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Ten fun things to do in the Netherlands

It's your first time in the Netherlands. The country where people wear wooden shoes while they eat cheese. Where everybody rides a bycicle while the wind is blowing and mills are always turning....  Ofcourse you want to visit Amsterdam with it's canals and old houses and see the colorful tulips in the fields. But there is much more to my country then that. And no, it is not all that you expect but check out this list of ten fun things to do in the Netherlands. I'm sure you will be amazed!

Have a wonderful holiday! I bett you will be back for more.

canals of Amsterdam

The canals of Amsterdam

 

The colorful Tulip fields of Holland.

Every year, in the months of March, April and May, all of Holland is exploding with color as thousands and thousands of bulbs come to bloom on Dutch fields. It's one of my all time favorite things to do in the Netherlands and a must see if you ask me!

You have probably heard about the Keukenhof but did you know that there is much more to see than that? What would you say about a drive along the most beautiful fields. Or what about taking a hike among the tulips, ride a (electric) bycicle or visit special gardens and events.

Sounds good? You can find all of my tips about the best places to see tulip fields in Holland in this special blog.

Tulip fiels Holland




 

The Purple Hills of The Posbank (de Veluwe, Gelderland)

Another of my favorite colorful events takes place in the warm months of Summer as the fields of Heather come to bloom. Imagine walking through rows of Purple flowers with bees and butterflies buzzing all around you. Rays of sunlight peek through the clouds and warm up your face while Summer winds are blowing. Look for the herd of sheep as they find their way through the fields.

If you ask me the best place to enjoy the fields is at the rolling hills of the Posbank, near Arnhem. Just take a walk or rent a bycicle and enjoy the day. Life can't be any better!

Check out my (Dutch) blog about hiking at the Posbank.

heather at the Posbank, Veluwe

 

Apple, pear and cherrie blossom in the Betuwe

When you are visiting Holland at Springtime, be sure to check out one of my other favorite things to do in the Neterlands. All over the country you can find the beautiful blossom of fruit trees. April and May are the best months to see the trees in full bloom. (Exact time is depending on the weather).

The best place to enjoy this explosion of flowers is at de Betuwe in the area surrounding small and lovely villages of Buren and Geldermalsen.  You can go hiking between the fields or rent a bicycle and stop along route. At the end of the season be sure to vist the famous and beautiful Appeldijk with it's old trees.

Read more about the Betuwe in this (Dutch) blog.

Apple blossom

 

The Canals and innercity of Delft

If you love the canals and old houses in Amsterdam you will surely love her little sister Delft. I have lived and worked there for almost a year and fell in love with this cozy city.  Walk around in the inner city, gaze at the beautiful old houses and see how people enjoy city-life. Visit one or both of the churches and watch the city from the belltower. Sip a cup of coffee at the Market Square or in many of the other cafe's in town. If you like pottery you must visit the Royal Delft museum where they make the famous Delfts Blue.

Delft has enough to offer you througout the year. From Delft you are pretty close to Schiphol Airport, so it will be a perfect first or last stop on your trip and one of the fun things to do in the Netherlands!

Read all about what to do and see in Delft in this (Dutch) blogpost.

Things to do in the Netherlands Delft

 

The Mills of Kinderdijk.

A trip to the Netherlands is not complete if you haven't seen one or more windmills. You can find them in a lot of places all over the country but there are two spots where you will see a lot of them. The mills of Kinderdijk (as well as those at the Zaanse Schans) are within good reach from Amsterdam, The Hague or Rotterdam and are pretty amazing.  Watch them from the water, take a hike among the mills,  or get inside and see how they work. Whatever you choose, you will have a fun day!

Learn all you need to know about this beautiful place in this seperate blog.

Kinderdijk

 

Sand, sea and dunes.

The best way to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city is to visit the seaside. You can't miss out in the Netherlands because we have an amazing long coastline that stretches all the way from north to south. If you like hiking there are many beautiful sanddunes around Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam. There are lots of outdoor things to do in the Netherlands. You can even go sailing, kitesurfing and diving!

A quick visit to the beach is always possible thanks to good public transport.  The dunes are a great spot to find some Dutch wildlife like Foxes and Dear.

Read more about hiking and wildlife spotting at the dunes near Amsterdam in this (Dutch) blog.

Fox at the dunes near Amsterdam

 

De Efteling

If you like Disney, you will love to spend a day at the Efteling, near Kaatsheuvel in the south of Holland. I loved this themepark when I was a child, but I still love to go there from time to time. Where else can you enjoy amazing rides while emerging yourself into the world of fairy tales? It is one of most fun things to do in the Netherlands.

The Efteling has won many awards over the years and is the second best rewarded  EuropeanTheme Park by visitors.

Plan your visit and find all you need to know on the Efteling Site.

Efteling Theme Park

 

Groningen and Leeuwarden

If you have time to go to the the north of Holland I can recommend a visit to Groningen or Leeuwarden.

Groningen is a fun University city with a beautiful center and many "hofjes" with inner courts and small houses.. Leeuwarden has that small town feeling. Both have  canals which you can explore by boat, nice shops and old buildings full of history. If you like Streetart there is a lot to discover in Leeuwarden and you can even do a free Street Art Tour!

From both cities you have quick and easy acces to the UNESCO site of the beautiful West Frisian Islands or Waddeneilanden, one of my top things to do in the Netherlands. If you visit in Springtime there are even some smaller fields of tulips (read about this in my blog about the Tulip fields)

Read this (Dutch) post about my Street Art tour at Leeuwarden

Check out this blog if you want to explore Groningen.

Street Art Leeuwarden

 

West Frisian Islands (or Waddeneilanden in Dutch)

The West Frisian Islands are a serie of 14 bigger and smaller Islands at the Dutch north coast.  (Noord- en Zuid Holland) The buisiest of the Islands is Texel which has a few villages, the most quiet ones are uninhabited. There is one for every flavour! In Summer the islands can be busy, but at other times you wil find them to be peaceful and quiet. Taking a few days to feel the fresh island breese is certainly one of the best things to do in the Neterlands.

For your trip you can choose to stay on one of the islands, but a more fun way is to go island hopping. The good system of ferries can transport you from the mainland to- and between the islands. Cycling and hiking are the best ways to explore the islands or you can get o a boat and see the islands from the water. Perhaps you will see one of the seals that inhabit the area.

lighthouse at Texel

 

 

These are a few of my tips for the most fun things to do in the Netherlands. If you have any questions don't hesitate to send me an email! You can reach me at ivonne@myfootprints.nl

Iy you want to explore more, you can find all my post of the Netherlands on this page.

What is your favorite part of Holland?

Geplaatst in bucketlist, Nederland, Things to do, Things to see and do in Holland, Tourist information.

2 reacties

    • O yes, I love Amsterdam but….there are so many tourist there. In this post I am trying to show you some other options because there is so mucht more to do and see in The Netherlands. Spread the people and the joy 😉

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