The Netherlands is a country many people don’t know much about, but it’s pretty and exciting! From Amsterdam to Maastricht, here are some of the best things to explore in the Netherlands:
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is an enjoyable city to explore, and there are many things to do. The museums are excellent—the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Anne Frank House are all great places to visit. The canals are beautiful and add a unique city feel you won’t find anywhere else. There’s also some fantastic architecture throughout Amsterdam: from the oldest buildings in town (Amsterdam Dungeon) to modern skyscrapers like the World Trade Center (which houses the Rijksmuseum), it’s easy to see why people love this city so much.
The food in Amsterdam is also fantastic! If you’re looking for traditional Dutch dishes like stroopwafels or poffertjes (pancakes), look no further than Pancakes! on Leidseplein square—they serve up sweet treats as well savoury ones. But if seafood is more your thing, head to Restaurant de Kromme Waal; they serve up some of the best fish around! You’ll be able to get everything from cod fillet or oysters on their menu depending on what floats your boat — pun intended!
The people of Amsterdam are amiable as well; most Dutch natives speak English fluently, so communication shouldn’t be an issue while visiting this wonderful city (unless there’s a language barrier). And when it comes time for shopping after dark? Well…
Explore the streets of the Jordaan
You’ll find many independent shops, restaurants and cafes in this area. It’s one of our favourite places to explore in Amsterdam because it’s quieter than other parts of the city.
The streets around the Jordaan Museum are bustling, but the rest of this neighbourhood is peaceful and laid-back.
Visit a tasting room at Heineken Experience.
The tasting room at Heineken Experience is a great place to learn about the beer’s history, which you can do over a complimentary tasting of several different varieties. The tasting room is located inside the Heineken Experience, so it’s free and easy to visit if you buy a ticket for the museum.
If you want to learn more about brewing beers, there’s also an option! You can tour their small brewery, where they make all their beers on-site.
The best part? They give complimentary tastings at both the museum and their small brewery.
Wander through Bloemenmarkt
Bloemenmarkt is a flower market in Amsterdam that’s open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam, so you’ll probably have to fight through crowds of people if you want to get close enough for a good view. But even though it can be crowded, Bloemenmarkt is worth visiting because it’s located near the Anne Frank House and other notable landmarks in the centre of Amsterdam.
Bloemenmarkt is also easy to reach from Centraal Station if you’re travelling by public transportation: take tram 1 or 2 toward Ijburg/Duivendrecht or bus three toward Zeeburg/Duivendrecht (leave at stop “Bloemenmarkt”).
Wibautstraat Metro Station
Also known as the Wibautstraat station, this metro stop is located on the A2 line of Amsterdam’s subway system. It was opened in 1981 and served a residential area in southwest Amsterdam.
Wibautstraat Metro Station features connections to buses 36 and 36A, which travel between Central Station and Utrecht Central Station. A tram stop at the station provides service along route 901A between Geinendaalseweg, Sloterdijk Rail Station, and Buitenveldert Rail Station.
The Pancake boat
The Pancake Boat is an Amsterdam must-see. It’s a boat on the Amstel river and has been serving up Dutch pancakes to tourists since 1871. If you visit during the summertime, you can also enjoy dinner and a show on this boat! The pancake boat is open from 10 am-5 pm every day in July and August.
The attraction is free to visit, but they accept donations for those who want to help upkeep their floating kitchen space (or just because it’s fun).
Ride a bike in Vondelpark
The best way to explore the Netherlands is by bike. Rent one from a shop, and join the locals as they get their exercise and enjoy the fresh air. Be on the lookout for bicycle paths, which are well marked with signs that say “Fietspad” (bike path). The bike paths in Amsterdam are simply for bicycles—no skateboards or rollerblades allowed! If you’re visiting with children, don’t worry about taking them along—there’s no age limit for riding bikes in Amsterdam. The same goes for your skill level: whether you’re a novice biker or an expert who’s been riding since childhood, this activity is all about having fun!
Eat Indonesian at Bazar or Kantjil & de Tijger
If you’re looking for a great place to eat Indonesian food, look no further than Bazar in Amsterdam. Bazar is located in the Jordaan area of the city, known for its canal houses and idyllic cobblestone streets. Another good option is Kantjil & de Tijger, which also serves excellent Indonesian fare in this neighbourhood.
Both restaurants feature an extensive menu of traditional dishes that will transport you directly to Indonesia (with a few Dutch twists). For example, rijsttafel is an elaborate banquet where guests sit around a large table and eat several small portions of different foods—like tapas! At both Bazar and Kantjil & de Tijger, rijsttafel consists of many delicious items such as Gado Gado (cucumber salad), Ayam Goreng (fried chicken), sate lilit (pieces of meat skewers), bakso (meatballs). There are also vegetarian options available if you prefer them!
If you’re trying to replicate these meals at home later on, here are some recipes: Best Dutch Foods With Recipes
Maastricht
Maastricht is a lovely city to visit any time of year, but it’s beautiful in winter. The weather is so mild that you can explore the city by bike or on foot without breaking a sweat. It’s also an excellent place for foodies: plenty of restaurants, cafes and bars serving mouthwatering local cuisine.
The old centre of Maastricht has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998 due to its well-preserved medieval architecture—including beautiful churches and buildings dating back hundreds of years. Many tourists enjoy visiting this part of town during their stay in Maastricht because it offers excellent photo opportunities with historical landmarks such as St Servaasburcht (an ancient castle), Prinsenhof (a former monastery now used as a museum) and Vrijthof Square, which hosts some festivals throughout the year like Carnival and Fesitval Saint Servatius each summer weekend from end May till July 29th when people come from all over Europe with costumes representing different countries or regions—this makes for quite an interesting crowd!
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of its most vibrant. Located on the Nieuwe Maas River, Rotterdam has been a port city for centuries. Its history as a port is evident in its architecture—many buildings are designed by famous architects such as Renzo Piano and Rem Koolhaas.
Rotterdam has been called “a city of contrasts” because of its modern architecture juxtaposed with historic buildings like Delfshaven Castle (built-in 1306). That contrasts with other Dutch cities such as Amsterdam, which have preserved their medieval charm through careful preservation efforts by city officials. You’ll find plenty of examples of this contrast if you explore some neighbourhoods like Willemspark or Spangen; there are also many exciting museums here that reflect this dynamic city’s old and new sides.
Den Haag (The Hague)
The Hague is the third-largest city in the Netherlands and is known as a centre of government, justice, and law. It is also home to many international organizations such as the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and the World Trade Organization.
The Hague has a population of 500,000 people. The city was voted “the best place to live” by Dutch newspaper AD in 2017.
It’s worth visiting the Netherlands!
The Netherlands is small and can be explored in just a few days. There are many exciting places to visit in the Netherlands where you will wish to spend more time.
Besides being safe and clean, the Netherlands offers many things for people who want to go on vacation or business trips. There are historic cities such as Amsterdam and Leiden; beautiful nature spots such as Hoge Veluwe National Park, Keukenhof Gardens and Zaanse Schans; theme parks like Madurodam; seaside resorts like Scheveningen; cultural attractions like Royal Palace Amsterdam (Het Loo) or Huis ten Bosch Palace (Keukenhof); museums like Rijksmuseum Amsterdam or Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam; historical buildings such as Anne Frank House, Palace Het Loo, Madurodam Madurodam …
You can do many things in your free time when visiting these places:
- Climb up one of the highest buildings in Holland (Rueben Ellerhuizen).
- Visit festivals where the locals celebrate their national culture with traditional costumes or food (as at Kaasmarkt Cheese Market).
- Try out some Dutch specialities like “bitterballen” (dutch meatballs) and play some mini-golf on an island near Rotterdam Rotterdam called “Spaarndammerburg”.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many things to do in the Netherlands. We hope this article has given you some ideas for your next trip! If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me.
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– Written By Boyan Minchev