trip. We are very grateful to them for making our trip to The Netherlands and Belgium stress free and highly memorable. Thanks to them we can't wait to plan our next trip!

Hotel Reviews
Amstelzicht
Amsterdam

We loved staying at the Amstelzicht Hotel. It is small (with only 14 rooms) and quaint with a great location. The staff were friendly and helpful. We had a lovely view of the canal and the hotel is a very short walk from Rembrandt Square. Transit from the hotel is very easy. The rooms are comfortable and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Opoe Sientje B&B
Nijmegen

This was a very unique place to stay. We stayed in the the Deckhouse apartment. Our "room" on the boat was cozy with an outer room (including a kitchenette, dining table, and sofas) and a small bedroom. It has a great view of harbour and the bridge over the river Waal. We took a very peaceful walk around the premises in the early morning. Since we only stayed one night we didn't get to enjoy all of what Opoe Sientje has to offer. Breakfast, served in the Hold, was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel New York
Rotterdam

The hotel is very interesting and historic with a wonderful location. The rooms are bright with lots of windows and high ceilings. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
De Keyser Hotel
Antwerp

This hotel is located about a 5 minute walk from the train station and in the heart of the city. The room was small but met our needs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Atlas B&B
Ghent

We loved this B&B. Our room was very spacious and had a lot of character. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Our only complaint was that our washroom (although private - just ours) was outside of our room and down 12 stairs. Otherwise, we had a lovely stay. Breakfast, served in a small dining room was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was very comfortable and clean. We give only 4 stars since our washroom was outside of our room.
Activity Reviews
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Private canal cruise to Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands

This canal cruise was one of the highlights of our trip. The captain of the boat was very knowledgeable and shared with us interesting information and stories about Amsterdam. Our cruise was scheduled in the morning. It was very peaceful and quiet. Seeing the city from the canal is a must!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
World War II excursion Westerbork & Veluwe
Amsterdam

We were really grateful to be able to visit Het Verscholen Dorp (the Secret Village). Although it has such a troubling history as a hideout for Dutch Jews, it was fascinating to see.

Amsterdam - Westerbork - Veluwe - Arnhem/Nijmegen
The Netherlands

We will be talking about this experience for years to come! It was so sobering to come to this place where Dutch Jews, Roma, and other prisoners were brought during WWII but helped us to visualize history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Bas Naus
Bas
Bas Naus
Local specialist in Nijmegen, Netherlands | Reviewed on Jun 15, 2022

Dear Cindy and Clyve,
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I am delighted to hear you had a pleasant trip in the Netherlands & Belgium, and that you appreciated our help here! Personally, I can also say the 2 full days we spent together when I was your driver/guide, were very nice. I really enjoyed your company, getting to know you and learning about your life in Canada, and talking about life here in the Netherlands. Thanks for the good times we had together!
All the best to you and see you again sometime in Nijmegen ;-)
Warm regards,
Bas.