Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ city, has a rich history and stunning natural landscapes. Amsterdam, sometimes called the “Venice of the North,” is a storied metropolis that has contributed to global culture via the likes of Vincent van Gogh and breathtaking tulip gardens.
Utrecht
This vibrant medieval city has the sense of a miniature Amsterdam without the swarms of selfie-stick-wielding visitors. Some of the greatest art and music in the nation can be found among the hundreds of ancient landmarks in the scenic Old Town, which is also home to hip independent shops, lively cafés, and bars, and renovated waterside wharf basements, among other cultural attractions.
De Zagerij serves everything from morning coffee and drinks to fast and delectable meals and a complete five-course à la carte experience in its elegant, cavernous industrial environment. The dishes have a contemporary touch and are made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Cafe Olivier, a former church that now serves a wide variety of beers on tap and in bottles, is the best place in Utrecht to relax with a cold one and enjoy the city’s reputation as a mecca for beer enthusiasts. Expert advice: get some of the Belgian beer that they are famous for.
Rotterdam
One of the best day excursions from Amsterdam is to the country’s second-biggest city. This city is a phoenix, rising from the ashes of the World War II bombardment to wow visitors with its modern buildings and laid-back attitude. To get a feel for this dynamic metropolis, you must see the enormous, crowded Markthal, the inventive Cube homes, and the eccentric Pannekoekstraat. Rotterdam arbor is the biggest port in the world, and it’s worth your time to take a boat around it.
Keukenhof
Keukenhof, sometimes called the Garden of Europe, is one of the world’s biggest flower gardens, covering an area of 79 acres and including 7 million bulbs planted annually. Despite its widespread notoriety for its tulips—of which there are more than 800 varieties—the region has much more to offer.
For instance, the world’s biggest lily display takes up the last ten days of the opening season. The tulips are at their most magnificent in April. Located in the heart of Keukenhof, Vier Seizoenen is a family-run restaurant that provides traditional French dishes with an Asian touch. The à la carte dinner is good, as is the lunch buffet. They both make use of extremely fresh, in-season, locally-sourced ingredients.
Rent a bike and pedal around Keukenhof’s commercial bulb fields if wandering the official garden isn’t enough exercise for you. Several courses are available (between 4 and 7 kilometers in length), and zipping by fields of blooming tulips on two wheels is about as Dutch as it gets. Het Wapen van Noordwijkerhout is an old-school, cozy inn in close-by Lisse, famous for its accommodating employees and inexpensive, no-fuss meals. The breakfast is lavish, and parking is free (as is everything else served here).
Leiden
The city of Leiden is a more relaxed and lovely alternative to the capital due to its gorgeous canals and bridges. This is one of the simplest day excursions from Amsterdam by rail since it just takes 25 minutes to get here. Leiden, affectionately called “the University town,” is the site of the oldest university in the Netherlands and other prestigious museums, such as Museum de Lakenhal, which features the works of renowned Dutch artists. You can hire bicycles and ride about this quiet town, which is home to several lovely eateries and cafes, to take it all in.
Vlieland
Although the Netherlands isn’t well recognised for its biodiversity, there are a few exceptionally stunning regions here. Vlieland, a northern island full of dunes, meadows, and wetlands, is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There’s only one town, and driving is illegal, so it’s a great place to go if you want to get away from it for a couple of days. Get the most out of your day by taking a fast boat (45 minutes) from the mainland.
While the island’s lone beach bar, Strandpaviljoen ‘t Badhuys, isn’t exactly a hotspot for a night out, it does provide the greatest sunset view. Reserve a spot at a table on the terrace that overlooks the beach.
Is time of the essence? Schedule a Tuk Tuk Safari, a guided tour of the island in an electric tuk-tuk. The trip lasts 90 minutes and showcases the incredible variety of species on Vlieland with the help of humorous and knowledgeable guides (plus some breathtaking views). It’s not uncommon to see seals, eagles, and the most incredible cloudscapes. Lastly, read more about travel around the world here.
