What are the best places to visit in the Netherlands? Here we have selected some ideas for day trips from Amsterdam. The Netherlands is a relative small country with good roads and extensive public transport network. You can travel everywhere independently or join an organized tour from Amsterdam.
1. Day trips from Amsterdam to the Dutch countryside
The peaceful countryside of Waterland is located just a few kilometres away from Amsterdam. One of the most famous villages in the area is the traditional fishing village Volendam. While it’s quite touristic, it’s still a nice place to take a walk, enjoy the views of the colorful wooden houses and the old boats, and have lunch at the lively fishing harbor. Smit-Bokkum smokehouse and restaurant is the place to taste smoked eel and the classic local dishes.
From Volendam take a ferry boat to Marken, a historic small fishing village with charming green wooden houses built on stilts. The Volendam-Marken Express is a ferry service between Volendam and Marken all year round, departing every 30 – 90 minutes depending on the season. The crossing takes around 30 minutes.
Edam is another small town 25 km away from Volendam. On Wednesdays in July and August you can visit the famous Edam cheese market. People in traditional clothing recreate a traditional cheese market. Such an impressive show! In 2024 you can visit the Edam cheese market on Wednesdays from 3 July till 21 August from 10:30 till 12:30.
Broek in Waterland and Monnickendam harbour village are two more charming little places in the area. We bet that once you get here you won’t want to leave.
De Koperen Vis restaurant is a good place to have lunch or dinner by the water in Monnickendam.
If you are travelling by public transport, the best way to get around the Waterland region is by bus. We recommend you to consider buying a Waterland day ticket. It cost €12,50 and is valid on all local bus routes throughout the area. Another great option is Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket for 1 – 3 days of unlimited travel by bus, tram, metro and train in Amsterdam and surrounding areas.
In Amsterdam the buses to Volendam, Edam, Marken Monnickendam, Broek in Waterland depart from Amsterdam/CS IJzijde bus terminal.
2. The North Sea, the Dunes and Haarlem city
Zandvoort aan Zee is the closest seaside place to Amsterdam. It’s known for its long North Sea beach as well as impressive coastal dunes merging with the Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland. Direct trains from Amsterdam Centraal to Zandvoort aan Zee station run every 30 minutes, and the ride itself takes 30 minutes as well. In the summer season you’ll find numerous restaurants and beach clubs here. We recommend, the Hippie Fish, Club Cabo or Ubuntu Strandbar.
Rent a bike and explore the dunes in the National park Zuid-Kennemerland. Or visit Haarlem, an old historic city located half-way from Zandvoort aan Zee to Amsterdam. Even the train station here is impressive. It’s one of the oldest train stations in the Netherlands and the only one built in Art Nouveau style. Some scenes of the Hollywood’s Ocean’s Twelve movie were filmed right here.
3. Day trips from Amsterdam to Leiden, The Hague and Rotterdam
Leiden, an old city between Amsterdam and The Hague, is famous for its university, museums and glorious history. It’s also the place where Rembrandt was born. Today the city has almost 3,000 monuments and is often being called one large open-air museum. While walking through Leiden you’ll notice numerous poems painted on the buildings. The Wall Poems is a project in which more than 110 poems are written on the walls in the poet’s original language. You can plan your own route and find all poems in your language!
In The Hague we recommend to take a walk though Binnenhof complex, the seat of the Dutch parliament, visit the Mauritshuis gallery and Escher in the Palace museum. After a long day it’s nice to watch the sunset at Scheveningen, the beach district of The Hague with a pier, a lighthouse, and a harbour. Catch by Simonis, an international seafood restaurant in the Marina with a wide assortment of daily catch can be a perfect spot for dinner.
For your day trips from Amsterdam you can travel to Leiden, The Hague or Rotterdam by direct Intercity train or join one of the guided tours from Amsterdam.
Related articles:
- Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days
- Best of Amsterdam in two days: part 2
- Amsterdam with kids: things to do
- Canal cruises in Amsterdam
- Red light district Amsterdam: rules and tips
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