6 Inspirational Places to Visit in The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a magical place to visit which offers a large variety of activities for visitors. Here you can discover whimsical windmills, bright tulips, people riding bicycles instead of driving, cute wooden shoes, calm canals, and so much more. In this post, I will cover six places that will hopefully inspire your own visit to The Netherlands!
***Disclaimer: Be sure to check the restrictions and regulations for entry into the Netherlands as well as any activity you wish to participate in before booking any part of your visit.
1. Visit Keukenhof Gardens in The Netherlands
The Keukenhof is one of the biggest attractions in The Netherlands. Tulips and the Dutch seem to go as well together even better than peanut butter and jelly. I would say this is a major reason to plan your trip for the spring, when you’ll have the opportunity to marvel at the glorious and lovingly created arrangements.
To add even more fun to your visit, plan it for the weekend of the Tulip Parade! This is one of the big highlights of a spring visit to the Netherlands. The parade lasts all day and travels a route from Noordwijk all the way up to the city of Haarlem.
For Further Information
Because there was so much to write about this topic, I created an entire post dedicated to to our experience at the Keukenhof. Here, you can learn all about our personal experience at the gardens and parade: Planning Your Perfect Visit to the Keukenhof Gardens.
Additionally, you can find more information about opening hours, special events, pre-buying your tickets, and more, on the official Keuenhof Gardens website.
2. Visit Kinderdijk Windmills in The Netherlands
Kinderdijk is one of the most fascinating places you can visit in The Netherlands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site that fully embodies the ingenuity and resourcefulness of those that have lived there. At this peaceful historical site, you will have the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery, catch a boat ride along the canal, peak into the windmills, visit the modern pumps, and learn all about the Dutch history of water management.
A Little History of Water Management Systems in The Netherlands
About 2,500 square miles (6,500 square km) of The Netherlands is composed of land that has been reclaimed through the development of elaborate water management systems. At first the draining of the land was accomplished by man and animal power. But, during the middle ages, technological advancements meant that windmills were developed in order accomplish those tasks. Nowadays, a modern series of dikes and electric pumps is used to achieve protection for residents and their land.
The Legend of Kinderdijk
On Nov. 18, 1421, a very strong storm caused dikes surrounding Dutch polders to break. The resulting flood, named St. Elizabeth’s Flood, completely decimated the polders in Zeeland and southern Holland. Although the number is not certain, it is estimated that up to 10,000 people were drowned.
But, a miracle happened. The day after the flood, a baby girl was found floating in a cradle. The only reason it was able to remain afloat was due to the efforts of a cat jumping back and forth, keeping it balanced.
Thus, the area was granted the name Kinderdijk, which means “children’s dike” in English.
Tickets and Parking Information
Because Kinderdjik is a very small little village, parking is limited and they have very strict rules about where guests are able to park. Therefore, I highly encourage you to park in the proper places.
The safest bet, is to park in this parking lot. What’s really great is that there is a shuttle that runs between this lot and the entrance to the Kinderdijk site. You can find out more about the hours of the shuttle and other related information by clicking here.
We also read that there is free parking at Royal IHC, but only on holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays. A local that we talked to confirmed that this is the case. However, I would still warn that this is a “park at your own risk” situation.
For more information on hours of operation, ticket prices, and more, please visit the official Kinderdijk website.
3. Visit Giethoorn in The Netherlands
Giethoorn is a village in the northeastern part of The Netherlands. Over time, the town has gained the nickname “The Venice of the North” because there are no roads in the main part of the town. Only quaint canals, bridges, and a narrow walking path connect the homes of the villagers.
5 Interesting Facts About Giethoorn
- Once a poor town in the middle of nowhere, Giethoorn was the home of farmers battling the elements to survive.
- Many of the adorable, thatched roof homes date back to the 18th century. Because village residents are required to maintain the “look” of the village, they must use the same materials should their roof require replacing. Ironically, what was once the cheapest way to roof a house is not one of the most expensive.
- You may be interested to learn that the canals are not natural. They were created by the villagers who carved out the land in order to create peat. Eventually, the areas that were dug out began to fill with water and the canals were formed.
- Giethoorn only became known to the public after it was used as the filming location for the famous Dutch comedy, Fanfare.
- Nowadays, this quaint little village has become rather overrun with tourists. My advice to you is that if you want to visit this tranquil place, you will want to visit in the off-season.
The Legend of Giethoorn
Similarly to Kinderdijk, Giethoorn gained its name from the result of a flood. While digging the ground for peat, the villagers came across a grouping of goat’s horns. It was believed that the animals had perished during the All Saints’ Flood of 1170. Therefore, the village gained the name “Geytenhoren” which was later shortened to Giethoorn (Goat’s Horn).
Further Information for Your Visit
Because Giethoorn is a village, it is free to go and explore on your own. You can walk (and cycle) all around the village (but not on people’s private bridges) at your leisure. Although you can probably see the main part of the town in about 30 to 45 minutes on foot, I recommend spending at least one day here to enjoy everything the area has to offer.
Explore By Boat
A boat ride is something you certainly won’t want to miss. There are many options including whisper boats you can rent for you and your family, paddle boats, SUP, as well as guided tour boats. Options are available continuously throughout the day through many different companies.
We personally decided to go on a group tour for two reasons. The first was that it was a bit rainy/drizzly so we liked the idea of having a covering over our heads. The second was that we wanted the benefit of some explanations during the tour.
We were quite impressed by the experience. As we sipped our tea/coffee (included in the price), our guide told us all about the history village and pointed out important landmarks. He really was amazing, hilarious, and expertly gave descriptions in 3 languages: Dutch, English, and German. If you would like to book with Koppers Giethoorn, you can make a reservation ahead of time on their website or visit them at their location in town.
Visit the Historical Museum
Another thing you will want to do is stop in at the historical museum, Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus. Here, you can explore many historical artifacts and learn the history of the village and its villagers. You can learn about the interesting courting practices that involved serving tea, see what a typical home looked like (including the cupboard beds), and learn about the traditional life and struggles of the farmers.
4. Visit the Anne Frank House in The Netherlands
This is a once in a lifetime experience that I think everyone needs have. Many people have read The Diary of Anne Frank. While her words have an incredibly powerful impact, actually being in the space that the two families and Fritz Pfeffer shared is something else entirely. It really makes you appreciate how difficult it must have been: sticking to a strictly regimented routine, only being able to use the bathroom during certain hours, never being able to go outside, having to be absolutely silent, and much more.
Further Information for Your Visit
Overall, your visit will last about 1 – 1.5 hours depending on if you get tickets that include the introductory program before the house tour.
Please note that the museum is VERY strict about entry times and refunds/rescheduling of tickets is not allowed!!
If tickets for the special program before the house tour are available, I highly recommend purchasing the combination tickets. It only cost us a little extra and it was worth it to have more of the background story before we toured the home. The guide showed us many pictures of the Frank family and gave us a very thorough explanation of how the family came to be in the Netherlands and how they came to live in the secret house.
***Because this is a popular historical site and because of the limited space in the house, tickets are limited. Please note that you must purchase your tickets online, in advance. Every first Tuesday of the month, all tickets for the following month become available.
For more information on opening hours, ticket prices, and more, please visit the official Anne Frank House website.
5. Visit Zaanse Schans Windmills in The Netherlands
In comparison to the Kinderdijk, Zaanse Schans was much more village-like and has more of a “commercial” aspect to it. You can learn how wooden shoes are made, or try all different kinds of cheeses (including lavender goats cheese), drink a steaming cup of hot chocolate, or even visit the weaver’s house. There is just so much history and culture to explore here!
Here at Zaanse Schans, the windmills were not designed for water management. Instead, they were designed to help people complete tasks. The oldest windmill here is De Os, the oil mill, which was built in 1663 and operational until 1916. Other windmills were used for sawing, dying, and even for grinding mustard seeds.
Ticketing and How to Get There
I would recommend at least a half day if not a full day for your visit. It all depends on what you want to do. Many of the shops are free to go in, but others you have to pay a separate fee for. There is also athe Zaans Museum which has lots more information about the area and the village.
For more information, please visit the official Zaanse Schans website.
Parking
If you are arriving by car, I recommend parking in the parking lot just out front of the Zaans Museum. Honestly, it’s one of the cheapest parking lots we found in the Netherlands and you can leave your car there all day. Just be sure to arrive early in the morning because the spots fill up quickly!
How to Get to Zaanse Schans by Train From Amsterdam
Many people like to make this a day trip from Amsterdam. This is very easy, but does involve a bit of a walk. The good news is that like most of The Netherlands, the area is mostly flat! Just take the Sprinter train from Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans. From there you’ll have about a 15-20 minute walk (depending on how fast your legs can carry you!).
6. Visit the Delft Porcelain Museum in The Netherlands
The Royal Delft Factory is a unique place to visit in The Netherlands. Located in Rotterdam, it is the only delft factory that remains open in the country. The tradition of Delftware dates back to the 1600s. While it began with more European designs, the concept of Delft really took off when the supply chain of Chinese pottery was interrupted. This was a moment when potters were able to step in and not only fill the gap, but provide a cheaper way for people to be “fashionable”.
The Process of Producing Blue Images on Pottery
The process of producing Delftware is unique and involves the process of painting images on the pottery using crushed oxides. Initially, the images on the piece are in shades of grey and black. But, after the pottery is fired, the heat creates a reaction which reveals the blue that Delfware is so famous for.
Further Information for Your Visit
For more information on hours of operation, ticket prices, and more, please visit the official Royal Delft Blue Museum website.
In Conclusion
I hope that you are feeling thoroughly inspired for your upcoming visit to The Netherlands. I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
Happy Travels,
<3 Christine
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