Fun things to do

Known for windmills, tulips, canals and lively cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands is more than just these well-known destinations and attractions. The country packs a lot in its 41,000-plus square kilometer (16,000-plus square mile) space. Whether you’re a history buff, museum-goer, culinary foodie, nature-lover or appreciate technology, design and next-level civil engineering, the Netherlands has something for everyone.

It’s a country that loves its cafe culture and nightlife and at the same time has made just about every place family-friendly – not to mention accessible to people with physical limitations. This article highlights some of the most famous attractions like Amsterdam, The Hague, tulips fields and windmills, but also some Dutch hidden gems that you should keep on your list of places to visit!

First, of course, there is Amsterdam. There is really no other city like it in the world. With its canals and rowhouses that date back to the 16th- and 17thcentury Golden Age, the city is the official capital of the country. The city centre itself looks like an outdoor museum, but also houses some of the most important places to visit in the country including the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Homo (Gay) Monument and National Slavery Monument.

Amsterdam is one of the dozens of Dutch cities and towns that are amazing to walk around and get lost in. The semicircular ring of canals is known as the “grachtengordel” in Dutch – literally “canal belt” – with the four main canals being the 15th-century Singel, the Herengracht, where the wealthiest citizens of the Golden Age lived, the Keizersgracht, and the Prinsengracht which was named after the founding father of the Netherlands, William of Orange. The Prinsengracht was originally a barrier between the wealthy citizens of grachtengordel and the workingclass neighbourhoods of the Jordaan. Nowadays this lovely canal plays host to the Amsterdam Pride boat parade in late summer.

The Hague - The official capital might be in Amsterdam, but the seat of the government is 45 kilometers away in The Hague. In the city’s centre is the Binnenhof, a collection of government buildings that has been the centre of political activity since the 13th century. Don’t miss the Mauritshuis next door, with its collection of Dutch painters by Rembrandt and Vermeer, most notably The Girl With The Pearl Earring. Nearby is Noordeinde Palace, home to the King and his family.

Leaving The Hague city centre and heading to the coast, you will see the International Court of Justice, housed in the Peace Palace. Also in the neighbourhood is Madurodam, a park with miniature models of famous Dutch monuments, cities and engineering projects; a perfect outing for visitors of all ages. And for a nice stroll on the sea, check out Scheveningen, the coastal neighbour of The Hague. There are restaurants from every cuisine, plus a 50-meter-high ferris wheel to give you an unmatched view of the entire Dutch coast.

Rotterdam - Just south of The Hague is Europe’s largest port and the second largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam. Heavily bombed at the onset of World War II, Rotterdam is now a modern city with innovative, world-class design architecture including the cavernous Markthal, a huge modern shopping mall; the Erasmus Bridge that spans the Maas River; the Rotterdam Centraal train station, covered with solar panels; and the Cube Houses that seem to defy gravity. It’s worth reading up on the city’s World War II history to truly appreciate the amazingly beautiful and modern it is today.

Kinderdijk - Down one of the tributaries of the Maas, just southeast of Rotterdam, is one of the most iconic attractions in the Netherlands: the windmills of Kinderdijk. The windmills of this small village date back to the 15th century, when the area was plagued by constant flooding from tributaries of the Rhine River. Canals were dug and dikes constructed to help control the flooding, while a series of windmills were built to drain the saturated land of the Alblasserwaard polder. The windmills are still operational, though they are usually only working for show; the water is now pumped by electric watermills.

Dordrecht - Less than 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Rotterdam, along the Maas River, is the medieval town of Dordrecht. Often overlooked due to its proximity to Rotterdam and the windmills of Kinderdijk, this wonderfully well-preserved town was once a thriving merchant town and an important city at the onset of the 16th century Dutch revolt against the Spanish Empire. Just years into the revolt, representatives from the Dutch cities and provinces met to organize and discuss the financing of what would become known as the Eighty Years’ War. Many of the buildings from that time and earlier still stand in Dordrecht, making it a city that’s best seen on foot.

Deltawerken - In the southernmost province of Zeeland are the Deltawerken water management projects. The “works” are a series of locks, dams, sluices and flood barriers to protect the southern part of the country and northeastern part of Belgium from flooding. After the Great Flood of 1953, the national water management board embarked on one of the world’s most advanced engineering projects that is now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a marvel to see. And not to be overlooked, Zeeland itself is full of beautiful, quiet farmlands. The capital, Middelburg, still has remnants of the star-shaped defensive canal dating to the Golden Age of the Netherlands.

Leiden - Home to the oldest university in the country, that dates back to the 16th century, Leiden is one of the most famous university cities in the Netherlands, hosting over 30,000 students. The city was instrumental in the Eighty Years’ War and the revolt against the Spanish occupiers of the time, still celebrated every year on 3 October. With medieval streets and alleyways and canals lined with cafes and shops, Leiden is another fantastic walking city. On Saturday the old city centre hosts one of the best open-air markets in the country on the Bafbrug and streets around it, with merchant stalls selling everything from fresh herring and cheese to bags, clothes and souvenirs. Leiden also has over a dozen museums including Windmill Museum De Valk, in an original windmill with an authentic interior and presentation on how Dutch windmills work, as well as the National Museum of Antiquities (RMO), Naturalis and the Ethnology Museum. Keukenhof - Open only for eight weeks in early spring, the Keukenhof is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. Tulips are the main attraction, though other flowers such as hyacinths, daffodils, dahlias and sunflowers are also on display. It takes over forty gardeners nearly three months to plant the 7 million bulbs, that bloom throughout the eight weeks the gardens are open. Millions of visitors come from all over the world, so get your tickets early. The Keukenhof gardens are located in Lisse in NoordHolland, right in the middle of the so-called “Bulb Region”. Though Lisse does not have a train station, buses run regularly from Leiden, Haarlem and Amsterdam.

Noordwijk - Situated on the coast about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north and south of the popular beach resort destinations of Scheveningen and Zandvoort respectively, Noordwijk is often overlooked as a destination. The Noordwijk lighthouse offers a fantastic view of the Dutch coast and on a clear day you can see the Rotterdam harbour. Before the days of advanced airline navigation systems, the lighthouse also served as a beacon for airplanes flying from London to Berlin. Noordwijk was also part of the Nazi’s Atlantic Wall, with one section of the underground bunkers now a museum. The dunes just north of the village extend all the way to Zandvoort and are great for hiking with the whole family. Little known secret: Freddy Heineken lived in Noordwijk and is laid to rest in the town cemetery.

Giethoorn - Would you believe that Giethoorn is actually named because goat horns (“giethoorn”) were discovered in the marshy lands around the village? Better known as the Venice of the Netherlands, this fairytale village consists mostly of waterways and canals, rather than roads and streets. There are only about 3,000 residents in the village, who are very patient with the multitude of tourists that come to see the postcard-perfect town. Remotely situated in the eastern province of Overijssel, there are only two buses that reach the outskirts of the town, one of which only runs in the high season. Bike paths have been added in recent decades, but other than that the only way to get around the village is by boat or foot!

Efteling - Situated in North Brabant, Efteling is the Netherlands’ most famous amusement park and one

of the most popular ones in all of Europe. It opened in 1952 as a fairytale-themed park for children, but has grown into an attraction that is suitable for visitors of all ages. The park is open year-round and is known for its fantastical rides and attention to detail in its design. Be sure to visit the Fairytale Forest, the whitewater rafting course Piraña, the many rollercoasters for all ages, and the 3D Panda Droom theater with three-dimensional animations that literally leap off the screen! The park has undergone a number of renovations to ensure that it remains one of the best family attractions in the Netherlands. This is only a fraction of the things there are to see and do in the Netherlands. The most popular attractions are a must, but don’t miss some of these less-known but equally amazing and charming cities, towns, attractions and destinations in this marvelous country.

So much to see, so much to do when it comes to spending leisure time in the Netherlands. Yet, as the last few years have shown, you can never be sure that you will be able to enjoy the all the beautiful sights that this country has to offer. Even for 2023 we cannot yet be sure that all entertainment sites will be open, so check first before heading out.

Only in the Netherlands can visitors so seamlessly merge relaxation and activity in one holiday. For example, during specially-themed boat and bike tours, you can enjoy the views as you glide past beautiful polder landscapes, colourful flower bulb fields, the Wadden Islands and Friesland or old Dutch villages. Discover the whole country on a trip from Amsterdam to Maastricht, visit the old Hansa cities along the Rhine and IJssel rivers or explore the many lakes of Friesland. Guests will spend the night on a luxury ship while cycling to a host of attractions during the day, after which the ship will meet them in the next port of call.

www.holland.com/global/tourism/book/cycling-holidays/ boat-bike-tours. boatbiketours.com/sail-and-bike-tours

Marker Wadden is the latest addition to the Netherlands. The new Markermeer islands are still under construction, but since September 2018 visitors can discover this nature paradise. In this new habitat for plants, insects, fish and birds you can explore a new beach, follow the hiking trail or enjoy a new bird-watching hideout. You can reach the island with your own boat, the ferry service from Lelystad or a chartered day trip.

www.anwb.nl/vrije-tijd bijzonder-uitje-met-de-veerboot-naar-de-marker-wadden www.natuurmonumenten.nl/projecten/marker-wadden

From forests, heathland and peat bog to tidal nature and stream valleys, rolling hills, purple heather fields, sand dunes and mazes of reed in the wetlands: at the 20 Dutch national parks, measuring around 120,000 hectares in total, visitors can discover the stunning variety of Dutch nature. Explore Dwingelderveld, Europe’s largest wet moorland area, where woods, fens and marshlands provide a home to a wide variety of plants, as well as rare species of butterflies and birds. Veluwe is the largest and oldest national park, home to several large mammals, such as roe and red deer, badgers, wild boar, and now even wolves! In Haren, the 20-hectare hortus botanicus, one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens of the Netherlands, features a wild plant garden, Celtic garden and Chinese garden with an authentic Chinese teahouse.

en.visittheotherholland.com/theme/national-parks www.nationaalpark-dwingelderveld.nl/serviceblok/ english-0/ www.hortusharen.nl

The Netherlands has an enormous variety of eateries, from exclusive three-star restaurants to cosy pubs and local cafes. There is also a lot of variety, even within such a small country. Of course, the Netherlands is known for its mashed potato dishes, and indeed the potato is a favourite staple in all shapes and varieties, be it mashed, boiled, baked or fried. However, travel to Limburg to try some dishes particular to the region, such as zoervleis (meat marinated in vinegar and stewed with gingerbread and syrup) and vlaai (fruit pie). Zeeland on the other hand is famous for its unique salty flavours. Seafood lovers can visit the many restaurants in the province to taste oysters, lobsters, mussels, cockles and periwinkles, discover how they are harvested and prepared, or learn about seafood on a guided tour.

There is a wide variety of culinary festivals, focusing on seafood or venison, in upscale venues or dished out by food trucks. For example, visit Texel Culinair on the biggest Wadden island (22-24 September 2023), covering a wide range of landscapes and therefore tastes. Fresh fish from the North Sea, salty samphire from the brackish wetlands and cheese from the thousands of sheep combine to create wonderful delicacies for you to taste. At the Amsterdam Coffee Festival (30 March – 1 April) 2023), it’s all about pushing boundaries. Visitors can find innovation in ‘the lab’, whilst in La Marzocco’s Roasters Village they will find the most innovative

specialty coffee roasters and labels from the Benelux and Europe. Art from hundreds of artists from all over the world can be seen in the Coffee Art Project, plus there is buzzing street food market.

www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/provinces/ zeeland/salty-flavours-from-zeeland.htm texelculinair.nl amsterdamcoffeefestival.com

If you are planning a cosy weekend away, why not drift off under the roof of a historical Dutch windmill or in the middle of the river Rhine? The Drijfpaleis, for example, on the Rhine near the centre of Arnhem, offers guests a balcony view and opportunity to relax in the Mosaic Garden. The interior of the Drijfpaleis promises guests the feeling of being in a different world. In Groningen you can sleep comfortably in a converted flour windmill, and for lucky visitors, the blades will be rotating too.

Drijfpaleis, Boterdijk 13, 6812 CZ Arnhem, www.drijfpaleis.nl Molen Hunsingo, Onderdendam, Groningen, www.restaurantdemolenaar.nl www.holland.com/be_nl/toerisme/ontdek-nederland/thuis-in-nederland/bijzonder-overnachten-in-nederland.htm

There are a great number of castles in the Netherlands, from early medieval castles to 19th-century noble manor houses. Close to Amsterdam is 13th-century Muiderslot, famous for the literary soirees organized here by the 17th-century writer P.C. Hooft.

Kasteel De Haar, close to Utrecht, looks like a fairytale castle. Indeed, this neogothic castle was designed in the 19th century and is the biggest castle in the country, as a fanciful reconstruction of the medieval castle that once stood here. In summer, it hosts the biggest fantasy festival in the country, Castlefest.

Gelderland is the province with the most castles in the Netherlands. Many of the castles and historic houses around Gelderland, often managed by the Gelderland Trust for Natural Beauty, are open to the public. At Hernen, visitors can explore the impressive medieval castle with a magic lantern and learn about the young married couple that refurbished it in 1544. At Rosendael Park & Castle, sat in a 19th-century landscaped park, guests will feel like they have returned to the era of the dukes of Gelderland. Here, they can also see the round tower, the largest of its kind preserved in the Netherlands. English-speaking tours available upon request.

Paleis het Loo has reopened after a thorough renovation. The gardens resemble Baroque Dutch gardens from the time of the first residents, King Willem III and his wife Mary Stuart, and there are historical as well as contemporary flowers that give the Palace Gardens each season a special atmosphere.

Hernen Kasteel, Dorpsstraat 40, 6616 AH Hernen www.hernen.glk.nl Kasteel en park Rosendael, Rosendael 1, 6891 DA Rozendaal, www.rosendael.glk.nl Paleis het Loo, Koninklijk Park 1, 7315 JA Apeldoorn, www.paleishetloo.nl Kasteel De Haar, Kasteellaan 1, 3455 RR Utrecht, wwwwww. kasteeldehaar.nl Muiderslot, Herengracht 1, 1398 AA Muiden, www.muiderslot.nl

www.holland.com/global/tourism/holland-stories/ castles-and-country-houses.htm en.visittheotherholland.com/theme/ castles-and-country-houses

The Dutch have taken wellness to a new level and there is much to choose from, such as De Veluwse Bron, located on a beautiful natural lake, or Sanadome Hotel & Spa Nijmegen, which claims to be the best wellness hotel of the country. In popular spa destination Valkenburg, at Thermae 2000 – sourced by 40,000-year-old water and awarded the official EC mark ‘originally pure healing water’ – the Infinitum spa (opened December 2019), promises infinite tranquillity and infinite views over the Limburg hills.

Veluwse Bron, Viskweekweg 10, 8166 KJ Emst, www.veluwsebron.nl

Sanadome Hotel & Spa Nijmegen, Weg door Jonkerbos 90, 6532 SZ Nijmegen, www.sanadome.nl

Thermae 2000, Cauberg 25-27, 6301 BT Valkenburg, www.thermae.nl www.holland.com/global/tourism/activities/wellness.