YOUR SMOOTH IN NETHERLANDS ITINERARY BY A DUTCH RESIDENT
After over three years of living in the Netherlands, I’ve been asked a lot about how much time to spend in the Netherlands. Many travellers pass through the Netherlands quickly, spending only one day in Amsterdam, but if you have the opportunity, I’d suggest staying for at least seven days. In this Dutch itinerary, I’ll go over the top attractions in the Netherlands as well as travel advice.
Stay for Next I’ve tailored this itinerary primarily to Holland because the majority of the country’s attractions are concentrated in this area. If you have more time or have visited the majority of the country’s major cities, you may want to include a few off-the-beaten-path Dutch cities to your itinerary. Based on a trip I organised for my parents, which they adored, this
I prepared a travel guide about Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges for Moon Travel, if you’re searching for more in-depth travel tips about Belgium and the Netherlands. This book is available on Amazon!
The Netherlands is smaller than many people realise. Day travels to Rotterdam, The Hague, and many other Dutch cities are quite simple from Amsterdam. If you’re from a larger country, you don’t need to make many plans because train tickets can be bought on the day of travel and are usually not sold out. However, for many individuals in this country, an hour on the train is a long time.
Although I advise avoiding rush hour, the tickets purchased at the train station machines are only good for that date and not for any specific time.The train has a maximum fare of 25 euros per trip, however regional buses may sometimes be less expensive!Here are some pointers for locating inexpensive rail tickets in the Netherlands.
Contents
- 1 Three days in Amsterdam
- 2 Day trip to Zaanse Schans and Hoorn
- 3 Day trip to Haarlem and the tulip fields (April/May only*)
- 4 One day in Utrecht
- 5 Optional day trip: Cheese market in Woerden (summer only*) and Gouda
- 6 One day in the Hague
- 7 Optional: One day in Delft
- 8 One day in Rotterdam
- 9 Optional: One day in Dordrecht
- 10 One day in Den Bosch
- 11 Optional: One day in Efteling from Den Bosch
- 12 One day in Maastricht
- 13 What did you think of this Netherlands itinerary?
THREE DAYS IN AMSTERDAM
Generally speaking, I advise spending three days in Amsterdam. Get a taste of authentic Dutch cuisine, stroll along Amsterdam’s charming canals, venture into the city’s sinful side (if you dare!), check out the hip De Pijp neighbourhood, and marvel at some of the amazing artwork displayed in the city’s numerous museums at this period. Having spent several years living in Amsterdam, I can assure you that a three-day visit captures the essence of the city.
Many Dutch people joke that Amsterdam is like Disneyworld for the Netherlands and claim that it is not the same as the Netherlands. Fortunately, I’ve put together a schedule that will show you a lot more of the Netherlands than just Amsterdam, so you’re in the correct place. Despite their fondness for Amsterdam, my parents’ fairly narrow itinerary left them in awe of the other cities.Here is my three-day agenda in Amsterdam.
I suggest booking a room at the boutique hotel Max Brown in Amsterdam. Sewed together along one of Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals are a variety of canal buildings that make up this magnificent hotel. You’ll see why this is one of my top choices (and one that my friends have also appreciated) as soon as you pass by. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Student Hotel is a fantastic option for lodging, and StayOkay Vondelpark is a comfortable hostel that a friend of mine really enjoyed staying in.
It may be best to stay three days and two nights in Amsterdam before packing up your bags and heading to the other places listed below, as it is much less expensive to stay elsewhere. You won’t have to worry about leaving early, which will save you a tonne of money and give you more time to explore these beautiful places! For some of the cities, I’ve included hotel recommendations (more are in the specialised city guides).
DAY TRIP TO ZAANSE SCHANS AND HOORN
Many individuals are familiar with Zaanse Schans. There is a direct bus from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaanse Schans, which is free with an iAmsterdam card, so you don’t need to go on a tour.
The famous Dutch windmills can be seen for free, but entering the museum requires a fee.Come here to avoid the crowds and you won’t require more than two hours! After that, return to the Zaanse Schans train station to board the Hoorn train.
People who are ignorant of Hoorn frequently ignore it. Hoorn is a beautiful city on the Zuiderzee that was formerly a significant seaport. The Dutch East India Company’s (VOC) wealth led to absurdly beautiful buildings.
Trade diminished in importance for the town after the Zuiderzee was cut off from the North Sea. Fortunately, dairy has grown to be a significant industry in the area. It’s ideal for unwinding on a day away from Amsterdam’s bustle. I’d strongly advise going on a market day if you can!