The Netherlands travel (2024)

Tradition and innovation intertwine here: artistic masterpieces, centuries-old windmills, tulip fields and romantic candlelit cafés coexist with visionary architecture, cutting-edge design and phenomenal nightlife.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions

Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam
This wonderful museum traces Van Gogh's life and artistic development via the world's largest collection of his work. More than 200 canvases are on…
Vondelpark
Amsterdam
Attracting over 12 million visitors per year, Amsterdam’s favorite playground is the green expanse of Vondelpark, with its 116 acres (47 hectares) of…
Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam
The Netherlands’ top treasure house, the Rijksmuseum (pronounced ‘rikes’), is among the world's finest art museums. With over 1.5km of galleries, it packs…
Museum het Rembrandthuis
Amsterdam
Housed in Rembrandt's former home on lively Jodenbreestraat, this evocative museum provides an unparalleled insight into one of the Netherlands’ greatest…
Van Nelle Fabriek
Rotterdam
Designed and built between 1925 and 1931, this modernist World Heritage–listed factory northwest of the city centre is an icon of 20th-century industrial…
Mauritshuis
Den Haag
Offering a wonderful introduction to Dutch and Flemish art, this splendid museum is set in a 17th-century mansion built for wealthy sugar trader Johan…
Sint Janskerk
South Holland
Impressive for both its size and its magnificent stained-glass windows, Sint Janskerk had chequered beginnings: previous incarnations of the building…
Museum Boijmans van Beuningen
Rotterdam
The roll-call of artists represented in the collection of Rotterdam's pre-eminent fine-arts museum is stellar and spans multiple periods and movements:…

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Top picks from our travel experts

The top 10 things to do in the Netherlands

Curated by

Catherine Le Nevez

See Also
Dutch life and facts about the Netherlands | Business.gov.nl What’s the difference between the Netherlands and Holland?The Netherlands, the Netherlands or Netherlands?Netherlands | History, Flag, Population, Languages, Map, & Facts
Keukenhof Gardens
South Holland
The 32-hectare Keukenhof is the world’s largest bulb-flower garden, with over seven million bulbs and a total of 800 varieties of tulips. It attracts…
Kinderdijk
South Holland
One of the Dutch sites on Unesco's World Heritage List, this stretch of the Alblasserwaard polder encompasses two canals, 19 traditional windmills, a…

The 21 best free things to do in Amsterdam

Curated by

Catherine Le Nevez

Oosterpark
Amsterdam
The lush greenery of Oosterpark, with wild parakeets in the trees and herons stalking the large ponds, brings an almost tropical richness to this diverse…
Below the Surface
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
During the construction of Amsterdam's 2018-opened Noord/Zuidlijn (North–South metro line), more than 134,000 archaeological finds were unearthed from…
Frankendael House
Amsterdam
This area was rolling countryside several centuries ago. In the 18th century, wealthy Amsterdammers would pass their summers and weekends in large country…
OBA: Centrale Bibliotheek Amsterdam
Amsterdam
This being Amsterdam, it has one of the coolest libraries you can imagine, built in 2007 and spread over multiple light, bright floors. The basem*nt is…
Concertgebouw
Amsterdam
The Concert Hall was built in 1888 by AL van Gendt, who managed to engineer its near-perfect acoustics. Bernard Haitink, former conductor of the Royal…
NEMO Science Museum
Amsterdam
Perched atop the entrance to the IJ Tunnel is this unmissable green-copper building with a slanted roof, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and…
Albert Cuypmarkt
De Pijp
Some 260 stalls fill the Albert Cuypmarkt, Amsterdam's largest and busiest market. Vendors loudly tout their array of gadgets, homewares, flowers, fruit,…
Begijnhof
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
Dating from the early 14th century, this enclosed former convent is a peaceful haven, with tiny houses and postage-stamp gardens around a well-kept…
Vondelpark
See Also
The Netherlands Maps & Facts
Amsterdam
Attracting over 12 million visitors per year, Amsterdam’s favorite playground is the green expanse of Vondelpark, with its 116 acres (47 hectares) of…
Cannabis College
Medieval Centre & Red Light District
This nonprofit centre offers visitors tips and tricks for having a positive smoking experience and provides the low-down on local cannabis laws. There are…
Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam
The Netherlands’ top treasure house, the Rijksmuseum (pronounced ‘rikes’), is among the world's finest art museums. With over 1.5km of galleries, it packs…
Bimhuis
Amsterdam
On the IJ riverbank, Bimhuis is the Netherlands' most important jazz venue. Its stylish digs are at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ and it draws international…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Follow this guide to the most unique and memorable experiences to be had in the Netherlands.

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Things to Know

The Netherlands is an easy place to travel. Avoid common mishaps with this guide to what you need to know before you go.

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Transportation

With a public transport network that dreams are made of, the Netherlands is a joy to explore. Here's what you need to know about getting around.

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Money and Costs

These money-saving tips can help you find ways to experience the Netherlands on a budget.

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Best Road Trips

Explore more of the Netherlands by car (or bike) with these top driving routes.

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Articles

Latest stories from The Netherlands

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Food and Drink

Local Flavor: where to eat and drink in Amsterdam

Jun 19, 2024 • 7 min read

These are the best meals and casual drinks in Amsterdam right now.

Destination Practicalities
What you need to know before you go to the Netherlands
May 26, 2024 • 9 min read
Tips & Advice
What to eat and drink in the Netherlands
May 25, 2024 • 8 min read
Destination Practicalities
Everything you need to know about getting around the Netherlands
May 16, 2024 • 6 min read
Road Trips
5 of the best road trips to take in the Netherlands
May 14, 2024 • 7 min read
Budget Travel
10 ways to experience the Netherlands on a budget
May 14, 2024 • 7 min read
Sustainable Travel
A first-timer’s guide to taking the Eurostar
May 13, 2024 • 7 min read
Activities
The best places to visit in the Netherlands
May 3, 2024 • 7 min read
Festivals & Events
The best time to go to the Netherlands
May 2, 2024 • 5 min read
Activities
The top 10 things to do in the Netherlands
May 1, 2024 • 6 min read