Netherlands travel guide

Beyond its cosmopolitan capital Amsterdam lies the quiet, rural countryside of the Netherlands, its traditional towns and charming coastline best explored by bike, barge or as a series of stops on a scenic train ride. Embrace the spirit of slow travel and discover the highlights of Holland with our Netherlands travel guide to the cheesiest cities, where to see windmills, the best time of year for tulips and where to go outside of Amsterdam.

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The Netherlands travel guide

Despite its tiny size, the Netherlands has all the appeal of its larger European neighbours; there are new dishes to try, iconic cities to see and more culture per capita than perhaps any other country. Where it really stands apart, however, is in its unique landscape. Living below sea level comes with its challenges, especially when faced with a global climate crisis, but for centuries an ingeniously engineered system of dykes, dams, polders and windmills has held back the flow of the tide.

Centuries of innovation, inspirational art, regional identities and beautiful landscapes all squeezed into a small country of land half-salvaged from the sea.

The Netherlands is not, in fact, as flat as a pannenkoek (Dutch pancake). But when its highest point rises to a not exactly staggering 322m, it’s easy to see why pedal propulsion is the preferred method of transport. This is a country geared up for bike travel, and where long journeys are perfect by rail or sail, giving you the time to sit back and enjoy the view.

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The Netherlands is…

a cyclist’s dream, all flowery fields, charming old towns, meandering waterways and cities bursting with culture.

The Netherlands isn’t…

just Amsterdam, and it’s certainly not drunken stag do’s and leering into red-lit windows.

Things to do in the Netherlands…

Escape to the country. Amsterdam is overcrowded; in the heat of the summer the coaches queue up in the streets and crowds converge along the canals and in popular squares. Get some air with an effortless bicycle ride in the provincial countryside or a cruise along the canals that cut through towns and villages. Stepping out of the city and into the surrounding areas provides more opportunities for a real cultural exchange, where people are less tired of tourists and your presence, and purchases, are more beneficial. Start your evening with a dash of ‘Dutch courage’. While gin is a familiar drink in much of Europe, the Dutch have been enjoying genever since the early 16th century. A precursor to the more modern spirit, this traditional juniper-flavoured liquor is served in a small glass and sipped (never downed) slowly. Available in throat-warming cream liqueur flavours that go down a treat in winter, in summer it’s a popular addition to a refreshing cocktail. Travel by train. Starting in London, combine your visit to the Netherlands with other neighbouring European capitals, and all the sights in between, with a low carbon rail tour. You’ll enjoy the clearer countryside views away from the congested roads.

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Things not to do in the Netherlands…

Trample the tulips. You may have seen them on social media, a continual stream of posed photos among the super blooms of California and endless lines of lavender in Provence. In recent years, the temptingly colourful tulips so characteristic of the Netherlands have suffered the same crushing fate. Rainbow fields of flowers are a magnet to the advocates of a snap and share culture, where selfies outweigh any other experience. Take photos, the flowers are there to be seen, but please keep off them. Walk in the bike lane. As you might expect in a country with more bicycles than people, cycling is taken seriously here. Be sure to follow the road signs and keep to pedestrian paths. Be too afraid to step out of your comfort zone. If you’re keen to discover a new and more adventurous way to travel then the Netherlands is one of the best destinations for easy-going cycle touring. It’s fairly flat and its well-maintained bike lanes make it ideal for less experienced cyclists and family holidays. Do drugs. Many visitors overestimate the Dutch tolerance towards drugs; all drugs are in fact forbidden in the Netherlands. It’s only in coffee shops that the purchasing of small quantities of cannabis is tolerated.

Netherlands travel guide