10 Best Road Trips near Amsterdam
Escape to Amsterdam This Weekend!
Amsterdam is only one of the incredibly unique places within the Netherlands, and if you don’t see some of the wonderful places nearby, you’re missing out on some spectacular sights. Year-round you’ll find plenty of things to do in the Netherlands, from offshore on Texel Island, to the Garden of Europe in Lisse and festivals in Rotterdam.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet weekend getaway to a charming village by the water, or a cultural hotspot with colorful nightlife, you’ll find it all just a short distance from Amsterdam. Learn about some of the best places to visit on a road trip through the Netherlands.
1. Texel Island
An island escape with sandy beaches
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Texel Island is located in North Holland in the Wadden Sea and is the largest of the West Frisian Islands. Its characteristic sandy beaches and grassy dunes can be reached via a quick ferry trip from Den Helder.
Visitors can check out the Dunes of Texel National Park, centering around the island’s rich natural ecosystem and diverse wildlife. You can head up to the northern part of the island to see the Eierland Lighthouse, overlooking spectacular views of the Wadden and North Seas.
Location: Texel, Netherlands
Texel Island
2. Keukenhof
A vast garden to lose yourself in
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Keukenhof is known as the “Garden of Europe” and is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. Located in Lisse, Keukenhof Park is adjacent to its namesake Castle Keukenhof, a historic manor house.
Keukenhof’s world-renowned 8-week tulip display is open to the public from mid-March to mid-May, when thousands of vibrant blooms can be enjoyed. The park and castle grounds are open year-round, featuring formal gardens, tours, and annual family-friendly events and festivities. In Lisse, you can also visit the Museum de Zwart Tulp to learn about the Dutch tulip region’s colorful history.
Location: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands
Keukenhof
3. Kinderdijk
Fascinating historic windmills
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Kinderdijk is a charming village in Molenlanden, east of Rotterdam, and sits at the confluence of the Noord and Lek rivers. This area of the Alblasserwaard region is well-known for its collection of 19 historic windmills, which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Kinderdijk windmills are surrounded by a network of waterways, bike paths, and foot trails, great for exploring on a road trip. The visitor center provides more information about the region’s history and there are even mini museums located inside some of these preserved windmills.
Location: Kinderdijk, Netherlands
Kinderdijk
4. Volendam, Marken, and Edam
Traditional Dutch village culture
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Volendam, Marken, and Edam are villages located around the Waterland area, each known for their old-world Dutch charm. Marken is a peninsula in the Markermeer, connected to the mainland by a causeway. Edam and Volendam are located on the mainland in North Holland, just across the water from Marken.
Volendam is known for traditional Dutch costumes, which you can learn about within the village’s museum, and even try on yourself. Edam is best recognized as the origin of the cheese which shares its name, and summer visitors can see weekly re-enactments of the village’s historical cheese markets. Marken’s idyllic wooden houses are incredibly picturesque, set on the sleepy village’s scenic island landscape.
Volendam, Marken, and Edam
5. Hoge Veluwe National Park
The wild Netherlands landscape
Good for: Couples, Families
Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the largest national reserves in the Netherlands, located in the province of Gelderland, in the Veluwe. The park does charge an entrance fee to visitors but provides a free bike-sharing system within its borders, as much of the park is inaccessible to automobiles.
At the Hoge Veluwe National Park visitor center, you can learn about the region’s history, as well as its geology and biology within the Museonder museum. Also within the park, the Kröller-Müller Museum houses a historic art collection, including pieces by Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. The park is home to diverse wildlife, ranging from deer and wild boar to mouflon, foxes, and badgers.
Open: Daily from 9 am to 7 pm
Phone: +31 (0)55 833 0833
Hoge Veluwe National Park
6. Delft
Fantastic views of artists’ homes
Good for: Families, History
Delft is a city in South Holland, part of Rotterdam, The Hague Metropolitan Neighborhood, and Randstad. Delft is famous for many reasons, including its connection to the royal House of Orange-Nassau, its unique pottery, and several historic homes of renowned painters.
Visitors can see sights like the Botanical Garden of Delft University, Nieuwe Kerk containing the burial vault of the Dutch royal family, and the Prinsenhof Museum. Cultural highlights in Delft includes sites about Johannes Vermeer and other native Dutch painters, as well as the region’s traditional blue Delft pottery ceramics.
Location: Delft, Netherlands
Delft
7. Scheveningen
A stunning seaside resort
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
Scheveningen is located within The Hague and is a popular seaside resort known for its long sandy beaches and its pier, malecon (seawall), and historic lighthouse. Though Scheveningen draws visitors to the coast year-round, it’s a trendy destination in warm weather for water sports like kiteboarding and windsurfing.
There’s plenty of things to do at the local beaches, with annual events like the Winter Swim on New Year’s Day, springtime Flags Day celebrations, and firework displays throughout the summer. You can explore a miniature city at Madurodam, see the sculptures displayed at Beelden aan Zee, and check out the Scheveningen pleasure pier over the water. The area also offers vibrant nightlife across seaside bars, restaurants, and local entertainment spots.
Location: Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands
Scheveningen
8. Rotterdam
Thrilling nightlife to enjoy
Good for: Couples, Families, Nightlife
Rotterdam’s many nicknames include the “Gateway to Europe” and even the “Gateway to the World”, given the city’s vast distribution system through waterways, railways, and roads. The city is located in South Holland and can trace its long-running history back to the 13th century.
Rotterdam is a cultural hotspot, with attractions ranging from orchestra performances to theaters, nightclubs, aquariums, and art galleries. The city also boasts hundreds of unique modern architectural features, including the Markthal, the Erasmusbrug, and the Euromast. You’ll also find annual events held year-round in Rotterdam, including popular summer culture and music festivals.
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam
9. Utrecht
Immerse yourself in local culture
Good for: Couples, Families
Utrecht is located in the center of the Netherlands, with a historic past dating back to the High Middle Ages. The city hosts a staggering amount of cultural events year-round, drawing visitors from all over the Netherlands and beyond.
You can explore historic sites in Utrecht, like the old center of the inner city, with its uniquely curved canal and medieval structures, as well as several opulent gothic churches. The city is home to many museums and cultural centers, as well as public art features like the Letters of Utrecht, an endless poem written in the cobblestones.
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Utrecht
10. Giethoorn
Car-free travel by glistening waterways
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Giethoorn is a Dutch town often referred to as the “Venice of the Netherlands”, which is crisscrossed by canals and waterways with car access virtually nonexistent. The city is located within the province of Overijssel, southwest of Steenwijk.
The highly traditional village of Giethoorn has added some modern access for visitors. Still, the town is only fully accessible by boat, making it a charming spot for a day trip or weekend getaway. Be sure to bring your camera, as the canals and lakes that stream through the town provide a stunning backdrop for pictures. Be sure to check out the Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus to learn about the region’s history and farming.
Location: Giethoorn, Netherlands
Giethoorn
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