If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, Amsterdam’s iconic canals and colourful tulip fields may be on your list, but there is much more to discover beyond the postcard views. From cycling trails and lively nightlife to cosy cafés and peaceful countryside escapes, the Netherlands offers plenty of ways to experience its distinct character.
In the north, Friesland’s quiet lakes and cycling routes lead past grazing sheep, while the southern landscape becomes greener and more rolling. Between them, you’ll find historic towns, art-filled cities, sandy dunes and charming villages.
With so much packed into its compact landscape, the Netherlands is best explored with a little planning. White Trails offers Netherlands tour packages tailored to your interests, helping you experience the most iconic locations while simultaneously discovering hidden gems.
Start your first trip at Amsterdam’s canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rent a pedal boat and explore the waterways at your own pace or try stand-up paddleboarding for a more active outing. If you prefer to sit back, a guided canal cruise offers a relaxed way to learn about the city’s history.
Arguably one of the city’s busiest areas, Dam Square is a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station and has been a focal point since the 13th century. History buffs can visit the Royal Palace, whose grand interiors are open to visitors and best explored with an audio guide. For family-friendly entertainment, Madame Tussauds and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are nearby. The square is lively, with street performers and market stalls that add to the atmosphere.
Some places carry a weight that photographs and history lessons never quite prepare you for, and the Anne Frank House is one of them. Located along the Prinsengracht canal, it preserves the Secret Annex where Anne Frank lived in hiding with her family during the Second World War. Her diary, written during this period, remains one of the most widely read personal accounts of the Holocaust. Visitors can explore the rooms of the annex and see original items, including Anne’s diary.
Art lovers would never dream of skipping this stop. Hosting the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s work in the world (almost 200 paintings and 500 drawings), the museum sits fittingly in the artist’s home country. Trace his artistic evolution from his early, darker works to his later vibrant works like Sunflowers, while also gaining insight into his life through the personal letters he exchanged with his brother.
Explore famous Dutch art with White Trails’ customisable Netherlands tour packages.
A few minutes from the Van Gogh Museum, explore the Rijksmuseum, the country’s national museum, housing over a million objects across eight centuries of Dutch history and art. Rembrandt’s The Night Watch is a masterpiece in its own right, displayed alongside other Dutch Golden Age works including Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. The museum also houses the Cuypers Library, one of the country’s oldest art history libraries. Visitors often set aside at least half a day for a satisfying visit.
Just a quick trip from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans is an open-air heritage site where windmills of traditional Dutch craftsmanship still stand along the Zaan River, much as they did in the 18th century. Many even remain operational, producing oil, mustard and paint.
De Kat, a 17th-century paint mill, is the only remaining working windmill in the world which produces paint. The surroundings include a working cheese farm, a clog workshop and green-painted houses, offering a rural Dutch landscape straight out of a painting. This is a popular half-day trip as part of your Netherlands tour package.
Known as the “Venice of the Netherlands”, Giethoorn is a small village built around a network of canals rather than roads. Idyllic thatched-roof farmhouses line the water and are connected by more than 170 wooden bridges. You can see it by renting a small electric boat or taking a tour.
You can leave your car in one of the designated parking areas and explore the village on foot or by boat. To avoid the crowds, aim to visit on a weekday morning or early evening.
The windmill trail continues with Kinderdijk, home to 19 historic windmills, most dating from around the 1740s. The site earned its UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997.
Visitors can walk or cycle along the paths connecting each mill. The windmills are open to the public, offering a glimpse into how millers’ families once lived and worked entirely on wind power. For a different view, boat tours run along the canals, passing close to the mill. It’s roughly an hour from Amsterdam, making it a manageable day trip for travellers curious about Dutch engineering.
Utrecht’s Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands at over 112 metres, and stands on the very site where Utrecht was founded nearly 2,000 years ago. Prepare to climb the 465 steps to reach the 50 bells waiting at the top of the tower.
The view is definitely worth the climb. On a particularly cloudless day, even Amsterdam is visible in the distance. The Gothic-style tower makes a natural starting point for exploring the old town, with cafes and bars lining the waterline.
At the southeastern tip of the Netherlands, Maastricht sits closer to Belgium and Germany than to many Dutch cities. Its old town centres on Vrijthof square, ringed with cafés and the Jekerkwartier, a vibrant neighbourhood home to the country’s oldest surviving city gate. The Sint Servaasbrug, a 13th-century bridge across the Meuse, remains the city’s oldest crossing and gives Maastricht its name, derived from the Latin for “crossing at the Meuse.”
Explore hidden Dutch gems with customisable Netherlands holiday packages from White Trails.
Cool mornings, occasional showers
Warm and humid, longest days in June
Mild in September, distinctly colder
Cold, damp, with short daylight hours
Dutch cafés are ideal places to slow down and soak in local life. Enjoy some coffee with a pastry such as a stroopwafel or a slice of apple pie, then watch the city go by.
The Dutch calendar is packed with cultural celebrations. King’s Day in April turns cities and towns orange with street parties, live music and markets, while Amsterdam Dance Event draws electronic music fans from around the world.
Shopping in the Netherlands ranges from luxury boutiques to lively weekly markets. Look out for Delft Blue pottery, locally made cheese, tulip bulbs and handcrafted souvenirs to take home a piece of Dutch culture.
Before travelling to the Netherlands, make sure you have the necessary visa, travel documents and insurance in place. Most travellers visiting the Netherlands for tourism need a Schengen short-stay visa, which allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The application process will typically involve
The euro is the official currency of the Netherlands. A few things to keep in mind:
The Dutch rail network is one of the most efficient ways to travel between cities. Dedicated cycling lanes, rental services and clearly marked routes make cycling an enjoyable and affordable way to explore cities. Trams operate in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, while metro services are available in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Buses connect areas beyond the rail and tram networks, making them useful for reaching smaller towns, villages and suburban neighbourhoods.
Here’s what White Trails recommends you pack for a trip to the Netherlands:
Here are some basic etiquette rules to remember when visiting the Netherlands:
If your mobile provider offers European roaming, you can use your existing number without changing your SIM card.
A 5- to 7-day trip to the Netherlands is enough to experience major cities, cultural attractions, countryside and coastal destinations at a comfortable pace.
Yes, cycling in the Netherlands is generally safe for tourists when you follow local cycling rules, use designated cycle paths and remain aware of other cyclists and traffic.
Dutch is the main language spoken in the Netherlands, alongside several regional languages and dialects. English is also commonly spoken, particularly in tourist areas.
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