The Netherlands blends historic canal cities, contemporary design, and a relaxed cycling culture. You will find grand museums, charming towns, and open, welcoming city life throughout the country.
Discover Netherlands
Discover Netherlands
Why visit Netherlands?
What to expect
Explore canal-lined Amsterdam, harbour cities such as Rotterdam, and medieval gems like Utrecht. Expect flat countryside dotted with windmills, bike paths, and coastal dunes, plus a strong focus on arts, innovation, and sustainable living.
Plan your trip
Use Amsterdam as your main gateway, with easy trains and roads linking you to major Dutch cities in under a few hours. From the Netherlands, you can also connect quickly by rail or air to Belgium, Germany, France, and the wider Europe region.
Top experiences in Netherlands
Cruise Amsterdam's canals
See Amsterdam from the water on a canal cruise, gliding past gabled houses, historic bridges, and lively neighbourhoods by day or night.
Explore Dutch art at world-class museums
Visit the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to admire masterpieces from Dutch Golden Age painters and modern artists alike.
Cycle like a local
Hire a bicycle and follow well-marked paths through cities, forests, and polder landscapes, experiencing the Netherlands at a relaxed, local pace.
Visit tulip fields and gardens in spring
In spring, explore vibrant flower fields and famous gardens such as Keukenhof, where colourful tulips and other blooms create striking displays.
Discover traditional windmill villages
Step back in time at preserved villages such as Zaanse Schans, where historic windmills, wooden houses, and workshops line the waterways.
Wander historic Dutch towns
Spend a day in cities like Haarlem, Delft, or Leiden, with cobbled streets, market squares, and picturesque canals filled with local life.
Head to beach resorts such as Zandvoort or Scheveningen for wide sandy beaches, seaside promenades, and refreshing coastal walks.
Experience the Netherlands way of life
Getting around
Trains are fast and frequent between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, and other cities, and local buses and trams connect neighbourhoods with ease. Cycling is often the quickest way to move around town, with dedicated lanes and clear signage.
Local life & culture
Daily life in the Netherlands is shaped by a strong cycling culture, waterside living, and an emphasis on design and creativity. You will notice a relaxed yet organised rhythm, with locals gathering in parks, on café terraces, and along canals in all seasons.
Where to unwind
Unwind in city parks such as Amsterdam's Vondelpark, or seek quiet in nature reserves, dunes, and wetlands just outside the cities. The flat landscapes and coastal paths make gentle walking and cycling an easy way to reset in the fresh air.
A taste of Netherlands
National dishes & specialties
Look out for hearty specialities such as stamppot, Dutch cheeses from regions like Gouda and Edam, and sweet treats like stroopwafels, with many classics best experienced in traditional cafés and markets.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Across cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam, you will find relaxed bistros, food halls, and international eateries that reflect the country’s diverse communities, making it easy to enjoy everything from local comfort food to global flavours in one trip.
Signature & scenic dining
For memorable meals, book a table at canal-side restaurants, modern fine-dining spaces, or venues with skyline or harbour views, pairing carefully crafted menus with distinctive Dutch cityscapes.
Retail therapy in Netherlands
Malls & lifestyle hubs
In Amsterdam and larger Dutch cities, you will find shopping centres and lifestyle districts that bring together international brands, local designers, and convenient dining options under one roof or in compact neighbourhoods.
Markets & local crafts
Browse city markets for Dutch cheeses, flowers, and handmade crafts, and visit areas known for ceramics, design objects, and vintage finds in Amsterdam, Delft, and other historic towns.
Evening retail scene
After dark, central shopping streets and smaller boutiques remain lively on late-opening days, while illuminated canals and squares create an atmospheric backdrop for relaxed browsing.
Best time to visit Netherlands
Spring (April to June) is a shoulder season, with mild temperatures around 10–18°C (50–64°F) and blooming landscapes, especially in April and May. Summer (July to August) is the peak season, with warmer days around 17–22°C (63–72°F), longer daylight hours, and busy city events and coastal resorts. Autumn and winter (November to February) are the low season, with cooler temperatures around 2–8°C (36–46°F), quieter attractions, and a cosy atmosphere in cafés and historic streets.