To really explore the Netherlands, you’ll need more than a long weekend. However, I’m a fast paced traveler and like to see as much variety as I can in a short time (plus I have limited vacation time). I find that it helps me decide which places I need to come back to and which places are more “been there, done that”. This Netherlands itinerary follows the same thought. It is fast paced and will cover a lot of ground, but after 4 days in the Netherlands, you’ll have a great idea of where you want to spend more time on a future trip.
Where to Stay
I’m basing this itinerary out of the small town of Leiden for a few reasons.
First, it’s significantly cheaper than Amsterdam. When I traveled in 2023, I found hotels to be nearly a third of the price in Leiden than they were in Amsterdam. To get from Leiden to Amsterdam, it’s a twenty minute train ride that costs about 10 euro each way. For me, that’s totally worth the cost savings.
Second, this itinerary only dedicates one full day in Amsterdam. By staying in a city like Leiden, you’ll not only save some money, but you’ll also be more centrally located.
Third, I used Leiden for my home base, and I had a great experience.
Fourth, for a short, four day itinerary, it makes sense to just find a nice base, rather than constantly packing up and moving. You’ll save time and energy by picking one hotel and sticking with it for the duration of your trip.
Finally, Leiden is a cute town and provides some peace after the chaos of a larger city like Amsterdam.
4 Days in the Netherlands
Now that we’ve discussed logistics of where to stay, let’s get into this Netherlands itinerary.
Day 1 – Leiden
Today there is not a lot planned. Your goal is to get to Leiden and check into your hotel.
There’s no airport in Leiden but there is a major hub in Amsterdam. From Amsterdam’s Schipol airport, you can catch a direct train to Leiden Centraal Station. There are also direct trains from Amsterdam Centraal Station and Rotterdam Centraal Station. So getting to your base for your 4 days in the Netherlands shouldn’t be too difficult, no matter where you enter the Netherlands from.
Ideally you’ll be traveling in the morning and you’ll be able to arrive in Leiden in the early afternoon. This will give you a few hours to explore Leiden. And quite frankly, a few hours is really all you need. Take a walking tour, wander the canals, see the windmill in the center of the city, and grab a meal. Today is an easy day.
Day 2 – Amsterdam and Haarlem
While it’s possible to spend several days exploring Amsterdam, I’m only giving it one day. I’ll be the first to admit that one day isn’t enough time (coming from personal experience!), but I still think it can give you a great overview.
With one day, you’ll have time to visit two museums. I recommend choosing between The Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the Anne Frank House. The museums you visit are completely your choice (although I highly recommend booking your tickets for any museums in advance).
So why only two? Because with two museums, you’ll still have some time to do at least one walking tour, or two if your efficient.
Don’t get me wrong. Amsterdam has a lot of great museums. However, it’s also a beautiful city with gorgeous canals and plenty to see beyond just the museums.
In the late afternoon, take the train back toward Leiden, but consider getting off in Haarlem. This is a city that comes up a lot on Netherlands itineraries. It’s a nice Dutch city and easy to explore in an afternoon. When you’re done in Haarlem, jump back on the train back to Leiden.
Day 3 – Rotterdam and Delft
For day three for your 4 days in the Netherlands, I’m giving you two options. The first is a spring itinerary, ideal for those who are visiting the Netherlands from Mid March to Mid May. For everyone else, I recommend following the second itinerary.
Option 1 – For Spring Visitors
If you’re visiting in the spring, you’ll want to see some of the famous tulips in the Netherlands. The best place to do this is at the Keukenhof. The big caveat is Keukenhof is only open for two months every year—which is why I had to give two options for this itinerary. Spring visitors will be able to visit Keukenhof, but for all other travelers, you’re out of luck. Check the Keukenhof website for exact opening dates as they change yearly.
I recommend visiting Keukenhof right when they open. I found crowds to be significantly smaller right at opening time. Plus, as an added bonus, you will get the afternoon to explore another Dutch city.
The Keukenhof can be tricky to get to, but the owners know this. Handy tourist buses depart from Amsterdam, Leiden, and elsewhere to help bring tourists to one of the Netherlands’ top sights. When you book your ticket in advance (which is my recommendation anyway), you have the option to select transportation.
You can spend as long as you like at the Keukenhof, but I found four hours is sufficient (although it can definitely be done in less). However, if you choose to rent a bike and cycle through nearby tulip fields, you may need longer.
The afternoon is a trip to another small Dutch town. This time we’re going to Delft which isn’t as high on the excitement scale as Amsterdam or Keukenhof. However, Delft still has a handful of sights and it is a very nice city to wander.
Option 2 – For non-spring Visitors
Travelers who visit outside of the spring won’t have the option to visit Keukenhof. So, your morning will look a little different. I recommend splitting your day between two cities. In the morning, head to Rotterdam. The city feels completely different to every other Dutch city I visited. Instead of charming canals, you’ll find quirky modern architecture.
When you leave Rotterdam, stop off in Delft on your way back to Leiden. This is another fun, small city to visit. While it’s not high on the excitement scale in terms of the number of sights, it’s still a delightful town to wander.
Day 4 – Goodbye, Netherlands
Fly home or continue your travels. Your 4 days in the Netherlands is over.
When to Do This Netherlands Itinerary
This itinerary can be done all year round, but I really recommend trying to travel in spring. The Keukenhof gardens were one of my favorite things I did on my trip and I’d recommend it to any traveler.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed my time in the Netherlands, but I’m aware that I only scratched the surface of what this country has to offer. While this wasn’t my exact itinerary, it was very similar to what I did and I think these 4 days in the Netherlands are a great introduction to the country.
Continue Your Adventure
Netherlands: Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands is full of amazing museums, canals, and so many fun things to do. For a smaller town away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, consider a visit to Delft. For an excellent base for exploring, Leiden offers a smaller town away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. Rotterdam has a completely different feel to any other city. And for spring visitors, make sure you add a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens.
Netherlands Travel Guide: Start planning your trip with my Netherlands Travel Guide.
Europe in 10 Days: If you have more than a long weekend in the Netherlands, consider looping in some more of Europe. Starting in Paris, travel to Belgium before finishing in Amsterdam on this amazing 10 Days in Paris, Belgium, and Amsterdam Itinerary.
Belgium: The capital of Brussels makes a great starting point, but don’t limit your visit to just this city. Bruges is a favorite, but can easily be combined with Ghent. Plus, Antwerp can be a great break for longer journeys. Learn more in my Belgium Travel Guide.