When you are coming to the Netherlands you probably have Amsterdam high on your list of places to visit. And, for most people, that is the only city they really want to visit when coming to the Netherlands. They might also visit the tulips at “de Keukenhof” and see the “Zaanse Schans” but the Netherlands has a lot more to offer than just Amsterdam! Today we share five other places that we think you should visit!
Zandvoort
Only a short train ride away from Amsterdam is the beach at Zandvoort! On a summer day this is the perfect place to get some vacation vibes. The Dutch ocean might not be as picturesque as other European beaches, but the water is very clean and it is so close to the city that you can even visit quickly after work if you would want to! With lots of restaurants right at the beach, it is the perfect little getaway.
Maastricht
If you are a foodie we recommend you visit Maastricht in the very south of the Netherlands. Not to knock on any of the cities in the Netherlands, there are great restaurants everywhere, but Maastricht is known for its great food and cozy restaurants. There is enough to see and do to visit for a day and stay the night so you can enjoy a glass of wine (or two) at dinner.
Naarden
Another interesting place close to Amsterdam is Naarden. It is about 20 to 30 minutes by train. The city is famous for being one of the best preserved fortified towns in Europe. From the air, it looks like a star or a snowflake! On the ground, you can still see parts of the former defense line of Amsterdam. Aside from its historical significance, the city is also full of cute restaurants and shops.
Delft
Delft is arguably one of the prettiest cities in the Netherlands. That is reason enough to visit! The medieval houses and canals are almost perfectly preserved, aside from that it is home to the Vermeer museum and it is the place of origin for the typical Dutch white-bue pottery.
Leiden
Do you like the cute canals and small streets in Amsterdam, but do you crave a city less crowded by tourists? Leiden is only a short train ride away and is full of small streets, vintage shops, canals, markets and the typical Dutch architecture!
And that is not all, The Netherlands has so many other cities and places you can explore. In summer the “Dutch Islands” (de Waddeneilanden) are a unique experience, De Veluwe is a beautiful nature area worth visiting, and the list goes on and on.