Street journeys are enjoyable once they’re spontaneous, however it’s a good suggestion to know a number of the greatest locations to cease alongside the way in which so that you don’t miss out. So listed below are the prime cities for a Netherlands Street Journey you’ll need to embody in your plans.
Most individuals who board a airplane to the Netherlands have their eyes firmly set on the stunning metropolis of Amsterdam, and I don’t blame them. There’s no denying it’s one among Europe’s prime cities with all of its tradition and nightlife however, exterior of The Dam, there are lots of different cities within the Netherlands with tons to supply. One of the best factor is, they’re all only a quick drive away…
From historic cities with Roman Ruins to ‘the happiest place on the earth’, the Netherlands has a variety of locations to go to when driving throughout the nation. You’ll discover Delft’s compact pedestrian zone, ultra-modern and quirky Rotterdam, and the split-level canals of Utrecht – a metropolis that provides terrace eating places at water stage and purchasing lanes above!
There’s a lot to see, which is why understanding the highest cities for a Netherlands highway journey makes certain you propose accordingly. Right here’s my choose of essentially the most unmissable cities to cease at, which collectively provide you with an ideal style of the varied Netherlands.
9 unmissable cities to your Netherlands highway journey
From fairytale villages to port cities and historic market cities, listed below are the very best locations to cease at on a highway journey throughout the Netherlands.
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1. The Hague
The Hague is extensively recognised because the political capital of the Netherlands and is the place the Dutch royalty and authorities reside. It’s filled with museums and plentiful purchasing choices in The Hague, usually coming throughout at a classy and complex metropolis.
The Hague has a inhabitants of over half 1,000,000, making it the third-largest metropolis within the Netherlands, following Amsterdam and Rotterdam. However not like many different touristy spots, The Hague feels extra like a functioning, residing metropolis that occurs to even be a magnet for guests resulting from its cultural and governmental significance. For this reason it’s one of many prime cities for a Netherlands highway journey, because it’s a pleasant window into what the Netherlands is basically like.
Try my listing of a number of the nice issues to do on a weekend in The Hague, to provide you extra of an concept of what to anticipate.
2. Haarlem
Haarlem is round 12 miles from Amsterdam, however is far much less visited as compared. Nonetheless, it nonetheless has the identical iconic canals, cobbled streets and cultural issues to do because the capital. It’s additionally dwelling to the nation’s oldest museum and its latest hofjes (courtyards), in addition to an infinite choice of bars and eating places.
There are some nice actions to do in Haarlem. I positively advocate visiting the Teylers Museum and the Grote Market!
3. Delft
Delft is described as a picturesque city, boasting stunning canals and cobblestone streets. It’s solely 10 minutes away from The Hague, so that you may select to spend time in simply one among these prime cities for a Netherlands highway journey for those who’re making an attempt to cowl extra distance every day. Nonetheless, Delft and The Hague are fairly totally different and each value exploring if in case you have time.
Traditionally, Delft is critical because the birthplace of the famend painter Johannes Vermeer and the origin of the well-known blue and white porcelain that when discovered its method to Tsarist Russia. These are nice concepts for souvenirs out of your highway journey, or you will discover extra concepts in my weblog on what to purchase in Amsterdam.
The town has a lot of Dutch Renaissance structure. Moreover, one among its iconic buildings, the Nieuwe Kerk tower, is nice for panoramic views. You possibly can even see The Hague from up there. Different locations to go to in Delft embody its well-known tilted church and the genuine Sixteenth-century fish market.
4. Rotterdam
This southern port metropolis is like Amsterdam’s rowdier, extra liberal, little sister. It’s the second-biggest metropolis after Amsterdam, has the identical fairly canals and even its personal crimson gentle district. However, Rotterdam had most of its buildings worn out throughout World Battle Two. Within the years it was rebuilt, it took on a extra trendy and carefree vibe.
Now, there’s no finish to the quirky buildings and interesting monuments – even simply wandering across the metropolis is like paying a go to to an artwork museum. I do advocate visits to the Wereldmuseum and Nederlands Fotomuseum although.
Tons of of scholars name Rotterdam dwelling and make up the 160 nationalities residing right here. Which means there’s variety relating to meals selections, one thing I like. It additionally means there’s actually enjoyable locations to exit within the evenings and at night time.
Head to De Witte Aap Bar right here was as soon as named the world’s greatest so pop alongside for stay music and effortlessly cool vibes.
5. Maastricht
For those who’re a historical past buff, Maastricht is for you. Some even say it’s the oldest city within the nation, though a couple of Dutch locals may debate you on that. However what you will see right here is Roman ruins, medieval monuments and Gothic church buildings.
Maastricht is near Belgium, a part of the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, a bustling worldwide metropolis that boasts a inhabitants of roughly 3.9 million and encompasses notable German and Belgian cities corresponding to Aachen, Liège, and Hasselt. You’ll little question really feel the affect of those different European international locations right here, which is why it’s one of many prime cities for a Netherlands highway journey.
Among the greatest issues to do in Maastricht embody going underground to the caves of St Peter, the place labourers labored away and troopers hid through the metropolis’s sieges. Ensure that to additionally take a look at the Basilica of Saint Servatius and the Bonnefantenmuseum.
6. Utrecht
Utrecht is likely one of the quirky ones. Simply 40 minutes south of Amsterdam, it’s often known as the guts of Holland but doesn’t actually see that many vacationers. It is dwelling to the Netherlands’ greatest college although which suggests you’re by no means caught for nightlife.
Regardless of being widespread with a youthful crowd, it’s managed to maintain onto its previous heat attraction and is the very best place to go to find the genuine Dutch manner of life.
One other oldie, there’s a lot of medieval walkways and gothic structure. Fortunate for us, it’s constructed aaround the Domtoren, the tallest tower within the nation, which makes for a useful landmark if you’re busy getting misplaced.
One other cool function is town’s split-level. A lot of the previous city’s eating places are situated on the identical stage because the canal, under avenue stage, which is extraordinarily uncommon.
Utrecht additionally has 9 museums and was as soon as even dubbed the happiest place on the earth.
Critically, who’d need to miss out on visiting the happiest place on earth on a enjoyable highway journey!
I’m placing that right down to the very fact it’s dwelling to the Miffy museum. Creator, Dick Bruna, is from town and also you’ll discover a museum and sq. devoted to rabbit’s adventures.
7. Groningen
They are saying all good issues are available in small packages and we’re making use of that to Groningen. It solely has a inhabitants of 200,000 which suggests it’s definitely not the biggest metropolis in Holland, however it’s up there with the very best, ticking the packing containers of eco-friendly and lots of enjoyable.
In Holland a motorcycle is your greatest pal and Groningen is the place that initiative started. This northern metropolis is a well being hotspot but additionally takes care of the setting and has even been named as a Fairtrade city. Which means you’ll discover bicycle velocity bumps, natural shops and craft homes. This simply provides to the inventive vibe which pulls in so many college students, that and town’s 24-hour bars.
8. Den Bosch
Be happy to have a go at saying this one’s precise identify, s’Hertogenbosch – even the locals go for its nickname.
Den Bosch is an previous, fortified metropolis holding on to lots of its authentic buildings. The Moriaan is the truth is the oldest constructing in the Netherlands and St John’s Cathedral is alleged to be amongst the nation’s prime with its gothic design.
Boasting the very best of every part, town additionally claims to rival Amsterdam relating to the nation’s greatest canals. They’re less commercialised and little extra peaceable so you possibly can cruise alongside them and even glide beneath the buildings in a canal community, known as Binnendieze.
When you’re again on dry land, strive a bossche bol. This is the metropolis’s delicacy and is one for the candy tooth. A giant ball of pastry drizzled in chocolate ball with a cup of espresso is the greatest.
9. Giethoorn
Okay I do know this a village, however it has to make my listing of the highest cities for a Netherlands highway journey as a result of it’s simply so distinctive and exquisite and value it.
Giethoorn isn’t too removed from Amsterdam, however is far more rural. It’s dubbed the Venice of the North due to its waterways. These are a lot smaller canals than the likes of Amsterdam, and have conventional thatched-roof, picket homes on both aspect. It’s actually like stepping right into a fairytale village.
It’s necessary to keep in mind that there aren’t any roads right here, so that you gained’t be capable of drive round as soon as in Giethoorn. To get round you possibly can hire a small boat and even simply stroll round. However this makes it a pleasant change from being caught in a automobile – stretch these legs out!
10. Amsterdam
In fact this one needed to make my listing of the highest cities for a Netherlands highway journey – it’d be just like the elephant within the room if I didn’t. However whereas there’s a lot extra to the Netherlands than Amsterdam, it’s nonetheless an ideal metropolis to make any highway journey epic.
Whereas right here, you possibly can go to all kinds of museums, galleries, bars, eating places, the crimson gentle district and far more. Stroll or cycle alongside canals, drink Heineken, go to flower markets, and chill out in the principle squares.
Even for those who solely have a brief period of time, it’s potential to benefit from Amsterdam in a day. Learn my weblog on methods to have essentially the most enjoyable in 24 hours in Amsterdam.
One of the best highway journeys within the Netherlands
Heading out on a highway journey throughout the Netherlands is likely one of the greatest methods to get to know the nation. You’ll most definitely see stuff you hadn’t imagined or in any other case wouldn’t have for those who had been flying. It additionally means you’ll be capable of use my listing of prime cities for a Netherlands highway journey to plan the place you need to go and what you need to see.
From the long-lasting canals and museums of Amsterdam to the picturesque cities like Giethoorn and Utrecht, a Netherlands highway journey supply such a wide range of landscapes and issues to see. Every metropolis and route offers totally different experiences, ensuring no two days are alike.
Though this listing of the highest cities covers a variety of locations to cease when driving throughout the Netherlands, there are many others to take a look at too if in case you have time. Haarlem is one other nice metropolis that’s dwelling to the nation’s eldest museum, and cities like Breda, Eindhoven and Alkmaar every have their very own attraction.
Quicklist of my prime cities for a Netherlands highway journey
- The Hague
- Haarlem
- Delft
- Rotterdam
- Maastricht
- Utrecht
- Groningen
- Den Bosch
- Giethoorn
- Amsterdam
Is the Netherlands good for highway journey?
The Netherlands is a superb vacation spot for a highway journey. The nation presents a wide range of picturesque routes, together with those who go via flower fields, historic bulb areas, and canals lined with windmills. There’s additionally medieval market squares, world-famous museums and fairly water villages. The Netherlands is not only about Amsterdam; by taking a highway journey, you possibly can uncover stunning cities like Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague
What’s the prettiest a part of the Netherlands?
This type of will depend on what you suppose is fairly, however lots of people discover a number of the most scenic components, like tulip fields or windmills within the Dutch countryside essentially the most stunning. Otherwise you may discover cities with canals and waterways working via them the prettiest, corresponding to Amsterdam.
What number of days within the Netherlands is sufficient?
The variety of days required for a Netherlands journey will depend on what you need to see and what number of cities you need to go to (in addition to distance). Nonetheless, you possibly can often see loads in every week for those who plan properly.