A little more
Netherlands.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Netherlands: what to know before you go

The Netherlands is a flat, densely populated country on the North Sea, known for canals, bicycles, windmills, Golden Age painting and a long struggle against the water. Many people call it Holland, but North and South Holland are just two of its twelve provinces, home to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Easy trains and short distances make it ideal for city breaks and cycling trips.

Where to go

• Amsterdam. The 17th-century canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and best explored on foot or by boat.
• Kinderdijk. Near Rotterdam, a line of 19 windmills built in the 18th century to drain the polders is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Keukenhof and the bulb fields. Between Leiden and Haarlem, Keukenhof's gardens open only in spring, roughly from mid-March to mid-May, showing millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
• Rotterdam. Rebuilt after its centre was destroyed in 1940, Rotterdam is a showcase of modern architecture: the Markthal's arched food hall, the tilted Cube Houses and the Erasmus Bridge.

Best time to visit

April to May brings tulip season, King's Day celebrations on 27 April and mild weather, making it the most popular time. June to August is the warmest period, good for cycling, beaches and outdoor terraces, though Amsterdam gets very busy.

Staying online in Netherlands

The Netherlands has excellent mobile coverage nationwide, with fast 4G and 5G in cities, towns and along motorways and railways. Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, museums, hotels and on many trains. Coverage is good even in rural areas, though it can be weaker on some of the Wadden Islands' beaches and out on the mudflats. EU visitors can usually roam on their home plan; visitors from elsewhere should install an eSIM before they fly and switch it on when they land.