Netherlands Travel Guide

The Netherlands is a delight to explore. Many tourists focus on Holland and Amsterdam, but venture outside these regions for even more adventure.

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Top Things to Do | Itineraries | Know Before You Go | Transportation | When to Travel | Costs & Budget | Solo Female Travel Advice | Photo Inspiration | All Blog Posts

Top Things to Do in the Netherlands

Amsterdam – The capital of the Netherlands is filled with fun things to do. Tour one of the amazing art museums, the home where Anne Frank’s family lived in hiding, wander the canals, or just take in the architecture. There’s so much here to help you stay busy.

Keukenhof – Although Keukenhof is only open for two months every year, it’s a highlight for many travelers. Considered by many to be the greatest gardens in Europe, visit here to see all of the spring flowers.

Delft – If you’re interested in porcelain, add Delft to your list. This city is famous for its bright blue porcelain, known as Delftware, and it’s the biggest reason to travel here. Beyond porcelain, you’ll find canals, churches, and a delightful small town.

Rotterdam – The second city of the Netherlands feels vastly different from many of the other cities you’ll visit. Rather than picturesque canals, you’ll find distinctive, modern architecture. This city is home to architects and you’ll feel it in the vast variety of buildings throughout this city.

Haarlem – Many travelers enjoy Haarlem because it can feel so calm compared to Amsterdam. Just a short train ride from the capital, you’ll find a more mellow city.

Leiden – This university town is light on sights, but big on charm. It’s the birthplace of Remembrandt, has picturesque canals, and a handful of museums. Plus, it makes a great base for exploring Holland.

Gouda – Have you ever thought about gouda cheese? This is its birthplace and where you’ll find samples and a cute town.

Netherlands Itineraries

Know Before You Go

Currency – Euro. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted and generally preferred to cash. I think I used cash exactly once and that was to pay for a postcard.

Language – Dutch is the official language of the Netherlands, but English is widely spoken. While it’s polite to learn and use a little Dutch, you will get along just fine with English in most major tourist areas.

Power – 230V and 50hz. Types C and F.

Tipping – Your service charge is typically include in the cost of your meal, so tipping is generally not expected. However, if you had a fabulous experience, a small tip is appreciated.

Water – The tap water is safe to drink, so bring a reusable water bottle.

Traveling Around The Netherlands

By Train – Trains are fast, efficient, and frequent. Plan to use trains to move between cities across the Netherlands.

By Bus – Buses can help you between the larger cities, but with efficient trains, you may not even need to look at buses.

By Rental Car – If you’re traveling to smaller towns, a rental car may be a better option. This will allow you to travel on your own schedule. That said, for most travelers, trains will likely be sufficient.

When to Go

Low Season – Winter is low season when the weather is coolest and crowds are at their lowest. Expect major sights to have more limited hours at this time of year.

High Season – Summer is high season when crowds are at their peak. Late spring, when the tulips are in bloom, can also be crazy busy in the Netherlands.

Shoulder Season – Spring and fall have the best mix of good weather and manageable crowds. This can be the ideal time to visit the Netherlands. However, spring will likely be busier than fall because of the tulips. Early spring will be less busy than late spring.

Costs & Budget

In general, I found Spain to be an affordable European country. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you should expect.

Accommodations – Amsterdam is insanely expensive. Many travelers choose to stay outside of Amsterdam, in a cheaper city like Haarlem, Utrecht, or Leiden, and take the train to commute to Amsterdam. I stayed in Leiden for 100 euro per night in March 2023 for a basic, but comfortable, centrally located hotel (Amsterdam was 300 euro per night!).

Food – Food costs will vary wildly, so it depends on your preference. Grab a cone of fries for 3-4 euros, a basic lunch for 10 euro, or splurge on a nicer meal.

Transportation – Expect to pay 10 euro for a 24 hour city transportation pass. Intercity trains will typically cost between 5 to 15 euros, depending on distance.

Activities – Budget 15 to 20 euro per museum or sight that you plan to visit.

My Experience as a Solo Female Traveler

I traveled to Netherlands in March of 2023 as a solo female traveler and spent 4 days exploring several cities in the country There was never a time where I felt unsafe. However, it should be noted that I didn’t go out after dark and I never drank, which standard for my travel and lifestyle.

Photos to Inspire Your Travels

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