Netherlands travel guide
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.
Places worth the trip
Amsterdam
The 17th-century canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and best explored on foot or by boat. The Rijksmuseum has Rembrandt's Night Watch, the Van Gogh Museum holds the world's largest collection of his work, and the Anne Frank House needs booking well in advance.
Kinderdijk
Near Rotterdam, a line of 19 windmills built in the 18th century to drain the polders is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk or cycle the paths beside the canals, and step inside a working mill.
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. The surrounding fields turn into stripes of colour, best seen by bike.
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. Europe's largest port can be seen on a harbour boat tour.
The Hague and Delft
The seat of the Dutch government and of international courts, The Hague is also home to the Mauritshuis, with Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, and the seaside resort of Scheveningen. Delft, Vermeer's home town, is a short tram ride away, with canals and blue-and-white pottery.
Utrecht
A lively university city with canals unusual for their two levels, where old wharf cellars at water level now house cafés. Climb the Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the country, for views across the city.
Wadden Islands
A chain of islands off the north coast, including Texel and Terschelling, with dunes, beaches, cycling and seal colonies. The Wadden Sea is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and at low tide guided mudflat walks, called wadlopen, cross the seabed.
Hoge Veluwe National Park
Heathland, forest and sand drifts near Arnhem, explored on free white bicycles. Inside the park, the Kröller-Müller Museum has a major Van Gogh collection and a large sculpture garden.
Interesting facts about Netherlands
- About a quarter of the Netherlands lies below sea level, protected by dykes, dunes and pumping stations.
- There are more bicycles in the Netherlands than people, and cycling is a normal way to get to work, school and the shops.
- Flevoland, the newest province, was created in 1986 almost entirely on land reclaimed from the former Zuiderzee.
- Dutch people are, on average, among the tallest in the world.
- Amsterdam is the capital, but the government, parliament and the king's working palace are in The Hague.
Best time to visit Netherlands
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. September is often pleasant and quieter. Autumn and winter are cool, grey and wet, but museums, cafés and Christmas markets keep the cities lively, and in cold winters canals occasionally freeze for skating. Rain is possible at any time of year, so pack a waterproof.
Getting around
Trains are frequent and connect almost every town, and you can tap in and out with a contactless bank card on trains, trams, buses and metros, without buying a separate ticket. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht all have good public transport. Cycling is the most Dutch way to get around: rent a bike, follow the dedicated cycle paths and their rules, and watch out for trams and pedestrians. Driving is straightforward between cities, but parking in centres is limited and expensive; park-and-ride sites outside cities are usually better.
Practical details
- Capital
- Amsterdam (the government sits in The Hague)
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Dutch, West Frisian (in Friesland)
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 (all emergencies)
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Service is included. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service in restaurants is common but not required.
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.
Netherlands eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Netherlands, V2
Ilimitados
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Netherlands, V2
Ilimitados
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Netherlands, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Netherlands, V2
Useful apps
- NS: The Dutch Railways app for train times, platform changes and disruptions.
- 9292: A journey planner covering every train, tram, bus, metro and ferry in the country.
- Google Maps: Cycling and walking directions in cities and between towns.
- Buienradar: A popular Dutch rain radar app, useful for timing bike rides between showers.
Netherlands travel FAQs
The Netherlands is the name of the country. North Holland and South Holland are two of its twelve provinces, containing Amsterdam, Haarlem, Rotterdam and The Hague, which is why many people use Holland to mean the whole country.
Yes, coverage is excellent nationwide. EU visitors can usually use their home plan; visitors from elsewhere can use a travel eSIM for local data while keeping their home number active for calls and texts.
Very little. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, and some shops and cafés are card-only. Note that some places don't accept credit cards, preferring debit cards, so carry both if you can.
Yes, thanks to separate cycle paths and flat terrain, but follow the rules: use bike lanes, signal turns, use lights at night and lock your bike securely. In busy Amsterdam, take care until you are used to the traffic.