Places to Visit in the Netherlands: A Complete Travel Guide

Neatly nestled in the lap of Western Europe, the Netherlands is known for its rich and diverse museums, tulip pastures, and art galleries. Informally known as Holland, the Netherlands is encircled by Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. The Netherlands also shares maritime borders with the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany. It showcases a subtle balance of contemporary and tradition, making it one of the most preferred destinations in Europe travels deals.

Here are some of the most amazing places to visit on your trip to the Netherlands:

1. The Windmills of Kinderdijk

Located at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers, the village of Kinderdijk lies between Rotterdam and Dordrecht. The top attractions of this quaint village are the 19 windmills preserved since the 18th-century that bestow a mesmerising sight to the visitors. Added in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Kinderdijk windmills were built between the year 1722 and 1761 and are the largest surviving windmills in the Netherlands. This makes it one of the top tourist places in the Netherlands.

2. Keukenhof: The Garden of Europe

The Netherlands is a sight to behold during springtime. And to witness some of the spectacular blossoms in the world, you must include Keukenhof in your Netherlands trip itinerary, popularly known as the Garden of Europe. Covering more than 70 acres, it is also the largest public garden in the world and over 7 million flower bulbs are planted in the gardens annually. The Netherlands being famous for tulips, the garden displays more than 700 varieties of tulips during springtime. Along with rainbow-coloured tulips, you will be able to see endless rows of blossoming hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils that will make your trip to the Netherlands a lot more fascinating.

3. Delta Works

Being one of the most low-lying countries in the world, the Netherlands is quite prone to devastating floods and storms. To prevent the land from the frequent storms and floods, various barriers, levees, locks, dams, and dykes were built. The construction of Delta Works started in the year 1953 and with the kind of technology available then, the structures are quite impressive. It took more than 50 years to be completed and was officially inaugurated in 2010. Owing to the hi-tech architecture it depicts, it is one of the most popular places to visit in the Netherlands.

Delta Works has 13 barriers and dams that cover over 16,500 km of area. The American Society of Civil Engineers declared Delta Works along with Zuiderlee Works as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World making it a must-visit place on your Netherlands trip.

4. Van Gogh Museum

Vincent van Gogh is considered to be one of the greatest artists of all times. He created more than 2,100 art pieces including around 860 oil paintings. The bold colours, dramatic tones, impulsive and expressive brushwork that was used by him is said to be one of the major contributions to the field of art and is believed to be the foundation of modern art. Van Gogh Museum is ranked as the 35th top art museum globally which makes it one of the must-visit places in the Netherlands that attracts around 1.5 million visitors annually.

5. De Hoge Veluwe National Park

The Netherlands is absolutely one of the best countries to visit if you are a nature-lover. And De Hoge Veluwe National Park is a must-visit on your Netherlands trip! Being the largest national park in the country, it covers nearly 13,800 acres. It is one of the most fascinating places where you can witness heathlands, sand dunes, and woodlands all at one place. Once a country estate and hunting reserve, the national park is now home to a number of wild boars, mouflon (a rare breed of wild sheep), and red and roe deer. It is also one of the most spectacular parks for bird-watching, biking, and hiking. Housing a sculpture park and art gallery – the Kröller-Müller Museum, adds to De Hoge Veluwe National Park’s repute as one of the best tourist places in the Netherlands.

6. The Anne Frank Museum

Annelies Marie "Anne" Frank was a German-born Dutch-Jewish diarist. She is one of the most discussed Jewish victims of the Holocaust.  She gained fame after with the publication of her diary in which she documented her journey of hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.  You can get a glimpse of Anne Frank’s life when she and her family were in hiding. You can also see Anne’s diary on display with some of the photographs, film images, and original objects from that time. Also, there is a model of Anne Frank’s house that will help you get a better idea of the lives they led at the Secret Annex. If you find history intriguing, you must book a tour of the Anne Frank Museum, one of the must-visit places in the Netherlands.

7. Muiderslot Castle 

Muiderslot Castle is one of the most mesmerising and enthralling medieval castles in the Netherlands. Built in 1370 by Albrecht – the Duke of Bavaria, the castle is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the province of North Holland in the town of Muiden, the castle is one of the best places to visit in the Netherlands.

The Muiderslot is a square-shaped surrounded by a moat, awarding the visitors with a picturesque view. The castle is now a national museum open for the public to get a glimpse of its breathtaking décor that are restored to look exactly how they did back in the 17th century.

The Netherlands is the country of arty masterpieces, centuries-old windmills, tulip meadows that narrate the tale of Holland’s legacy. Tranquilly coexisting with the quixotic and modern architecture and the lively nightlife, the Netherlands is truly one of a kind! Book a Netherlands holiday package and see for yourself why the Netherlands is a truly splendid destination.