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Are you planning on visiting the most beautiful places in The Netherlands? Then you’re in for a treat. Here you will not only discover themost beautiful cities and villages in The Netherlands, but they are almost all offbeat places that you must visit in The Netherlands.
In The Netherlands there are so many beautiful places that you can and have to visit. The best part is that tourists, in general, are like sheep. They follow the crowds and masses. Which is a great thing for you, because you will almost completely have these hidden cities in The Netherlands to yourself. You will discover the best and most beautiful offbeat places in The Netherlands. Sometimes this means the most beautiful villages and the next time, the best small towns in The Netherlands. But one thing is for sure, you will be pleasantly surprised with these unique places to visit in The Netherlands and Holland. So enjoy this article on this The Netherlands travel blog and discover the most beautiful and offbeat places in The Netherlands.
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Visit the most beautiful places off the beaten path in The Netherlands
1. Middelburg
Middelburg is the capital city of the province of Zeeland in The Netherlands and is one of the places you must visit if you want to see the beauty of The Netherlands. This city dates back to 9th century and houses around 40.000 citizens.
When you’re visiting Middelburg there’s one thing you might not expect when you wander around. While this is one of thetop cities to visit in The Netherlands, there wasn’t much left of it during the Second War. They started rebuilding the city during the war, but it ended up being destroyed again. In November 1944 Middelburg was freed and the the rebuilding started again. The incredible workers and architects kept the city as authentic as they could and rebuilt the city, stone by stone, back to the old medieval Middelburg.
When you walk around Middelburg you will understand why I find it one of the best places to visit in The Netherlands and you cannot imagine that almost the entire city was rebuilt. You will wander through the ‘century-old’ abbey complex of Middelburg, discover the cutest cafes and explore one of the best museums of The Netherlands. Middelburg is definitely worth a visit. If you’re in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, then Middelburg is one of the best day trips from that city. But honestly, it’s worth at least a full day on its own.
Click here for the top things to do in Middelburg
2. Zaltbommel
Zaltbommel is a small, medieval city in the province of Gelderland. Bommel is the original name of this fortified town in The Netherlands and is still called that way by the locals. Zaltbommel dates back to around 850 and grew into an important trading city by the 13th century. By the 15th century Zaltbommel turned into a Hansa town.
When you’re taking a stroll through Zaltbommel you will get blown away by its atmosphere. It’s lively, but quiet. Beautiful and different. Small, but incredible.Zaltbommel has around 12.000 inhabitants, but somehow it feels much smaller. Not when it comes to things to do and see in Zaltbommel though. Because there’s plenty of great activities in Zaltbommel which makes this town in The Netherlands one of the places to go to.
There are plenty of things to do in Zaltbommel, The Netherlands. From walking through the old city centre, to visiting one of the most beautiful castles in The Netherlands, the city castle of Zaltbommel. This city castle in Gelderland houses a great museum nowadays.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Zaltbommel
3. Harlingen
Harlingen is one of the 11 cities of the province of Friesland. The entire province of Friesland was found on the Best of Europe list from Lonely Planet in 2018. But if you’re thinking that tourists are overflowing this province in The Netherlands, then you couldn’t be more wrong. That’s why visiting Friesland is always a great idea and one of the cities of Friesland you have to visit is Harlingen.
Harlingen is a seaside town and is called Harns in Frisian. Harlingen is located on the edge of the Unesco World Heritage Site the Wadden Sea. That’s one of the reasons why I think that Harlingen is one of The Netherlands best places to visit. But not only do you have incredible nature just around the corner, there are even tours that you can do to spot seals in their natural habitat. Or what to think about one of the other things that you must do in Harlingen?For instance, visit theHarlinger Aardewerk- en Tegelfabriek. Here you can find the traditional Harlinger pottery. Or walk around the century-old city of Harlingen, The Netherlands, and discover its canals. If you’re still not convinced that Harlingen is one of the top cities to visit in The Netherlands, then I don’t know what will convince you.
A fun fact about Harlingen, Friesland, is the fact that Harlingen is an older city than Amsterdam. Harlingen got its city rights back in 1234, while Amsterdam only got them around 1300. Many believe that Harlingen is the most beautiful town of Friesland, The Netherlands, and I cannot disagree with them.
Discover all the destinations you have to visit in Friesland here
4. Sloten
Another one of the beautifulcities to see in The Netherlands is the fortified town of Sloten, that dates back to the 13th century. This small town is one of the 11 cities of Friesland and also the smallest city of Friesland. With around 760 inhabitants, Sloten is one of the smallest cities of The Netherlands. And around this city in The Netherlands you’ll only find the countryside.
But don’t let the fact that it’s a small city fool you. The city of Sloten is a true dream and as you walk between the old buildings it takes you back to centuries ago. One of the many great things that there is to do in Sloten is visiting the mill. On Saturdays it’s opened and run by volunteers. The best part is that you can get freshly grained flour and other products in the shop of the mill of Sloten.
Sloten is one of the places to visit in The Netherlands, because it’s a beautiful city that completely charms you as soon as you walk into it. The canal, the buildings, the people. It’s a wonderful combination.
Find the best itinerary to spending one day in Sloten, Friesland, here
5. Amersfoort
A beautiful city to visit in the province of Utrecht, is the city of Amersfoort. While quite some people nowadays visit the city of Utrecht, not many have heard of Amersfoort while it’s located near Utrecht. Amersfoort is named after a fort in the Amer river, which is nowadays called the Eem. The city dates back to around the 11th century.
There are a lot of great things to do in Amersfoort. One of the must sees of Amersfoort is the Mondriaanhuis, because Amersfoort is the city of Piet Mondriaan. He was born at the Kortegracht and was one of the founders of the art movement De Stijl. Another must do in Amersfoort is a walking tour, the city has more than 400 monuments and two protected cityscapes. All of this combined makes Amersfoort one of the best cities in The Netherlands to visit.
Find the perfect one day itinerary with the best things to do in Amersfoort here
6. Hoorn
You’re thinking of visiting The Netherlands, but don’t know where to go? The city of Hoorn is a gorgeous city in the area of West- Friesland, province of Noord-Holland and around 30 minutes from Amsterdam. Not only is this city extremely beautiful, it’s also very quiet and peaceful. Yet, bustling at the same time. Hoorn is a city that has the feeling and atmosphere of a village, which I very much enjoy. The first similar name of Hoorn was used in the 8th century, but the town burned down and it took a while before it was rebuilt. The new city of Hoorn dates back to around the 12th century.
Hoorn is a city that, although it’s small, has plenty of things to do and see. Hoorn is located on the edge of one of the biggest lakes of The Netherlands, the Markermeer. That means that if you’re a fan of activities on the water, that you will love Hoorn. If don’t enjoy water, there are still many things that you can do in Hoorn. Think of walking through the old city, discover the little alleys and explore the West Fries Museum.
Click here for the perfect itinerary and the things to do in one day in Hoorn
7. Dordrecht
Dordrecht is a beautiful city that can be found in the province of Zuid-Holland. It’s a city that is mostly known in The Netherlands for having the biggest Christmas market of The Netherlands, but there are plenty of things to do in Dordrecht as well.
While this city is located in the province of Zuid-Holland with cities such as Delft, Rotterdam, Gouda and The Hague, the visitors of those cities often don’t visit this beautiful city of Dordrecht. And it’s time for a change. Dordrecht is located on a big island and from the moment you walk into Dordrecht you will be pleasantly surprised. From the beautiful buildings, to cute cafes on every corner. And from getting a real understanding of the lives of the citizens as there are barely any tourists, to eating at incredibly special restaurants.
Dordrecht is one of the places to visit in The Netherlands. Dordrecht has plenty of things to do and places to visit, but as long as you wander around the city you’ll be in for a real treat. When you’re talking to the locals, it’s very much possible that they refer to the city of Dordrecht as Dordt.
Things to do in one day in Dordrecht itinerary
8. Breda
Breda is a city that is located in one of the provinces that’s not often visited by tourists, Noord- Brabant. Noord- Brabant is a beautiful underrated province and you’ll soon understand why. The city of Breda is also named the Pearl of the South in it’s anthem of Breda, with a very good reason.
Breda dates back to around 1125 and was nothing more than a small village at that time. But, that significantly changed and over time Breda even is known for being a Nassau city as it has very strong connections to the Dutch Royal Family. When you wander through Breda you will discover courtyards, beautiful streets and even a castle.
One of the things you have to do in Breda is to visit the Begijnhof. This courtyard is located in the centre of Breda and divided into two courtyards and a garden with herbs. As the Begijnhof is located close to one of the best parks of Breda another thing to do is visiting the Park Valkenberg. All of that, and more, makes Breda one of the best places to see in The Netherlands.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Breda
9. Roermond
Another one of the top places to visit in The Netherlands is the city of Roermond. Roermond is located in the province of Limburg that’s also well-known for the city of Maastricht. Limburg is one of the only provinces in The Netherlands that has a hilly surrounding and even has the highest hill of The Netherlands at around 322 meters. Which is actually high if you think that some parts of our country are 6 meters below sea-level.
With that said, the hills are not the region why you should visit Limburg and the city of Roermond. While the city dates back to 1100 Roermond is mostly known for the Designer Outlet Roermond. But trust me when I say that the beautiful city of Roermond, The Netherlands, has so much more things to visit than that. Discover the beautiful alleys, the great markets of Roermond and many other must sees. There are plenty of things to do in Roermond, think of visiting the Maasplassen (lakes), eating Burgundian food and exploring the stunning monuments.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Roermond
10. Groningen
This city is the capital of the province of Groningen, The Netherlands, and is one of the cities to visit. It’s also a very popular city for students. However, it’s also a very beautiful city in the Northern part of The Netherlands. The canals, the liveliness, the beautiful buildings and the great cafes make Groningen the perfect city to visit.
Whether you’re interested in museums, nature or a relaxing atmosphere, you can find it in Groningen. The province of Groningen has it’s own dialect and they call Groningen either Grunn, Grunnen or Stad. When you’re in Groningen and looking for what to do, then I can recommend you to try the regional food of Groningen such as an eierbal. But also one of the things you must do in Groningen is visit some of the great, local markets and if you dare, rent a bike. The city is quite big and although you can walk through Groningen, there are so many things to do and see that’s easier to rent a bike if you only have one day in Groningen.
Get the best itinerary for spending one magical day in Groningen here
11. Zwolle
Some of the most beautiful places in The Netherlands are the Hansa towns. These century-old towns and cities were part of the Hanseatic League, which was a commercial and defensive confederation of market towns and merchant guilds in Northwestern and Central Europe. Zwolle used to be one of them.
The city of Zwolle is located in the province of Overijssel and is not popular with tourists just yet. The people from Zwolle are called Zwollenaren and as of now more than 120.000 people may be called that way. Zwolle is a surprising city. From incredible buildings, to regional food. From one of the most special museums to the calming atmosphere. Somehow Zwolle has it all.
One of the things you have to do in Zwolle is visiting theMuseum de Fundatie. This museum is a museum for fine arts and has a very interesting building that you have to admire. Zwolle is definitely one of the places to go to in The Netherlands and one of the most beautiful places to visit.
Find a free walking tour for Zwolle here!
12. Bergen op Zoom
The city of Bergen op Zoom is very charming and also houses the oldest still existing company of The Netherlands. Hotel De Draak (pictured below) is established in 1397 and is the oldest hotel of The Netherlands. The building of this houses has survived several city fires and is still shining as of today. So when you visit Bergen op Zoom, one of the things you have to do is stay in Hotel De Draak. It’s one of the best and most interesting places to stay in The Netherlands.
Bergen op Zoom has a long history, which can be felt when you walk through the city. One beautiful street after the next, the Bourgondian feeling of the province of Noord- Brabant and the atmosphere. You won’t find much tourists in Bergen op Zoom as of yet, but tourist offices are starting to promote this area a bit more now. However, you will still have the most of one of the most beautiful cities in The Netherlands to yourself.
One of the things you have to do in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands, is to bring a visit to the Markiezenhof. This is a city palace that dates back to the 15th century and is very well preserved. As of now you will find many exhibitions about nobilities and their way of living in this museum in Bergen op Zoom. I personally find it one of The Netherlands most special landmarks.
Click here for an article on the best things to do in one day in Bergen op Zoom
13. Kampen
Kampen is another Hansa town in The Netherlands you have to visit. The old city of Kampen is located in the province of Overijssel and has around 35.000 inhabitants. The town of Kampen is located on a peninsula on the lower section of the river the Ijssel.
One of the reasons why Kampen is one of the great cities in The Netherlands you have to visit is because of its cityscape. A big part of the city of Kampen is a protected cityscape, with a very good reason because it’s truly stunning. One of the things to do in Kampen is to visit the city gardens. But another thing to do in Kampen are the beautiful monuments. Kampen has a lot of city gates that are very well preserved as well as stunning buildings and plenty of more things to see. All of that, and more, makes Kampen one of the best places to visit in The Netherlands.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Kampen
14. Ijlst
One of the most beautiful places in Friesland, The Netherlands, is the city of Ijlst. Ijlst is one of the 11 cities of Friesland and feels like a true fairy tale. From the one canal that flows through the town, to the beautiful countryside in this part of The Netherlands just outside of it. The gardens that you see in the photo below are very rare in The Netherlands nowadays.
The city is quaint, small and surprising. Ijlst got its borough right back in 1268. And the best part of Ijlst? Not much people visit Ijlst, The Netherlands. Somehow most Dutch people forget this city exists, let alone foreign tourists.That and all things you can do in Ijlst, make it one of the most underrated small cities of The Netherlands and Friesland to visit.
This is definitely one of the best places of The Netherlands to visit. Even though the city isn’t very big, you can easily make a full or half a day trip to the city of Ijlst from any town in Friesland.
Click here for the best things to do in Ijlst
15. Vlissingen
Another beautiful place to visit in the province of Zeeland, The Netherlands, is the city of Vlissingen. Vlissingen is located on what was previously an island called Walcheren and if you’re looking for where to go in The Netherlands, then you will love Vlissingen. The town itself has around 33.000 inhabitants. The best part of Vlissingen is its location. Vlissingen is located on the sea side, so you not only can explore a beautiful city but also visit one of the best beaches of The Netherlands.
One of the things you have to do in Vlissingen, The Netherlands, is visiting festivals. Somehow Vlissingen is a perfect place for festivals and you better make the most of it. The 5th May (liberation day in The Netherlands) festival in Vlissingen is one of the biggest of The Netherlands with around 40.000 visitors. As well as the filmfestival in Cine City in Vlissingen in September.
But when you’re visiting Vlissingen on other dates, there’s still plenty of things to do and see in Vlissingen. Vlissingen has a protected cityscape and around 300 monuments. Vlissingen is located on the 30th spot when it comes to the amount of monuments within cities in The Netherlands. That makes this one of the best places and cities to visit in The Netherlands. Don’t forget to visit the wind chime on the Southern pier.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Vlissingen
16. Heusden
The town of Heusden is a restored fortified town in the province of Noord- Brabant, The Netherlands. The city of Heusden has around 1500 inhabitants. A big part of the town was destroyed just before Heusden was freed in November 1944. Heusden was restored for 40 years, starting in 1968 and ending in 2008. They completely restored the city of Heusden into the original town. Its city scape is protected.
The best part of Heusden, The Netherlands, is that it’s such a relaxing town that just wandering around is already amazing. It’s also located on the countryside of The Netherlands. The street plan dates back to the Medieval times. One of the things you have to do in Heusden, The Netherlands, is visiting a pancake restaurant in Heusden.De Pannekoekenbakker in Heusden has some of the best pancakes of The Netherlands.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Heusden
17. Nijmegen
If you were wondering what the oldest city of The Netherlands is, then you’ve come to the right place. Nijmegen celebrated their 2000-year existence back in 2005 and is one of the best places to visit around The Netherlands. The city of Nijmegen was part of the Roman Empire for many years and is a great place to visit for anyone who likes offbeat places in The Netherlands.
Nijmegen is a beautiful city that is located in the province of Gelderland and remains not often visited by foreign tourists, unless they’re in Nijmegen during the walk of the world which is the biggest walking event of The Netherlands and exists out of 4 days of walking.
Nijmegen is a city that has plenty of things to do. From beautiful beaches on the side of the Waal river that flows through the city, to nature reserves just outside of Nijmegen. And from the cutest cafes, to visiting one of the oldest bars or pubs of The Netherlands. And if you’re into museums, then Nijmegen will also be one of the best places for you to go in The Netherlands.
Find the best things to do in one day in Nijmegen here
18. Hasselt
The town of Hasselt is yet another Hansa town in The Netherlands you have to visit. Hasselt is located in the province of Overijssel and has the river Zwarte Water flowing through its town. The first humans were living in Hasselt (that didn’t exist yet) and its surroundings around 1000 before Christ, which is mind blowing. Hasselt was an important trade city because it had the perfect location for important waterways and roads.
A great thing about Hasselt is that the city is very green and has a lot of nature. One of the things you have to do in Hasselt, The Netherlands, and its surroundings is visiting the rare nature reserves in the areas.This city in The Netherlands is a true beauty, and there are many villages in this area of The Netherlands as well.
One of the things I would recommend you to do and see in Hasselt, The Netherlands, are the lime kilns. These are located just out of the centre of Hasselt and were the only working lime kilns in Western Europe back in 1990. At the lime kilns there’s a museum as well in this part of Hasselt, The Netherlands. It’s only opened for a short while (1st of June – 9th of September), but worth a visit. This is one of the most special landmarks of The Netherlands you have to visit.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Hasselt
19. Elburg
Elburg is located in the province of Gelderland and borders the Veluwe and Dronter lake. This is one of the most beautiful places in The Netherlands and is also a Hansa town. It’s mostly known for having an almost completely straight street plan, which was very unusual during the Medieval Ages. The town has around 12.000 inhabitants.
One of the things you have to do in Elburg is watch at the sidewalks. While that might sound as a weird thing to do in Elburg, I can assure you it has a reason. At the sidewalks in front of some old buildings you will see white pebbles with figures of black pebbles. They were made from boulders that were found on a hill a bit further away. In the 18th century it was very normal to create these kind of sidewalks. Then it emerged into a sort of masons folk art where decorations and special figures were created. Another one of the things to do and see in Elburg, The Netherlands, is the Museum of Elburg. It’s definitely worth a visit. Elburg is, in my opinion, one of The Netherlands most beautiful places.
Click here for the best things to do in Elburg in one day
20. Enkhuizen
The city of Enkhuizen is known as the ‘Haringstad’ or herring city. In the past Enkhuizen was the centre for fishing on herring. As of now, the city is mostly known for it’s perfect location at the biggest lake of The Netherlands, Ijsselmeer. Enkhuizen is one of the many beautiful cities in The Netherlands and one of the best things to do in Enkhuizen is to visit the best open air museum of The Netherlands, Zuiderzeemuseum.
The Zuiderzeemuseum is an outdoor and indoor museum in The Netherlands. Here you will learn everything about the maritime and cultural history of the previous Zuiderzee area. The museum was first founded back in 1948.
Another great thing to do and see in Enkhuizen, Noord-Holland, is to walk through the city centre of Enkhuizen. The canals are gorgeous, as well as the buildings and the ramparts of the 17th century are in a perfect state. And another great thing about Enkhuizen and it’s surroundings is that as soon as you leave the city, you will find The Netherlands countryside at its best.
Things to do in one day in Enkhuizen
21. Aldeboarn
Aldeboarn (Frisian), or Oldeboorn in Dutch, is one of the most beautiful villages of The Netherlands. While it’s small, as it’s a village, it’s also very cute. As soon as you enter the village it’s like a relaxing atmosphere floods all over you. This beautiful village is located in the province of Friesland, The Netherlands, and has almost 1500 inhabitants.
Because it’s so small and the village is beautifully restored, Aldeboarn is one of the best places to see in The Netherlands. And definitely one of The Netherlands best villages to visit.
Sit by the water side and enjoy the boats that pass by and the beautiful buildings. You will see a few cyclists pass by as you feel the rays of sun on your face.As I’ve said before, the village of Aldeboarn is small, but there are still plenty of things to do and see in the village and its surroundings.
Click here for all the things to do in Aldeboarn and its surroundings
22. Harderwijk
Harderwijk is one of the places you have to to go in The Netherlands. The stunning city of Harderwijk is located in the province of Gelderland and is another Hansa town in The Netherlands. This town is known for having a protected city scape since 1969 and has around a hundred monuments.
One of the best things to do in Harderwijk, The Netherlands, is visiting the Grote/ Onze Lieve Vrouw Kerk. This church is a basilica that partly dates back to the end of the 14th century. You can visit this church in Harderwijk from the 27th of April until Monument day (around the 9th of September) from Monday – Thursday from 13:30- 16:30. During the months of July and August you can visit this church in Harderwijk from Monday – Saturday from 13:30 until 16:30. It’s definitely one of The Netherlands most special sites. There are even very special murals found in this church. Another great thing to do in Harderwijk is to discover the century-old medieval centre.
Things to do in one day in Harderwijk
23. Appingedam
Appingedam is, aside from Groningen, the only city in the province of Groningen that dates back to the Medieval Ages. This picturesque city in The Netherlands is mostly known for its ‘hanging kitchens’ or as we call it in Dutch, Hangende Keukens. People who wanted to increase the space in their house were only allowed to do that in one way, to built the kitchens on the outside of their houses. This way it seems like the kitchens are falling of the buildings. Luckily this is not the case.
One of the best things to do in Appingedam, The Netherlands, is to visit the Museum Stad Appingedam. In this museum you will discover how and why Appingedam was a very wealthy city, as well as discover a big collection of silver in the museum. The city had its own silversmiths. Something else that you will love about Appingedam is seeing the small alleys, the beautiful facades and the central square with a beautiful church. Appingedam is a small town, but definitely one of the interesting places in The Netherlands that you should visit.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Appingedam
24. Deventer
Deventer, also called Dèmpter in the local dialect, is another beautiful Hansa town in The Netherlands. Deventer is located in the province of Overijssel and is one of the oldest cities in The Netherlands. Deventer has been an official city since at least 952. One of the things you have to do in Deventer is walk through the city. Deventer has the oldest stone house, the oldest park and the oldest scientific library of The Netherlands.
Besides that, in Deventer you can find plenty of other things to do. Deventer is one of the best places to visit in The Netherlands in winter as it has one of the best Christmas markets of The Netherlands. So if you’re looking for things to do in The Netherlands in December, then visiting Deventer is a great idea.
Deventer has a lot of great shops, brown cafes and great restaurants as well. It’s very easy to spend one full day in Deventer, but even a weekend in Deventer will be a good idea as the surroundings are very beautiful as well.
Find the best things to do in one day in Deventer here
25. Bolsward
One of the most beautiful places to visit in The Netherlands is the city of Bolsward. Bolsward is a city that is located in the province of Friesland and was built on three mounds, which are still visible today. One of the churches of Bolsward, the Sint Martini church is actually located on one of the mounds.
Bolsward is a small city that has many things to do. Not only can you find beautiful canals and historic buildings, but there’s also a great brewery in Bolsward where you can get tastings. One of my favourite things about Bolsward is that it’s a cosy, very clean and peaceful Frisian city in The Netherlands, where people still say hi to strange people. The magical combination of friendliness in a cute city make Bolsward, The Netherlands, one of the most beautiful places to visit in my country.
Find out what to do in one day in Bolward here
26. Brielle
The fortified city of Brielle, also named Den Briel, is a city that is located in the province of Zuid- Holland, The Netherlands. Brielle is located on the island of Voorne and has around 12.000 inhabitants. A part of Brielle is a protected city scape and this medieval city in The Netherlands has almost 400 monuments. Together with the city of Harlingen, Brielle has the most monuments per inhabitants of The Netherlands. Not much tourists visit Brielle which makes it one of the hidden cities of The Netherlands.
Not much has changed in the city of Brielle since 1713, which means that the defenses are some of the best and most important fortifications of The Netherlands. One of the things you have to do in Brielle is to have a look at the facades of the buildings. You can find many plaques on the buildings that make entire stories. Can you discover what they mean?
Brielle is also famous for historical museum Den Briel, or Historisch Museum Den Briel. I can definitely recommend you to visit this museum to discover the history behind the city and more. Explore one of the secret places of The Netherlands with Brielle, you won’t be disappointed.
Find what to do in Brielle in one day here
27. Leiden
Leiden is probably most known city on this list, however it’s still not that popular as its counterparts of Delft, Rotterdam and Utrecht. Leiden is one of the best cities in the province of Zuid- Holland, The Netherlands, and has the second biggest historical city centre of The Netherlands which is also a protected city scape. Many famous painters were born and raised in Leiden. Think of Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Steen, Gerrit Dou and Frans van Mieris de Oudere. The city of Leiden is also named ‘sleutelstad’, or key city. This refers to the city coat of arms. Leiden also houses the oldest university of The Netherlands.
Leiden has plenty of things to do, such as admiring the oldest theater of The Netherlands with the Leidse Schouwburg that dates back to 1705. But one of the things many people don’t do in Leiden is visiting the courtyards. The city of Leiden has plenty of courtyards, cute alleys and plenty of more things to explore. It’s also one of the best places to visit near Amsterdam, The Netherlands. One of the best walking tours and routes of Leiden is the ‘De Leidse Loper’.
Click here for articles on where to eat the best food in Leiden
28. Naarden
The town of Naarden is located in the province of Noord- Holland and most known within The Netherlands for its beautiful star fortress. This fortified city in The Netherlands is located near Amsterdam and is one of the best preserved and renovated offbeat places in The Netherlands. You can find beautiful monuments here, great museums and the first nature reserve of The Netherlands is located just outside of this beautiful.
Another thing you must do in Naarden, The Netherlands, is to visit The Netherlands fortress museum. In this museum you will discover the turbulent past of the fortified city of Naarden. From exciting stories to horror stories. All are part of the history of the Naarden fortress. You will find out and explore how the garrison lived and worked in Naarden, while at the same time defending the wealthy region of ‘Holland’ from the threatening East.
Naarden is one of the best small towns in The Netherlands. With cute streets, great cafes and a wonderful atmosphere.
Click here for an itinerary to spending one day in Naarden
29. Schiedam
The history of the city of Schiedam dates back to the 13th century. Schiedam is located in the province of Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands. Visiting Schiedam is a great idea, especially as a day trip from The Hague or Rotterdam. It’s mostly known for its gin production, the highest authentic wind mills of the world and the historical centre with its harbours. The historical harbours are called canals in other Dutch cities, but somehow in Schiedam they stick to the harbours.
One of the things you have to do in Schiedam is to visit the National Jenevermuseum. This gin museum is not only very interesting to discover the history of gin and gin production in The Netherlands, but also has a ‘proeflokaal’: a place for tasting gin. The museum has a historical distillery where gin is made via the original old Dutch method and tradition with a recipe from the 17th century. After the gin is created, it has to rest. After three years it’ll be bottled and named ‘Old Schiedam’.
Other must do’s and sees in Schiedam are the city centre and the galleries and ateliers in Schiedam. The creative sector is alive and well in Schiedam and you can find many artists here.
Stay tuned for an article on the things to do in one day in Schiedam
30. Workum
A beautiful city to visit in Friesland is the town of Workum. Workum, or Warkum in Frisian, is one of the best destinations to travel to within Friesland and The Netherlands. It’s a city that belongs to one of the 11-cities of Friesland. Workum is a city that has borough rights since 1399 and a part of the town is a protected city scape.
Workum offers plenty of things to do. From regional Dutch pottery to kitesurfing. And from a beautiful walk on a centuries old path to discovering great restaurants. Workum is one of the nice places you have to visit in The Netherlands.
Click here for the things to do in Workum in one day
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Have you ever been to one of these most beautiful places in The Netherlands already? If yes, which one and what did you think of the place? If not, would you like to visit these medieval offbeat towns in The Netherlands? These cities are definitely worth a visit, otherwise I wouldn’t include them. But there are a few more places that I recommend you to go to, however they’re a bit more known.
The first city is Alkmaar and can be found in Noord-Holland. The next city is Maastricht and is found in the Southern province of Limburg. The last city is the city of Delft, that is very known for the Delfts pottery and can be found in the province of Zuid- Holland. For when you want to visit Amsterdam, but in a local way, I can recommend you to read this 2 days itinerary by a local for Amsterdam.You can even discover the best typical Dutch food and cuisine to eat in The Netherlands and Amsterdam here.
Do you think you know a lot about Amsterdam? Then test yourself with this article on the most interesting facts of Amsterdam.Are you looking for the best budget accommodation in Amsterdam, then here you will find the cheapest hostels and campings of Amsterdam.
And are you wondering what you should pack when you’re visiting Amsterdam and The Netherlands? Then you will find this packing list for The Netherlands and Amsterdam very useful. You might also be interested in discovering the best carry-on and minimalist backpacks for travel that you can find if you click here.Or are you searching for the best women’s shoes to bring on your European adventure? Then you’re in luck. I’ve created a perfect guide to the best women’s walking boots, sandals and sneakers for your Europe travels.
Do you not want to get lost in The Netherlands or are you looking for the best travel apps to use in The Netherlands and Amsterdam, then find them here.These apps can be very useful for your travels in The Netherlands as the app 9292 for instance, makes it easy to visit these places by public transport. But also when you’re planning on doing this perfect spring road trip itinerary in The Netherlands. You will see local tulip fields, a beautiful Wadden Island and plenty of more offbeat places in The Netherlands. Or maybe you can visit the beautiful island of Schiermonnikoog as well?
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