Plan An Enthralling Journey to The Netherlands
Ease your tensions, whether of office, business, household chores, or school, and spend a serene vacation in the Netherlands with your loved ones. The Netherlands is an enchanting country nestled beautifully in the northwestern region of Europe, and it lures travelers with its iconic landmarks, world-class art, progressive culture, and cycling infrastructure. Moreover, if you are a foodie, the country offers you some of the savoury flavors of the country, which fill your appetite but not your desire to have one more. However, if you are confused about how to plan your itinerary, you are in the right place. Here, you are provided with complete information about the Netherlands, including which places to visit, what to explore, the country's most recognised dishes, when to plan your trip, and much more to help you plan your itinerary in a relaxing manner. Thus, let's delve into the article and plan your trip to the Netherlands.
Basic Information About the Netherlands
- Location: Northwestern parts of Europe
- Capital: Amsterdam
- Population: 1.8 crores (World Bank 2024)
- Official Language: Dutch
- Commonly Understood Language: English
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Major Airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Things To Do in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers thrilling activities you can explore while on vacation to make your trip even more memorable. Some of the best things that you must try on your visit to the Netherlands can be seen as follows:
- Enjoy a ride on the canal cruise in Amsterdam: A canal cruise in Amsterdam is a kind of 60 to 90-minute trip, and can vary hugely based on the type of cruise you choose. The cruise is generally electric-powered, allowing you to enjoy mesmerising, unique views of historic places, UNESCO-listed sites, 17th-century canal houses, bridges, and other Amsterdam landmarks. You can even book a specialty cruise, where options such as the New York Pizza Cruise, evening candle-lit, and Wine & Cheese tours, or a romantic cruise are offered to you, among which you can choose one of your choice.
- Peek into the country's history through candlelight concerts: Candlelight concerts are held throughout the year in Amsterdam. Pretty venues such as churches and concert halls are beautifully decorated with a bunch of LED candles, and contemporary musicians are asked to play a gorgeous set list based on the evening's theme, which can range from classical to jazz. With the help of various ensembles, like piano soloists, string quartets, brass bands, or guitar players, the concert becomes more engaging and attractive, which may even lead you to experience multiple "goosebump" moments.
- Immerse in the world-class art legacy: The Netherlands boasts a rich artistic legacy, including the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age and 19th-century post-impressionism. The country houses works by great artists, including Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals, Vincent van Gogh, and many others, at the country's top art institutions, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Kroller-Muller Museum, and the Mauritshuis. You can immerse yourself in the country's world-class art legacy and make your trip more memorable.
- Explore the thrilling skydiving in the Netherlands: If you want to experience a free fall from a great height, you can choose to go skydiving with a parachute. Based on your choice, you can decide to jump from the beginner's level, which starts from 2.200 meters and provides you with 10 seconds of free fall before you open your parachute, or you can decide to jump from 2.700 or 3.960 meters in height, which provides you with almost 60 seconds of free fall before your parachute is deployed. This is a thrilling activity you must try if you are a strong-hearted person and want to explore more of them in your life.
Places to Visit in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is home to various alluring cities and charming destinations that may take you several days to explore. However, you may have limited time on your trip, during which you must visit some of the country's most remarkable destinations. Thus, you can take a look at the following section, where you can find the cities that you must visit on your trip to the Netherlands:
- Delve into the mesmerising atmosphere of Amsterdam: This city in the Netherlands is known for its liberal culture, vibrant nightlife, narrow gabled houses, historic canals, world-class art museums, the poignant Anne Frank House, and its rich history, all set within a unique UNESCO-listed canal ring. Key attractions of Amsterdam include Dam Square. Vondelpark, Museum Quarter, and Jordaan district. You can even go on a canal cruise and candlelight concerts while exploring the city.
- Submerge yourself in the stunning environment of Utrecht: This is the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands and renowned for its medieval city center and unique canals with wharf cellars. You require a day or two to fully navigate the city centre on foot. The destinations that you must explore in Utrecht include Dom Tower, Dom Square, Rietveld Schroder House, the Railway Museum, and the Museum Speelklok. Moreover, you can turn to its European cafe and restaurant terraces to get an authentic feel of the Dutch city.
- Explore the unique culture of Maastricht: Located on the borders of Belgium and Germany, the city's culture is distinct, blending Belgian, German, and Dutch influences, evident in its architecture, language, and food. You will fall in love with the city's cleanliness, its cobbled lanes and squares, and can delightfully explore its Roman history, medieval churches, ancient city walls, and the famous Boekhandel Dominicanen. Moreover, various Michelin-starred restaurants, cafes, and hubs of delicious regional cuisine will help you end your day satisfied.
- Feel the vibrant and modern air of Rotterdam: The city is home to contemporary architecture, having had the unique opportunity for creative reconstruction after the near-total destruction in 1940. During the rebuilding, bold, experimental designs are created, including an impressive skyline of skyscrapers and unique buildings like Markthal and Central Station. There are other landmarks as well, including tilting Cube Houses, the graceful Erasmus Bridge, the Euromast tower, and much more that you can witness during your visit to the Netherlands.
Best Time to Visit the Netherlands
The Netherlands can make you feel different in each month of the year. When one month is filled with one specialty, the other has something different. Thus, it is difficult for a person to decide when the best time to visit the Netherlands is. You can choose for yourself by acknowledging the features of different months in the Netherlands, which can be seen as follows:
The Netherlands in Between December and March
- The country's temperature drops, leaving it just above freezing.
- Christmas makes the country's life and streets lively.
- Many festivals are taking place, including the Carnival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, and the New Year's Dive.
- Low season for tourists, making the streets quieter and calmer.
- Accommodation rates are reduced.
The Netherlands in April and May
- It is their months of Spring when the temperature becomes a bit warmer.
- It is the peak tourism season, when the flowers are in full bloom.
- Keukenhof Flower Garden is the top attraction at this time.
- The atmosphere is all bright, and the days are longer, so you can explore various places in a single day.
- Accommodation costs are high.
The Netherlands in Between June and August
- The weather is warm but not hot.
- Shoulder season of tourism.
- You can find a medium-sized crowd.
- Various festivals are organised during this time, including the Holland Festival, Scheveningen International Fireworks Festival, and the Rotterdam Summer Carnival.
- World Press Photo exhibitions are among the country's highlights during these months.
The Netherlands in Between September and November
- It is the time for the fall season.
- Rainiest time of the year.
- It is low season for tourism, but the city's scenery is excellent at this time.
- Due to the low tourist season, the cost of the accommodation decreases.
- You can visit any of your desired destinations without waiting in line for long.
- An array of film festivals is taking place.
Foods and Drinks to Savour in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers some of the world's most delightful culinary delights and drinks. While you are enjoying your journey through the country, you can find specialties in various locations along the way. A few of the must-try foods and drinks in the Netherlands include:
- Stroopwafel
- Poffertjes
- Appeltaart
- Oliebollen
- Hagelslag
- Bitteerballen
- Kibbeling
- Frites
- Herring
- Kroket
- Kapsalon
- Stamppot
- Erwtensoep
- Rijsttafel
- Gouda/Edam Cheese
- Jenever
- Dutch beer
- Bamischijf
- Black liquorice
- Frikandle
- Broodje Kaas
The Netherlands Connectivity Options
While planning your vacation in the Netherlands, you should be aware of all the gateways to the country so you can decide which is the most suitable option for you and thus make your holiday more relaxing. Hence, you can check out all the connectivity options for the Netherlands in the following section:
Netherlands Airport connectivity: While there are various airports in the Netherlands, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the country's main airport and serves as the vital international gateway. The airport is located in the southwest of Amsterdam, one of the busiest airports in Europe, handling millions of passengers annually.
The Netherlands road connectivity: The roads of the Netherlands are well connected and well maintained, connecting to various countries in Europe. Almost 70 per cent of road freight in the Netherlands is international, including the A1/A12/A67, which connect to Germany, and the E19/E25, which connect to Belgium.
The Netherlands rail network: The Netherlands has an extensive, high-speed rail network connecting it to various European countries. The country's rail network is directly connected to multiple other European countries, such as France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, the UK, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, through which you can take your ride.
Things to Consider While Visiting the Netherlands
To make your trip more memorable and mesmerising, consider some things that will make it more seamless and hassle-free. Some of the things that you should consider while visiting the Netherlands can be seen as follows:
- Plan your journey beforehand and know the essentials you want to visit so you won't miss anything remarkable on your trip.
- Dutch people are honest and direct; they are not rude.
- Dutch people are punctual.
- Rain is unexpected, and sometimes it even occurs during summer. So carry a raincoat or an umbrella in your luggage.
- Though cards are widely accepted in the country, carrying some cash for small shops and unforeseen circumstances is not a bad idea.
- As per the Government of the Netherlands, if you are carrying cash over 10,000 Euros, you must declare it at the time of your entry.
- For any emergency, the country's emergency number is 112.
- You can rent a bike to travel to nearby places. But don't forget to lock your bike securely.