Dreamy, Romantic, Rustic – the words that equivocally define the emotion called the Netherlands.
Plan your escape into the Flemish landscape with a relaxed vacaction in mind, vintage windmills in the sight.
No wonder then Netherlands is one of the best countries to visit in Europe.
Cycle through the green countryside, cruise through the mish-mesh of the canal networks or run through the tulip fields. Or perhaps getting a taste of Dutch freedom in Amsterstdam could appeal to you?
Whatever plan you have in mind, live them up in the best cities to visit in Netherlands:
Gouda
The small town of Gouda is a popular day trip from Amsterdam and can be reached only in an hour.
The city’s main sites are located around the compact historical core. The Market Square, the town hall, and the Goudse Waag are all located in the center.
But the town’s main attraction is the gouda cheese market which is held here from April to August only.
The gothic-styled building Saint John’s Kirk is considered the longest church in Netherlands.
With so much to offer, it is easy to see why Gouda is one of the best cities to visit in Netherlands!
Maastricht
Though not as popular as Amsterdam and Utrecht, Maastricht is still one of the best cities to visit in the Netherlands.
A visit to the beautiful city of Maastricht will capture every bit of your imagination. The city has its origin in 50 BC as a small Roman settlement near the Maas river.
Take a walk along the medieval towers and get exploring the historical buildings of the city such as the Old Townhall.
Considered the oldest church in the country, St. Servaaskerk is a must-visit.
The highlight of this 4th-century church is the treasures of Saint Servatius, with displays of rare Catholic items. For the more adventurous types, a visit to St. Pietersberg caves is Mandated. Take the guided tour to fully experience the maze of tunnels.
In the Old town, you will also come across A bookstore with magnificent architecture.
The bookstore has all the features that you will find in a typical church such as stained glass windows and a vaulted ceiling. The building used to be a church but was later repurposed into a bookstore.
Haarlem
One of the best cities to visit in Netherlands, Haarlem featues prominently in everyon’s bucket list.
Situated in the Noord-Holland region, Haarlem is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. Its closeness to Amsterdam makes it an ideal day trip and a popular tourist city.
The main attractions found in the historic district of Bakenesser Gracht include Hofje van Bakenes, a 700 years old courtyard, and the old port area. On the city’s main square Grote Kerk and the old church stands tall adding to the old world charm of the area.
Frans Hals museum is where you will find some of the fine artworks by the great Dutch painter.
Utrecht
This beautiful city of the Netherlands is famous for its small Old Town filled with well preserved old buildings, making it one of the best cities to visit in the Netherlands.
At the heart of the Old Town is the Binnenstad quarter where the magnificent St. Martin’s cathedral is located. This small but rustic church dates back to the 13th century And the square where it is located is named after it as cathedral square.
Quite popular amongst tourists is the underground tour of the cathedral square, wherein you will find the decaying ruins of an old Roman fortress.
The city has its share of interesting museums such as the Speelklok museum where you will find an array of musical clocks.
Those who want to know Utrecht better should go to the central museum to see the items and art from city’s illustrious history.
An important part of travel is to try local food, go with stroopwaffle, a traditional Dutch snack, believe me, you won’t regret it!
Another way to see the colorful houses that line the canal network is by taking a boat tour, and if you want to be more active get a pedal boat and tour at your leisure.
Challenge yourself to take the 465 steps climb to reach the top of the Dom tower, the tallest in the Netherlands. The views of the Old Town area from the viewing platform are simply stunning.
Some of you might find the exhibition of old steam engines and rustic carriages in the Railway Museum of Utrecht quite interesting.
Delft
One of the best cities to visit in the Netherlands, Delft, is known For its wares and crafts.
No wonder one of the most visited attractions in the city is the Museum of porcelain. During the hour-long guided tour, you will be able to see live pottery making in the company’s factory. And in the retail shop, you can also buy yourself a beautiful ceramic to take home.
In the Old Town center, take a walk along the canal or rent a bicycle. A small fee of €3 will allow you to climb the tower of the new church. From the top enjoy the scenic views of the Old Town landscape.
Delft is also the birthplace of the mysterious artist Vermeer. And in the town, you will find the studio where he used to paint, Vermeer Centrum.
Rotterdam
The beautiful port city of Rotterdam will sway you with its modern-day artistic charm. At the top of the modern architecture that you must visit in Rotterdam includes the cube houses and the tall Euromast.
Ranked among the top 10 busiest ports in the world, it’s interesting to see A busy day of work here. Take a boat tour to witness the massive cargo ships come and go, and the handling of the containers by the ground staff.
Much of the historical part of the city was destroyed in the world wars but you can still see a small section of it.
Take a walk along the red brick houses and give your feet a rest in one of the vibrant cafés here.
With so much to offer, it is easy to see why Rotterdam is one of the best cities to visit in Netherlands!
The Hague
The Hague is a political center of the Netherlands since it is home to a number of political institutions. The top ones include the International Criminal Court, the Dutch parliament, and the International Court of Justice.
Besides its political affiliations, the city also boasts many historical sites. Noordeinde Palace is the working home to the Dutch king.
In the historic Binnenhof aka the inner court, you will find historic homes and old buildings. The well-preserved medieval hall and the Knights’ hall, are a must-visit.
Those of you who want to see the Dutch golden age artwork will be delighted to visit the Mauritshuis museum. Paintings by Vermeer and Rembrandt are the highlights of this gallery.
Amsterdam
One of the best cities to visit in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is a traveler’s favorite in Europe.
Every year, more than 20 million tourists visit to see one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands.
The best way to explore Amsterdam is on foot. The maze of cobblestone streets in the Jordan neighborhood, with narrow colorful houses, makes for a fun day of walking.
If you want to take a closer look at Amsterdam’s canal network there is no better place than Grachtengordel. Couples will especially like it as it has a romantic feel to it, added by the flower beds, the houseboats, and the pretty little bridges.
Right at the heart of Amsterdam is the Dam square, a sprawling square lined up with historical buildings, cozy cafes, and fine restaurants.
For museum buffs, there is Rijksmuseum, Anna frank house, and Van Gogh museum to explore. Those who like the old masters can easily spend half a day going through the incredible artwork that the museum’s gallery houses.
On the other hand, the Van Gogh museum is dedicated to collecting art pieces by the great impressionist Van Gogh.
And if you’re tired after a day of walking around you will find Vondelpark a peaceful way to relax amongst nature.