15 Enchanting Places to Explore in The Netherlands

After many years of trips exploring the Netherlands, I’ve discovered how much this progressive, flat country has to offer. From quirky historic cities to Insta-worthy national parks, these are the places I’ve personally visited and recommend the most…

1. Jordaan District, Amsterdam

I thought this historic neighbourhood in central Amsterdam was completely charming! Dating back to the 17th century, I loved its maze of canals lined with leaning gabled houses, blooming flower boxes, indie boutiques, and cosy cafés. It had a bohemian, creative vibe with a strong community spirit that made it feel like a quintessentially Dutch escape.

I flew from the UK to Schiphol Airport, took the 25-minute train into Amsterdam Centraal, and stayed at the stylish 4‑star Hotel Mercier and spent the day strolling canals, visiting the powerful Anne Frank House, exploring the quirky Woonbootmuseum (Houseboat Museum), shopping at Noordermarkt, trying Dutch bites at trendy eateries, discovering hidden hofjes, and browsing cool galleries and designer shops.

Location: West of Amsterdam’s centre, Western part of The Netherlands| Size: compact historic neighbourhood | Vibe: artsy, cozy, and effortlessly cool

My personal highlights… 

• Dining at the New Dutch Amsterdam Restaurant which served up traditional Dutch delicacies on beautifully arranged platters! I especially liked the gorgeous canal views and my unique Watermelon Takaki dish which came with vegan tuna and avocado cream! 

2. Hoge Veluwe National Park 

I really enjoyed visiting the naturally beautiful Hoge Veluwe National Park — a vast, unspoiled national park of heathlands dotted with wildflowers, drifting sand dunes, ancient forests, and wide skies that once served as a royal hunting ground. In just over an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, I checked into the stylish 4‑star de Wever Lodge (located nearby) for a nature-filled weekend.

I explored 40 km of trails on one of the park’s free white bikes, admired Van Gogh originals at the Kröller‑Müller museum, descended into the world’s first underground nature museum, and relaxed at the serene lakeside Jachthuis Sint Hubertus — a stately country house with timeless charm.

Location: Gelderland province, central Netherlands | Size: ~55 sq km | Vibe: quietly wild, spacious, and restorative | Wildlife: red deer, wild boar, mouflon, European honey buzzard, and the black woodpecker.

My favourite highlights… 

• Hiking the 6 km trail from the Visitor Centre near the Kröller-Müller Museum, passing pine-scented forests, heathlands, and golden sand dunes in just two hours. The mix of soft earth paths and wooden boardwalks made it an easy, relaxing walk! 

3. Utrecht

One of the Netherlands’ oldest cities, Utrecht is often dubbed the “Mini Amsterdam” — and I thought it was just as beautiful, with its leafy canals, cobbled streets, and grand historic buildings. I especially loved the lively, youthful vibe thanks to its big student population, which brought a creative buzz, quirky cafés, indie shops, and music venues.

From Amsterdam it was simply a 30-minute direct train for a cool little city break. I checked out the epic views from the Dom Tower, while Utrecht’s fairytale old town, the delightfully odd Museum Speelklok, the Centraal Museum’s peaceful gardens, and a below-street-level wharf tour revealed the city’s most charming and unexpected side!

Location: Central Netherlands | Size: medium-sized city | Vibe: youthful, lively, and characterful

My personal highlights… 

• I stayed at the gorgeous 4-star The Anthony Hotel, a former 1908 monastery with chic styling, soaring ceilings, glowing stained-glass windows, and a tranquil courtyard that felt like a hidden retreat.

4. Delft 

I adored this small, picturesque city! Founded in 1246, I discovered charming canals, medieval architecture, well-preserved historic churches, 17th-century gabled houses, and historic market squares. It felt timeless and quaint – it definitely felt like an authentic taste of ‘Old Holland’ – but it also had an arty and lively student vibe too with cute canal-side cafes, independent boutiques, and traditional pottery workshops.

Just a 12-minute train journey from Rotterdam, Delft felt like stepping into a fine Dutch master — for three days I based myself at the trendy 4-star Hotel Arsenaal, wandering canal-lined streets, seeing iconic Delft Blue pottery made by hand, climbing the Nieuwe Kerk for skyline views, and soaking up the relaxed café scene around the historic Beestenmarkt.

Location: South Holland province, western Netherlands | Size: small city | Vibe: elegant, creative, and quietly charming

My personal highlights… 

• Koffie&Zo was a cosy find with mismatched vintage chairs, chunky wooden tables, and quirky artisan gifts — I loved sipping fragrant White Peony tea and indulging in warm, cinnamon-spiced Dutch apple pie! 

5. Rotterdam 

This funky city was attractive in a unique kind of way with a mix of functionalist designs of the post-war era to the cutting-edge, experimental structures and innovative designs all set against the backdrop of one of the world’s busiest ports. It’s not all classic “storybook” Holland, but I really liked its obvious cool and contemporary vibe, as well as its very lively cultural scene that focused on art, fashion, and music! 

I was just an hour’s direct train journey from Amsterdam and spent a fun weekend here. I discovered the innovative architecture at the Cube Houses, sampled stroopwafels at the busy Markthal, gawped at world-class art in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, dipped into quirky boutiques along Witte de Withstraat street and downed Rooie Maas craft beer at De Witte Aap.

Location: South Holland province, western Netherlands | Size: large city | Vibe: bold, futuristic, and design-led

My personal highlights… 

• Staying at the funky 4-star nhow Rotterdam – I really liked the Maas River views and the fun rooftop bar while I sipped on a potent Rotterdam Mule from the rooftop bar!

6. Kinderdijk

This place was very typically Dutch! Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage, I thought it was a really attractive place with breathtaking an iconic row of nineteen 18th-century windmills set against a backdrop of vast, open skies, reflective waterways, and lush green fields and I loved how it all came together to create a quintessentially Dutch landscape. To me, it felt both wonderfully peaceful and timeless.

I took the train from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, then hopped on the water bus (the whole journey took around 1.5 hours and was very scenic). I cycled the peaceful dykes to the picture-perfect windmills, took a boat ride for an up-close water-level angle, and explored the Nederwaard and Blokweer windmills to learn how generations of millers lived and worked! 

Location: South Holland province, western Netherlands | Size: site with 19 historic windmills | Vibe: timeless, postcard-perfect, and peacefully pastoral

My personal highlights… 

• Seeing the stunning reflections of the Overwaard and Nederwaard windmill rows – this is where the waterways were at their widest and the reflections were so crisp and undisturbed that they formed near-perfect symmetrical mirror images! 

7. Leiden

Leiden felt like one of those places that quietly steals your heart — leafy canal paths, traditional Dutch architecture, cute cafés, indie shops, thought-provoking museums, and a medieval old town, all infused with the easygoing, scholarly atmosphere of the nation’s oldest university.

I took a direct 35-minute train from Amsterdam Centraal and stayed two days at the romantic 4-star Boutique Hotel Huys van Leyden. I explored the historic Leiden University, wandered through the botanical gardens (where I found out the first tulips in the country were planted!), gazed at Dutch masterpieces in the Leiden Museum of Fine Art, and went on a picturesque canal boat tour! 

Location: South Holland province, western Netherlands | Size: compact city | Vibe: intellectual and quietly charming, with a local feel

My personal highlights… 

• Dining at the luxury brasserie Café Visscher – I loved the quirky-chic interiors which were adorned with red velvet, marble, and copper and my creative dish of Aubergine served with bulgur salad and pomegranate which I washed down with a divine Espresso Martini! 

8. Keukenhof Gardens 

This is sometimes known as the Garden of Europe! I thought it was very attractive with a gorgeous display of over 7 million flowering bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, set among beautifully landscaped gardens, serene ponds, and picturesque pavilions! I also loved its peaceful but creative vibe! 

I took a direct bus from Amsterdam which only took 45 minutes and spent an afternoon walking around the spectacular floral displays. I saw what felt like millions of tulips, attended a live flower arranging demonstration, explored the Japanese-Themed Garden and the Natural Garden, and enjoyed the art installations and sculptures which were scattered throughout the park. Just be warned, it’s seasonal and very popular, so time your visit early in the day!

Location: South Holland province, western Netherlands | Size: 79 acres | Vibe: vibrant, joyful, and picture-perfect

My highlights… 

• I thought the Japanese Themed Garden was super-cute with its koi ponds, gentle waterfalls, the stunning cherry blossoms (sakura), the stone lanterns, the raked gravel and the zen-like vibe!

9. Groningen

This city felt both beautifully historic and refreshingly modern at the same time — medieval and Renaissance architecture lining charming narrow streets and canals, punctuated by futuristic buildings, and animated by a large student population that gives it a lively nightlife, café culture, and progressive feel.

I escaped Amsterdam on a two-hour train trip and opted for two nights at the funky 4-star Hotel Corps de Garde. I soaked up Groningen from every angle — city views from the Martinitoren, avant-garde shows at the Groninger Museum, buzzing nights in Grote Markt, calm moments in Noorderplantsoen, and a live indie gig at Vera.

Location: Northern Netherlands, capital of Groningen province near the German border | Size: medium-sized city | Vibe: youthful, creative, and slightly edgy

My personal highlights… 

• The quirky robotic arm at Mr. Mofongo which was tucked away next door in Mofongo’s Distillery & Cocktail Bar and whizzed up the towering wall of spirits to fetch bottles for the bartenders! 

10. Scheveningen

             

This popular resort actually turned out to be far prettier than I expected — a broad sandy beach, stylish esplanade, modern pier, and historic lighthouse framed by beautiful North Sea views, with a vibe that felt both energising and relaxed, thanks to its mix of beach cafés, and buzzing seafood spots.

I reached the coast in just 20 minutes by tram from central The Hague and settled into the cool 4-star Inntel Hotels Den Haag Marina Beach, filling my long weekend with pier thrills (the Ferris wheel and bungee jumping were fun!), high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel Amrâth Kurhaus, relaxed promenade dining, and contemporary coastal art at Museum Beelden aan Zee.

Location: Coastal district of The Hague, South Holland, western Netherlands | Size: 13.32 km² | Vibe: breezy, lively, and classic seaside

My highlights… 

• The high tea – I devoured peach-topped patisserie, cucumber finger sandwiches on soft bread, and fragrant Earl Grey tea poured fresh from silver pots!

11. De Haar Castle

This is the largest and most luxurious castle in the country, and it truly felt magical — a 14th-century masterpiece of Gothic Revival towers, ornate details, storybook moats, and beautifully manicured gardens that made me feel completely transported to a more romantic era.

I took a 30-minute drive from Utrecht and I took a guided tour around the lavishly decorated interiors filled with rich tapestries, ornate wood carvings, stained glass windows and period furniture. I also wandered through the beautifully landscaped gardens and dipped into The Lady’s Boudoir home to hand-painted floral motifs, heavy silk curtains and delicate porcelain.

Location: Near Haarzuilens, central Netherlands | Size: set in 136 acres | Vibe: grand, romantic, and fairy-tale-elegant

My personal highlights… 

• Seeing the unique carrier coach known as norimono – I loved the beautiful lacquer work and ornate design as well as finding out from the guide that they are a rare find outside Tokyo!

12. Binnenhof Palace, The Hague

This impressive complex completely won me over — atmospheric cobbled courtyards, grand medieval halls, a decorative neo-Gothic fountain, serene canals, and the dramatic Ridderzaal, all framed by the calm waters of the Hofvijver.

I reached The Hague in 50 minutes from Amsterdam and spent a relaxed weekend at the contemporary 4-star voco The Hague by IHG, soaking up medieval grandeur at the Ridderzaal, exploring the historic Parliament complex, and enjoying scenic walks along the Hofvijver and then explored the rest of the intriguing and refined city!

Location: The Hague, South Holland, western Netherlands | Size: around 90,000 square meters | Vibe: stately, historic, and quietly powerful with Gothic architecture, calm courtyards, and old-world political gravitas

My personal highlights… 

• The Hall of Knights – it was filled with antique portraits of the Counts of Holland and the extraordinary timber roof — which the guide explained was designed to resemble the inverted keel of a ship!

13. Frisian Islands

The Frisian Islands — a UNESCO-listed island chain stretching from the Netherlands to Denmark — completely won me over with their vast sandy beaches, rolling dunes, untouched wetlands, lighthouse-dotted villages, thatched cottages, and quiet harbours, all set against the raw beauty of the Wadden Sea — wild, unspoilt, and wonderfully peaceful.

I took a 20-minute ferry ride from Den Helder on the mainland to Texel, and discovered the pristine beaches and dunes of Texel Island, cycled through the heathlands of Terschelling, visited the striking red lighthouse of Ameland, spotted seals on a boat tour from Vlieland, and experienced the car-free tranquillity of the unspoilt island of Schiermonnikoog. 

Location: Off the northern coast of the Netherlands in the North Sea | Size: chain of five inhabited Dutch islands (Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog) plus smaller islets | Vibe: windswept, peaceful, and wonderfully wild

My favourite highlights… 

• Staying at the chic 4-star Boutique Hotel Texel – I really liked its sleek contemporary design, Finnish sauna, onsite yoga, and the wonderfully quirky “wool bath” spa treatment using sheep’s wool from Texel’s own flock (which I enjoyed in the hotel’s cosy Woolness chalet)!

14. Zaanse Schans

This was a very impressive open-air museum and historic village! It thought it was stunning with its scenic riverside setting, iconic 18th- and 19th-century windmills, charming green wooden houses, and traditional Dutch barns. I was totally charmed by its old-world and timeless atmosphere which gave me a glimpse into traditional Dutch life.

I headed out on a 20-minute train journey from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans Station and spent a day exploring. I saw the working windmills like De Kat and De Zoeker, watched traditional clog-making demonstrations, visited the Zaans Museum and learnt about the region’s industrial past, strolled along the scenic Zaan River, and explored inside preserved 18th-century wooden houses and caught an interesting glimpse into traditional Dutch village life.

Location: North Holland province, western Netherlands | Size: small open-air village | Vibe: classic, postcard-perfect, and gently nostalgic

My highlights… 

• The interesting Zaans Museum – I especially liked the recreated early 20th-century chocolate and biscuit factory! I saw the process of making Verkade products, complete with original machines that were still running and actually making the biscuits! 

15. Ijsselmeer

I really enjoyed visiting this large, shallow freshwater lake! I thought it was a gorgeous spot with its vast open waters dotted with charming old-world harbour towns with historic gabled houses, old lighthouses, and picturesque marinas. I loved how atmospheric it was, I visited on a cold winter’s day and it had haunting beauty shrouded in mist!

From Amsterdam, I headed out on a 40-minutes drive  to Hoorn for a unique weekend break, basing myself at the super-gorgeous boutique B&B Fortuna Spinoza. I took a boat trip out on the lake, explored the historic harbor town of Enkhuizen, and cycled part of the striking Houtribdijk, which separates the IJsselmeer from the Markermeer.

Location: Central Netherlands, bordered by North Holland, Friesland, and Flevoland | Size: ~1,100 sq km | Vibe: expansive, calm, and windswept

My favourite highlights… 

• Going on a historic boat trip which was a former clipper – it was amazing to see the creaking wooden masts, see the wind fill the billowing sails, and watch the dedicated crew hoist the rigging! It all felt very authentically historic!

Where is The Netherlands?

The Netherlands is a small, low-lying country in Northwestern Europe, bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the north and west.