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19 best day trips from Amsterdam: the ultimate travel guide

Out of the city, into the Netherlands

Thinking about taking a day trip from Amsterdam? Wat leuk! (How nice!) There is heaps to see in the Dutch capital, but you can discover even more outside of the city. 

Picking what to do and see in a short time can be confusing and complicated — but we have some top travel recommendations, no matter what you want to see!

Here are 19 of the best day trips you can take from Amsterdam — sorted by distance. 😉

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement .

1. Zaanse Schans: a picture-perfect town of windmills

2. haarlem: the river city, 3. broek in waterland: a village fit for sea captains, 4. marken: a former island in the zuiderzee, 5. volendam: a traditional dutch fishing town, 6. hoorn: the pearl of the ijsselmeer, 7. leiden: the city of arts and sciences, 8. utrecht: the very centre of the dutch mainland, 9. rotterdam: a city with an unmatched skyline, 10. the hague: city of international peace and justice, 11. delft: home to vermeer and delft blaauw, 12. gouda: the birthplace of iconic dutch cheese , 13. schiedam: home to the world’s tallest windmill, 14. dordrecht: a historic trading port, 15. tilburg: dutch textile central, 16. groningen: the hidden gem of the north, 17. den helder: city of the sun, 18. giethoorn: venice of the netherlands, 19. bourtange: the medieval fortress village, how to get around the netherlands for day trips, day trips from amsterdam: frequently asked questions, day trips less than 30-minutes from amsterdam.

If you won’t be in the city for long, a 30-minute day trip from Amsterdam is perfect if you want to get out of the city for a day! Here are our top picks for nearby towns and cities. 

A trip to the Netherlands would be incomplete without seeing windmills — and there’s no better way to see them than in the historical town of Zaanse Schans . 🍃

This quaint village gives visitors an accurate impression of Dutch living in the 17th and 18th centuries.

From cheese and dairy factories to traditional windmills and historical museums, you’ll live, breathe, and experience the old Zaan style of living. Classic!

🚗 Travel time by car: 21 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Station Zaanse Schans, 17 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Zaanse windmills, Honig Breethuis, Museumwinkel

An ideal day trip from Amsterdam, Haarlem is located between the Spaarne River and coastal dunes — did someone say beach? 🏖

This city has everything : bustling markets and shopping streets, plenty of family-friendly cultural activities like museums , comedy clubs, concerts, and cuisine choices to die for. 🍴

If you’re looking for a change of scenery but still want to have lots of activities to do, Haarlem is the place for you. 

🚗 Travel time by car: 30 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Station Haarlem, 19 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: St. Bavo’s Kerk (church), Grote Markt, Bloemendaal aan Zee

Broek in Waterland made a name for itself back in the 16th century — a popular vacation destination for sea captains! 🧑🏻‍✈

If you’re looking for a getaway from the big city, Broek in Waterland is the definition of an idyllic Dutch town. 

READ MORE | The 10 best authentic Dutch villages that you have to visit

With a population of fewer than 2,500 people, this village has quiet streets and picturesque nature. 🌿

Its standout feature is its traditional wooden houses, with more than 80 of them considered National Heritage Sites. 

There are also lots of biking and walking routes nearby. If you’re looking to get some fresh air and exercise while on a day trip from Amsterdam, check out the biking tours around the town!

🚗 Travel time by car: 14 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Broek in Waterland, 18 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Traditional village townhouses

Marken was separated from the Dutch mainland in the 13th century by a storm, turning it into an island in the Markermeer lake. ⛈ 

Residents of the town built wooden houses on artificial hills to prevent more flooding damage. To this day, these picturesque homes remain a popular cultural attraction. 

Only nine kilometres in area, you can easily walk across the whole town and island.

On your walk, you can visit the cosy town harbour or enjoy the scenic route of fields, forests, and the lakeshore. 🚣🏼

This lovely town has historical connections to Volendam, so you could make it a longer day trip from Amsterdam and visit two towns with one ferry. 😉

🚗 Travel time by car: 27 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Marken, 45 minutes  ⭐ Don’t miss: Paard van Marken Lighthouse, The Marken Museum

Volendam is the best-known fishing village in the Netherlands. You can visit the old harbour full of traditional Dutch ships, many of which are still in use! 🎣

This day trip from Amsterdam would be incomplete without trying some of the fish delicacies — you can finally conquer your fear of raw haring (herring) and smoked eel, or stick to the delicious kibbeling (deep-fried codfish). 

Volendam is also one of the few towns where you can experience the traditional Dutch clothing style.

It’s one of the most recognisable traditional Dutch costumes, with charming hats and clogs ( not everyone wears them , so they’re extra special). You can even wear the clothes yourself for a souvenir picture !

Day trips less than one hour from Amsterdam

If you have a little more time on your hands, these day trips from Amsterdam are worth checking out!

They’re just a tad further away from the Dutch capital, but you’ll find some beautiful monuments and sites if you make the trip. 

Hoorn is located by the IJsselmeer, an artificial sea-turned-lake in Noord Holland. This harbour town has a lively centre, with plenty of shops, terraces, and restaurants to enjoy.

If you’re looking for an authentic Dutch maritime village, Hoorn is the go-to choice. 

You can also check out historical monuments like the historic ship and 16th-century warehouses, the defence tower built in the 16th century, and the Oosterkerk (Eastern Church) for fishers and sailors!

If you want to get active, you can try out some water sports (although we can’t guarantee comfortable water temperatures 🥶) or take a walk on the beach and dunes around the area. 🚶🏻

🚗 Travel time by car: 35 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Station Hoorn, 33 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Westfries Museum, The Red Square, De Hoornse Straatjes

With canals and architecture to rival Amsterdam, Leiden might be one of the most underrated places. We should know — it’s our headquarters and one of our favourite Dutch cities!

A walk through the city centre will show you all the trendy restaurants, bars, and cafés .

Leiden is also home to cute unique shops where you can buy handmade ceramics, old-fashioned mechanical wristwatches, and vintage records. 

A university city since 1575, Leiden has been a prominent art and science centre of the world.

The inner city is full of museums and historical buildings like the Leiden Citadel and the old city gates. It was also home to more Dutch artists than you might expect — Rembrandt, Steen, and more! 👨🏼‍🎨

Plenty of trains pass through Leiden, making it a convenient day trip from Amsterdam. 😌

🚗 Travel time by car: 42 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Leiden Centraal, 43 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Hooglandse Kerk, Museum de Lakenhal

Utrecht is the Netherlands’ bright, beating heart connecting the east to the west at the centre of the Netherlands.

Built around the Dom Tower, you can see this spectacular monument from all around the city — so you’ll never get lost!

The historic city is surrounded by an old moat called The Singel, built for defence in the 12th century.

One of the most special parts of Utrecht is its unique terraces: landings right next to the canals that thrive with bars and restaurants. 

With lots of places to shop and eat, cultural spots like museums and concert halls, access to nature, and beautiful inner-city sites, you won’t run out of things to do in Utrecht . 

This city is a super convenient day trip from Amsterdam because of the direct intercity train (the fast train that travels between cities) that runs four times an hour. The journey is less than 30 minutes! 🚅

🚗 Travel time by car: 44 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Utrecht Centraal, 26 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: The Dom Tower, Rietveld Schröder House, Hoog Catharijne

A city of skyscrapers, bright buildings, and modern facades, Rotterdam is the metropolis of the Netherlands. 🏙

Rotterdam was heavily bombed during World War II, which is why you see far less iconic Dutch architecture from the 17th century, like in Amsterdam or Leiden.  

The city has a thriving nightlife scene, sophisticated shopping streets and markets, hip cultural attractions, and a wealth of good food .

Rotterdam might be best known for its expansive port and the iconic skyline that graces the river Maas. ⛴

It’s also another convenient day trip from Amsterdam with direct intercity trains running every 15 minutes from the central stations!

🚗 Travel time by car: 1 hour and 1 minute 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Rotterdam Centraal, 41 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Markthal, The Euromast, The Cube Houses, Blijdorp Zoo

The Hague is the political capital of the Netherlands, making it a perfect pairing for a day trip from Amsterdam, the cultural capital.

This Dutch city is filled with historical monuments and museums, is the only major city with a beach and has an international scene second to none in the Netherlands. 

You can enjoy a beautiful city centre with places to eat and shop to your heart’s desire, or perhaps go hiking in one of many scenic locations in the Hague like the Haagse Bos. 

If you’re looking to dip your feet in the (albeit, freezing) sea, look no further than Scheveningen Pier .

It’s the perfect place to sit by the beach, grab a drink, and enjoy the sea, whether it’s doing water sports or just lounging. 🙂

🚗 Travel time by car: 58 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Den Haag Centraal, 53 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Peace Palace, Buitenhof, Madurodam, Scheveningen Pier and Boardwalk

Delft has an international reputation for being the hometown of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer and the originator of Delft Blaauw (Delft Blue) pottery.

It is the definition of a full-sized city with a small-town feeling — gezellig! 🔵

The city boasts beautiful architecture and historical sights like the Eastern Gate from the old city walls to the New Church of Delft.

If you’re curious about experiencing another student city, Delft’s busy nightlife will keep you up on your feet all night long. 💃🏻

🚗 Travel time by car: 59 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Station Delft, 1 hour and 5 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Delft City Hall, Old Church of Delft

Which came first, the cheese or the city? For Gouda , the city is the namesake for this world-famous cheese . 🧀

It’s a surprisingly old city with plenty of old monuments and buildings from as early as the 13th century, like the city hall (formerly surrounded by a moat!) and St. John’s Church. 

The city is quaint, but the centre bustles with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés.

Check out the weekly Markt (market) on Thursdays and Saturdays and the first Fairtrade Street in the Netherlands, where all street food is sustainably produced and sold!

🚗 Travel time by car: 1 hour 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Station Gouda, 53 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Gouda cheese market, Old City Hall, The Waag (weigh house) Museum

Yep, you heard that right! While there are windmills all around the Netherlands, Schiedam has the tallest traditional windmills of all, standing at 26.6 metres. 🍃

Tall windmills for a tall group of people , it seems. 🤷🏻

Schiedam is also known for being the Netherlands’ gin capital , with the city producing the most jenever (also known as Dutch gin) in the country.

There are multiple bars museums where you can check out the production process. 🍸

Apart from windmills and gin, you can visit Gothic cathedrals, 14th-century churches, and history museums, creating an excellent combination of culture and recreation in one day trip from Amsterdam!

🚗 Travel time by car: 55 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Schiedam Centrum, 1 hour and 8 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: National Jenever Museum, Jenever ‘t Spul, Liduina Basilica, Stedelijk Museum Schiedam

Day trips over an hour from Amsterdam

If you’re looking to get out of the region and visit a far off place (for Dutch standards), here are some longer day trips from Amsterdam!

Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland (we mean the old province of Holland and not the so-called “country” !).

There are plenty of cultural spots, including seven churches and several historical monuments-turned-museums. 

While most of the Netherlands is surrounded by canals and dikes, water and boats make a unique part of Dordrecht’s cityscape. 

As an old trading port, there are plenty of historic boats scattered around the old harbours connected by canals. Check out the canal network and catch a boat tour ! 🚤 

🚗 Travel time by car: 1 hour and 5 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Dordrecht Centraal, 1 hour and 34 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Dordrechtsmuseum, Munt van Holland (Mint of Holland), Grote Kerk

Tilburg is the second-largest city in Noord Brabant and is a city with a focus on turning old into new . ✨

Originally famous for its textile industry , the city has now made a name for itself for its energetic street art , world-class museums , urban scene , and as one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands. 

Don’t miss a trip to the LocHal library , a former warehouse converted into a library and the 2019 World Building of the Year !

If you visit in July, Tilburg runs a 10-day fair that draws more than a million visitors every year. 🎡

🚗 Travel time by car: 1 hour and 28 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Tilburg Centraal, 1 hour and 52 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Textielmuseum, Stadsmuseum Tilburg, Tilburg Kermis

Despite being far away from most big cities, Groningen attracts many travel buffs, making it the perfect day trip from Amsterdam if you really want to get out of your surroundings. 

Groningen has a compact city centre with restaurants and shops, beautiful sites like the Martini Tower and Grote Markt, and contemporary art museums. 🗼

As a student city, Groningen has exciting nightlife — plenty of clubs and bars included. 😉

Along with an energetic centre, quiet countryside surrounds Groningen city, which you can enjoy.

You can hike on one of the beautiful trails through the dunes and along the coast or take a cycle route around artificial hills, forests, and old forts. 

🚗 Travel time by car: 2 hours 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Groningen Station, 2 hours ⭐ Don’t miss: Groninger Museum, Martinitoren, Groningen City Centre

Surrounded by water on three sides, Den Helder is a maritime city at heart.

On the northernmost point of the Dutch coast, the city has a lot of naval sights to see, including the largest naval base in the Netherlands. 

Den Helder boasts a rich history with the largest Dutch naval base, a historic harbour, and fascinating marine attractions, including the North Sea Aquarium and three museum ships (museums homed in historic ships from the Dutch Navy!). 

If you’re seeking nature and scenery, the city has a wide variety of landscapes — you can take a refreshing hike around the dunes and polders surrounding the Wadden Sea. 

🚗 Travel time by car: 1 hour and 10 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Den Helder, Steiger TESO, 1 hour and 40 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: Fort Kijkduin, The Marine Museum, Lange Jaap Lighthouse

A picture-perfect landscape, Giethoorn is an almost entirely car-free village, replaced with boats and, of course, bicycles.

READ MORE | 21 beautiful towns in the Netherlands that aren’t Amsterdam

You don’t want to miss a boat tour around this scenic town or a pleasant hike around the area. 🚶🏻

Giethoorn is a Dutch town through and through — with winding canals, countless boats, and quaint matching houses, it doesn’t get more gezellig than this. 🧘🏻

🚗 Travel time by car: 1 hour and 26 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Blauwe Hand Bus Station, 2 hours ⭐ Don’t miss: Boat tour through Giethoorn, Gondola festival, Giethoorn walking route

While the name suggests a beautiful rural town in France, Bourtange is actually in the Netherlands! Although, it might be the longest day trip from Amsterdam yet. 

This small village is a perfectly restored fortress town from medieval times in the north, built in the shape of a star. ⭐️

With a population of 430 people, there isn’t much room for proper shopping — but you can check out smaller quirky shops with Delfs Blaauw pottery, candles, other gifts, and trinkets. 

We recommend exploring the mediaeval architecture which you’ll find all over the city. From fortified walls and traditional houses to windmills, visiting Bourtange is like visiting a village-sized museum!

🚗 Travel time by car: 2 hours and 35 minutes 🚃 Travel time by train: Amsterdam Centraal – Bourtange Bus Station, 3 hours and 16 minutes ⭐ Don’t miss: City fortifications, Church of Bourtange

There are a couple of ways to get around for day trips in the Netherlands depending on what you’re comfortable with; taking public transport, hiring a car, and cycling. 

Using the Dutch public transport system for day trips

Public transport in the Netherlands is reliable and easy to use — most big cities have trains, trams, and buses, and some, like Rotterdam and Amsterdam, even have metros and ferries. 

If you’re travelling between cities and towns, you can buy many types of (cheap) train tickets . The day ticket is the most common and accessible ticket to travel on any train during off-peak hours. 

You can buy tickets on most trams and buses within cities. Metro and train stations have machines to buy tickets. The Netherlands also has an extensive night public transport system that you can use.

An OV-chipkaart (public transport card) can be the easiest option if you plan to make a lot of day trips from Amsterdam using public transport.

With this, you can load a balance on so you can check in and out of the turnstiles with ease.

You can usually buy an anonymous OV-chipkaart in the major train stations. Just go to the NS service desk and ask to buy one!

Hiring a car to visit Dutch towns and cities

There are five major car rental companies where you can hire a car: Avis Budget, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt.

If you’re flying into Schiphol Airport, you can rent a car from one of these companies directly at the airport. You can pre-book a car or just go with the flow and see what’s there on the day!

If you’re arriving in Amsterdam another way, these car rental companies have rental locations in the city itself. 

Biking on a day trip from Amsterdam

Biking around your desired day trip city is a great way to get a feel for Dutch cycling culture! 

If you have a personal OV chipkaart (only available to residents of the Netherlands), you can go full circle and rent an OV-fiets .

The NS has set up bicycle rental locations at most train stations, bus and metro stops, and P+R facilities which you can rent for a few hours at a time. 

If you only have an anonymous OV-chipkaart or none at all, you can rent a bicycle from companies in Amsterdam.

Different types of bicycles are available for hourly/daily rates. We promise you don’t have to bike like a seasoned Dutchie — but do be careful on the bike paths. 

What are the best day trips from Amsterdam?

Depending on how much time you have during your trip to Amsterdam, there are different trips you can take

Some beautiful locations are within 30 minutes by car or train, such as Haarlem or Volendam, while others can take two to three hours to reach, like Bourtange and Tilburg. 

You can choose to visit smaller towns and villages or a big city like Rotterdam — depending on whether you want to visit another urban space or get a break in the quieter, more rural areas, there are plenty of locations to pick from.

Where can I see windmills near Amsterdam?

The closest windmill town to Amsterdam is Zaanse Schans, less than 30 minutes by either car or public transport. If you’re looking for other windmill locations, you can check out Kinderdijk and Schiedam, close to Rotterdam.

Where can I see tulips near Amsterdam?

Tulip season runs throughout spring, so the best time to see the Dutch tulips is from March to May. The most popular tulip attraction in the Netherlands is De Keukenhof in Lisse, a large flower garden that features tulips. 

Lisse is about 1 hour and 22 minutes away from Amsterdam Centraal Station by public transport and 44 minutes by car. You can only enter the park with a ticket, so make sure to book them in advance if you’re interested in visiting. 

There are other tulip fields by independent farmers in Lisse while walking or cycling around — usually, you can visit these parks for free, but there’s no guarantee the farmers will let tourists near their tulips.

Can you do a day trip from Amsterdam to Bruges?

Yes! You can take a train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Bruges.

Travel time and prices vary depending on the type of journey, which train you take, and whether you have transfers. The average travel time from Amsterdam to Bruges is between one to two hours.

Where is it easy to travel to from Amsterdam?

We recommend a location within 30 minutes from Amsterdam by car or train for extra easy travel. You can check out Haarlem if you want a change of scenery but want to stick to a city. 

Smaller traditional towns like Marken and Volendam will give you a great impression of the scenic Dutch countryside.

If you want to see other big cities, Amsterdam has direct trains that run every 15 minutes to Rotterdam and Utrecht — you can get to the city in less than 30 minutes on these trains! 

What’s close to Amsterdam by train?

Generally, the bigger the city/town, the easier it is to reach by train and public transport. So if you’re looking for a laidback day trip with public transport, going to a city like Den Haag, Leiden, and Gouda is the most convenient. 

Intercity trains connect most of the Randstad cities, so these trains run consistently — every 15 minutes in both directions from 5 AM to 12 AM.

Liked it? Try these on for size:

A guide to 12 breathtaking castles and palaces in the netherlands, surfing in the netherlands: where to go and what to know in 2024, esims in the netherlands: the ultimate 2024 guide + the best options, what do you think.

How about Utrecht? Or Harderwijk? Edam? Or with a slightly longer drive Sneek or Bolsward, Harlingen, Leeuwarden? I could even provide some tips on why and what to enjoy.

Where is Haarlem on this list?? Closer to Amsterdam than Leiden, only 15 minutes by train. Full of history, canals, restaurants, bars and shops.

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Home » Travel Guides » The Netherlands » 15 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam

15 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why.

With picturesque canals, narrow townhouses and a whole host of cultural gems to enjoy Amsterdam really has something for everyone.

The Netherlands is a welcoming and versatile country but one that is seldom explored, for the jewel that is Amsterdam quickly captures the hearts of all who visit.

Outside of the elaborate, winding canals and away from the inspiring Museum District lies a wealth of countryside, cities and coastlines.

The Netherlands is a well connected country so getting around is no problem.

Leaving you no excuses to not get out and experience this great nation.

Let’s take a look at the best day trips from Amsterdam.

1. Keukenhof

Easily one of the most iconic landscapes in the Netherlands, if not all of Europe, is the grand Keukenhof tulip garden.

Undoubtedly the world’s largest flower garden Keukenhof is home to over 15 km of footpaths and spans over 32 hectares of colourful, blooming parkland.

Naturally, Keukenhof is best visited in the spring months when the flowers have burst from their buds.

Not only a tulip garden there are also rows upon rows of bright yellow daffodils and perfect pink, purple and peachy hyacinths too.

The theme for Keukenhof is ‘Romance in Flowers’ and it’s simply wonderful.

You need not be a budding botanist or avid gardener to enjoy Keukenhof, its beauty is indisputable.

2. Zaanse Schans & Edam

Zaanse Schans is a small, historic village home to a series of the Netherland’s most famous windmills.

Featuring in all the major guidebooks and probably the most photographed landscape in the country a morning visit to Zaanse Schans provides you with the opportunity to capture this iconic landscape for yourself.

The windmills are strategically placed along the banks of the River Zaanse and you can learn about the history and importance of these buildings by chatting to locals or hiring a guide.

In the afternoon travel on to Edam, a town world-renowned for its cheese production.

Get sampling all the different varieties and learn how this cheese is made and how its distinct flavour is created.

3. Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the Netherland’s second largest city and in many ways mirrors Amsterdam but in so many others is so very different.

No trip to Rotterdam would be complete without visiting the Euromast, a literal and metaphorical highlight.

Zoom straight up to the top of the towering 185m building in a rotating glass elevator.

You’ll have never experienced anything quite like it, that’s for sure.

From the top you can look out over Rotterdam’s picturesque cityscape.

Once your feet are firmly back on the ground take a stroll along the riverside, it is the Maas River than flows through Rotterdam.

Head out to the Old Port and marvel at the yellow cube houses.

There are some wonderful cafes and restaurants in Rotterdam to explore.

4. Marken & Volendam

Marken and Volendam are two gems of Northern Holland.

Marken is a remote fishing town that is best known for its preserved traditional Dutch culture.

Get ready for clogs galore.

In Marken you can visit a traditional shoe maker and learn this ancient craft, even pick out a pair or two to take home with you.

The winding streets are charming indeed and there are colourful townhouses and scenic stop offs aplenty.

The best way to get from Marken to Volendam is via the Marken Express Boat which offers wonderful views of IJsselmeer Lake.

Volendam is well set up for tourists and one of the best places to stock up on souvenirs.

It is a quaint fishing village that hasn’t lost any of its rustic charm.

For some travellers Bruges became a must-visit city when the film ‘In Bruges’ hit the big screens back in 2008. Bruges is a truly wonderful city that provides, much like Rotterdam, a contrast and a compliment to Amsterdam and sees you cross into neighbouring Belgium.

Brug Square is an appropriate starting point and from there you can branch out to observe the Town Hall, the Belfort and other classic, historical Belgian buildings.

In the Church of Our Lady you can observe one of the true artistic masterpieces still preserved today.

Michelangelo’s ‘The Madonna of Bruges’ hangs perfectly famed in this deeply spiritual church.

The Cathedral of San Salvador and the Old Beaterio can also be squeezed into a whistle-stop day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam.

6. Giethoorn

Giethoorn is a classic Netherlands village that is picture perfect in every way.

A real hidden gem a visit to Giethoorn gives you an insight in to the lives of Dutch people.

Another village in the Netherlands that features a complex series of canals Giethoorn is best explored by gondola.

The whole village can be experienced in the space of an hour when cruising.

Once seen from afar spend the afternoon strolling around the pathways of Giethoorn, photograph the perfectly restored farmhouses and take in the aroma of the fresh flowers.

The gardens of Giethoorn are simply divine, it’s clear to see that the locals pride themselves in the landscaping of their humble plots.

7. Bourtange

Another jewel of North Holland is Bourtange, famed for it’s beautiful fortress.

Once used by the Dutch army the Bourtange fort is built in the shape of a star and lies within the village itself.

Built in 1593 it is one of the oldest buildings in the Netherlands.

Steeped in historical significance the fort was constructed at the request of William the I of Orange and was designed to gain control over the singular road that lead from Germany to Groningen which was under the control of the Spanish.

It is possible to team a trip to Bourtange with a visit to Giethoorn if you are short on time.

Delft is yet another of the Netherland’s canal-crossed cities that is not to be missed.

Lying in the South Holland region Delft is known best as the home of Delftware, handmade white and blue pottery.

A university city, Delft has a young and diverse community that is reflected in the laid back and welcoming feel of the place.

During a day trip to Delft you can visit the Nieuwe Kerk that houses the tomb of William of Orange.

You can visit the Vermeer Centre that features, unsurprisingly, the masterpieces of Vermeer.

Oude Kerk and the Museum Het Prinsenhof should not be missed either.

9. The Hague

Located on the North Sea coast of the Netherlands lies the city of The Hague.

The Hague is the International City of Peace and Justice and is home to the UN’s International Court of Justice and the Peace Palace too.

Overflowing with modern and historical cultural significance The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and home to the Dutch royal family too.

Should you wish to get to grips with the history and cultural heritage of the Netherlands as a whole then The Hague is a great starting point.

The Mauritshuis features masterpieces by groundbreaking artists like Andy Warhol, Rembrandt and Vermeer and is a must-visit for any budding art critic.

10. Brussels

If you’re keen to tick off another European country during your visit to Amsterdam then consider a full day trip to Brussels.

A long day trip but nonetheless worthwhile, Brussels can be reached from Amsterdam by train or by drive.

Not to miss attractions and hotspots include the Atomium, the Royal Palace and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

When in Brussels you’d be a fool not to sample some of the traditional waffles, chocolates and beer.

In all fairness you could skip the historical highlights altogether and indulge in a food tour of the Belgian capital city.

Don’t leave without stocking up on chocolates to take home.

11. Kröller-Müller Museum

The Kröller-Müller Museum is home to the world’s second largest collection of works by Van Gogh.

An art gallery with a vast sculpture garden the Kröller-Müller Museum deserves a day all of its own.

Located in Hoge Veluwe National Park in Otterlo the Kröller-Müller Museum lies just under 100 km away from Amsterdam city centre.

Thanks to the Netherland’s highly effective road network you can reach the Kröller-Müller Museum in under 90-minutes.

If you’re short on time or want a jam-packed day then coupling the Kröller-Müller Museum with a visit to Giethoorn is more than doable.

12. Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is home to the UNESCO World Heritage windmill that is so very often the picture postcard image of the Netherlands.

The Kinderdijk windmill complex earned UNESCO status in 1997 and has fast become one of the must-visit destinations in the Netherlands.

Featuring all the rural and rustic charm you’d expect from the Dutch countryside Kinderdijk features dykes, pumping mills and of course the giant windmills themselves.

Thanks to its UNESCO status this vulnerable area will be protected forever more.

Kinderdijk is an example of Dutch ingenuity in all its glory.

It is possible to visit Kinderdijk and The Hague all in one day trip from Amsterdam should you be short on time.

13. Batavia Stad

Batavia Stad is the leading outlet shopping mall in the Netherlands and lies just outside Amsterdam city centre.

Home to over 250 brands across 150 stores Batavia Stad offers you the opportunity to shop ’til you drop.

There is a shuttle bus that ferries shoppers from the city centre to the outlet mall throughout the day, free of charge.

Named after the great ship, Bratavia, there is a lot to explore.

There are cafes and restaurants aplenty should refreshment be in order throughout the day.

Batavia Stad is an open air outlet so in the drizzly winter months you may want to bring an umbrella with you.

You are a fan of cheese? Then be sure to tick off not only the town of Edam but Gouda too.

Gouda cheese is perhaps even more widely adored than Edam.

Naturally, no trip to Gouda would be complete without visiting the Gouda Cheese Market that opens in Markt Square every Thursday morning.

The Church of St John is a magical church that is famed for its exquisite stained glass windows.

Dual layered, each window depicts a different scene.

Markt Square is still very much worth a visit even when the Gouda Cheese Market is not on.

The Gouda Stadhuis was constructed back in 1448 and is a prime example of perfectly preserved gothic architecture.

15. Utrecht

Placed in the heart of the Netherlands is the university city of Utrecht.

In the winter months when the canals freeze over it is possible to ice skate through the city.

De Haar Castle is a remodelled medieval style castle in the centre of the city that feature magnificent gardens and traditional architecture.

If you’re travelling with children then the Railway Museum is an interactive and educational way to experience Utrecht as is the Museum of Speelklok.

Much like the Gouda Stadhuis, in the main Domplein square in Utrecht you will find the Cathedral of St.

Martin another incredible example of 14th-Century gothic architecture.

15 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam:

• Zaanse Schans & Edam
• Marken & Volendam
• Kröller-Müller Museum
• Batavia Stad

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Best Day Trips from Amsterdam: 16 Dutch Cities You Need to Visit

Posted on Feb 21, 2020 by Dana Marin

« Previous: Beautiful Nice: Old Town and Castle Hill | Next: Rainy Day in Nice, France »

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If you’re here searching for the best day trip from Amsterdam, look no further: I have a list of 16 beautiful Dutch cities from which you can choose!

One of the best things about visiting the Netherlands is that — given the small distances and the well connected public transport system —  you can basically do a day trip to anywhere in the country. Buses and trains will take you to any major city and, once in the train, you can relax and watch the green fields from your window while you are safely brought to your destination. You can even take your bike with you in the train if you want to!

In this article I gathered all the beautiful Dutch cities that worth a visit. My list would have been bigger so I selected only the cities that have a population over 100.000 people, keeping the smaller ones for another article. Since I moved to the Netherlands I wanted to discover the country, to see what each province has to offer and what kind of people I meet there, which meant many day trips along the years. There is still more of the Netherlands I yet have to see, but that’s good, it means there are still beautiful places I haven’t discovered yet!

My favourite thing about most of the cities listed in this article is the quiet pace, that laid-back atmosphere that you can’t easily find in Amsterdam anymore.

The cities are ordered by the time it takes to get there from Amsterdam Central Station. I also mentioned the province, for each of them, to help you make plans if your starting point is not Amsterdam. If you live in the Netherlands I’m sure you already use the 9292 and NS websites and apps, but if you are a tourist, add them to your agenda and don’t hesitate to use them to plan your trips. Now let’s start with the list.

Dutch cities you need to visit

1. haarlem : 15-20 min by train from amsterdam. province: north holland..

You won’t even notice when the time passed and the train arrived at the beautiful old station in Haarlem. You could even do just a half-day trip to this city, but if you want to get to know it better, a full day is recommended. The medieval city of Haarlem is a charming destination with its cobblestone streets and historical buildings, canals and windmills. I love the relaxed pace of the city which is only changing on Saturdays: it’s market day! The main square is covered with stalls and the streets are buzzing with people. The Spaarne river runs through the city of Haarlem and you could do a cruise, if you’d like, or just walk along it, looking for the perfect café to have a drink.

To see : Grote Markt and Grote Kerk (a 14th century cathedral), De Adriaan Windmill , Frans Hals Museum, T eylers Museum , The Dolhuys (the museum of Mind), Amsterdamse Poort (the old city gate). To do : Stroll the cosy streets and make sure you don’t miss Spaarnwouderstraat, a little street with art galleries. Shopping is also a good idea, if that’s your thing, because Haarlem has a few unique shops that you’ll want to visit. Head for de Gouden Straatjes (the Golden Streets – shopping district) and discover everything they offer! Do a canal cruise , to admire the beautiful architecture from the water level. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : the local newspaper, Oprechte Haerlemsche Courant , is one of the oldest newspapers in the world that are still being published. 

2. Alkmaar : 35 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Province: North Holland

This pretty city is most famous for its traditional cheese market , which takes place on Fridays, from March till September. Yes, visiting the cheese market is a very touristy thing to do, but they put on a special show that worth a visit. And if you are a fan of good cheese, this is the place for you! After the market you can stroll through the city, which is a typical Dutch city with cobblestone streets and gingerbread houses. You can totally skip the market and only visit the city; there are plenty of cheese shops around to buy your cheese. There are also many cute shops where you can find interesting stuff, including lots of vintage design and antiques. Don’t miss “Sweets” Oudhollandse Museum Winkel, a shop that will take you back to 100 years ago. It’s incredibly pretty and cosy and you can have a delicious cake with hot chocolate there.

To see : Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar , Cheese Museum and Beatles Museum, if you have enough time to spend in Alkmaar.  To do :  take a boat tour or a guided walking tour. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : the people who live in Alkmaar are called “kaaskoppen”, which means “cheese heads”, and it’s a reference to the cheese market of Alkmaar. 

3. Utrecht : 40-50 min by train from Amsterdam. Province: Utrecht.

Utrecht is perhaps my favourite place for a day-trip. I fell in love with the city on my first visit there and I always go back with pleasure. Utrecht is a mix of quiet and lively streets and has a certain refreshing feel to it. The canals are something special: they differ from the Amsterdam ones, in the sense that they are on two stories, dug deeper into the streets. Little antiques shops pepper the city and you can spend hours browsing through them, looking for lost treasures. Many cafés and restaurants are tempting you at every corner, but make sure to get acquainted with the rich history and contemporary culture too, by visiting some of the many attractions.

To see : visit Dom Toren and Dom Kerk (St. Martin’s cathedral), to see the city from above; the Pandhof garden (which was part of the old monastery garden), Speelklok Museum (the museum of automatically playing musical instruments , a delight for adults and children alike), The Museum Catharijneconvent (museum of religious art), Nijntje Museum, Railways museum, DOMunder (an underground route to discover the city’s past), or admire the Botanic Garden . To do : walk along the canals (Oude Gracht is the most beautiful), climb the Dom Tower, have a boat ride and dinner at the restaurants next to the canals. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : Residents of Utrecht are unsure if they should be referred to as Utrechters or Utrechtenaars.

4. Leiden : around 40 min by train from Amsterdam. Province: South Holland

Leiden is a university city, packed with historical buildings and monuments. It’s a lovely and peaceful place. Few tourists venture here so you can be the only one around holding a camera, marvelling at the poems on the walls, discovering hidden courtyards and gardens. The old canal system, all six kilometres of it, is still intact and a pretty sight to look at. And if you visit Leiden in spring, you can very well plan a trip to outside the city because it’s sitting right in the middle of the tulip fields area!

To see : Burcht van Leiden (the “Citadel”, a medieval fortress which offers a view over the city), Zijlpoort (old city gate), National Museum of Ethnology , the Botanical Garden , The Walls Poems (Poems painted onto buildings), De Valk Windmill. You can combine the Botanical Garden with a canal cruise . To do : have a drink on the boat platforms. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : it is said that the first Dutch tulip that started the tulip mania was planted in Leiden, at the Botanical Garden.

5. Rotterdam : 40 min with the intercity direct/ 1,15 min with regular train from Amsterdam. Province: South Holland.

To see something different, go to Rotterdam , the largest port in Europe. This is a modern city, almost entirely rebuilt after it was destroyed in the war, and it’s a display of contemporary Dutch architecture at its best. Tall, modern buildings form Rotterdam’s skyline and there’s a large river running through the city. It’s not the typical Dutch city, no brick houses and little canals (apart from Delfshaven, the only part of the old city that survived WWII bombardments), no hoards of tourists roaming around (although their number is increasing every year). It’s more suitable for a weekend trip, to get a proper image of the city, but if you don’t have that time, one day-trip is enough for a sneak peek into the life of this rival of Amsterdam. Innovation is a defining word for Rotterdam, with the municipality designing exciting projects like the floating green islands. There’s art and architecture to discover, harbour and ships, and historical heritage all around. Here you can see the New York Hotel, the place from where the European immigrants used to sail to America (I have a soft spot for places like this).

To see : The Nederlands Fotomuseum , Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (contemporary art museum), Erasmus Bridge and the river Maas, the Old Harbour, the Cube House, the old district of Delfshaven, Euromast . To do : take the water taxi, visit the amazing Markthall (covered market hall), have lunch at a restaurant on the hip Witte de Withstraat, eat pancakes on the water on the PannenkoekenBoat . Getting around : buy a day pass and use the public transport to move between the landmarks, because, unlike other Dutch cities, Rotterdam is big and you can’t easily walk from one place to another. Fun fact : Rotterdam has a statue that was nick-named “ The Buttplug Gnome “, which is actually supposed to represent Santa Claus with a Christmas tree, by artist Paul McCarthy.

6. The Hague : around 50 min by train from Amsterdam. Province: South Holland

Located by the North Sea, The Hague (or Den Haag, in Dutch) is the seat of the Dutch parliament and government, and also the King’s residence . The city has quite a different feel to Amsterdam or the other typical Dutch cities: there are almost no canals, replaced instead by wide streets. The architecture is different, more inclined towards a baroque or classic style. It’s a beautiful city, with a residential feel to it and featuring a beautiful large beach: the nearby sea resort Scheveningen (which is a must see, if you visit The Hague). One day is not enough to see everything, you’ll have to choose what appeals to you the most, or visit multiple times, if you live in the Netherlands.

To see : Mauritshuis (art museum, the place where you can see the famous Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer), Fotomuseum Den Haag , The Escher Museum , Gemeentemuseum, Peace Palace, The Binnenhof (Inner Court), Madurodam , Palace Noordeinde, Panorama Mesdag . To do : Go to the Scheveningen beach, see the Pier , or go shopping. Getting around : on foot in the centre, but there are some points of interest that require taking the tram (for example when going to the beach). Fun fact : The Hague is where the government meets, but it’s not the capital of the Netherlands.

7. Delft : 1 hour by train from Amsterdam. Province: South Holland

Famous for its porcelain, university and its blue heart , Delft is truly a special place. Another one of my favourites, I recommend it wholeheartedly. As in most of the Dutch cities, you should start the visit in the Grote Markt (Central Square), visit the church, take a few photos with the blue heart (I guess this is what you call an instagram worthy spot) and then wander the streets. Delft is the birthplace of the famous painter Johannes Vermeer. You can follow his footsteps around the city, visit the Vermeer Center to learn about his life and work, and find his grave in the Oude Kerk (Old Church) or see the place from Vermeer’s “The little Street” painting, which was identified only a few years ago. Delft will charm you for sure with its narrow streets, beautiful canals looking like straight out of a painting, and many cosy shops.

To see : The  Vermeer Centrum or the Museum Prinsenhof, Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk (Niew Church), The Blue Heart (close to the Oude Kerk), Prinsenhof Museum , Delft City Hall, Oostpoort, TU Botanical Garden. To do : Visit Royal Delft to witness the production of the blue Delft porcelain; hunt for antique ceramic shops, get lost on the cobblestone streets and admire the old city and make sure you don’t miss the Oude Canal. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : there’s a tram between Delft and The Hague, and if you are in no hurry you can take the tram from Delft straight to Scheveningen beach.

8. Breda : 1 hour by train from Amsterdam. Province: North Brabant

Breda is a lovely city in the southern province of North Brabant. It’s not a big city, thus being the perfect destination for a relaxed day trip. Shopping included, because there are a few interesting shops in the city. It the past, Breda used to be a fortress and you’ll find some signs of that past here and there, in buildings like the Castle of Breda or The Spanjaardsgat. The rest of the architecture is mostly southern Dutch style, with pretty façades in pastel colours, cosy streets and impressive churches. Breda is also known as the Nassau Stad, because it was the official residence of the Orange-Nassau family for several centuries (the current Dutch king, Willem-Alexander is a descendant of this family.)

To see : Breda Castle , a UNESCO heritage, the ancestral home of the Counts of Orange-Nassau, Grote Kerk (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk), Vincent Van Gogh’s House , Breda’s harbour, Begijnhof and the Beguines (with a lovely interior herb garden). To do : shop, relax, walk around. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : for some unknown reason, Breda is the city with the highest density of shoe shops in the Netherlands.

9. Zwolle : 1 hour by train from Amsterdam. Province: Overijssel

Zwolle is a lovely city, often overlooked by the people looking for a day-trip. This is the place where you can visit a fantastic bookstore, built in a 15th century cathedral: Waanders in de Broeren. The city definitely worth a visit, to get away from the crowds; you can walk the quaint streets, enjoying the slow pace of life, the romantic feel of the area.

To see : Waanders in de Broeren bookstore, Grote Kerk, Museum de Fundatie (visual arts museum) and Kasteel Het Nijenhuis, Sassenport (the gate house in the city wall). To do : Walk around to see all the squares, narrow streets, historical monument; shop, sample the restaurants, have an apple pie at the bookstore. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : Zwolle’s city walls are star-shaped (a specific feature of the Hansa Towns).

10. ‘s Hertogenbosch aka Den Bosch: 1 h by train from Amsterdam. Province: North Brabant

’s-Hertogenbosch, also known as Den Bosch for the ones who twist their tongue pronouncing this city’s name, is a lovely place in the south of the country. It’s very picturesque and some say it should be a must on your visiting list. It is the birthplace of the painter Hieronymus Bosch . There are a few museums to visit but the main attraction is the city itself. Do an organised walking tour or a food tour if you want, or just let yourself wander the streets and discover it at your own pace. And make sure to consider a boat cruise on the Binnendieze river (it’s like your regular canal tour with a twist: the boats take you under the medieval buildings in certain spots).

To see : Jheronimus Bosch Art Center , Saint John’s Cathedral, Noordbrabants Museum and Stedelijk Museum. To do : boat tour ; eat Bossche Bollen (traditional pastries). Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : the oldest brick building in the Netherlands is located in Den Bosch, in the Market square: The Moriaan building. 

11. Eindhoven : 1,20 h by train from Amsterdam. Province: North Brabant

Whenever I talk to people about Eindhoven, they all tend to say the same thing: “it’s not a beautiful city, but…”. That is true, this is not what you would ever call a beautiful city, but cities are not interesting only for their beauty, are they? With an important industrial heritage, Eindhoven is now reinventing itself as a cool city. Former factories have been transformed into hip bars, restaurants, art exhibitions. Creativity is the defining word for this place, and a day-trip to Eindhoven might surprise you by bringing a much needed fresh perspective. Old Dutch architecture tends to be roughly the same in every city and village, and one can have enough of it at some point. Even if you’re not a fan of industrial inspired design you might still find this place fascinating, with some of its areas looking like coming straight out of a steampunk movie. 

To see : Van Abbe Museum (modern art), the DAF museum (former truck factory), Philips Museum, Stadswandelpark, St. Catherine’s Church, Philips Stadion (for football fans). To do : visit Strijp-S area (for cool looking bars, shops and restaurants), see the GLOW festiva l, look for any interesting art or tech exhibition, see the UFO shaped building of Evoluon. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : Eindhoven is home to the Van Gogh Bicycle Path — a bike path glowing in the dark, inspired by “The Starry Night” painting.  

12. Dordrecht : 1.25 h by train from Amsterdam. Province: South Holland

One of my favourite Dutch cities , Dordrecht is located close to Rotterdam and right next to the national park De Biesbosch (another beautiful place worth seeing). Also known as Dordt, this is the oldest official city in the Netherlands. In the past, Dordrecht used to be an important trading power, given the perfect location at the confluence of a few rivers. It also held an important position in the country’s defence, up to the WW2 (you can learn about this at the Museum 1940-1945). Nowadays, Dordrecht is a charming, relaxed place, perfect for a short trip. The historic city centre is gorgeous, with narrow streets and canals. The canal houses are right next to the canal’s water, with no borders, like in Venice. The harbour area is very beautiful and must not be skipped if you go there. Old houses, many boats, old and new, and an impressive collection of special bridges, they are waiting for you to do a trip back in time. 

To see : the Grote Kerk, Dordrech Museum and Huis van Gijn , Museum 1940-1945, the former city gate — Groothoofdspoort. To do : take a boat tour, visit the harbour area, visit a distilery . Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : The Japanese battleship Kaiyō Maru was launched at Dordrecht in 1865. She was the largest wooden warship ever launched from a Dutch yard and one of Japan’s first modern warships.

13. Deventer : 1.30 h by train from Amsterdam. Province: Overijssel

Deventer is a charming, laid-back city, situated on the river Ijssel. It has a rich history and its heritage can be seen everywhere around the place, in the architecture and well preserved historical artefacts. I consider it a well hidden jewel of a city, often overlooked by tourists (but I don’t mind having the streets only to myself!), where I would like to go more often. You can visit Deventer during one of its festivals, to get an impression of the liveliness of the city, or on a Sunday if you want to enjoy the very quiet pace of a provincial city.

To see : Saint Nicholas Church (The Bergkerk, situated on a small hilltop, surrounded by a charming area), Lebuïnus Church, Speelgoedmuseum (Toy Museum), Kloostertuin (a small garden), The Worp park (to see Deventer’s skyline). To do : visit the old bookstores, sit on a terrace along the river, visit the book market in August (6 km of books) and the outdoor theatre festival ‘ Deventer Op Stelten ‘ in July. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : Every August, Deventer hosts Europe’s largest  book fair (about 125,000 visitors). 

14. Nijmegen : 1.30 h by train from Amsterdam. Province: Gelderland

Nijmegen claims to be the oldest city in the Netherlands, its origins going back 2000 years, to the Roman occupation. However, don’t expect it to look very old (apart from a small area in the centre), because a big part of the city had to be rebuilt after the war and that changed its appearance to a more modern city. It has a young vibe, almost certainly from the large number of students living here. In the centre there’s an impressive shopping area, buzzing with people, but there are also quiet streets and green parks. The city is located on the river Waal, and the river promenade adds to its charm. Here and there, in the parks and in the city, you can see remains of the city walls and its towers.

To see : Valkhof Museum (archeology museum) and Valhof Park, muZIEum (Venue recreating the experience of the blind or visually impaired), Afrika Museum , Kronenburgerpark, Grote Markt, Stevenskerk, Velorama (bicyle museum). To do : walk on the river Waal’s promenade, have lunch or a drink watching the boats and clouds passing by; have a local beer at De Hemel brewery. Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : Nijmegen is famous for its annual Four Days Marches, the largest multiple day marching event in the world, an event promoting sport and exercise. 

15. Groningen: 2.05 by train from Amsterdam. Province: Groningen

A student city in the far north of the Netherlands, Groningen has a rich history and a vibrant present. With over 50.000 students living here, this is a definitely old city with a young vibe! There are of course pretty streets and canals around, but also many attractive vintage and concept stores and an effervescent night life.

To see : Groninger Museum (art museum), Northern Maritime Museum, Prinsenhof garden, Reitdiephaven (Colorful buildings near water), Groningen University, Sealcenter Pieterburen. To do : climb the Martinitoren (Martini Tower), explore the city with a walking tour , a beer tasting . Getting around : on foot. Fun fact : The most leaning tower in Europe is in Bedum, one of Groningen’s satellite towns, at the St. Walfridus church.

16. Maastricht : 2.20 h by train from Amsterdam. Province: Limburg.

“A city to fall in love with” — is the official slogan of Maastricht’s tourism website. And you will fall in love with the vibrant life, the cobblestone streets and the pastel colours of Maastricht. This lovely city, situated in the south of the Netherlands, in the tri-state area between the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. It deserves more than a day trip. A weekend break would be more appropriate, to really feel the charm of the Limburg province, have time to see the historical sites, churches and museums, to sample the local cuisine, and to go shopping. There are even some great day trips that can be done from Maastricht, like the white village of Thorn. 

To see : Bonnefantenmuseum , St. Peter’s Caves, Sint Janskerk, Wilhelminabrug and St. Servaasbrug (bridges over the River Maas). To do : a cruise on the river Maas, explore the area around Vrijthof Square, explore the ruins of Lichtenberg Castle, shopping, or just enjoying the good life while sampling the local cafés and restaurants. You can also take a trip to the nearby Hoensbroek Castle . Getting around : mostly on foot but sometimes you can use the public transport. Fun fact : St. Peter’s Caves are a labyrinth of around 9000 passages, but they’re not actually natural caves, they are mining tunnels dug along the centuries, with some of them dating back to the Roman times.

So, are you in the mood for travelling already?

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I’m happy to say I’ve been to every place on the list. I lived in Haarlem for a while and I agree. It’s got a great vibe. It didn’t even feel like living in a city. It felt more like a friendly town.

So, where should I go next? Did I miss something? For example I had no idea that Dordrecht was so beautiful, no one told me about it. I just went there by chance.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

• Autumn in Utrecht | Amsterdamian - […] day off, another day-trip. This time, to the charming city of Utrecht, which I absolutely love. I enjoyed strolling…
• Day-trip to Eindhoven | Amsterdamian - […] main reason for my day-trip to this city in the south of the Netherlands was to experience the GLOW…
• Day-trip: an afternoon in Haarlem | Amsterdamian - […] better way to spend a windy afternoon than going on a day-trip? If we can call this a day-trip:…
• Day-trip: Rotterdam | Amsterdamian - […] should have told me before going to Rotterdam that it’s not one of those places you walk your way…
• A summer fairy tale in Delft | Amsterdamian - […] edge of the canals, to cool down. I am not used with such a warm summer anymore, it’s unusual…
• Day trip to Maastricht | Amsterdamian - […] are even some great day trips that can be done from Maastricht, like the white village of Thorn. But…
• Day-trip to Dordrecht | Amsterdamian - […] not visited Dordrecht before? I thought I crossed all the cities and villages from my “very pretty places in…
• Day-trip to Deventer: a beautiful Hanseatic town | Amsterdamian - […] tourists (but I don’t mind having the streets only to myself!), and a great destination for a day-trip (or…
• Visiting the country: Leiden | Amsterdamian - […] are many lovely cities in the Netherlands… If only I had the time to visit them all! But given…
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6 of the best day trips from Amsterdam

Dec 19, 2023 • 6 min read

Here are the best day trips from Amsterdam, all about an hour away © canart7 / Getty Images

Thanks to the Netherlands ' compact size and superb transport links, visitors to Amsterdam are spoiled for day trip choices that complement a city break in the Dutch capital.

Den Haag's standout museums, Zandvoort's sandy beaches and Zaanse Schans' working windmills are just some of the easy day trips that are within an hour's journey of Amsterdam.

1. Be enchanted by the Golden Age glory of Delft

Travel time: 45 minutes to 1 hour

Fanning out around Delft's monumental market square , the city’s enchanting, canal-woven core has scarcely changed since Johannes Vermeer (of Girl with a Pearl Earring fame) lived and painted here during the Golden Age. Although the city doesn't have any of his original works, reproductions are displayed at the  Vermeer Centrum Delft .

You can also see the painter's final resting place inside the 13th-century  Oude Kerk  church, nicknamed “Scheve Jan” (“Leaning John”) due to its sloping tower. In contrast, the city's “new church,” the Nieuwe Kerk , was built between 1381 and 1655 – climbing its tower's 376 steps rewards with spectacular views.

Delft  is also known for its blue-and-white-painted porcelain. You can tour Delftware factories, such as the renowned  Royal Delft , which runs workshops where you get to paint your own tiles and other earthenware.

How to get to Delft from Amsterdam:  Delft is southwest of Amsterdam and takes around an hour to reach by car. Direct trains run from Amsterdam Zuid (journey time: 45 minutes) and Amsterdam Sloterdijk (journey time: one hour) to Delft.

2. Experience city and beach on a day trip to Haarlem and Zandvoort

Travel time: 20 to 35 minutes

Only 20km (12 miles) from Amsterdam, medieval Haarlem remains a completely independent city. Its tangle of cobbled streets center on its lively  Grote Markt , overlooked by the Grote Kerk van St Bavo . This Gothic church, topped by a 50m-high (164ft) steeple, houses one of the world's finest organs – the ivories of which were once tickled by a 10-year-old Mozart. Free recitals usually take place on Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons.

Stretching between Haarlem and coastal sand dunes is  Zuid-Kennemerland National Park , home to red foxes, fallow deer and numerous bird species. Just beyond is the busy seaside resort of Zandvoort (aka “Amsterdam Beach”), a popular spot to soak up the sun on summer days. Public transport runs from Haarlem, but the most enjoyable way to explore both the park and the coastline is by standard or electric bike.

How to get to Haarlem from Amsterdam:  Haarlem is west of Amsterdam, and the journey time by car is 35 minutes. Alternatively, visitors can take the Sprinter train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem, which takes around 20 minutes.

3. Get a culture fix in Leiden, birthplace of Rembrandt

Travel time: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Laced by canals lined with gabled 17th-century buildings and crisscrossed by bridges, the lively city of Leiden is a great place to get your culture fix. The city is home to the Netherlands' oldest university, dating from 1575, and is notable for being the birthplace of Rembrandt. The Museum De Lakenhal , which reopened in 2019 after a stunning renovation and expansion, displays many of the painter’s famous works, such as  The Spectacles Pedlar,  alongside numerous other Dutch masters.

Elsewhere, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden harbors ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Etruscan artifacts, while the Museum Volkenkunde is dedicated to ethnology, with cultural treasures from around the globe that tell stories about humanity’s shared existence.

Once you've had your culture fix at the museums and galleries, head to the beautiful Hortus Botanicus Leiden , one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, where you can spy (and smell) colorful blooms from across the world.

How to get to Leiden from Amsterdam:  Leiden is southwest of Amsterdam and takes around an hour to reach by car. Trains run from Amsterdam Sloterdijk (journey time: 30 minutes) and Amsterdam Zuid (journey time: 23 minutes) to Leiden Centraal station.

4. Zaanse Schans is a great day trip for families with young children

Travel time: 15 to 25 minutes

An afternoon at Zaanse Schans provides good, wholesome fun for all ages, but younger travelers especially will enjoy seeing the creaking sails of its six authentic windmills in action – making this a top day trip choice for families. This engaging attraction also boasts a recreated 17th-century village made up of traditional buildings brought here from around the Netherlands, including a clog factory, cheesemaker and a pewter-smith. The nearby Zaans Museum delves into the history of the Netherlands' earliest mills. After your visit, you can take a shortcut back to the station via a five-minute riverboat journey.

How to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans is located to the north of Amsterdam, roughly 25 minutes away by car. Alternatively, catch the Sprinter train from Amsterdam Sloterdijk station to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans (journey time: 12 minutes) and walk 1.5km (one mile) to Zaanse Schans. During the summer months, you can also travel between Amsterdam and Zaanse Schans by ferry.

5. Explore the royal connections of Den Haag (The Hague)

Travel time: 45 minutes

While Amsterdam is the Netherlands' capital, Den Haag (The Hague), officially known as 's-Gravenhage (the Count's Hedge), is the Dutch seat of government and the royal family. Set on the shimmering Hofvijver lake, the Binnenhof complex is the world's oldest parliament building still in use today. Its 13th-century Ridderzaal is home to the throne from where the Dutch monarch addresses the upper and lower houses each year.

For more royalty-tinged thrills, head to the Mauritshuis , where works by the Dutch masters form the basis of the 800-strong Royal Picture Collection. You can also drop into former royal palace Lange Voorhout, which now houses the Escher in Het Paleis  showcasing the improbable creations, such as never-ending staircases, of Dutch graphic artist MC Escher. Alternatively, spend a sunny afternoon simply holding court at one of the city's numerous canal-side cafes, where staff will inevitably treat you like – you guessed it – royalty.

How to get to Den Haag from Amsterdam:  Den Haag is located southwest of Amsterdam and takes around an hour to reach by car. Trains travel to Den Haag Centraal from Amsterdam Sloterdijk (journey time: 45 minutes) and Amsterdam Zuid (journey time: 38 minutes). Den Haag is also well connected to Delft and Rotterdam.

6. Tour the contemporary architecture of Rotterdam

Travel time: 1 hour

In stark contrast to the Netherlands' historic cities, Rotterdam was flattened during WWII, and its inspirational recovery transformed it into a veritable gallery of modern and contemporary architecture. Standouts include the Overblaak Development , with its pencil-shaped tower and “forest” of elevated, crazily-angled cube houses (one of which is a museum revealing what life inside is like); the bowl-shaped Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, with a mirrored exterior and a green rooftop restaurant; and the horseshoe-shaped Markthal , a vast, covered food market with sit-down eateries beneath a curvilinear ceiling covered in outsized fruit-and-vegetable murals, which makes an eye-popping stop for lunch.

A great way to get a feel for the city is to take a water taxi: there are 50 docks around the city. For dedicated architecture tours, De Rotterdam Tours or Urban Guides are excellent.

How to get to Rotterdam from Amsterdam:  Rotterdam is south of Amsterdam and takes just over an hour to reach by car. Fast Intercity Direct trains connect Amsterdam Zuid (journey time: one hour) and Amsterdam Sloterdijk (journey time: one hour and 10 minutes) with Rotterdam's Centraal Station. Rotterdam is also directly connected to Delft and Den Haag.

This article was first published Sep 10, 2019 and updated Dec 19, 2023.

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21 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam & How to Get There

If you are staying in Amsterdam for more than a day, you might want to see some other places in the Netherlands. This post will help you find out which are the best day trips from Amsterdam. All trips are organized based on the means of transportation, which will allow you to choose the best option for your stay in the Dutch capital.

Some trips will be easier if you rent a car, others are perfectly doable by train. If you don’t want to bother with the organization yourself, you can always book an organized tour. In some cases this would be even the best option, as otherwise you might need to change a few trains or buses in order to reach the place.

Read more: Discover Amsterdam with these 4 walking routes .

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of those links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost for you.

Den Bosch (‘s-Hertogenbosch)

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Travelling by train in the Netherlands is really comfortable and a good way to explore the country. Amsterdam has perfect train connections to all major cities, which makes them the ideal destination for a train day trip from the Dutch capital. You can easily reach by train Utrecht , Alkmaar, Groningen , Nijmegen , Arnhem, Den Bosch , Rotterdam , Haarlem , The Hague , Breda, Maastricht, Roermond. The train stations in the Dutch cities are in general located only a 10 minute walk from the city’s center, which quite often is along a lovely boulevard-type of a street, lined up with shops and lovely buildings.

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands . It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

The best way to find out how to travel from A to B in the Netherlands is to use the Glimble app. You can buy your tickets in the app and travel hassle-free. The app is absolutely free to download .

• Click here to download Glimble for Android
• Click here to download Glimble for iPhone

Here’s my selection of the best destinations to visit by train from Amsterdam.

From the Central train station in Amsterdam ( Amsterdam Centraal ) to Den Bosch, it takes about an hour . The train station in Den Bosch is just a 10-minutes’ walk from the city’s main square. Besides, it’s quite a pleasant walk, as you’ll pass by the Dragon Monument – one of the symbols of the city.

Den Bosch is a lovely historical city and a preferred day trip from Amsterdam. The city centre has a lively Market Square, especially if it’s one of the market days (Wednesday, Friday or Saturday). When in Den Bosch, do not miss  St. John’s Cathedral  ( Sint-Jan ) – a fine example of Gothic Architecture. If you are an art lover – the  Noord Brabant Museum  and the  Steedelijk Museum  are a must-see. Enjoy a drink at the  Parade  and get lost in the small alleys around the Market Square. If you have a bit more time – take a boat trip on the  Binnendieze  – the old sewerage channels of the city.

Prepare for the trip: Discover what to see and do in Den Bosch .

It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to reach Rotterdam by train from Amsterdam ( Amsterdam Centraal ). There is a direct connection between the two cities, but you can also change in Utrecht or The Hague. The train station in Rotterdam ( Rotterdam Centraal ) is itself an attraction. The modern building was finished in 2014 and is a real eyecatcher.

Rotterdam is like no other city in the Netherlands – it’s modern, it’s hipster and it’s vibrant. It’s one of the few places in the Netherlands where the skyline is dominated by  high-rises . When in Rotterdam, take a  boat tour  in the harbour.  Europort  used to be the biggest port in the world, but it lost its first place some years ago, now being only the biggest one in Europe. If you love great views, climb to the top of the  Euromast tower and if you need a bit of an adrenaline rush, you can go down with a zip-wire. Don’t forget to take a look at the famous  Cube Houses  and the colorful  Markthal .

Prepare for the trip: Discover which attractions to visit in Rotterdam .

From Amsterdam ( Amsterdam Centraal ) to The Hague is a bit less than an hour . The connection beween the two major cities in the Netherlands is really good and there are trains every 30 minutes.

Although Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, The Hague is the seat of the government and more or less the political capital of the country. When in The Hague, do not miss to visit the Mauritshuis , where you can see Vermeer’s masterpiece ‘ The Girl with the Pearl Earing ‘. Walk around the beautiful Gothic palace Het Binennehof that serves as a seat of the Dutch two chambers of Parliament. The office of the Prime Minister is also there. A bit of the bitten path is the lovely Museum Mesdag which houses the beautiful panorama installation (cyclorama).

Read more: Best things to see and do in The Hague

Utrecht is perhaps the easiest day trip from Amsterdam by train. It takes a bit less than 30 minutes to reach Utrecht from Amsterdam ( Amsterdam Centraal ). The train station in Utrecht ( Utrecht Centraal ) flows into a gigantic shopping mall with numerous shops, restaurants and cafes. You can spend the whole day there, not even getting out of the train station, but that won’t be fair for Utrecht.

Utrecht is absolutely charming with its canals and the  cafes at the water level . When in Utrecht, visit the beautiful  Dom  (the cathedral of Utrecht). You can climb to the top of the cathedral for some amazing views or get underneath it for some Roman ruins. In Utrecht you can visit the lovely Centraal Museum or get off-the-beaten path and check out the quirky  Museum Speelklok , where you can admire their unique collection of self-playing instruments.

Read more: Top things to do in Utrecht

It’s a bit of a journey from Amsterdam to Maastricht, but you won’t be disappointed. From Amsterdam ( Amsterdam Centraal ) to Maastricht it takes about 2 hours and half . The train connection is direct, so you can sit back and relax and enjoy the countryside as you’ll be crossing much of the Netherlands by train.

Maastricht is the second most beautiful city in the Netherlands and is often called the ‘pearl of the South’. The locals just love a day trip to Maastricht combined with some first class shopping. When in Maastricht, visit the beautiful  Vrijthof Square  with the  St. Servatius Basilica  and the  St. John’s Church . The Bonnefanten Museum with its art collection won’t disappoint you either. If the weather is nice, you can take a boat trip on the Meuse River.

Tip: If you are visiting Amsterdam around the Christmas holidays, Maastricht will be a great place to experience the Christmas markets in Europe. The Maastricht Christmas Market is the most popular Christmas market in the Netherlands.

Read more: Read here how to spend the perfect day in Maastricht .

From Amsterdam ( Amsterdam Centraal ) to Alkmaar is just a bit less than 40 minutes and the trains run every 20 minutes, all this making Alkmaar an easy day trip.

The city is mostly famous for the traditional  cheese market  held on the Market Square each Friday morning. The cheese market originated in 1365 and has been kept alive through the centuries. You can also visit the  Cheese Museum  in Alkmaar and why not afterwards the  Beer Museum . Alkamaar is not only cheese and beer, though. It’s quite a pretty Dutch city with typical architecture, rich history and of course a network of picturesque canals.

Haarlem is a super easy and perhaps one of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam by train. The trip from Amsterdam ( Amsterdam Centraal ) to Haarlem takes only 15 minutes . I would just say, even if you have a half day, jump on the train and visit Haarlem!

Haarlem is one of those historical places in the Netherlands that seem as if the time has stopped. When in Haarlem, do not miss the  St. Bavo Church  ( Sint Bavo Kerk ) and the  Frans Hals Museum  with paintings of one of the most famous Dutch painters. In Haarlem you can admire one of the the most famous windmills in the Netherlands –  De Adriaan . The windmill is also open for visits.

Read more: Top attractions and best things to do and see in Haarlem

2. Best day trips from Amsterdam by car

Although most cities in the Netherlands are within an easy reach from Amsterdam by public transportation, there are still a few places, that will be better if you visit them by car. Not that you can’t do this by public transport, but you will need to hop on/off a few times on buses or trains. There are also places, which you need to see by travelling through them, that’s why going there by car is more advisable. There are also organized tours to those places, if you don’t feel like renting a car and driving in the Netherlands.

Here is my selection of the best day trips from Amsterdam, that are better done by car:

De Haar Castle is a 40-minutes (39 km) drive from Amsterdam. However you’ll be taking the busiest of the highways in the Netherlands – A2, so be prepared to experience a few traffic jams if you driving in rush hours.

De Haar Castle is located near Utrecht. It is without a doubt the most famous and most visited castle in the Netherlands. It’s also considered the most beautiful one. The castle was restored in 1892 by the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers in a Neo-Gothic style . The original castle dates back to the end of the 14th century. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful park and gardens. You can visit both the castle and the park. The entry only for the park is 6 EUR and for both the castle and park – 17 EUR. Kids (aged 4-12) pay respectively 4 EUR and 11 EUR.

Read more: The 15 most stunning castles in the Netherlands

The best way to discover the De Beemster Polder is by car. You can drive along the meticulously designed polder patterns and stop in quaint little villages like De Rijp, Middenbeemster, Driehuizen, Grootschermer, etc. From Amsterdam to De RIjp by car is about 30 minutes (33 km).

Once an important harbour, De Rijp turned into an inland town after the sea was drained in the 17th century to make place for more land. The regained land from the sea is known as  polder , and the area around De Rijp  – De Beemster Polder , is included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the last years most of the houses have been beautifully restored and the little town is full of charm. You can find there some of the oldest wooden houses in the Province of North Holland. Another lovely place to visit is the Museum Mill ( Museummolen ) in Schermerhorn , which is a part of a complex of 3 polder windmills. There are 11 polder windmills remaining in the  Schermer  ( De Schermer ) from the 17th century, when the Dutch pumped the Scher Lake empty. An entry ticket to the Museum Mill costs 4,50 EUR.

Prepare for your trip: What to in De Beemster Polder and where to stay

Driving on the 27 km long dam from Lelystad to Enkhuizen is something that you can do only in the Netherlands. It’s an amazing experience as you will be driving for kilometers surrounded only by water. You’ll go also under the only working naviduct in the world – the Krabbersgat . A naviduct is like a bridge for boats. Going from Amsterdam to Enkhuizen via Lelystad takes a bit longer than via A7, however the journey is absolutely worth it. Amsterdam to Enkhuizen via Lelystad is 90 km ( 1 hour 20 min ) and via A7 – 65 km ( 60 min ).

Zuiderzeemuseum is an ethnographic complex which tells the story of a community that’s gone, as the Southern Sea ( Zuiderzee ) isn’t there anymore. You probably know that the Dutch are very good at playing God and creating their own land. What once was Zuiderzee (the Southern Sea), today is IJsselmeer (Lake IJssel), after they built the Barrier Dam ( Afsluitduik ) in 1936. Half of the lake was further drained and there was created the 12th Dutch province – Flevoland. In this ethnographic village you can see different old crafts and even take part in workshops. They have also an amazing collection of traditional costumes! Entry tickets cost 17 EUR in the summer months and 9.50 EUR in the winter months. Kids (aged 4-12) pay respectively 11 EUR and 6 EUR.

Although you can reach the Dutch island of Texel by public transport, it’s easier if you rent a car. Once on the island, however, you won’t need the car. It would be better to walk or bike around. Driving on the island is strongly discouraged. The distance from Amsterdam to Texel is about 100 km, but as you will need to take also the ferry, the journey can take up to 2 hours .

If you are in search of a quiet place with gorgeous sunsets, green waters and vast sand beaches – you’ll find it all on this small West Frisian Island . Not to forget the little quaint villages, the pastoral landscapes and the great local food. A part of the island is a protected area as one of the 20 National Parks in the Netherlands . When on Texel you should visit Den Hoorn – a lovely small village at the southern part of the island, Den Burg – the major town on the island, De Cocksdorp and its famous light house, and the seal sanctuary at Ecomare (De Koog). An entry ticket to Ecomare for adults is 13,75 EUR and for kids (age 4-13) – 9,50 EUR.

Read more: Best things to do on Texel with practical tips

Het Loo Palace is an easy drive from Amsterdam. It takes about an hour (87 km) to reach the most famous Dutch palace near Apeldoorn.

There aren’t many palaces in the Netherlands, but from the few that are still there, Het Loo Palace is undoubtedly the most beautiful one. And not only the palace is worth the visit. The meticulously manicured and kept Baroque gardens contrast with the natural and a bit wild beauty of the English park. Let’s say Het Loo Palace is the Dutch  Versailles , but not because it looks like the palace near Paris, but because of its significance and role through the centuries as the palace of the  House of Orange-Nassau  (the Dutch Royal House).

The easiest way to reach Efteling is by car, although you can also take a Flixbus from Amsterdam. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes (105 km) from Amsterdam to Efteling, but one should consider the business and the traffic jams if visiting the park during the holidays or in the weekend. Check out here for other options on how to get to De Efteling .

If you need a bit of an adrenaline rush during your stay in Amsterdam, the Efteling with its roller-coasters is a great idea for a day trip from Amsterdam. The Efteling is mostly known as the second best theme park in Europe after Euro Disney in Paris (France). According to the Dutch, it is the  most beautiful one in Europe . The  Efteling  (or  De Efteling  in Dutch) is not just roller-coasters and head-spinning attractions, but it also tells  local legends  and  famous fairy-tales  with such a passion that you forget you aren’t a child anymore. So, the park is not only for children. The landscaping of the park is also beautiful. Make sure to get on the  Pagode  from where you will have an amazing view over the countryside.

Prepare for your trip: Check out this post, packed with lots of practical tips and insider information about visiting the Efteling .

3. Best day tours from Amsterdam

Some of the attractions in the Netherlands, like Kinderdijk or Keukenhof, could be best visited with an organized tour. Of course, you can always rent a car or take the bus or train, but if you are staying in Amsterdam only a couple of days, an organized day tour to the best Dutch attractions will save you all the hassle. All these one-day excursions from Amsterdam are by bus and you can buy tickets in advance for the attractions. Some of them combine a visit to more than one attraction, which can be useful if you want to see as much as possible during your visit to Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

Kinderdijk is one of the most iconic places in the Netherlands, as it reveals the engineering genius of the Dutch. It is also among the most popular day trips from Amsterdam. Kinderdijk is not just a row of windmills that look beautiful against the setting sun or in the blue hour. These were actually water management installations that regulated the water level. They are also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands.

Prepare for your trip: Read here why the windmills at Kinderdijk are one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The post contains practical tips about visiting Kinderdijk.

Tulips! Lots of tulips! Everywhere! You can’t find a place more Dutchy than that. Unfortunately, being a spring garden, Keukenhof is open only in the period March-May. It’s a perfectly manicured garden, where each year they plant more than 7 million spring flower bulbs. Hyacinths, tulips, crocuses, and daffodils in most amazing shapes and colors create intricate patterns and you get lost in a maze of colorful spring flowers. For sure, this is the most beautiful and colorful day trip from Amsterdam.

Prepare for your trip: Get answer to all your questions about visiting Keukenhof . I’m giving insider tips that will help you spend the perfect day at Keukenhof. After all, I’ve visited the park myself about 10 times already .

It’s the best if you combine a vist to the Keukenhof with a visit to one of the tulip farms to see the famous tulip fields.

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is all about windmills! Visit this small museum village and step back in time. Zaanse Schans is a representation of how life was in the 18th and 19th centuries in North Holland Province. You can visit the windmills and learn how they work and what they were used for. There are also handcraft workshops, where you can see how clogs were made or sails for the ships. Although Zaanse Schans is very pretty, it tends to be quite touristy, as everybody wants to take a glimpse of that nostalgic Dutch reality, long gone now. Is it a tourist trap? No, it’s just a tourist attraction, that still feels authentic.

They call it the Venice of the North or the Dutch Venice and indeed Giethoorn completely deserves its nickname. Imagine an idyllic small village with no streets but canals instead. Beautiful houses, mostly farms, with thatched roofs, lots of green and flowers and the willows hanging above crooked bridges. Unfortunately the last years Giethoorn has been discovered by the tourists and is suffering from overtourism. Nonetheless, the place is simply gorgeous and too cute not to see it on a day trip from Amsterdam.

Marken & Volendam

Volendam is a typical fishing village with traditional fishermen houses with wooden facades. In Volendam you can spot locals wearing traditional costumes in the daily life. Has time really stopped? No, Volendam just goes its own way. Once attracting a crowd of famous painters, today Volendam hasn’t lost any of its charms. It tends to be a bit touristy, but it is still quite pretty.

4. Day trips to Belgium from Amsterdam

As distances in Europe aren’t that big and the Netherlands is pretty small, you can even visit another country on a day trip from Amsterdam. The easiest day trip abroad from the Dutch capital is Belgium. Brussels, Antwerp and the romantic Brugge (Bruges) are the perfect destinations if you want to discover a bit of Belgium on your trip to the Netherlands. If you want to organize the trip yourself, the best option will be to take the train. Of course, you can always rent a car and drive to the south. If you don’t feel like catching the train, you can always opt for an organized bus tour to one of the cities.

Here’s my selection of 3 easy day trips to Belgium from Amsterdam:

There is a direct train connection between Amsterdam and Brussels. It takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes . You can also travel via Antwerp or take the Thalys, the high speed train. The Thalys however stops at Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi), which is a bit off the city centre. Other trains from Amsterdam stop at the central train station in Brussels (Brussel Centraal). However, there is a good connection between the two stations. Each 3 minutes there’s a train and it takes only 3 minutes to get from the one to the other. If you choose to travel by car, the trip takes about 2 and a half hours (215 km). Alternatively you can always book an excursion from Amsterdam .

The capital of Belgium is truly lovely and not overwhelming. In a day trip from Amsterdam you can discover a lot. Start with the amazing Grand Place , the main city’s square, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out what the Manneke Pis is wearing today and stroll along the famous Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert . Visit the Royal Palace and the Old Masters Museum . If you are into surrealism, the Magritte Museum is a must. Don’t leave Brussels without trying the Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolates or Belgian beer.

Antwerp is super easy to reach from Amsterdam by train. It takes about an hour and 50 minutes and there’s a direct train connection. If you take the Thalys, the high speed train, you’ll be quicker in Antwerp – in an hour and 15 minutes , but it’s more expensive. If you choose to travel by car, the trip takes about 2 hours (160 km).

Antwerp has one of the loveliest market squares in Europe. And I am not exaggerating. Take a snap-shot of the famous Brabo fountain and hear the legend about the young man who killed the giant and saved the city. If you love fine arts, you have to visit the House of Rubens ( Rubenshuis ). Walk along the river Scheldt and visit the fortress Het Steen . For modern and contemporary art visit the MAS ( Museum aan de Stroom ) and the M HKA ( Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst ).

Bruges (Brugge) is a bit more difficult to reach by train. The journey takes anywhere between 3 to 4 hours , depending on where you will change trains and whether you’ll take the Thalys. There’s no direct train connection between Amsterdam and Bruges (Brugge). A drive from Amsterdam to Bruges (Brugge) is about 3 hours (250 km). My advice would be to book an organized tour to Bruges (Brugge). It’s hassle-free and quicker.

Although it’s a bit difficult to reach from Amsterdam, Bruges makes it for the most romantic day trip out of the Dutch capital. The beautiful medieval town centre is a also a UNESCO World Heritage Site . When in Bruges, just walk around and enjoy its quaint beauty. Get to the top of the Belfry and visit the Church of Our Lady to see one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Learn about the beguines in the famous Beguinage ( Begijnhof ), which is the other UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bruges. When in Bruges, don’t forget to try the special Belgian French fries paired with a Belgian beer. You can even visit the French Fries Museum ( Frietmuseum ) to find out who invented the French fries – the Belgians or the French.

Read more: Curious about who the beguines were? Read this post about the famous beguinages in Belgium . There are 12 beguinages in total that are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When you are spending a couple of days in Amsterdam, it’s always a good idea to travel a bit outside of the Dutch capital. As the Netherlands is pretty small, you can visit virtually any place on a day trip from Amsterdam. Even places in Belgium can be visited on a day trip. In some case it will be advisable to travel by train, in others – to take an organized tour. Whichever you will choose, depends on your time limits, whether you want to drive yourself, or you want a hassle-free experience.

• Best places to visit by train from Amsterdam include all the major cities like Utrecht , Alkmaar, Groningen , Nijmegen , Arnhem, Den Bosch , Rotterdam , Haarlem, The Hague, Breda, Maastricht, Roermond.
• Best places to visit by car from Amsterdam include all castles, national or natural parks, small villages and other attractions like theme parks.
• Best places to visit with a tour include attractions like Keukenhof, Zaanse Schans, Kinderdijk, or Giethoorn. Basically, these are place that are difficult to reach by public transportation and if you don’t or can’t drive would be better to book a tour.

Need more tips about visiting places in the Netherlands? Or you want to ask what is better, to take the train or book a tour to a given place? Join my private Facebook Group Exploring the Netherlands and ask your question there!

About Daniela

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The Best 20 Day Trips from Amsterdam by a Dutch resident

January 2, 2020 by Karen Turner 24 Comments

I’ve been living in Holland for over four years now. One of the best parts of the Netherlands is how easy it is to take day trips within the Netherlands! I include insider tips from my time living in Amsterdam for the best day trips from Amsterdam to other gorgeous Dutch cities, including Gouda, Leiden, and Giethoorn. I include easy day trips from Amsterdam as well as off the beaten path day trips from Amsterdam.

• 0.0.0.1 An index of the 20 best day trips from Amsterdam covered in this post
• 0.0.1.1 Taking day trips by train in the Netherlands
• 0.0.1.2 Taking day trips from Amsterdam by car
• 1.0.1.1 Click for my one day guide to Haarlem!
• 1.0.2.1 Click for more information about how to get to the tulip fields in the Netherlands from Amsterdam!
• 1.0.3 Broek in Waterland to experience “small-town Holland”
• 1.0.4 Zaanse Schans
• 1.1.1.1 Click for my one day guide to Utrecht with things to do in Utrecht!
• 1.1.2 Leiden
• 1.1.3 Hoorn
• 1.1.4 Alkmaar
• 1.1.5 Zandvoort
• 1.1.6 Amersfoort
• 1.2.1 Rotterdam
• 1.2.2.1 Click for more information about Muiderslot castle 
• 1.2.3 The Hague and Scheveningen
• 1.2.4 Delft
• 1.2.5 Gouda
• 1.2.6 Dordrecht
• 1.2.7 Beverwijk Flea Market (Bazaar)
• 1.3.1 Kasteel De Haar
• 1.3.2.0.1 Click for more information about one day in Zwolle, including where to eat.
• 1.3.3.0.1 Click for my guide to one day Giethoorn with detailed directions on getting to Giethoorn.
• 1.3.4 Nederlands Kremlin
• 1.4 Top Recommended Tours in Amsterdam
• 1.5.1 Do you need a tour to take a day trip from Amsterdam?
• 1.6 Train information for the Netherlands
• 1.7 Have you taken any of these day trips from Amsterdam? Any other favorites?

An index of the 20 best day trips from Amsterdam covered in this post

• Lisse for the Dutch tulip fields

Broek in Waterland to experience “small-town Holland”

Zaanse schans.

• Beverwijk Flea Market

Muiderslot Castle

The hague and scheveningen, kasteel de haar.

• Nederlandse Kremlin
• Day trips to  skip in the Netherlands: Volendam
• Information about taking the train in the Netherlands

A bit of an explanation about the Netherlands and taking day trips from Amsterdam

The Netherlands is a small country compared to many other countries, so you can cross the Netherland in about 3.5 hours at its widest part.  As a result, what one person may consider an easy day trip from Amsterdam might seem quite long to another person.  I’ve tried to cap all the one-day trips outside of Amsterdam at two hours with public transit.

I’ve tried to group these day trips into easy to find categories, so you can determine what’s best given your time.  Time estimates come from Amsterdam Centraal and do not include the time to get a ticket!

Taking day trips by train in the Netherlands

It’s very easy to take day trips from Amsterdam as the Holland region has a well-integrated bus network and the Netherlands, in general, has a robust train network that works  most of the time. Be warned that on weekends and late nights, you’re more likely to encounter train delays/cancellations due to construction on different train tracks.

The Dutch train system is commonly referred to as NS and you can go to their website or download their app to buy tickets/check ticket prices. It is also possible to buy a ticket on the day of. Dutch trains within the country do not typically have assigned seating (unless it’s an international train), so you don’t need to worry about the train selling out. You might be standing for a bit and if you don’t want to stand, you can splurge for a first-class ticket where seats are available.

It’s good to build in a bit of extra time in case the trains aren’t running well.  Most of these trains run at least once an hour towards most major cities, if not once every fifteen minutes. Bus schedules should be checked as they are heavily impacted by the day of the week. Be sure to make sure that you can make your connection and note the last bus/train out of more remote locations. Renting a bike can help your mobility a lot!

Taking day trips from Amsterdam by car

With a car, most of these places are even closer although you’ll need to find parking, which is typically not free.  You’ll find cheaper parking on the outskirts of the city centers. Most major Dutch cities are good about having paid public parking, but it might be a bit of a walk from the city center.

I haven’t included Kinderdijk here as it’s a tough day trip from Amsterdam although possible if you’re very committed to visiting these beautiful windmills. It’s far easier to visit from Rotterdam and you can read my guide on how to visit Kinderdijk independently here . I’d recommend visiting Zaanse Schans instead.

Day trips from Amsterdam less than 30 minutes away

Haarlem for a quintessentially dutch town.

Haarlem is a typically Dutch town only fifteen minutes from Amsterdam by train. If you’re tired of the crowds and you don’t have that much time in the Netherlands, I recommend visiting Haarlem.

This adorable Dutch town has a stunning medieval church, a church turned brewery, cute canals with affordable boats that you can rent, an interesting science museum that explores what science has meant historically, a gorgeous square with a nice market, and a lot of architecture.

How to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem: Catch a train towards a number of destinations (Den Haag, Zandvoort, Beverwijk), just check that it stops at  Haarlem .  The train ride should be about fifteen minutes.  From the train station, it’s a ten-minute walk to the center.

Click for my one day guide to Haarlem!

Lisse for the tulip fields in the netherlands.

Almost everyone that I’ve met who was planning their first trip to the Netherlands in spring asked me about taking a day trip to visiting the tulip fields outside of Amsterdam.  It’s very easy to take a day trip from Amsterdam to Lisse, the town of Keukenhof.

Keukenhof is more of a garden and although you’ll see tulips, the actual tulip fields are outside of Keukenhof in the surrounding towns.    It’s very easy to combine a half-day visiting the tulip fields with visiting Haarlem.

How to get to Keukenhof/Lisse from Amsterdam : Take a train to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.  Take the bus towards Keukenhof.  From Keukenhof, follow my free self-guided tulip field tour towards Hillegom and take the train back from Hillegom.

It’s also possible to take a bus from Haarlem to Keukenhof if you want to combine a half-day in Haarlem with visiting the tulip fields in the morning without a tour.  The train ride/bus should take about thirty minutes in total.

Click for more information about how to get to the tulip fields in the Netherlands from Amsterdam!

If you’re interested in taking a day trip to the Dutch countryside without going too far, you can take a  bus from Amsterdam Centraal to the picturesque town of Broek in Waterland, just outside of Amsterdam.

If you want a taste of the cute farm animals, polders, and small towns that dot most of the Netherlands, Broek in Waterland is a great day trip from Amsterdam.

How to get from Amsterdam to Broek in Waterland: Take the 312, 314, or 316 bus from Amsterdam Centraal until you get to Broek in Waterland in about fifteen minutes.  If you’re into cycling and the weather is good, it’s also possible to cycle out to the countryside within thirty minutes!

Who can resist the pull of cute windmills and clogs? Zaanse Schans is an iconic sight for tourists around the world although you need to be prepared for the crowds, especially in peak season.  Be sure to stop into the clog workshop for hand-carved clogs, which make a great souvenir from the Netherlands .

The actual town is pretty adorable, so don’t miss the first Albert Heijn supermarket.  On the way back, consider stopping off in Zaandam to see the iconic modern take on Dutch houses at its iconic hotel.

You really only need a half of a day from Amsterdam t o visit Zaanse Schans.  It’s best to avoid the afternoon as the tourist buses are particularly active then. I recommend coming early or staying until sunset for the best views without the crowds. I’ll be updating this post soon with a complete guide to Zaanse Schans including some cool places to eat in Zaandam, which is full of upcoming restaurants now.

How to get to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam:  If you’re taking the day trip from Amsterdam and prefer to walk less, take the 391 bus towards Zaanse Schans.  Although it’s possible to take the train, you’ll have a 1.5km walk from the platform towards the village of Zaanse Schans. The weather can quickly change and the bus is a better bet…

Day trips from Amsterdam about thirty minutes away to one hour away

I consider Utrecht to be one of the most perfect day trips from Amsterdam.  This stunning city, only thirty minutes from Amsterdam by train, has two-story canals, medieval history, kid-friendly museums, and a stunning atmosphere.

Surprisingly, most tourists  don’t leave Amsterdam, so if you’re trying to experience the history and culture in the Netherlands, I recommend Utrecht.  This lively city has innovative restaurants, great beer, and the tallest church tower in the Netherlands.  If you’re not sold, you will be when you arrive.

How to get from Amsterdam to Utrecht: Take the train towards Utrecht Centraal, which takes about thirty minutes.

Click for my one day guide to Utrecht with things to do in Utrecht!

Leiden is another cozy university town that is easy to visit from Amsterdam.  Although it’s sleepier than Utrecht, those interested in enjoying the historic grounds of the university, the pretty historic city center, and one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world might be curious to stop off in Leiden. Be sure to catch market day if you can as Leiden becomes alive during this time with many vendors!

As the pace is slower here and there are a bit fewer things to do here, I’d recommend combining Leiden with one of the nearby cities if you’re interested in experience both sides. If you’re a fan of history, I recommend retracing the steps of the Pilgrims in Leiden , who lived here before leaving for America.

Leiden is on the way to other Dutch cities, so if you’re interested in heading to Rotterdam or The Hague, you might be able to stop off in Leiden for a short wander while taking a day trip from Amsterdam. Click for my one day guide to Leiden.

How to get from Amsterdam to Leiden : A number of trains heading towards Zuid Holland stop in Leiden and it should take about 25-35 minutes on the train depending on your starting point in Amsterdam.

Hoorn is often left off the list of day trips from Amsterdam, which surprises me as this town is the  real deal.  Many tourists flock to Volendam for a reason that I don’t comprehend, however, Hoorn is where Dutch tourists go to experience the charm and beauty of this harborside city that played a significant role in Dutch trading historically.

The city center dates back to the 16th century and the architecture is considered one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands.  Prices here are very reasonable as they don’t get many foreign tourists and I think that

Hoorn is a great day trip that allows you to experience an authentic town that is not yet overrun by tourists.  Once you visit Hoorn, you’ll wish that you were staying the night. Click for your complete guide to Hoorn!

How to get from Amsterdam to Hoorn: Take the train towards Enkhuizen and get off at Hoorn.  It’s possible to combine Hoorn with the Nederlandse Kremlin (info below) if you’re looking for something different than the typical day trips from Amsterdam.

Alkmaar is the “cheese” capital of Holland and if you’re a cheese lover, there’s nothing cheesier than the cheese market in Alkmaar .  It is a tourist attractio n that is steeped in history and culture. Note that the cheese market is not every day, but Friday mornings from March until September.  Keep in mind that if you’re looking for a less touristy day trip from Amsterdam, this is not it. Even as someone who dislikes crowds, I still enjoyed the spectacle.

(For a less touristy cheese-focused day trip from Amsterdam, head to the Dutch cheese markets in other Dutch cities , including Woerden , Gouda , Hoorn and Edam.) You can click for my complete day trip guide to Alkmaar .

Beyond cheese, Alkmaar is a historic city with well-preserved architecture with stunning canals, so if you’re interested in enjoying a walk in a gorgeous Dutch setting, Alkmaar might be a good option for a day trip from Amsterdam. It’s an easy train journey here and the town is seriously adorable.

How to get from Amsterdam to Alkmaar:   Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Alkmaar Centraal, which should take about thirty minutes.  The city is a short walk from the train station.

If you’re lucky enough to be in the Netherlands during one of its good days in summer, you can head to the beach.  Most people don’t associate the beach with the Netherlands as it’s typically too cold to take a dip in the North Sea.

There’s a nice boardwalk and if you’re looking for a quiet day trip from Amsterdam, consider stopping off in Haarlem for the afternoon after a relaxing morning walk along the beach.  (Haarlem is only ten minutes from Zandvoort.) You can also enjoy the nearby dunes and forest of Zuid-Kennemerland National Park if you’re looking for a hike. Although we don’t have proper mountains, the dunes are nice for a walk.

How to get from Amsterdam to Zandvoort: Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal towards Zandvoort aan het Zee .  The train should take about twenty-five minutes if it’s direct. It’s also possible to take the bus from Haarlem.

This sleepy medieval town is perfect for those interested in enjoying a walk through a historic center away from the crowds.  Most of the appeal of Amersfoort is taking it easy in its cozy cafes and strolling along its cozy canals.  The city got rich off beer and you can believe that the beer-making tradition continues today at the various craft breweries around the city!

Click for my complete guide to a day (or a weekend) in Amersfoort.

How to get from Amsterdam to Amersfoort: Take the train towards Deventer or Amersfoort Vathorst and get off at Amersfoort Centraal.  It takes about 40 minutes from Amsterdam if the trains are running well.

Day trips from Amsterdam one hour away

For people who feel like they’ve seen the typical Dutch architecture and they’re looking for something different, Rotterdam is the perfect day trip from Amsterdam.  A lot of people compare Rotterdam to New York, which is easy to see.

This iconic Dutch city was reconstructed after massive damage in World War II in a modern style unlike anywhere else in the Netherlands.  Rotterdam is one of my favorite cities to bring friends who don’t have much time in the Netherlands.  Don’t miss the gorgeous Blaak Houses, the Markthal, Witte de Withstraat for cool restaurants, or the iconic Erasmus Bridge.  Don’t miss Amsterdam’s cooler big brother. 😉

Click for a complete guide to Rotterdam with the best things to see in Rotterdam in one day.

How to get from Amsterdam to Rotterdam: Take the train to Rotterdam Centraal or Rotterdam Blaak.  I recommend Getting off at Rotterdam Blaak as it’s a shorter walk to the major sights of the city. It takes about forty minutes on the train.

Be careful about getting on the Intercity Direct from Amsterdam Centraal to Rotterdam as there’s an extra fee compared to the slower train.  You can be fined for not having a supplemental ticket, even if you didn’t know better. ( Guilty).  It is faster on the Intercity Direct, so it’s worth it if you have limited time!

This stunning castle is one of my favorite day trips from Amsterdam.  Muiderslot castle dates back to medieval times and it’s one of those castles that you imagine when you think of a children’s book.  Complete with a moat and look-out towers, you’ll find enough to do while visiting Muiderslot Castle for one day.  It’s free with the iAmsterdam card as a bonus!  The town of Muiden is absolutely adorable too, so it’s definitely worth the forty-minute journey from Amsterdam by train then bus.

Click for more information about Muiderslot castle 

The Hague is my new home and I love this adorable former capital of the Netherlands, which is an easy day trip from Amsterdam for those interested in culture.  The Hague is often considered  boring if you ask Dutchies, but the historical city center, complete with the working palace of the Dutch King, stunning Binnenhof, Peace Palace (the home of the International Criminal Court of Justice), Mauritshuis museum (The Girl with the Pearl earring is here!) and the beach resort of Scheveningen are the big attractions in the Hague.

I don’t feel that enough people appreciate the amazing mix of cultures here as the Hague boasts the largest Chinatown in the Netherlands and a significant international population.

Click for my complete guide on what to do in the Hague with insider tips,  my favorite cafes in the Hague , and a one day guide to The Hague !

Either way, take a day trip to the Hague via the train heading towards Rotterdam and get off at Den Haag Centraal  or Den Haag HS  station.  ( Both train stations are 15 minutes from the city center). You can click for detailed directions on how to get to the Hague from Amsterdam by train .

If you’ve ever heard of Delftware , you’ve maybe heard of Delft.  This charming city, famous for its pottery, is a beautiful and easy day trip from Amsterdam.  My husband works in Delft, so I routinely visit this city. It’s full of stunning canals, cozy cafes, and historic churches.

In summer, it can be a little crowded in the Grote Markt square, but the tourists from the tour buses usually don’t stick around beyond going to the Delftware factory .  Compared to Amsterdam, you can take a breath of fresh air here and admire the gorgeous architecture! It’s generally quiet here and many of my friends who visit me tell me that it’s straight out of a storybook. I’m inclined to agree.

To get to Delft from Amsterdam, you will need to hop on the train to Vlissengen from Amsterdam Centraal. It will take about an hour and you’ll get off at Delft . It’s a short walk to the city center of Delft from the station. The train will cost about 28 euros round-trip as of 2020.

Click for my complete guide to Delft.

This charming city (pronounced G-h-oo-da with a hard Dutch G) is one of the best cheese destinations in the Netherlands.  Although most tourists head to Alkmaar for the cheese market, Gouda is a great place to try Gouda cheese at its source.

There’s lots of sleepy Dutch countryside around here, perfect for a bicycle ride, after exploring the small historic city center.  Stock up on cheese while you’re here! You’ll also want to try a siroopwafel here!

It takes about an hour to get to Gouda from Amsterdam. You can transfer after looking up the directions on Google or on the NS train app, however you can also get on a slower train that will be direct. Your choice! The journey will cost about 13 euros per way.

Click for my day trip guide to Gouda! 

Dordrecht is a beautiful city known as the Venice of Holland.  This island that has been separated from the rest of the land due to a flood was only accessible by boat for many years. (It’s still possible to take a boat ride around the city!)

It’s full of charming warehouses and cozy cafes.  It’s the perfect place for a relaxing day trip if you’re looking for an off the beaten path day trip. 

Click for my guide to Dordrecht.

In order to get to Dordrecht from Amsterdam, you’ll need to take a train about 1 to 1.5 hours. It’s possible to go to Rotterdam before transferring to another train or even a ferry if you’re looking for a slower scenic route through the countryside! Otherwise, there is a direct line although it will take longer (1.5 hours). It’s a 20-minute walk to the city center.

Beverwijk Flea Market (Bazaar)

This off the beaten path day trip from Amsterdam takes you to Europe’s largest covered market where you can buy practically  anything .  There are different sections for antiques, flowers, fruit, computers, restaurants… etc.  The cool part is that the Beverwijk market feels like you’ve left the Netherlands as it’s so diverse.

Although you  can spend half a day here, market lovers and deal hunters will want to have the full day as the market is  massive .   My father-in-law took a day trip to the Beverwijk flea market and felt like he only saw 10% of the market while browsing for antiques.   There are over 2500 stalls, so bring a big bag with you as you’re likely to carry a lot of souvenirs back to Amsterdam.

How to get from Amsterdam to the Beverwijk Flea Market: Take the Sprinter train towards Alkmaar. The station is Beverwijk. It’s a bit of a long ride (55 minutes), however, you’ll get there eventually although you might need to transfer depending on the day.

Day trips from Amsterdam up to two hours away

Kasteel De Haar is one of the most magnificent castles in the Netherlands without question.  This castle dating back to the 1800s is romantic, grand, and unique.  It’s still owned by the original family and for those obsessed with fairytale castles, Kasteel de Haar must be added to your Dutch bucket list!

Although Kasteel de Haar  looks close to Amsterdam and Utrecht, it’s more involved to get here than I realized initially.  As a result, you really need a full day from Amsterdam to get here and to probably see the grounds.  I’ve been several times and I underestimated the size of the castle, which is why I had to come back.

Kasteel De Haar is easiest with a car without question, but it’s possible to get to Kasteel de Haar with public transportation if you’re able to put up with two transfers, including one to a bus. It’s best to go to Utrecht by train before taking another train to Vleuten (the destination to type in!). From there, you will transfer to a bus. The total journey if it goes well, the journey takes approximately an hour, but it can take longer if you miss the bus.

Click for more information about Kasteel de Haar.

This city in the Netherlands outside of the Noord and Zuid province is the capital of Overijssel, a Dutch province.  Zwolle enjoyed its prominence in the Hanseatic League, however with the end of the Zuiderzee, it ceased its influential role in trading.

The city center is cute and charming although I think that it’s worth coming here solely for the Waanders in het Broeren bookstore, a gorgeous bookstore in a converted Catholic church. If you’re a book lover (like me), it was worth the one and a hour train journey from Amsterdam to Zwolle.    (You’ll need to pass through Zwolle to go to Giethoorn , so maybe stop here for a meal!)

Click for more information about one day in Zwolle, including where to eat.

In order to get to Zwolle from Amsterdam, you can catch a direct Sprinter train towards Zwolle. The total journey should take about 1.5 hours.

You’ve definitely heard of Giethoorn .  This idyllic village, a favorite among foreign tourists, has canals instead of roads.  As much as I was skeptical that it would live up to the images that I saw online, it truly did.  Renting a boat and taking an independent day trip to Giethoorn is 100% possible, so you can read my guide to Giethoorn for more information.

Getting from Amsterdam to Giethoorn is fairly complicated involving buses as well as trains, so you need at least 2 hours when starting off your morning in Amsterdam.  As much as I want to claim that it’s an easy day trip from Amsterdam, it’s not and requires quite a bit of effort without a car.  It’s worth it in my opinion. You will need to pass through Zwolle .

Click for my guide to one day Giethoorn with detailed directions on getting to Giethoorn.

Nederlands kremlin.

This off the beaten path attraction in the Netherlands is a testament to  passion.  Created by a Dutch welder/artist over the past twenty years, this quirky attraction is something really different.  I thought that I’d only be here an hour but ended up spending about 2-3 hours here.

The owners speak some English, however, you don’t need much of an explanation beyond appreciating the time and effort that got put into this creative work of art.  There’s a cute kitty that will follow you around and it’s very possible to combine the Kremlin with Hoorn or Alkmaar within one day trip from Amsterdam.  Email beforehand.

Getting to the Nederlands Kremlin without a car is possible, but you’ll need to take a train towards Schagan prior to catching a bus (#150 towards Alkmaar ).  Get off at Nieuwe Niedorp and walk until you get there. It takes about an hour and a half from Amsterdam to get here, so it’s a bit of commitment.

Click for more information about the Nederlands Kremlin!

Top Recommended Tours in Amsterdam

When visiting Amsterdam, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences awaiting you. As a Dutch resident, I’ve handpicked some of the best tours that truly capture the essence of this vibrant city. Dive deep into the world of Vincent van Gogh with a guided tour at the Van Gogh Museum , where you’ll explore his most iconic paintings and learn about his life’s journey. If you’re looking to relax and take in the city’s picturesque canals, hop on a Canal Booze Cruise with unlimited drinks or opt for a serene Classic Boat Cruise that offers optional cheese and wine. For those who want a more intimate experience, the Van Gogh Museum Highlights tour offers a deep dive into the artist’s masterpieces in a small group setting. No matter which tour you choose, Amsterdam promises an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss out on these top-rated tours to make the most of your visit!

Day trips from Amsterdam to skip

Volendam is a bit of a tourist trap and there are many other cities in the Netherlands that you can visit to experience the cuteness of a small town on the sea.  Instead, I recommend Hoorn. Volendam is very easy to visit by train.

Do you need a tour to take a day trip from Amsterdam?

No! The trains and buses work great here in the Netherlands.  All of these day trips are possible using public transportation.  In the case of Giethoorn, I believe it’s easier with a car, but that’s just my opinion.

Train information for the Netherlands

Unless otherwise noted, you will need to take the train to these destinations.  Prior to going on the train, you need a ticket.  You can purchase a train ticket one-way or roundtrip at the NS machines using a credit/debit card. You can also buy your ticket on your phone using the NS.nl website or the app. Just ensure that you have a charger with you! I often will print my ticket for longer journeys in case my phone dies.

In order to do so, you’ll need a credit card or debit card with a chip.  If you have a card without a pin, your card  should work, but friends of mine occasionally have issues.  Most larger stations have a staff member who will help you purchase tickets during the day. Smaller stations don’t always have staff members on hand or a toilet within their families.

Prior to getting on the train, tap your card against the gates.   Important note:  Be sure to tap out when you get off the train as you can invalidate your ticket (if it’s round-trip) if you forget.

Have you taken any of these day trips from Amsterdam? Any other favorites?

• 5 Dutch Cheese Markets
• Public transit in Holland
• Tips for visiting Amsterdam for the first time
• Leiden: A hidden gem in Holland
• 10 Dutch Cheeses to try in the Netherlands
• Three days in Amsterdam

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

March 17, 2018 at 1:04 am

I’ve never been to the Netherlands but it is now more than ever on my bucket list! All of these places look incredible. Definitely saving for a future trip!

March 17, 2018 at 1:24 am

Thanks for this flood of information about beautiful Holland 🙂 2 years ago I visited Zandvoort and loved it so much. A very beautiful place full of nature! I guess I’ll come back to the Netherlands this year and want to see Rotterdam and Amsterdam. All your other options make me consider expanding my stay ^^

March 17, 2018 at 4:54 am

Ooh, this is super helpful! I didn’t realize there were so many day trips from Amsterdam that we could take. I love how you categorized them by how long they take to get to. Thanks so much for sharing! Pinning this for our next stop in Amsterdam 🙂

March 17, 2018 at 10:06 am

Thanks for such a comprehensive post! We’ve only been to Amsterdam, but would love to explore more of Holland, so this is incredibly useful!

March 17, 2018 at 1:27 pm

Thanks for those ideas! I’ve been living in the Netherlands for over two years now but haven’t really been anywhere apart from Amsterdam and the place I am studying at. I should definitely see more of the country haha 😀

March 17, 2018 at 1:54 pm

Shamefully I’ve only been to Amsterdam on a 2 day getaway from Brussels. But I loved it and would love to explore The Netherlands further. After seeing this post and pictures, I really do need to go back. thanks for the inspiration!

March 17, 2018 at 1:55 pm

Yes, great post. There’s sooo much more to see than A’dam, I loved Utrecht and Waterland where my friend lives. I also enjoyed Den Bosch and Maastricht is supposed to be nice too.

March 17, 2018 at 4:28 pm

Hi Annie, I love Maastricht, however it’s not a day trip as it’s just too far from Amsterdam to do it for one day. It’s more an overnight trip from Amsterdam and I’d recommend visiting Maastricht. 🙂

Best, Karen

March 17, 2018 at 3:44 pm

I am now adding the Netherlands to my must-see list. I had no idea there were so many great day trips from Amsterdam. Thank you so much for the great tips!

March 17, 2018 at 5:18 pm

This is such a great guide Karen! The Netherlands in tulip season is one of the biggest things left on my bucket list, and I love that you gave info for doing these trips as independently as possible.

July 17, 2018 at 4:26 am

After reading your blog- my husband & I are definitely planning a trip to Amsterdam in April 2019. It appears to be a very unique & beautiful country. Thank you Sarala

March 9, 2019 at 4:04 pm

If you happen to be there on King’s Day, which is at the end of April, I would recommend going to Volendam and riding the ferry over to Maarken. You can be part of the festivities without the millions of people, like Amsterdam. It was a highlight of our trip. Oh, and don’t ride a tandem bicycle for any distance. Your backside will thank you! Have fun!

August 27, 2018 at 4:11 pm

Hi! Great article, would you recommend Zandvoort or Kinderdijk if you had to only visit one?

August 27, 2018 at 4:16 pm

Hi Nathan, I’d say Kinderdijk or Zaans Schaans (which is closer) if you want to see the windmills. It’s a bit more unique than Zaandvoort in my opinion although Haarlem is lovely. You could easily combine Haarlem with Zandvoort. (I have an article about this).

September 24, 2018 at 3:36 pm

Hi ènjoyed reading your article and I agree with most everything you’ve said except your comments about Volendam. I have been there myself several times and although it has gotten very touristy in the last 15 years or so. It is still something to see. The small view of the tiny little house and the picturesque scenery alone makes it a place to go visit. You can also take a boat ride to the beautiful Marken. Which up to a few years ago was a self contained island and was only accessible by boat. It truly is lovely to see

March 23, 2019 at 9:08 am

Thanks for your ideas! I just returned from Amsterdam and had a wonderful time seeing the tulip fields and especially Hoorn. Great, great city! I spent a day in Hoorn leisurely walking through the town, over to the walking path by the sea and in awe of the beautiful and old ships in the port. Cute, little shops and very nice and helpful people. I paused long enough for coffee and apple torte while looking around the square. Hoorn is a city I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to get out of Amsterdam. Train to and from was super easy, too.

July 25, 2019 at 10:18 pm

Frist – Thanks for all the information, good reading, great advise. I will be arriving mid September, is that consider high season? ALSO – Can you take a day trip from Amsterdam to Bruges? if so tour or train? Thank you 🙂

July 30, 2019 at 12:11 pm

Hi JoJo, I would not recommend taking a day trip to Bruges without a car. It will take a considerably long time. Ghent is a better alternative. Mid-September is not high season anymore. Kind regards, Karen

October 24, 2019 at 7:08 pm

Hello Karen, thank you so much for all the wonderful information you have so kindly shared in your site. My husband and I will be staying in The Hague for about 3 months (November to January). This is the first time we are staying this long. Could you please recommend to us an itinerary of about 10 days from December 20 to December 30 ? We would like to see places outside of the The Netherlands also. Our 22 year twins will be visiting us during the Christmas break. Thank you very much! Lili

October 27, 2019 at 10:53 am

Please search on my website for this post: Your perfect Netherlands itinerary by a Dutch resident It should cover 10 days easily! Similarly, I’d definitely look up my Christmas markets post (THE BEST 10 CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN THE NETHERLANDS NOT TO MISS) and my article about “Amsterdam in Winter” for some ideas for that period. The Hague Christmas market should still be on then. 🙂

October 20, 2021 at 9:31 am

Very informative and well laid out posts. Thanks. Now have a lot more ideas for my trip to Holland next month.

May 25, 2022 at 12:07 pm

Great Listing of activities and recommendations thanks,

January 17, 2023 at 12:23 pm

It’s really difficult to leave a comment abd the error messages are quite rude! However, I wanted to persevere as this is one of the best travel guides I’ve ever read, and there have been many! So, thanks a lot.

February 1, 2023 at 2:05 pm

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for commenting 🙂

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15+ Best Day Trips from Amsterdam (towns, tulips & more!)

By: Author Charlotte

Posted on Last updated: 11th May 2024

Categories Netherlands

Last Updated on 11th May 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

Amsterdam is a vibrant city plentiful with things to see and do, but you can visit most of the main spots within a few days. The question is, have you ever ventured further out? Beyond the lively capital there is so much to explore and experience, giving you a true taste of Holland. From medieval castles to tulip fields, in this guide, we’ll run through the best day trips from Amsterdam (and how to get to each of them)…

Getting around the Netherlands

Lisse & dutch tulip fields & keukenhof, zaanse schans , muiderslot castle, alkmaar cheese market.

Everything in the Netherlands is situated fairly close to one another so most of the places mentioned are easily visited by public transport, and less than an hour away! I would personally not rent a car since public transportation (buses, trains, and trams) is so easy to use and is also pretty affordable.

You can even now check in and out of public transport in most of the Netherlands with a contactless debit card, credit card or via your mobile phone and ov-chipcard (eliminating the need to buy a paper ticket in most cases- just verify this before you travel with a station staff member).

If it’s your first time in the Netherlands, check out our suggestions for how to spend one day in Amsterdam and our top Amsterdam travel tips .

Best day trips from Amsterdam

Rotterdam is a modern city, characterised by its imposing skyline, it’s the second largest city in the Netherlands and definitely gives visitors a different feel to that of Amsterdam.

Admire the innovative architecture! The city was flattened by bombs in WW2, therefore Rotterdam essentially had to rebuild everything. With a chance to reinvent itself, the city is now flourishing with experimental and progressive architectural structures, with some architects calling it “the city of the future” as it consciously makes use of climate-adaptive designs.

Rotterdam city is also home to the largest seaport in all of Europe! This bustling hub of activity is

Whether its wandering around the city and exploring all the museums filled with amazing art and history, or enjoying some delicious Dutch delicacies in the array of restaurants.

There’s so much to see in Rotterdam! Here are just a few top suggestions for your trip:

• Cube Houses ( Blaakse Bos ), an intriguing design of a housing complex.
• Markthal , grab a bite to eat in this iconic piece of architecture and look up at the huge artwrok that covers the ceiling.
• Delfshaven , visit one of the few areas of historic Rotterdam that survived the bombings.
• We Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen , an art museum with lots to see.

Looking for more Rotterdam inspiration? Check out our one day in Rotterdam itinerary ! The easiest way to get from Amsterdam to Rotterdam is by taking the local train and the journey takes around forty minutes.

Located south of Amsterdam you can find one of the best kept secrets of the Netherlands, The Hague. An energetic city, rich with history, culture and art, it’s definitely worth the trip!

The city has a fantastic culinary scene offering visitors a wide range of cuisines, with amazing options for those who prefer a plant based diet! Coffee culture in The Hague is also extremely popular, plentiful with trendy cafes, its the perfect place to sip on some caffeine and get a buzz for exploring.

Let yourself be taken in by the city! Visit Mauritshuis and admire masterpieces by artists to the likes of Rembrandt and Vermeer, this art gallery is home to some of the best Dutch paintings. Or, experience history and visit the impressive building The International Court of Justice ( peace palace ).

If all of the above hasn’t already swayed you to visit, this treasure of a city also has 11km of golden sandy beaches on its doorstep, making it a popular destination for a day of sunbathing or swimming when the weathers hot.

Top things to make sure you see when visiting The Hague:

• The Girl with the Pearl Earring , the famous painting is hidden in the art museum, Mauritshuis.
• De Passage Den Haag , an impressive arcade filled with independent shops and eateries you have to check out!
• Peace Palace , home to the International Court of Justice.
• Scheveningen , ( the beach! ) this modern seaside resort is filled with bars and a promenade.
• Vegan food & Coffee , the city is bountiful with places you have to try out.

If you need more to persuade you or just to read further in depth of what the city has to offer, view our Hague travel guide . Otherwise, you should know that the easiest way to reach The Hague is by taking a direct train from Amsterdam to The Hague. Journey times are around forty five minutes if you opt for a direct train.

The charming city of Haarlem, much like a lot of the Netherlands, has great cafe culture, restaurants and beautiful streets to explore, but something that sets Haarlem apart is its vast amount of museums!

Bursting with history and culture, the city is home to some of the best in the Netherlands, with over 10 different museums to explore, you could spend a whole day alone simply learning and viewing world-famous art.

Haarlem is also regularly regarded for its shopping! From fashion to vintage, the city is bustling with special boutiques, markets and some high end fashion chains. Amsterdam to Haarlem is one of the quickest and easiest day trips from Amsterdam via public transportation as the time you’ll spend on the train is just 13 minutes!

For lovers of tulips, the Netherlands, and beautiful gardens, Keukenhof is a must-see while in Holland. Open for just a few weeks each year, this sprawling space can be found close to the town of Lisse and is an easy day trip from Amsterdam.

Situated on the fringes of the town of Lisse, one thing you should note before visiting Keukenhof is that, in spite of what many blogs and online magazines would have you believe, the space is actually a gardens, as opposed to a field full of tulips.

Keukenhof is one of my favourite places to visit in Europe in the spring and is a must-see any time you’re in the Netherlands during this period. Unfortunately there’s no train station at Keukenhof and so you’ll have to take a train followed by a bus. If you want all the transportation details taken care of for you, consider booking a guided excursion to Keukenhof from Amsterdam like this one.

If you’d like to see some tulips to pose with/ snap photos with but don’t necessarily want to go to a garden, then another great alternative is to check out The Tulip Barn , which is on the outskirts of the village of Hillegom .

Hands down, one of my very favourite cities in the Netherlands is that of Leiden, a paradise for culture lovers and the birthplace of Rembrandt, this city is filled with hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered!

Abundant with museums to visit, the city is brimming with culture everywhere you look! The Wall Poems of Leiden ( Muurgedichten ) are a romantic place to start, where over 120 hand painted poems can be found on the city walls, all in a range of different language and scripts.

Leiden is also home to the oldest botanic gardens in the Netherlands, in fact, one of the oldest in the world! You can enjoy venturing on the nature trails and really feel as though you have left the city for a brief moment.

There’s so much to uncover in Leiden which is why we have a guide to the best things to do in Leiden and the best hidden gems of Leiden, where you can pick out your favourite spots and start planning your trip!

In order to get from Amsterdam to Leiden, the easiest option is to get the train. You can get a direct train from Amsterdam’s Sloterdijk station to Leiden. The journey time is roughly 30 minutes.

If you’re looking to experience the Dutch countryside, look further than Zaanse Schans! This dreamy little neighbourhood just north of Amsterdam is everything you think of when picturing the Netherlands.

Quaint and unique, Zaanse Schans  is adorned with the iconic symbol of the Netherlands, windmills! Seeing these traditional wooden Dutch windmills offers a real glimpse into the country’s rich industrial heritage. While you are able to visit all year round, the best time to go so you can climb inside the windmills themselves is during the months of April-October.

While visiting you can explore Zaan’s heritage in the Zaans Museum or delve even further into windmill’s at a museum focused solely on the windmill history, The Zaansche Mill.

Taste some Dutch cheese! Catharina Hoeve is a 17th century cheese farm that will give you the full authentic experience of cheese-making, and you’ll get the chance to try some for yourself.

In order to reach Zaanse Schans, you’ll want to take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans (17 minutes) and then walk for around twenty minutes to reach the windmill. Another option is to book a Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken Day Trip guided tour like this one.

Just a short train ride away from Amsterdam, located in the mouth of the Vecht River is one of the best preserved castles in all of the Netherlands, surrounded by water and gardens, the construction of this impressive castle began over 700 years ago!

Muiderslot Castle was built by the water for a very specific reason as it is part of four Dutch water-based defence line. Visitors can view of water shield pavillion situated just behind the castle, and go underground to learn more about how the Dutch used water as a means of fortification.

You can explore the interior of the castle, and if you’re a true history fanatic its recommended to take the guided tour as you’re likely to be taken into rooms that aren’t open to the public!

Wandering through the gardens is tranquil and really gives you the feeling as though you’ve stepped back in time. If you get hungry from all the exploring, there’s a lovely cafe in the courtyard terrace.

The easiest way to get to Muiderslot is by heading to Amsterdam IJburg where you can take the Amsterdam Tourist Ferry! A pricier yet easy option where the details are taken care of for you is this Private Day Trip to the Dutch Castles.

If you’ve ever heard of Edam before it’s likely thanks to the cheese, however there are lots of reasons why you should take the time to visit this little canalside Dutch town!

Surrounded by charming countryside, Edam is only a short bus journey from Amsterdam, making it the perfect day trip spot. There’s plenty to see in this friendly and picturesque town, the town has a few museums ( The Edam Museum, of course! ) a beautiful town hall, and many shops and cafes.

Edam’s main draw to visitors is of course, cheese. Every Wednesday in July and August, visitors can experience the tradition that lives on, as local farmers come together to create a reconstruction of the market as it was previously held in Edam until 1922.

Like many of the other medieval towns in the Netherlands, the easiest way to get from Amsterdam to Edam is by train. There are direct trains from Amsterdam Noord (easily reachable from Centraal) to Edam and the total journey time is around 50 minutes.

Yet another destination probably known better by its cheese, is Gouda, the cheese city of Holland. This gorgeous medieval city has a wondrously rich past, just waiting to be explored!

Situated in the heart of Gouda on its main square is the town hall, Stadhuis, built in1450 this beautiful architecture is the oldest Gothic city hall in the whole of the Netherlands. It has since been transformed into a museum.

Wander around the picturesque cobbled streets and canals of the city, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairytale! The historic charm of this town is easy to fall in love with and you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised by its hidden gems, one not to be missed is the catholic church, Oud-Katholieke Kerk, hidden behind the facade of a Dutch house.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Gouda cheese isn’t the only thing the city is known for, in fact one of its most famous exports is Siroopwafels ( a Dutch delicacy ).

One of the best places to visit when in Gouda is Kamphuisen Syrup Waffle factory, where you can experience the sweet warmth of delicious crisp waffles and learn more as to how the factory has remained so popular since 1810.

And of course, you wouldn’t have really visited if Gouda if you don’t taste Gouda cheese! This cheese accounts for well over half of Dutch cheese exportation each year, making it a staple of the Netherlands heritage.

Step into the world of all things Gouda cheese and visit the Gouda Cheese Experience, this must-see attraction when visiting gives visitors a feel and taste of the importance this cheese has had.

There’s a lot to see in Gouda, and while it does make for the perfect day trip from Amsterdam, you may want to consider exploring the city over several days to see the best of it. For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best things to do in Gouda . There are direct trains from Amsterdam Centraal to Gouda, with the journey time being around 50 minutes.

The charming village of Giethoorn, known as the ‘Venice of the Netherlands’ is world-famous thanks to the fact that it has no roads!

Imagine tranquil stretches of canal, thatched-roofed houses dating back to the 18th century and leafy green pathways. This little treasure lies north east of Amsterdam and is the perfect day trip to soak up Dutch beauty.

Home to around 2,800 people, you may be wondering how the residents get around! Boats, walking, and cycling are the modes of transport here, only adding to the storybook vibe of this enchanting little village.

Wandering around by foot is lovely, but the best way for visitors to truly experience Giethoorn is by renting a boat and enjoying a scenic sail down the waterways.

While it may be tempting to stay outdoors all day, don’t miss out on checking out the museums in Giethoorn, Olde Maat Uus ( bringing history and tradition to life ) and De Oude Aarde ( fossils, gemstones and minerals, perfect for lovers of geology! ) are both well worth the visit.

A journey from central Amsterdam to Giethoorn village via public transportation will take around two to two and a half hours, making it one of the longer day trips from the city.

You have to take a train and then a bus. The quickest way is to organise a car transport service or renting your own vehicle. Another easy option is to book a guided tour to Giethoorn like this one.

One of the prettiest cities in the Netherlands, best-known for its production of Delft blue ceramics, is the Dutch delight Delft!

Delft blue, or ‘ Delftware ‘ is the blue-and-white pottery that has become a symbol of the Netherlands, and put the city on the map for its ceramic industry and exportation.

Home to the 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer, undoubtedly Delft’s most famous resident, who painted ‘Girl With the Pearl Earring’. Visitors can now visit Vermeer Centrum Delft , a centre dedicated to his life and works.

The city feels a lot calmer than the bustle of Amsterdam, you can enjoy exploring the hidden cobbled pathways and canals, and find yourself stumble across interesting architecture like that of the Delft City Hall, an impressive Renaissance-style building with beautiful stonework.

Interested in visiting? Read on for an insiders guide to some of the best things to do when in Delft and the best hidden gems of Delft . Otherwise, you should know that you can get a direct train from Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Delft in around 55 minutes.

The windmills of Kinderdijk are probably the most famous and most photographed windmills of the world!

Visitors from all over the world come to experience this unique piece of history, that is in fact so valuable its listed as a World Heritage Site.

The Dutch have always been clever in dealing with the water that surrounds them and Kinderdijk is proof of this, as the people have used innovative technologies to keep the soil dry, and learnt how to live together with water.

If you want to get to know a very different side of the Netherlands that you won’t find in the cities, then this rich historical and iconic landmark makes for the perfect day trip to visit from Amsterdam! In order to get from Amsterdam to Kinderdijk, you’ll need to get a train to Rotterdam followed by a waterbus to Kinderdijk.

The city of Utrecht can be found in the heart of the Netherlands, brimming with beautiful canals, parks and lively restaurants, the city has been described as a cosier ( but much quieter ) version of Amsterdam.

The city itself is compact and easy to get around, you can find yourself taken in by the historical charm and medieval atmosphere as many of the buildings around the city date back to the middle ages.

Considered the symbol of Utrecht is the Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the whole of the Netherlands, where visitors can take a guided tour to the top and enjoy views of the city.

Indulge in the culinary culture of terraced restaurants and cute cafes! There’s plenty of great spots where you can tuck in to some delicious local food or try a craft beer by the canal.

Utrecht is also home to an energetic music scene, with an array of DJs and gigs all throughout the year, the cities lively nightlife makes its the perfect place to go out dancing late into the night!

There’s lots to do when visiting Utrecht, so here are just a few top suggestions:

• Enjoy a picnic at the park! Utrecht is filled with green spaces to sit and relax in
• Visit Rietveld Schroder House , an architectural wonder worth seeing
• Go to a craft beer bar, there’s no place better to drink beer than by the canal! Here are a few suggestions of where to go for craft beer: De Morgenster , Kafe Belgie , Olivier Belgian Beer Cafe .
• Immerse yourself history , there are plenty of museums to visit, even one solely on railway history!
• Go see a gig at Tivolivredenburg , a unique contemporary music complex for all kinds of entertainment.

This quintessentially Dutch city will give you a true experience of life in the Netherlands, its friendly, romantic and full of life, definitely not one to miss when visiting Holland!

The easiest way to reach Utretch is by taking the train. There are regular direct trains from Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Utrecht and the journey time is around 50 minutes.

For a real glimpse into Dutch tradition, you have to visit a cheese market. The best place to experience this is the beautiful town of Alkmaar where the Alkmaar Cheese Market takes place, an extraordinary spectacle with cheese as far as the eye can see!

The cheese market in Alkmaar opens annually 10am-1pm from the last Friday of March to the last Friday of September and Tuesday evenings 7-9pm in July and August ( with other various cheese related events happenings throughout the months ) on the Waagplein square.

The atmosphere of the market is cheery and vibrant, happening every year for over 400 years now, there’s no need to try and picture it as the lively demonstrations of cheese carriers and samplers make you feel like you’re back in time! The easiest way to reach Alkmaar is to take a direct train and the journey time is only 37 minutes!

This beautiful Dutch town is only a short 30 minute train from Amsterdam, rich with history and a scenic harbour area, there’s plenty to see!

Walking around is definitely the best way to soak up the town, where you can see Renaissance revival architecture dotted throughout. Filled with cosy cafes, restaurants and shops to explore, De Waag is a stunning building to look at and is now a restaurant for visitors to dine in.

A must when visiting Hoorn is seeing De Roode Steen ( Red Stone ) which quite literally describes the bloody history of the punishments that took place on this square in the middle ages.

Hoorn has five harbours in total, the old harbour area feels like walking back through time as you admire the parked ships and 17th century Dutch houses that sparkle in the waters reflection.

Small and easy to visit, Hoorn is the perfect day trip away from the crowds for a quieter experience of the Netherlands. This is also one of the easiest train day trips from Amsterdam as trains run on a regular basis between Amsterdam Centraal and Hoorn and the journey time is around 35 minutes.

This is probably the best theme park you’ve probably never heard of! If you’re a thrill seeker then this might be high on your list of things to do. Efteling is an enchanting fantasy-themed amusement park, with attractions that reflect themes of ancient myths, legends, fairytales and folklore.

Unfortunately Efteling is around two hours away from Amsterdam, making it one of the longer day trips from Amsterdam included here. You can get there by train, but you have to change in Tilburg or in ‘S-Hertogenbosch.

The beautiful town of cobbled streets and gorgeous architecture is a bit further away, but worth the trip if you have the time when visiting Amsterdam.

In the neighbouring country of Belgium, this charming city is characterised by its red brick buildings, winding canals and medieval architecture. Located on the main square you can visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a church which houses a relic of the holy blood allegedly touched by Joseph of Arimathea.

You may recognise the Minnewater Bridge, also known as The Lake of Love bridge, arguably the most romantic spot of the city and seen in the famous In Bruges film. In fact, as the title suggests, you can see all of the filming locations when visitng the city.

Bruges isn’t too overwhelming in size, making it the perfect destination for a day trip, and we’ve done the planning for you! Read A One Day in Bruges Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal for top tips on what to do , when in Bruges.

Whether you take public transportation or rent a car, the journey time will be just under three hours each way. You can also book a guided tour like this one.

Though a little further away than some of the other day trips from Amsterdam, if you have the time to visit Brussels, you won’t be disappointed!

The capital city of Belgium is situated in the very heart of the country and this stunning city has a lot to offer, known for its culture of museums, delicious cuisine, markets and chocolate!

For those with a sweeter tooth, you can visit the Museum Of Cocoa And Chocolate, learning about the tradition of chocolate making and production, you’ll also get a chance to taste some of the finest Belgian chocolate you’ll ever have!

Lovers of history and architecture can take in the historical sights of the city like the striking St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral of Brussels ( free to visit! ), or the Coudenberg Palace, which once towered over the city.

The city is filled with green spaces, so if you want to take some time out from the built up areas you can enjoy a stroll in one of the many parks.

There’s something for everyone in Brussels, we’ve put together a suggested one day guide that will help you get the best out of your trip and ensure you are prepared! In order to get between Amsterdam and Brussels, you’ll want to book a high speed train, which will take around two hours.

Enjoyed reading about the best day trips from Amsterdam? Pin this article now, read it again later:

Charlotte is a photographer, cat lover and an avid knitter. When she’s not curled up on the sofa with her newest knitting project (and Rico her cat!) you can find her out and about on long walks. Currently living in the magical city of Edinburgh, she looks forward to travelling and seeing more of the world!

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Art & Culture Travel Blog

Best day trips from amsterdam.

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar
• The Netherlands

Amsterdam is a fantastic city, but to get a glimpse of the rest of the country, it could be a great idea to plan a little trip outside the Dutch capital during your stay there. It could be hard to choose which Dutch towns to visit with so many options,. To help you out a bit, here is the Culture Tourist’s list of the 10 best day trips from Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is a great city, but it would be a shame not to take a day trip from Amsterdam and visit some of the Dutch countryside while there. During my life in the Netherlands, I went on numerous trips from Amsterdam and explored that lovely country back and forth. Considering how much can you see and do in a day, I pick some of the best day trips from Amsterdam you should take during your stay in the Netherlands.

⤷ TIP : If you have more time and would like to spend a night in some of those places, check out some of Culture Tourist’s best weekend trips in the Netherlands .

10 Best day trips from Amsterdam

1/ windmills at zaanse schans.

Windmills are one of the most recognisable symbols of the Netherlands. They were first built during the Dutch Golden Age and used for the country’s economic development during the 17th century.

There are still over 1,000 windmills preserved in the Netherlands today. One of the best places to see them is the village of Zaanse Schans. During the 1960s and 1970s, the old historic windmills from the area were brought to this small village. Most of them are open to visitors and are very interesting for learning about the way they were operated in history.

⤷ How to get there : You can visit it on your own by taking a train or bus from Amsterdam (both departing from Amsterdam Centraal Station). Or, you can join this countryside and windmills tour from Amsterdam and visit Zaanse Schans and some other nearby Dutch villages with a guide. I went on this tour a few years ago and really liked it.

Located only twenty minutes away by train, Haarlem makes one of the best day trips from Amsterdam. That charming historic town is home to the oldest museum in the Netherlands, Teylers Museum. Its main square, Grote Markt, is where you can find some of its most beautiful buildings. Haarlem City Hall, Saint Bavo Church and Vleeshal, with two lovely museums located inside, are just some of them.

Haarlem was also home to one of the most famous Dutch Golden Age painters, Frans Hals, in the 17th century. The Frans Hals Museum is a place any art lover should visit while in Haarlem.

Home to numerous excellent restaurants, cafes and local stores, Haarlem should definitely find its place on your list of the best day trips from Amsterdam.

⤷ How to get there : Take a train at Amsterdam Centraal Station. They depart every fifteen minutes, and the ride is around twenty minutes long.

⤷ Read more : Haarlem Travel Guide

3/ Keukenhof

Another symbol the Netherlands is world-famous for are tulips. And there is no better place to see all the different kinds of them than in one of the most impressive Dutch gardens – Keukenhof. Over the years of growing tulips, Dutch people learned how to get the most unusual varieties of these flowers.

Keukenhof is a garden open only during the two months in spring. In 2022, Keukenhof will open its doors from March 24th to May 15th. All the florists from the country are working hard all year round to create the most beautiful flower settings that will be displayed at Keukenhof. If you’re visiting the Netherlands in spring, be sure to plan a day trip from Amsterdam to this fantastic place.

⤷ How to get there : You can go there by taking public transport from Amsterdam. However, you can also visit it on a Keukenhof bus tour from Amsterdam .

⤷ TIP : If you don’t visit it during the organised tour, be sure to buy your entrance tickets in advance. Keukenhof garden is very popular, and the queues could be really long.

4/ Rotterdam

Rotterdam is one of my favourite Dutch cities and one of the best day trips from Amsterdam. It has a fantastic combination of modern architecture, an urban vibe and a great foodie scene.

The city was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War, and that’s why it’s home to some fantastic modern architecture. One of the most famous sites is definitely the Cube Houses in Rotterdam . If you’re more interested in its naval history, then visiting the Maritime Museum or the SS Rotterdam (which is a hotel today) should be a must.

Another place that shouldn’t be missed in Rotterdam is its Market Hall, where you’ll find some of the best Dutch food together with some international specialities.

⤷ Read more : A weekend guide to Rotterdam

⤷ How to get there : The train to Rotterdam departs from Amsterdam approximately every thirty minutes. It will take you around one hour to get from Amsterdam to Rotterdam.

5/ Singer Laren Museum

This is one of my recent discoveries, and it’s still quite a hidden gem of a day trip from Amsterdam.

Singer Laren Museum is located in a former home of painter William Singer and his wife Anna, who was an art collector. The museum has a modern and contemporary art collection with some great temporary exhibitions. It has a perfect mix of fine art, lovely nature, and great food. So, this trip isn’t a museum visit only. It will feel almost as you’re visiting someone’s house located in beautiful nature.

Taking a bicycle ride through Goois Natuurreservaat, having lunch at the former dining room of the Singer family, following that with a walk around the garden and exploring the museum collection, is a beautiful thing to do during a day trip from Amsterdam. Singer Laren is a boutique museum that provides you with just the right amount of art. And allows you to sit at its cosy restaurant next to the large fireplace and contemplate about artworks you just saw afterwards.

⤷  TIP : Just across the street from the museum is a house where another famous Dutch painter, Anton Mauve, lived. He was a member of the Hague School (later the Laren School). However, you may know him as Vincent van Gogh ’s uncle and teacher.

⤷ Read more : What to see in Amsterdam Area

⤷ How to get there : Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Hilversum, and then a bus from there. It will take you around 45 minutes to get there.

6/ Den Haag

Den Haag is another great Dutch town to visit on a day trip from Amsterdam. I’m always impressed by its small Dutch town vibe, combined with a great international feel.

Den Haag is where the seat of the Dutch government is and where the Dutch royal family lives. It’s also where numerous headquarters of international institutions are located, so you hear English more than Dutch on the street.

Some places that shouldn’t be missed in Den Haag are the Binnenhof complex, the Peace Palace and the town’s historical centre. Kunstmuseum Den Haag is where you can see some fantastic Dutch and international modern art. While the Mauritshuis is where some lovely Dutch Golden Age paintings are, among which Vermeer ‘s Girl with a Pearl Earring is the most famous one.

7/ Zandvoort

If tulips and windmills are some of the first things coming to anyone’s mind when thinking about the Netherlands, then sandy beaches may not be among the immediate associations. However, the Netherlands is home to beautiful beaches covered with white sand. They are perfect for long walks alongside the North Sea. And some of the most amazing ones are located in the Dutch town of Zandvoort.

They are popular summer spots among the locals. You’ll find numerous restaurants selling delicious seafood and cafes with excellent coffee and wine in them. If you’d like to go on a day trip from Amsterdam as a true local, this could be the right choice.

⤷ How to get there : There is a direct train from Amsterdam to Zandvoort, and you’ll need around thirty minutes to get there.

⤷ Read more : Biking through the Dutch dunes

This name probably sounds familiar if you are a cheese lover. But, the thing is that specific cheese got the name after the town in which it’s produced – Gouda. Each Thursday (April – September), the cheese market is organised in front of the Waag building, which used to serve as the weighting house.

Besides being famous for its cheese production, Gouda is a beautiful historic town with charming architecture and a lot to see and do. The most stunning building in Gouda is its 15th-century City Hall. This lovely Dutch town is home to many more old houses and churches, giving it a charm of a traditional Dutch town.

⤷ How to get there : You’ll need around fifty minutes to get from Amsterdam to Gouda by direct train.

9/ Kröller-Müller Museum

Another museum on our list of the best day trips from Amsterdam is Kröller-Müller Museum. Located in a picturesque Hoge Veluwe National Park in Otterlo and being home to the second-largest collection of Van Gogh’s work in the world, it’s a museum that shouldn’t be missed.

Kröller-Müller is a modern and contemporary art museum with more than 20,000 art pieces in its collection. It’s a great place to see the development of modern art, from the first Impressionist painters to some significant contemporary artists. Some of the most famous paintings in its collection are works of Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, George Seurat, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian etc.

Besides a beautiful collection (of mostly paintings) inside the museum, it has a fantastic sculpture garden located right in the beautiful nature of the Hoge Veluwe National Park. That connection between art and nature makes this museum so unique.

⤷ How to get there : Check out the link below for detailed instructions

⤷ Read more :  Visiting Kröller-Müller Museum (how to get there & some other useful tips)

10/ Utrecht

Utrecht is the fourth largest and one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. With a fascinating history, numerous beautiful old buildings, outstanding museums and a huge student population, it makes one of the best day trips from Amsterdam.

It’s been the religious centre of the country for centuries. That’s why you’ll find some of the most beautiful sacral buildings in the whole country in Utrecht. Besides all the historical buildings, it’s also home to one of the most famous modern houses in Europe – the Rietveld Schröder House. It’s one of the best examples of de Stijl architecture.

The city was home to Dick Bruna, the author of Miffy (or Nijntje in Dutch). A museum in Utrecht is dedicated to it and a lovely place to visit with kids.

⤷ TIP : During my last visit to Utrecht, I climbed the Dom tower and enjoyed a fantastic view from there. I’m definitely recommending doing the same during your visit to Utrecht.

⤷ How to get there : A train to Utrecht departs from Amsterdam every ten minutes. You’ll need a bit less than half an hour to get there.

Some tips for going on a day trip from Amsterdam

⤷ 9292 App – In each article about travelling around the Netherlands, I recommend using the 9292 app . You can put your location and a destination you’d like to visit in it, and the app will find the best public transport option for you.

⤷ Ns.nl website – If you decide to travel by train, be sure to check the ns.nl website for the timetable and ticket prices. It’s handy for planning your trips and finding the best train connections.

⤷ Consider taking an organised tour – If you don’t feel like organising all the details of your day trip from Amsterdam yourself, you don’t have to worry about it. There are some great tours from Amsterdam you can take and visit some lovely towns in the Netherlands. They are especially useful for places that are more complicated to be reached by the public transport, such as the Kröller-Müller Museum. I mentioned some nice tours I recommend in the text above, but you can also check some options of tours around the Netherlands on a link here .

⤷  TIP : Would you like to explore a bit more further away from Amsterdam Dutch cities filled with art and culture? Check out Maastricht  or Rotterdam .

There are many great places to visit on a day trip from Amsterdam. You won’t make a mistake by choosing any of these 10 best trips from Amsterdam. Have you visited any of these places? Would you like to add any other trip ideas? Let us know in the comments!

*Cover photo by Thomas Bormans on Unsplash

Day trips from Amsterdam , The Netherlands

21 amazing day trips from Amsterdam

Amsterdam is an incredible city of culture, charm and cosmopolitan energy. But many people explore only the city and then leave, before seeking out some of the incredible day trips from Amsterdam.

I truly think that a trip to Amsterdam isn’t complete without exploring some of the towns and cities nearby for an extra insight into Dutch (and Belgian!) life.

From quaint Dutch villages to historic cities, there is a wealth of culture to explore just a short distance from the capital city.

Whether you’re after scenic countryside or more urban spots, I’ve rounded up 21 of the best day trips from Amsterdam – based on my own personal experience and recommendations from fellow travellers.

Author Bio: Jessie Moore

Jessie Moore is a luxury travel expert with years of experience travelling the world to find the best destinations, hotels and adventures.

Best for: Mediaeval city centre

Travel times:

• By train: 26 minutes ( book here )
• By car: 45 minutes

Top tours and activities to book:

• Utrecht: De Haar Castle and Park Entrance Ticket
• Utrecht: National Railway Museum Admission Ticket
• Utrecht: Highlights and Secrets with a Walking Tour

Offering visitors an eclectic mix of immense history, culture, and modernity, Utrecht is a charming city just a 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam .

I often feel like Utrecht is unfairly overlooked by tourists – this city has a lot to offer and is definitely a worthy day trip from Amsterdam.

One of the main attractions in Utrecht is the Dom Tower , which is the tallest church spire in the Netherlands.

You can climb just under 500 steps to reach the top of the tower and enjoy panoramic views of the city for your effort.

In the tower, you’ll also find a magnificent carillon – a musical instrument consisting of many bells.

The carillon is played regularly, and you can often hear the beautiful melodies of the Dom Tower throughout the city which I think must be a truly magical experience.

The mediaeval city centre is surrounded still to this day by a moat, with the impressive Dom Tower at its heart. 

Another famous landmark in Utrecht is the Rietveld Schröder House, designed by the famous Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld.

Now a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, the house is a prime example of the De Stijl abstract art movement, founded in the Netherlands in the early 20th century. 

For your hit of culture, visit the Museum Catharijneconvent, dedicated to the history of Christianity in the Netherlands.

Housing a vast collection of religious art and artefacts, the museum itself is found in a beautiful mediaeval monastery.

2. Zaanse Schans

Best for: Traditional Dutch charm

• By train: 17 minutes ( book here )
• By car: 22 minutes

Top tours to book:

• From Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans & Zaandam E-Bike Tour
• Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken Day Trip
• Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken Bus Tour

A trip back in time, Zaanse Schans transports you to a fairytale world filled with colourful windmills.

This charming village is located merely 20 minutes from Amsterdam and is famous for its well-preserved historic windmills and traditional Dutch houses.

To get the most out of your visit, I’d recommend taking in the culture of the village by exploring the Zaanse Schans Museum .

Offering a fascinating insight into its history, you’ll also discover the old crafting techniques used in the village and a range of artwork from the Zaan region. 

If you want to find out more about the iconic windmills of Zaanse Schans, you can take a guided tour of the windmills. Here you can see how they were used to grind flour, saw wood and pump water.

After your tour, stroll through the village and see the picturesque houses, many of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

Traditional Dutch houses line the streets, with local cafés and restaurants dotted in between. 

I definitely suggest sampling some of the local delicacies, such as stroopwafels (syrup waffles) or poffertjes (mini pancakes), and wash them down with a refreshing Dutch beer or hot beverage – trust me, they really are amazing! 

You can also visit the local cheese factory and sample some of the delicious Gouda cheese that the region is famous all over the world for.

3. Volendam

Best for: Fishing town

• By train (to Amsterdam Centraal) and bus: 36 minutes ( book here )
• By car: 26 minutes
• Amsterdam: Edam, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Guided Tour
• Amsterdam: Giethoorn, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Tour

A charming and picturesque day trip from Amsterdam, Volendam is a small fishing village. Just a short drive or bus ride away from the city, it’s an easy and convenient destination.

When you arrive in Volendam, you’ll immediately notice the colourful wooden houses and the bustling harbour.

I feel like this is a great place to take a stroll and soak up the atmosphere of the town.  You can watch the fishermen bring in their catch, or take a boat tour of the harbour to get a different perspective.

The Volendams Museum showcases the history and culture of the village between 1850 and 1950.

Here, you’ll find a permanent exhibition showing the traditional Volendam costume and historical interiors, and old photographs of Volendam life. 

You’ll even have the chance to try on a pair of wooden clogs!

Art-lovers, be sure to take a walk along the Edam-Volendam Art Route. This self-guided tour takes you through the village and beyond, showcasing the work of local artists. 

Of course, no visit to Volendam would be complete without sampling some of the delectable local seafood.

There are plenty of restaurants in the village which serve up fresh fish and other tasty seafood dishes.  So, if you’re a foodie like me, Volendam is the place to visit on a day trip from Amsterdam.

Insider travel tip: Be sure to try the smoked eel, which is a local speciality.

4. Keukenhof Gardens

Best for: Horticulturalists 

• By bus: 1 hour
• By car: 39 minutes
• From Amsterdam: Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour to Keukenhof Gardens
• From Amsterdam: Keukenhof Flower Park Trip with Transfer
• Amsterdam: Keukenhof, Tulip Farm Full-Day Tour with Cruise

For a day trip from Amsterdam that’s sure to delight your senses, a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens is a must.

Located around 40 minutes drive from Amsterdam, the Keukenhof Gardens are one of the largest flower gardens in the world.

They boast over seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths – I’ve never seen as many gorgeous flowers in my life! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a sea of vibrant colours and intoxicating fragrances.

Take a leisurely stroll through the gardens, admiring the meticulously arranged flower beds and stunning sculptures. 

It’s no secret that the Netherlands are known globally for their stunning tulips, but don’t discount the other flowers you’ll find here.

The array of spring-flowering bulbs display the very best of Dutch horticulture. 

5. Rotterdam

Best for: Modern architecture

• By train: 39 minutes ( book here )
• By car: 1 hour 5 minutes
• From Amsterdam: Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Guided Day Tour
• From Amsterdam: Guided Trip to Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague
• Amsterdam: The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam Private Day Tour

A port city that’s filled with modern architecture, Rotterdam is known for its innovative design and impressively distinct skyline.

In my opinion, the Markthal is a must-see market hall, with a striking and intriguing curved design and colourful murals.

You can also visit the Cube Houses, which are a series of unique homes, set at a 45-degree angle.

For a more traditional experience in Rotterdam, take some time to visit the historic Delfshaven neighbourhood.

This charming area has a real old-world feel which I love, with narrow streets to wander through and picturesque canals. 

You can also visit the Pilgrim Fathers’ Church, which is where the Pilgrims who sailed to America from England in the 17th century worshipped before their journey.

Be sure to visit the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen to get your fill of incredible art and culture.

This museum has an impressive collection of art from the Middle Ages to the present day.

It features works by famous artists such as Salvador Dalí, Vincent van Gogh, and Rembrandt.

Good to know: Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands, so expect a bustling atmosphere with plenty of people about.

6. The Hague

Best for: Beach trips

• By train: 48 minutes ( book here )
• By car: 1 hour

Mixing history, culture, and beach vibes, The Hague is a great option for a day trip from Amsterdam . 

As the seat of the Dutch government and home to the International Court of Justice, The Hague is a city steeped in history and politics. 

Pay a visit to the Binnenhof, a 13th-century Gothic castle that houses the Dutch parliament.

It provides the perfect opportunity to learn about the building’s rich history and the role it has played in Dutch politics over the centuries.

Afterwards, I recommend heading to the nearby Mauritshuis museum to see some of the finest works of Dutch art on display.

These include Vermeer’s iconic “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp”. 

The museum is small enough to explore in a few hours, but the quality of the art on display is truly world-class and something to remember.

If you’re hoping to get some fresh air and crave a change of scenery, head to Scheveningen, The Hague’s popular beach resort. 

Here, you can take a refreshing dip in the North Sea, play some beach volleyball, stroll along the pier, or sample some fresh seafood at one of the many cosy beachfront restaurants.

7. Giethoorn

Best for: Fairytale village

• By car: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Amsterdam: Giethoorn & Enclosing Dike Day Trip w/ Boat Tour
• From Amsterdam: Private Tour to Giethoorn with Canal Cruise

A peaceful and picturesque escape from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, Giethoorn is a mostly car-free village in the Netherlands.

Located in the Overijssel province, Giethoorn is affectionately known as the “Venice of the Netherlands” due to its many canals and bridges. 

You can spend hours exploring the village by boat or on foot, admiring the thatched-roof houses and beautiful gardens.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the De Wieden National Park which borders the village.

Here you’ll discover a variety of intriguing flora and fauna, as well as some peaceful walks.

If you want to stay active on your trip, there are plenty of opportunities for cycling, hiking, and kayaking in the area.

Best for: Gothic architecture

• By train: 49 minutes ( book here )
• Gouda: Gouda Cheese Experience Entry Ticket
• Gouda: Syrup Waffle Factory Ticket with a Waffle
• Gouda: Audiotour of Goudsche Waag Cheese and Crafts Museum

Located less than an hour from Amsterdam, the charming town of Gouda is famous for its cheese, but it has much more to offer than just dairy products.

Gouda’s historic city centre is filled with beautiful buildings and quaint streets that I could easily just get lost in.

You can take a stroll through the Markt – the main square – and admire the Gothic-style town hall and the 15th-century Weigh House. 

The Markt is also the site of Gouda’s weekly cheese market, which takes place every Thursday from April to September – it would be rude not to! 

St. Janskerk is an incredible Gothic church that dates back to the 15th century.

It’s known for its beautiful stained glass windows, which are some of the largest in the world. You can climb the church tower for a panoramic view of the city.

If you’re a cheese enthusiast like me, you won’t want to miss the Gouda Cheese Museum, where you can learn about the history of Gouda cheese and see how it’s made. 

You can also sample some of the delectable local cheese at one of the many cheese shops in town.

9. Bruges, Belgium

Best for: Budding chocolatiers

• By train: 2 hours 46 minutes ( book here )
• By car: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Bruges: Musea Brugge Card with Entry to 11 Museums
• Bruges: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip
• From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges

If you’re looking for a charming and picturesque day trip from Amsterdam and to tick another country off your bucket list , Bruges in Belgium is an excellent option. 

A mediaeval city known for its well-preserved architecture, canals, and chocolate shops, Bruges is easily accessible from Amsterdam by both train and car.

Take a stroll around the historic city centre of Bruges that is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Belfry Tower – one of the trio of iconic towers in the city. 

You can climb the tower for panoramic views of the city from above – just keep in mind it’s 366 steps to the top.

Belgian chocolate is famous around the world, and I believe that Bruges truly has some of the best chocolate shops in the country.

Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Bruges is to indulge your sweet side in a chocolate making workshop.  

Another of my highlights in Bruges is its maze of canals. You can take a boat tour to explore the city from a different perspective, and save your legs from walking. 

When it comes to gastronomy in the city, you certainly aren’t short of options.

With a whole host of Michelin-starred restaurants in Bruges , you can enjoy the best cuisine the city has to offer.

If you want to extend your stay beyond a day trip, take a look at my roundup of the best luxury hotels in Bruges .

10. Kinderdijk

Best for: Iconic windmills

• By train and bus: 1 hour 43 minutes
• By car: 1 hour 20 minutes

Top tour to book:

• From Amsterdam: Kinderdijk and The Hague Tour with Museums

Located just 15 miles southeast of Rotterdam, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to 19 windmills that have been standing since the 18th century.

The monumental windmills are the star of the show in Kinderdijk, but don’t overlook the epic history behind them. 

The story of Kinderdijk is inseparable from the Dutch fight against water, with the mills, canals and pumping stations keeping the village from flooding. 

Make sure you take the time to get up close and personal to the windmills to appreciate their magnitude.

There are several walking and cycling routes that will take you through the picturesque landscape.

You can also take a boat tour of the area, which I think offers a unique waterside perspective.

Best for: Island trip

• By train (to Amsterdam Centraal) and bus: 58 minutes 
• By car: 28 minutes
• Marken, Volendam and Edam: Private Full-Day Tour
• Marken, Volendam, and Edam Full-Day Tour from Amsterdam

A charming day trip from Amsterdam, the quaint village of Marken is located just 30 minutes away from Amsterdam and offers a glimpse into traditional Dutch life.

To get to Marken, you can take a ferry from Amsterdam Central Station.

Once you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by postcard-perfect views of colourful wooden houses and winding canals. 

I think one of the main attractions in Marken has to be the steam engine powered wooden shoe factory.

Here, you can see how traditional Dutch clogs are made in regular demonstrations and even try on a pair for yourself. 

Another must-see is the lighthouse, which offers incredible views of the coast and sea.

It provides a real sense of Marken’s former island status – before it was connected to the mainland.

History buffs, the Marker Museum is for you. Found in what were six historical houses, I think this museum really showcases the history and culture of the island and its people. 

Good to know: The village is predominantly car-free, so it’s best to explore on foot or rent a bike to see more of the island.

Best for: Keen potters

• By train: 55 minutes ( book now )
• By car: 55 minutes
• From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Keukenhof, Tulip Fields & Delft

Where traditional Dutch charm meets immense history, Delft is a small city famous for its gorgeous blue and white ceramics.

The Markt is the heart of the city, and it’s where you’ll find the striking Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the historic City Hall.

You can climb the immense gothic tower of the Nieuwe Kerk for sprawling views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Delft is also home to the Royal Delft Factory , where you can see for yourself how the famous blue and white ceramics are made. 

The factory has been producing exquisite pottery since the 17th century.

You can learn about the history of the craft and I’d really recommend staying and watching the skilled artisans at work creating their next piece.

Art lovers, don’t miss the Vermeer Centrum Delft – a museum dedicated to the life and work of Johannes Vermeer, one of the most famous Dutch painters of the 17th century. 

Here, you can see reproductions of his paintings and learn about his techniques and influences, as well as view artwork by other established and up-and-coming artists.

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13. Haarlem

Best for: Tulip fields

• By train: 15 minutes ( book now )
• By car: 33 minutes
• From Amsterdam: Haarlem Private Day-Trip
• Haarlem: Open-Boat Canal Tour in the Historical City Center
• Haarlem: Teylers Museum Entry Ticket

For a day trip from Amsterdam that’s both charming and historic, Haarlem is just a 15 minute train ride from the city, which I think makes it one of the easiest and most convenient choices for a day trip.

The Grote Markt in Haarlem is a beautiful and bustling square that’s surrounded by historic buildings and home to the weekly market. 

Housing an impressive collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, the Frans Hals Museum is a must-see in Haarlem. 

Named after the Dutch painter Frans Hals, known for his lively and colourful portraits, this museum showcases an eclectic mix of modern and historic art.

If you’re keen to learn more about the history of Haarlem, I’d recommend you stop off at the Teylers Museum – a centre for contemporary art and science and the oldest museum in the Netherlands.

The tulip fields close to Haarlem are a real crowd-pleaser and perfect for snapping that postcard-perfect shot.

Situated between Haarlem, Amsterdam, Leiden and The Hague is the Bollenstreek, an area filled with many blooming fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. 

14. Brussels, Belgium

Best for: A miniature world

• By train: 1 hour 53 minutes ( book now )
• By car: 2 hours 38 minutes
• From Amsterdam: Brussels Day Trip with Chocolate Tasting
• From Amsterdam: Day trip to Brussels & Atomium
• Brussels: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

The Belgian capital is only a two hour train ride away from Amsterdam and is known for its incredible architecture, delicious food, and rich history.

Be sure to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Grand Place, which features awe-inspiring Gothic and Baroque architecture.

The square is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Town Hall, the Breadhouse, and the Guildhalls. It’s a great place to take a stroll and admire the architecture.

Another must-visit attraction in Brussels is the Atomium , a giant steel structure that was built for the 1958 World Expo. 

Now an international symbol of Brussels, the Atomium offers panoramic views of the city from its observation deck. You can even take a tour of the interior to learn more about its history.

Unleash your inner child with a trip to Mini Europe , a unique miniature world that details Europe’s past and present – from the fall of the Berlin wall to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. 

If you’re a foodie like I am –  especially one with a sweet tooth – you’ll love Brussels’ famous cuisine.

Indulge in moules-frites, waffles, and mouth-watering Belgian chocolate. 

Are you struggling to decide which of the Belgian cities are worth a day trip from Amsterdam?

I’ve broken down what to expect from each to help you decide between Brussels or Bruges , but if you have time, I’d really recommend giving both a visit. 

If you do choose to extend your day trip and see Bruges too, take a look at my pick of the best luxury hotels in Brussels .

Best for: Cheese lovers

• By train (to Amsterdam Centraal) and bus: 44 minutes ( book here )
• From Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, & Marken Full-Day Trip

This picturesque town is located less than half an hour’s drive from Amsterdam and is known for its eponymous cheese, canals, and historic buildings.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the main attractions in Edam is the Edam Cheese Market, which takes place every Wednesday morning from May to September. 

Here, you can watch as farmers and traders negotiate the price of Edam cheese, which is still made using traditional methods, and purchase some authentic Edam for yourself. 

For an insight into the cheesemaking history of the region, I’d visit the Edams Museum.

Housed in a beautiful 18th-century building and exhibiting the rich history of Edam, this museum is not just for the history buffs among us.

To take in your beautiful surroundings at a slower pace, you could take a leisurely boat ride through Edam’s winding canals and enjoy the scenery from a different perspective.

When it comes to food and drink, Edam has plenty of options to excite your taste buds.

Of course, you can sample some of the town’s famous cheese, but there are also plenty of cafés and restaurants that serve traditional Dutch cuisine like stamppot and bitterballen.

16. Muiderslot Castle

Best for: Mediaeval fortress

Opening times:

• April to October: Daily, 10:00 – 17:00
• November to March: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00
• By train (to Weesp) and bus: 58 minutes ( book now )
• Amsterdam Castle & Utrecht City Tour
• From Amsterdam: Private Day Trip to the Dutch Castles
• Muiden: Entry Ticket to Muiderslot Castle

Located just 15 miles southeast of Amsterdam, this mediaeval fortress is one of the best-preserved castles in the Netherlands, and I think it’s a real glimpse into times gone by.

Built in the 14th century, Muiderslot Castle served as a strategic stronghold and a residence for several prominent Dutch figures.

This includes the poet and playwright Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft.

Today, the castle has opened its doors to allow visitors to explore its many rooms, towers, and gardens.

One of the things I love the most about Muiderslot Castle is its impressive collection of antique furniture, paintings, and weapons.

The castle also features a fascinating exhibition that showcases the history of the Dutch Golden Age and the life of Hooft.

Good to know: If you are travelling with little ones, Muiderslot Castle offers various activities and workshops for kids, including an audio tour for children.  

Children can also discover the castle by completing the children’s quest and completing the assignments. 

Best for: Off the beaten path

• By train: 35 minutes ( book now )
• By car: 40 minutes
• Leiden: Guided City Canal Cruise
• Leiden: Hortus Botanicus Entry Ticket
• Lisse: Drive-it-Yourself Tulip Fields GPS Audio Tour

A little off the beaten path and just over a half hour’s train journey away, Leiden is a great day trip from Amsterdam.

What I really love is that this charming university town is full of history and life.

A popular attraction with both locals and tourists, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) is where you’ll find exhibits on everything from ancient Egypt to the Roman Empire. 

The museum also features a collection of fascinating artefacts from across the Netherlands, including prehistoric objects and mediaeval art.

If you want to immerse yourself with thousands of plant species from all over the globe, a butterfly house and a collection of tropical plants, head to Hortus Botanicus .

It’s one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.

History lovers, I’d recommend taking a visit the Pieterskerk, a stunning Gothic church that dates back to the 14th century.

Plus, stroll through the charming old town that’s filled with historic architecture and picturesque canals.

18. Oudewater

Best for: Witchy history

• By train (to Woerden) and bus: 1 hour 8 minutes ( book now )
• By car: 50 minutes
• Gouda, Witches & Cheese Tour

A small town in the province of Utrecht, Oudewater is a wonderful day trip from Amsterdam, taking less than an hour to travel by car.

One of the main attractions in Oudewater is the Heksenwaag, known locally as the “Witches’ Weighhouse.”

It’s a museum dedicated to the history of the persecution of witches and it makes for a fascinating experience.

This historic building was used during the witch hunts of the 16th and 17th centuries when someone was accused of witchcraft.

Today, you can learn about the history of the witch hunts and even weigh yourself on the original scales used in the trials – I’m not sure I’d want the verdict!

Providing a fascinating insight into the history of witchcraft and the witch hunts in the Netherlands, the Museum de Heksenwaag exhibits original documents, artefacts, and interactive displays.

In addition to the Heksenwaag, Oudewater is also home to several beautiful churches and historic buildings.

The town’s picturesque streets and canals make it a perfect destination for a leisurely stroll and a few moments of peace.

19. Antwerp, Belgium

Best for: People watching

• By train: 1 hour 15 ( book now )
• By car: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Antwerp: 2 hour Highlights Walking Tour
• Antwerp: City Highlights Group Bike Tour with a Guide
• Antwerp: Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour

A vibrant city in Belgium that takes just an hour and a quarter on the train from Amsterdam, Antwerp is known for its rich history, enchanting architecture, and excellent foodie scene. 

One of the tallest churches in the world and home to several works of art, the Cathedral of Our Lady is a must-see stunning Gothic cathedral that dates back to the 14th century.

Make sure to climb the tower for breathtaking views of the city – but be prepared for a fair climb!

The Grote Markt is the central square of Antwerp that is surrounded by beautiful guildhalls and the City Hall.

It is a great place to do some good old people-watching while soaking up the atmosphere of the city. – what more could you want? 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the oldest printing press in the world, the Plantin-Moretus Museum is a fascinating museum that showcases the history of printing and bookbinding. 

Here, you can also see iconic original works by famous artists such as Rubens and Rembrandt.

For a quieter stroll, the River Scheldt runs through Antwerp, and you can see the iconic Antwerp skyline and watch the boats go by.

There are also several bars and restaurants along the river where you can enjoy a drink or a meal.

20. Nijmegen

Best for: Rich cultural history

• By train: 1 hour 23 minutes ( book now )
• By car: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Nijmegen: River Cruise with All-You-Can-Eat Dutch Pancakes
• Nijmegen: Self-Guided E-Chopper Tour
• Self-Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide in Nijmegen

For a day trip from Amsterdam that combines history and modernity, Nijmegen is an excellent choice.

The oldest city in the country with a rich cultural heritage, it’s no surprise why Nijmegen draws visitors from near and far.

Located in a 12th-century castle, the Valkhof Museum has a wide range of exhibits covering the history of the city and the surrounding area.

Offering simply breathtaking views over the city from its famous tower, St. Stephen’s Church is an impressive gothic church and one of the most iconic landmarks in Nijmegen.

For a peaceful ambiance, I recommend visiingt Hortus Nijmegen, a botanical garden in the heart of the city, with a wide range of blooms from all over the world.

You won’t be short of wonderful places to eat in Nijmegen, as the city has a thriving food scene where you can discover the taste of Dutch cuisine.

Best for: Military history

• By train: 1 hour 4 minutes ( book now )
• By car: 1 hour 15 minutes
• From Amsterdam: WWII Vught and Arnhem Private Day Tour
• Arnhem: Kröller-Müller Museum Entrance Ticket
• Rhenen: Ouwehands Zoo Entry Ticket

Located just over an hour by train from Amsterdam, this city in the eastern Netherlands is known for its role in World War II and its beautiful parks.

The Airborne Museum is dedicated to the Battle of Arnhem of September 1944.

It’s located in the historic Hartenstein Hotel, which served as the headquarters for British forces during the battle. 

Inside, you’ll find exhibits that tell the story of the battle and its aftermath, as well as displays of military equipment and personal items from soldiers who fought in the battle.

Another my must-see attractions in Arnhem – especially if you’re visiting the city with children – is the Burgers’ Zoo.

Here you’ll find a wide variety of animals, as well as a large aquarium and a butterfly garden.

If you’re looking to spend some time outdoors, Arnhem has several beautiful parks to explore, with plenty of spots for picnics and walks.

You’ll find winding paths, ponds, and sculptures, as well as expansive heathlands, forests, and sand dunes.

Discover more of my Amsterdam content:

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• Best hotels in Amsterdam
• Top Michelin-star restaurants in Amsterdam
• Unforgettable museums in Amsterdam

Jessie is a luxury travel expert with years of experience travelling the world to find the best destinations, hotels and adventures.

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9 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam by Train You Need to Know

• Updated on: April 13, 2022

This article may contain affiliate links.  For more information, please see our disclaimer  here.

Table of Contents

The city of Amsterdam can be completely captivating and keep you busy during your whole stay. However, there is just as much to see only a train ride away. Whether you are looking to visit another city capital like Brussels, or looking for something a bit more laid back like Zaanse Schans, the best day trips from Amsterdam are just a trains ride away.

As two native Dutchies we have explored quite a lot from the Netherlands and used the train on a daily basis to and from school and work. We can tell you it is one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to get around the Netherlands . Another big advantage is that you won’t be bothered by traffic jams!

So, in this post we are going to reveal the best day trips from Amsterdam by train. Among them we will discuss cities like Rotterdam and Delft but also places of interest like Zaanse Schans and the Muiden Castle. For the real travelers among us, take a day trip to another country and explore Brussels or Bruges in Belgium! Keep on reading to get to know what to do in these places, the travel time, and the estimated costs.

Video: Day Trips from Amsterdam by train inspiration

Map days trips from amsterdam by train

9 Best day trips from Amsterdam by train

1. rotterdam.

• Travel Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Estimate Cost One Way: €17
• Route: Open in Google Maps

Of course we have to start with Rotterdam. This enchanting city is where we first met and then lived together for 3 years, giving us plenty of local tips and tricks. Although if you are just stopping by for a day there are a few must-see spots that are ideal for a quick itinerary. 

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and quickly growing. This provides visitors with a little something for everyone. Whether you are interested in medieval architecture, art, modern breweries, or want to learn more about windmills, Rotterdam has it all.

After arriving at Rotterdam Central Station, head over to the old town center where you can see Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk, a medieval church with stunning architecture that was first constructed in 1449. If you like architecture, take the free architecture tour ! After the church, take in the view of the Erasmus Bridge or the Maritime Museum, both popular landmarks of the city.

For lunch you have a couple of options, you could visit the Fenix Food Factory. A fun open market that features workshops, tastings, bakeries, breweries, coffee shops, and so much more – or if you are a foodie and love picking up unique souvenirs, then Markthal Rotterdam is another fun spot! Or do the Rotterdam Tasty Tour and try different local snacks in the foodwalhallas of Rotterdam!

After, take a boat tour of the city, a popular option in the Netherlands due to our many canals and streams that wind through many towns. Or combine a tour on land and river with an amphibious bus that drives through the city and cruises on the Maas River! Another popular option is taking a tour through a windmill. Windmills are a staple in Dutch culture and contributed immensely to economic growth. While they are not as efficient today, you will find many still in operation. 

Must Read: The Ultimate Rotterdam Guide + Best Things To Do

2. Zaanse Schans

• Travel Time: 18 minutes
• Estimate Cost One Way: €4.50
• Route: Open in Google Maps.

If you are in Amsterdam for only a short time, then Zaanse Schans is the perfect stop to get some Dutch culture quickly. The town sits just outside Amsterdam, making the 35-minute train ride from Amsterdam Central Station a flexible option – or you can take a bike with the rest of the locals! 

A stress-free option is a half-day tour that will bus you from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans with a guide for only €34.40 per person! They will be sure to show you some of the most popular shops listed below. As you bounce from one to another, your guide even provides you with a bit of history of the town.

The fairytale-like town of Zaanse Schans will have you feeling like you stepped into a Disney movie. The charming homes, delicate streams, fresh air, and welcoming shops are truly unique. As you walk throughout the town you will find stores dedicated to sharing Dutch culture. 

Aside from the picturesque scenery, activities and shops include:

• Kooijman Souvenirs & Clogs : Watch clogs get made and buy your own from their massive selection.
• Catharina Hoeve Cheese Farm : Enjoy a cheese tasting and buy a few savory and sweet flavors.
• Het Jonge Schaap : Ever wonder what goes on inside a windmill? This is your chance! Watch the inner workings and discover how useful they have been to the Dutch.
• Zaans Gedaan CacaoLab : Learn how the popular Dutch chocolate is made and buy a few bars for yourself.

Zaanse Schans is a beautiful town to visit, where you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to explore another era.

If you are wondering how to travel by train in the Netherlands, have a look at our post “ How to get around in the Netherlands “.

• Travel Time: 1 hour 5 min
• Estimate Cost One Way: €9 – €21

If you are looking to see castles on your travels, the Muiden castle will surely satisfy that itch. Its structure is everything one would hope for when picturing a castle. The large rounded corners of the structure are complemented by a moat, a hint that this place has seen some legendary battles.

To visit the Muiden castle you will need more than just a train. The train ride will take you most of the way but you will need to transfer to a bus for the rest of the journey. Some travelers may feel anxious about needing to catch another bus or train to make it to their location. Luckily, this short trip has multiple buses circulating, making it easy to catch a follow-up bus if your train arrives late. You can always decide to take a tour from Amsterdam to Muiden Castle , so you are sure everything is arranged for you.

Once you arrive there will be plenty of opportunities for great photos. The large castle towers over its visitors sitting alongside a welcoming garden holding a plumb orchard. The historical landmark offers multiple tour options of the well-preserved castle, making for an eventful day trip. 

• Travel Time: 55 minutes
• Estimate Cost One Way: €13

Just like the cheese, the town of Gouda is just an hour away and should be on top of the list for all cheese lovers. There are places to see like Sint-Janskerk, a beautiful cathedral, and Stadhuis Gouda, the city hall, but your focus of this day trip should be all about the cheese! 

Check out the Gouda Cheese Market where you will see giant wheels of cheese everywhere you turn. There are plenty of chances to taste and buy this town favourite, but I would avoid buying a wheel unless you are sure you can finish it before your flight home!

How else can the town of Gouda celebrate their favourite cheese? Well, with the Museum Gouda of course! Ok – so the museum is not entirely dedicated to Gouda cheese, but it can be a nice break from the savoury scents!

Must Read: 14 Day Road Trip To Visit The Best Cities in The Netherlands

• Travel Time: 1 hour
• Estimate Cost One Way: €15

The town of Delft has plenty to offer, but the most popular is the pottery. 

The town of Delft is famous for its delicate blue and white pottery, in Dutch called “Delftsblauw”. You can find everything from simple tea plates to elaborate vases that weigh just a bit more than your dog. Since the pottery is so popular in the town, you will also be able to take advantage of some excursions they have like pottery painting . Take a class to learn about their intricate designs and the true artistry that goes into the pottery. 

While the travel to Delft is a bit longer, it can be a nice day trip that rewards you with an authentic souvenir to take back.

6. Keukenhof

• Travel Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Estimate Cost One Way: €20

If you travel to Keukenhof, you are likely to visit the fabulous garden . The Keukenhof garden is a theme park for all those that love flowers and gardening. Stroll the tulip fields and watch as their bright green stems spud the brightest flowers. Walk, take a boat, bike, or even take a tour through the fields to fully experience all the park has to offer.

Keukenhof is best enjoyed outdoors! But due to the seasonal bloom of the flowers, it is only open for a short time. From the end of March until half of May (including weekends and holidays) you can stop by. Don’t be too disappointed if you are visiting during the closed season, it is a beautiful spot all year long, but the flowers aren’t around most of the year.

When it is time for lunch, you shouldn’t have issues finding the perfect spot to eat. There is plenty of outside seating so you can eat in the sunshine. This certainly is not a place you would want to spend too much time indoors.

Try some poffertjes or Dutch pancakes. If you are looking for a bit of variety there is also an Italian and Asian restaurant serving some classic dishes. For those on the go, you can quickly grab some strawberries or a hotdog.

Also have a look at our post “ best time to visit the Netherlands ” for more information about the perfect time to visit the Netherlands to see all the flowers in full bloom.

Check out: 10 Most Beautiful National Parks in the Netherlands

7. The Hague

• Travel Time: 50 minutes

If you hop on a 1-hour train ride for about €15, you will arrive in the Hague with plenty to keep you entertained. The Hague boasts itself as the only big city with a beach directly on the North Sea coast. Here you can get an incredible Skyview from the pier . But that certainly is not all it has to offer.

Visit the Hague Market, the largest market in Europe containing 500 stalls selling everything from flowers and snacks, to souvenirs and more. Be sure to visit on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday from 09:00 – 17:00 – unfortunately, shops close their doors on the other days.

That is not the only record this town breaks. The town of Hague is also unique for its Omniversum, a theatre with the only IMAX dome theatre in Europe. An ideal stop if your feet are sore from walking all those stalls.

If you love touring by boat, the Ooievaart is the perfect opportunity to float the canals and see a different side to the city. But maybe you prefer a bird’s eye view of the city, a unique opportunity would be to visit Madurodam , a miniature replica of The Netherlands. This spot allows visitors the chance to quickly get a bird’s eye view of this diverse country.

8. Brussels (Belgium)

• Travel Time: 2 hours
• Estimate Cost One Way: €25

One of the best things about traveling in Europe is how easy it is to visit another city, or even country! From Amsterdam Central Station you can take a 2-hour train ride and find yourself in Brussels, Belgium. Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the European Union, making it not only a popular spot for Belgium culture, but European as well.

Throughout Brussels you will come across plenty of stunning architecture. For example, Grand Place, a 15th Century city hall or the Old England Building, a department store from the 19th century. If architecture is not your thing, a beer tour or a stop at a chocolatier may be more your pace. Amongst all the stops is the most famous, the Manneken Pis, a fountain of a little boy peeing. 

9. Bruges (Belgium)

• Travel Time: 2 hours and 42 minutes
• Estimate Cost One Way: €41

No doubt Brussels is a popular spot! However, taking a break from city life may be in the cards for you if a day trip is on your mind. Bruges can be a fun visit for something just outside the Netherlands. The town of Bruges is known for its architecture and rivers that run through the city. This makes for a relaxing tour for all of its visitors.

Canal tours are very popular in the city but only run from March to November. Such a tour will give you the best sense of the city. Throughout the tour you will pass by buildings with enchanting vines that climb the walls, followed by beautifully designed bridges to pass under. The tour is very popular for tourists, so we suggest trying to save a spot early!

Of course, a stop in Belgium would not be complete without trying some fries, waffles, and chocolate. Luckily, Bruges has plenty of spots for you to try just that. While you can easily spot these places on nearly every corner, we suggest trying some chocolate at Chocoladehuisje and waffles at Chez Albert. Gorge at the Market can also be sure to squash any other cravings you may have. 

Must Read: Best Things to Do in Amsterdam

Best time to visit the Netherlands

While each season in the Netherlands nature offers something unique, autumn (September-November) is our favorite time of year. The trees transform into a kaleidoscope of autumn colors, and it’s a spectacular sight to witness. Moorlands reach full bloom to create purple landscapes, and the leaves dazzle with shades of orange, red, and yellow. 

And the weather provides the perfect temperature to unwind without being drenched in sweat or clutching heavy winter gear. Autumn is a magical time to go hiking in Utrecht due to the breathtaking spectacle produced by Mother Nature. Check out my  Best Time To Visit The Netherlands Guide  for more detailed weather information.

How many days do i need in the Netherlands?

As a lot of tourists just stay in Amsterdam city, please make some more time to explore the real countryside of the Netherlands as it’s really worth it. I know this may sound weird from a local, but really the country has so much to offer. Not all of you would have 14 days to spend in the Netherlands, but try at least to spend between 5 and 7 days to explore nature, beaches, typical Dutch villages, windmills, cities and to learn more about the culture by taking a tour. 

Where to stay in amsterdam

• Moderate: NH Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
• Moderate: Budget Hotel Ben
• Budget: ClinkNoord Hostel
• Moderate: Durty Nell’s In
• Camping Zeeburg Amsterdam
• Budget: €0-€50 Moderate: €50-€100 per night

FAQ Day Trips from Amsterdam by Train

Is there a direct train from amsterdam to london.

Yes, there is a direct train connection between Amsterdam Central Station all the way to London Centre, the trip will take just around 4 hours.

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One Day in Utrecht Itinerary: A Day Trip from Amsterdam

Last Updated on March 6, 2024

by Olivia Ellis

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning a one day in Utrecht itinerary is one of the best ways to see a bit of the Netherlands beyond the capital. Just an hour by train outside of Amsterdam , Utrecht is the perfect day trip from the Dutch capital.

While Amsterdam is a thriving city with vibrant nightlife and culture, Utrecht is the close and friendly neighbor giving a deeper look into everyday life in the Netherlands.

Home to the largest train station in the country (Utrecht Centraal), a cyclist’s paradise without intimidation, and a picturesque medieval city center, you’ll discover that Utrecht is the Dutch city you may have never heard of but undoubtedly will fall in love with.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Utrecht?

As the 4th largest city in the Netherlands, Utrecht is a mid-size city with a deep history, culture, and things to do. With that being said, how many days in Utrecht are ideal to do the Dutch city justice?

The city center of Utrecht is quite small, with suburban and residential areas making up a large area of the city.

With that being said, if you’re hoping to see the main sights of Utrecht and get a good understanding and visit of the city, one day in Utrecht is enough.

Moreover, if you’re planning on visiting Utrecht and would like to have more of a holistic experience, getting stuck into local life, I suggest 2 days in the city. This way, you’ll be able to explore the city center as well as wander into more residential areas or nearby areas.

Getting To & Around Utrecht

Getting to Utrecht from Amsterdam is extremely quick and convenient. The best mode of transport between the two cities, as well as other Dutch destinations, is by train.

Trains run frequently between Amsterdam and Utrecht, with direct connections available. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes, and you can catch a train from Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Amstel, or Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA stations. You can view train schedules here .

Another option for transportation to Utrecht is to take a bus, although ticket prices are around and transportation time is a bit longer than the train, at around 30-50 minutes depending on traffic and time of day. You can view bus schedules here .

Another important factor for your visit to Utrecht is deciding how you’ll get around the city.

Fortunately, getting around Utrecht is relatively easy due to its compact size and well-connected transportation network. Utrecht has an efficient public transportation system that includes buses and trams.

You have the option of using an OV-chipkaart (public transport smart card) or purchasing a single-use ticket to travel on buses and trams.

If you mainly plan on exploring the city center during your Utrecht day trip, I think that walking is the ideal way to see the city. Utrecht’s city center is wonderfully pedestrian-friendly, and many of the main attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Walking is also a great way to explore the historic streets, canals, and picturesque medieval and modern neighborhoods.

Finally, the local’s favourite mode of transportation in Utrecht — cycling. If you are visiting Amsterdam and really would like to take a spin on the local cycling scene but are too intimidated by the busy bike lanes, Utrecht is perfect.

While Utrecht is still a busy city with many people and a lot going on, the atmosphere is much more laid back, with locals being more forgiving if you’re a visitor looking to learn the ways of the bike culture in the Netherlands.

You can rent a bicycle from various rental shops or make use of the public bicycle-sharing systems, with bicycles all around the city, from cargo bikes to simple bicycles and electric bicycles.

The city has dedicated bike lanes and paths, making it safe and convenient to cycle around, and honestly, just cycling around the city between the center and relaxed residential areas makes for a wonderful day out in Utrecht.

1-Day Utrecht Itinerary

Less than half an hour away from Amsterdam by train, Utrecht is the quintessential Dutch city to visit.

On your day trip to Utrecht, you’ll make your way through the medieval and traditional Dutch architecture, get lost in the culture, art, and quaint canals of Utrecht, and take a bite into an incredible local food scene. You can take a walking tour or a bike tour if you prefer to explore with a guide.

Utrecht Historic Center

A great spot to begin any trip to Utrecht is in the city’s stunning historic center. Compared to other European city centers, Utrecht’s is rather compact, allowing you to see all of the magical city center during a day trip without needing to rush.

Despite its small size, Utrecht’s historic center is a captivating blend of picturesque canals, charming streets, and remarkable architecture, giving a special experience in this friendly Dutch city. Spending time wandering around this area is one of the best things to do in Utrecht.

Dom Tower (Domtoren)

Easily the most recognisable monument in Utrecht and the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, The Dom Tower, an architectural masterpiece of the Netherlands, graces Utrecht’s skyline. Standing 112 meters tall in the center of Domplein Square, it offers breathtaking views of the city.

Built in the Gothic style, the Dom Tower symbolizes the city’s rich history and serves as a reminder of Utrecht’s cultural significance. For a unique experience, I suggest taking the opportunity to climb the 465 stairs to the top for unforgettable, panoramic views of the city.

A standard adult ticket to enter Dom Tower is €13.50, with reduced and free ticket options available. Tickets include access to the lower sections of the tower along with the upper section.

St. Martin’s Cathedral (Dom Kerk)

Next up during your time in Utrecht, I suggest visiting St. Martin’s Cathedral, also known as Dom Kerk, a church adjacent to the Dom Tower.

Dom Kerk is a magnificent Gothic masterpiece in Utrecht with a stunning interior featuring intricate stained glass windows, ornate chapels, and a rich history dating back centuries to the middle ages.

The church is open at varying times depending on the date of the week as well as the time of year, so make sure to check the daily hours in advance before visiting.

University Quarter

Utrecht University, established in 1636, is a prestigious public research institution located in Utrecht. Situated in the lively University Quarter, this area of the city is brimming with charming and distinct corners, showcasing a side of the local culture that is not to be missed.

The University Quarter features a mix of modern and historic architecture, with charming shops such as vintage shops and trendy boutiques. Also located in the University District of the city in Janskerkhof Square, you’ll find The Janskerkhof Market.

Known for its lively atmosphere and diverse offerings, you can explore stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, local crafts, clothing, and more. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the local culture, interact with friendly vendors, and discover unique items.

Much of the architecture in the University Quarter is some of the oldest in the city, with a unique blend of Gothic, Neoclassical, Renaissance Revival, and Modern architecture styles. The blend of architecture styles in the area shows a comprehensive past of the city, along with idyllic corners and photo opportunities.

Coffee and Apple Ball at Graaf Floris

Wandering through the enchanting city center of Utrecht in the first half of your one day in Utrecht will likely have left you ready for a sweet pick-me-up. Herein lies the perfect opportunity to try my favorite local sweet treat, apple ball, or “appel bollen”.

Dutch appel bollen are a traditional treat consisting of whole apples encased in dough and deep-fried until golden and crispy, stuffed with a cinnamon and sugar blend.

These treats are truly delicious and best enjoyed somewhere local such as Graaf Floris , a cosy traditional cafe canalside, offering great views, delicious coffee, and possibly the best appel bollen in the city.

Wander the Utrecht Canals

The canals of Utrecht are the lifeblood and soul of the city, offering a charming and romantic atmosphere. When searching for what to do in Utrecht for one day, make a point to explore the Oudegracht and Nieuwegracht canals, lined with cozy cafes, boutique shops, and bustling markets.

Another way of seeing the city through the canals, is to take a leisurely boat tour to discover hidden gems and picturesque views of the city’s architecture.

Taking a boat tour is an ideal and budget-friendly way to witness this symbolic part of the Netherlands but at a fraction of the price you would pay to do a similar boat tour in Amsterdam.

Another option is to take part in a walking tour of the city. With walking tours, knowledgeable guides will share fascinating stories, facts, and insights about Utrecht’s landmarks, architecture, and traditions giving a unique insight into the historic city.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll along the promenades, soak in the vibrant ambience and admire the beautifully restored wharf cellars.

Unlike Amsterdam, the canals of Utrecht consist of two levels, with the bottom level named the Wharf Cellars. The wharf cellars of Utrecht are historic spaces where goods were once loaded and unloaded.

Today, many of them have been transformed into unique bars, restaurants, and shops, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich trading past.

Dinner at Humphrey’s

For dinner, a wonderful option to take in the surrounding scenery while eating history within the Wharf Cellars is to dine at Humphrey’s, a local restaurant in the heart of Utrecht offering a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Humphrey’s is known for its fixed-price three-course menu, which provides a variety of delicious dishes to choose from. The menu features a combination of international and Dutch cuisine, prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients for an affordable price.

Trajectum Lumen

If your Utrecht itinerary brings you into the evening hours when the sun has set, one of the most unique and exciting ways to see Utrecht and explore the city is with the artistic light route, Trajectum Lumen.

Trajectum Lumen is a free, captivating light art installation in the heart of Utrecht that is a distinctive display within the city and the perfect way to end your day.

This nighttime experience takes you on a mesmerizing journey through the city’s canals and streets, highlighting its landmarks with enchanting light installations. Follow the designated route to witness the stunning transformation of bridges, buildings, and hidden corners into works of art.

Trajectum Lumen showcases Utrecht’s beauty in a unique and immersive way, offering a magical experience that will leave you awe-inspired. Trajectum Lumen begins after dark and the route of the installations begins in the central point of the city, Domplein Square.

From there, you’ll want to look for the starting signs for the route which then will lead you through the light exhibits in their entirety throughout the city.

Have More Time?

If you have more than one day in the city and are looking to further enhance your trip, there’s still much to see and explore, both in Utrecht and in other nearby areas.

Utrecht has a wide array of unique museums where you can learn more about the history of Utrecht that can be worth visiting if you have a longer period of time:

The Centraal Museum , located in the historic center of Utrecht is a wonderful option. The museum features a wide collection of art from artists worldwide along with a dense collection of art from local Dutch artists spanning from the Middle Ages to contemporary works, including Dutch Golden Age paintings and exhibitions.

For architecture enthusiasts, the Rietveld Schröder House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important part of architectural history. The house itself was designed by renowned Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld in 1924 and is an iconic example of De Stijl architecture that at the time was beyond its’ years in the current architectural style.

The house showcases Rietveld’s innovative use of space, geometric forms, and primary colors and offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of modernist architecture and its impact on design.

If you’re keen to spend time in one of the city’s many green spaces to take an airy break during your stay, one of the best parks in Utrecht is the Griftpark.

Located in the northern part of the city, this spacious park offers a peaceful retreat from the urban bustle, along with outstanding panoramic views of the city thanks to its elevated spot in Utrecht.

And if you’re a fan of fairytale-like castles, then make sure to venture a bit outside the city center to visit De Haar Castle . Though it was only built in the 19th century, its medieval style and beautiful grounds are certainly impressive.

For those looking to venture further out into a nearby city/town, I highly suggest visiting the medieval city of Gouda as a day trip from Utrecht, just about 20 minutes by train from Utrecht.

Gouda is a charming city that offers a rich blend of history, culture, and delicious cheese that, yes, is even more delectable when you taste it from its source! While in Gouda, visit the historic City Hall and the magnificent St. Janskerk, famous for its stained glass windows.

Explore the picturesque canals, enjoy a few cheese tastings, and savor the city’s delightful atmosphere and medieval city center.

Where to Stay in Utrecht

Slapen onder de Dom – This cosy B&B is a great option for mid-range visitors to Utrecht. Situated on one of the city’s many canals, they have a range of rooms on offer, a great location and a wonderful breakfast available for guests each morning.

Cozy Pillow – If you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket while staying in Utrecht, then this hip hotel is a great choice. Centrally located close to all the city has to offer, they have a number of bright and comfortable rooms available.

Hostel Strowis – This highly-rated hostel in the center of Utrecht is a great place to stay for budget and solo visitors to this Dutch city. Located close to all of the top attractions, they have both dorms and private rooms along with great common areas and self-catering facilities.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Utrecht hotels!

Utrecht is one of the most delightful cities in the Netherlands, which deserves much more attention than it gets under the shadow of Amsterdam. Spending time in this city full of both old and new with friendly locals is truly a highlight of any trip to the Netherlands.

Are you planning to visit Utrecht in one day? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

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About Olivia Ellis

Olivia is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Michigan, USA, she is currently living in Athens, Greece exploring Europe and filmmaking. When she’s not travelling or writing, Olivia can be found cooking delicious new recipes from around the world, reading, and spending time outdoors.

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The day I returned home after being kidnapped by Islamic terrorists

Beth Rodden is a professional rock climber who, along with three other climbers, was kidnapped and held hostage by Islamic militants in 2000 while on a climbing trip in Kyrgyzstan. The following is excerpted from her new memoir, “A Light Through the Cracks,” about the day she returned home to the U.S. 

Amsterdam, August 2000

By the time my boyfriend, Tommy Caldwell, and I made it to Amsterdam’s gleaming, sterile airport, we had been passed along a half dozen times, like an important but increasingly well-worn package. Military helicopters had brought us and our other two climbing partners from base to base. We’d endured a surreal ride on a private jet from the last military base to the capital, Bishkek, traveling alongside the tipsy and jovial president of Kyrgyzstan. He’d patted us on the shoulders like a grandfather and claimed us long enough for a photo op and a speech to local media in a language we couldn’t understand. Then he handed the four of us off to the American embassy, which scrambled to find us flights home. A few days later, Tommy and I drove across the Kazakhstan border, in a hired car with a diplomatic escort, to the international airport in Almaty, and finally a commercial jet took us from Central Asia to the edge of the Atlantic. Now we had just one more flight to go.

Our tickets were a last-minute mess, and we needed to check on our connection. As we crossed the terminal, I carried a brown paper gift bag from the airport candy shop — despite what we’d been through, I still wanted to bring my older brother a present from this trip. I watched the families clustered around the gates, the lone business travelers perched at the bars, scanning each face around me. I’d been on edge through practically every step of the journey: The embassy in Bishkek had felt almost safe, but at the hotel where they’d sent us to get some sleep, I’d felt vulnerable and stayed vigilant.

In the airport, I was hungry again. When we’d made it to the second army base, the one that felt like a cluster of portable classrooms set down on a vast brown plain, we’d stuffed ourselves with barley and warm buttered bread, but I could not stay full. I had just eaten two chocolate croissants. Still, my stomach felt like a cavern. My brother didn’t really need a present, did he?

I ate half the chocolate in the bag before we got to our gate.

The line at the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines counter felt so orderly. The whole airport did. Just existing there felt like getting a big, soothing hug. When we’d boarded the flight in Kazakhstan, the passengers had formed no line. Everybody just pushed in a scrum toward the plane. Tommy and I stood frozen, like the good, shocked scouts that we were, and got lost in the flood. I felt so fragile, so extremely fragile, and so resigned to that fragile state.

We weren’t safe. That was obvious to me. No line, no order, no rule of law. I loved rules. People smoked openly on that first plane.

“Next,” the flight attendant said as we arrived at the counter. Her voice was as professionally cheerful as her uniform: light blue skirt, light blue jacket, white blouse underneath.

“We’re here to check in for our flight,” I said.

“Wonderful. May I please have your boarding passes?”

I mumbled something apologetic and handed her a few crumpled, dirty sheets of paper. “I think we have to get our seats and stuff from you.”

She pinched her brow as she read our mess of documents. She typed vigorously. I was sure this meant we weren’t going to make it home.

“Can you wait one second?” she asked, flashing a strained smile. She disappeared behind a wall.

I looked at Tommy. He stared into the blank space where the woman had just been. I couldn’t tell if he was as scared as I was, if he was also monitoring the people pooling and flowing around us for any threat. I felt like I had grown an invisible antenna that vibrated continually, never at rest. Never letting me rest. A memory tried to surface inside me: a body in silhouette, sailing off a dark cliff. A crunch, and an exhale. I forced it back down.

Two blond attendants now appeared where there had been one.

“Can you tell me: Was it something KLM did?” the new flight attendant asked.

I looked back at Tommy. Did he know what she was talking about? Did she know what had happened? Tommy shrugged.

“Wait, what?” I said. “What was something . . . ?”

“Well, um, how to say this,” the flight attendant said. “It says on your tickets, ‘Emotionally distressed passengers, please take care.’ So, we are just wondering if it’s something KLM did.” She looked concerned and defensive in her caring, like a hospital billing manager. She didn’t want to know the answer, but she had to ask.

I didn’t want a stranger to try to comfort me, but I did feel the need to comfort her. So I said, “Oh no, definitely not. We were just kidnapped and we want to go home.”

I couldn’t believe how easily the sentence came out. We were just kidnapped . . . I’d never said it so plainly before.

The flight attendant exhaled all her breath at once, stunned and relieved. “Well, good,” she said.

Well, good?

“KLM does our best. How about business-class seats for you two?” She printed our fresh, flat boarding passes. Tommy and I boarded the plane.

We ate every meal and every snack that was offered to us on the long ride home. My hunger was like a portal opened into a galaxy — infinite, absolute. When I was in middle school, I used to watch my older brother, David, eat, stunned by the mountain of food he could consume. Now, it felt strangely freeing to eat with that type of abandon. I hadn’t done that since ninth grade, when I became obsessed with climbing.

I could eat, but I still couldn’t sleep. My anxiety kept me wide awake, and my wakefulness in turn meant I had nothing but space and time for the anxiety to spin itself tighter in my body. I kept wondering if the plane would crash. That seemed possible, maybe even probable, given how the rest of our trip had gone. An appropriate ending, in a way. I wondered if I’d be scared. What would Tommy say to me before impact? Would it hurt? Our backpack, stuffed at our feet, was filled with souvenirs purchased in a blur during our strange interlude in Bishkek, between our flight with the president and our diplomatic drive across the border. I had stuffed the paltry remains of the airport chocolate into our bag alongside the rest of the things we’d acquired: a hand-carved wooden chess set, a wool hanging. Proof that we’d done something major and been somewhere cool. What were we thinking?

The backpack that sat at our feet had been lost in transit when we’d first landed in Kyrgyzstan, full of hope for our climbing adventure, and was waiting for us, perversely intact, at the hotel in Bishkek after our escape. We’d left San Francisco with 20 expedition duffels, and all I had left was this backpack filled with trinkets from a country to which I’d never return. Maybe that was why we’d bought them, with the money Tommy had wadded up in his sock just before we were marched away from our camp at gunpoint. Maybe it was some attempt to fabricate a decent memory of the place.

My hands trembled the whole 12 hours to San Francisco. I knew I needed sleep, but if the plane did crash, wasn’t I supposed to be awake for that? I had no idea how to act, what to do or say or who to be when we saw our parents. I’d left as a 20-year-old girl full of herself, ready for the world, sure I was doing something extraordinary. I was living out the dream I’d stared at in the posters I hung on my bedroom wall: climbing to incredible heights in far-off places. My mother had hardly traveled, certainly not by my age. I’d felt so awfully superior as I’d walked down the jetway when we left. I didn’t even turn back to wave.

My parents had given me everything — pride, freedom, confidence. They trusted me. They trusted my decisions. They trusted the world. Now I was returning home a broken mess. I’d spoken to them a few times from the embassy in Bishkek, the words mainly drowned in my tears. I wanted to be small again, so small I could crawl through the phone into their arms, where they’d hold me and shush me and stroke my head. I wanted my mother to say, “Mama’s here, Mama’s here,” just like she always did when I was a girl. I wanted to shrink back into that little-girl body and lay my head in her lap and cry.

How was I supposed to carry myself getting off the jetway? Was the idea to act strong, like I was fine? I was weirdly good at that. Or should I literally run into their arms?

Now — how to do this? How was I supposed to carry myself getting off the jetway? Was the idea to act strong, like I was fine? I was weirdly good at that. Or should I literally run into their arms, like I had been dreaming of doing for the past eight days? I’d never spoken easily with my parents about feelings. They were so kind, so present, and gently but firmly on my team. But inside, I always felt nervous, like there was a line I was afraid to cross, like I needed to be tougher, solid, unbreakable. And even if I could lay my head in my mother’s lap and have her say, “Mama’s here,” would that still work to soothe me? I was not the same person I had been when I left. My thoughts flapped like the loose end of a film in an old-fashioned movie projector, the front reel spinning empty.

I looked over at Tommy. Maybe he’d know what to do. His head was slumped at a 45-degree angle to his chest, his mouth dropped open, snoring. He was sick. His brain was more lucid and less spastic than mine, but his body was breaking down. He had a fever. I envied Tommy’s oblivion. I felt so alone.

We landed. My palms were sweating, but Tommy’s hands felt strong. That felt like a plan: I’d hold his strong hand and we’d present a united front, though I hadn’t told him about my looping, flapping mind. I was trying to stay composed — for him, for me, maybe for my parents too. We collected our bag of souvenirs from under the airplane seats. The souvenirs promised our trip was normal. We were normal. I grabbed a free chocolate bar and a package of cookies from the plane’s galley as we exited. I never did anything like that, but now instead of saying, “Don’t eat that, Rodden,” I thought, “Just in case we don’t have any other food.”

I didn’t race off the plane like I had seen people do in movies, straight into their loved ones’ arms. Instead I walked so slowly that other passengers started passing us. I was desperate to return home, to the narrow twin bed in my parents’ house, on our quiet block filled with minivans and white Honda sedans, to replant myself in the flat farmland around Davis, California, to recommit to the safe wide sidewalks. I just didn’t know how. I wondered if people could tell we’d changed: if we walked differently or stood slightly less straight, if we’d absorbed so much fear and terror that we now emitted it.

Excerpted from “A Light Through the Cracks: A Climber’s Story,” by Beth Rodden. © 2024 Published by Little A Books, May 1, 2024. All Rights Reserved.

Beth Rodden is the author of “A Light Through the Cracks: A Climber’s Story,” out May 2024. 

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Billie Eilish drops new album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft.' How close is her tour coming to Florida?

Billie Eilish' new album "Hit Me Hard and Soft" dropped Friday as a 10-song peek behind the pop-star persona she's built up since becoming a worldwide star at 17. She's in love.

Eilish and her brother Finneas, winners of 9 Grammys and two Academy Awards , dive deep into her head to reveal regrets, desires (expect to see "it's a craving, not a crush" on T-shirts by the end of the day) and inner musings on relationships past, present and future. Also, sex .

No Florida mentions , sorry. That's still all Taylor Swift's journey . And if Floridians want to see Eilish sing about lovers, longings and stalkers live, they'll need to road trip.

Eilish is going global again with an 81-date worldwide tour, but the Sunshine State is not one of the 19 U.S. states she's hitting before heading overseas to Australia, the Netherlands and Europe in a widespread 10-month tour.

Eilish's third album comes hard on the heels of winning just about every award possible for "What Was I Made For?" from the "Barbie" movie soundtrack.

Here's what to know.

When does the Billie Eilish Hit Me Hard and Soft tour begin?

The first show is in Québec on September 29, 2024. Her first U.S. show will be in Baltimore, Maryland on Oct. 4.

When do tickets for the Billie Eilish Hit Me Hard and Soft tour go on sale? When do the presale tickets start?

General tickets went on sale through Eilish' website Friday, May 3, along with tour merch.

As with previous Eilish tours. portions of the North American ticket sales will go to environmental nonprofit Reverb to reduce the massive environmental footprint from touring.

What's the closest city to Florida Billie Eilish will be appearing in?

The tour is coming to the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia for two nights, Nov. 2 and 3. But both nights are already sold out.

You can get on the waitlist , or you can keep going to Nashville, Tennessee at the Bridgestone Arena for the Nov. 6 show. As of Friday morning, tickets were still available, starting at $118.75 for the cheapest seats and up to $262 for a better view.

Which cities is the Billie Eilish Hit Me Hard and Soft tour coming to?

North america.

• Sept. 29, 2024 - Centre Videotron – Québec, QC
• Oct. 1, 2024 - Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON
• Oct. 2, 2024 - Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON
• Oct. 4, 2024 - CFG Bank Arena - Baltimore, MD
• Oct. 5, 2024 - Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA
• Oct. 7, 2024 - Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI
• Oct. 9, 2024 - Prudential Center - Newark, NJ
• Oct. 11, 2024 - TD Garden - Boston, MA
• Oct. 13, 2024 - PPG Paints Arena - Pittsburgh, PA
• Oct. 16, 2024 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
• Oct. 17, 2024 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
• Oct. 18, 2024 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
• Nov. 2, 2024 - State Farm Arena - Atlanta, GA
• Nov. 3, 2024 - State Farm Arena - Atlanta, GA
• Nov. 6, 2024 - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
• Nov. 8, 2024 - Heritage Bank Center - Cincinnati, OH
• Nov. 10, 2024 - Xcel Energy Center - Saint Paul, MN
• Nov. 11, 2024 - Xcel Energy Center - Saint Paul, MN
• Nov. 13, 2024 - United Center - Chicago, IL
• Nov. 14, 2024 - United Center - Chicago, IL
• Nov. 16, 2024 - T-Mobile Center - Kansas City, MO
• Nov. 17, 2024 - CHI Health Center Omaha - Omaha, NE
• Nov. 19, 2024 - Ball Arena - Denver, CO
• Nov. 20, 2024 - Ball Arena - Denver, CO
• Dec. 3, 2024 - Rogers Arena - Vancouver, BC
• Dec. 5, 2024 - Climate Pledge Arena - Seattle, WA
• Dec. 6, 2024 - Climate Pledge Arena - Seattle, WA
• Dec. 8, 2024 - Moda Center - Portland, OR
• Dec. 10, 2024 - SAP Center at San Jose - San Jose
• Dec. 11, 2024 - SAP Center at San Jose - San Jose
• Dec. 13, 2024 - Desert Diamond Arena - Glendale, AZ
• Dec. 15, 2024 - Kia Forum - Inglewood, CA
• Dec. 16, 2024 - Kia Forum - Inglewood, CA
• Dec. 17, 2024 - Kia Forum - Inglewood, CA

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AUSTRALIA TOUR DATES

• Feb. 18, 2025 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane, Australia
• Feb. 19, 2025 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane, Australia
• Feb. 21, 2025 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane, Australia
• Feb. 22, 2025 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre - Brisbane, Australia
• Feb. 24, 2025 - Qudos Bank Arena - Sydney, Australia
• Feb. 25, 2025 - Qudos Bank Arena - Sydney, Australia
• Feb. 27, 2025 - Qudos Bank Arena - Sydney, Australia
• Feb. 28, 2025 - Qudos Bank Arena - Sydney, Australia
• March 4, 2025 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia
• March 5, 2025 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia
• March 7, 2025 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia
• March 8, 2025 - Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne, Australia

EUROPE, UNITED KINGDOM, & IRELAND TOUR DATES

• April 23, 2025 - Avicii Arena - Stockholm, Sweden
• April 24, 2025 - Avicii Arena - Stockholm, Sweden
• April 26, 2025 - Telenor Arena - Oslo, Norway
• April 28, 2025 - Royal Arena - Denmark, Copenhagen
• April 29, 2025 - Royal Arena - Denmark, Copenhagen
• May 2, 2025 - ZAG Arena - Hannover, Germany
• May 4, 2025 - Ziggo Dome - Netherlands, Amsterdam
• May 5, 2025 - Ziggo Dome - Netherlands, Amsterdam
• May 7, 2025 - Ziggo Dome - Netherlands, Amsterdam
• May 9, 2025 - Uber Arena - Berlin, Germany
• May 29, 2025 - Lanxess Arena - Cologne, Germany
• May 30, 2025 - Lanxess Arena - Cologne, Germany
• June 1, 2025 - O2 Arena - Prague, Czech Republic
• June 3, 2025 - Tauron Arena - Krakow, Poland
• June 4, 2025 - Tauron Arena - Krakow, Poland
• June 6, 2025 - Stadthalle - Vienna, Austria
• June 8, 2025 - Unipol Arena - Bologna, Italy
• June 10, 2025 - Accor Arena - Paris, France
• June 11, 2025 - Accor Arena - Paris, France
• June 14, 2025 - Palau Sant Jordi - Barcelona, Spain
• June 15, 2025 - Palau Sant Jordi - Barcelona, Spain
• July 7, 2025 - OVO Hydro - Glasgow, UK
• July 8, 2025 - OVO Hydro - Glasgow, UK
• July 10, 2025 - The O2 - London, UK
• July 11, 2025 - The O2 - London, UK
• July 13, 2025 - The O2 - London, UK
• July 14, 2025 - The O2 - London, UK
• July 16, 2025 - The O2 - London, UK
• July 17, 2025 - The O2 - London, UK
• July 19, 2025 - Co-op Live - Manchester, UK
• July 20, 2025 - Co-op Live - Manchester, UK
• July 22, 2025 - Co-op Live - Manchester, UK
• July 23, 2025 - Co-op Live - Manchester, UK
• July 26, 2025 - 3Arena - Dublin, Ireland
• July 27, 2025 - 3Arena - Dublin, Ireland

Has Billie Eilish performed in Florida?

While Eilish made two stops here in 2020 ( Orlando and Miami ) on her "Where Do We Go?" world tour, the Sunshine State also got skipped in the 2022 "Happier Than Ever" tour according to concertarchives.org .

But before her first studio album, "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" came out, she was performing at the Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival at Sunshine Grove on March 3, 2018.

By the following year, she was sharing the stage with Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Lewis Capaldi and Sam Smith for the Y100 Jingle Ball at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise.

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New Mexico governor seeks hydrogen investment with trip to Netherlands

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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The governor of New Mexico has announced plans to court new investments in hydrogen fuel development at a business summit in the Netherlands over the coming week.

In a news release Friday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said she’ll lead a delegation to an industry summit exhibition in the port city of Rotterdam seeking the “opportunity to sell New Mexico as a dynamic and thriving place for hydrogen industry investment.” She led a similar mission last year to Australia to talk with hydrogen entrepreneurs .

Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, has been a vocal proponent of investments in hydrogen as a transition fuel that can replace fossil fuels with cleaner-burning hydrogen as an energy source for vehicles, manufacturing and generating electricity.

Some environmentalists call hydrogen a false solution because it frequently relies on natural gas as a fuel source. Several New Mexico-based groups have resisted proposed state incentives for hydrogen development, citing concerns that it would prolong natural gas development and increase demand for scarce water supplies.

Hydrogen also can be produced through electrolysis — splitting water molecules using renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, as well as nuclear power.

New Mexico is a major energy producing state with extensive natural gas reserves and broad recent investments in electrical transmission lines aimed expanding renewable energy production from sources including wind and solar.

The Biden administration last year passed over a four-state bid by New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming for a share of $7 billion aimed at kickstarting development and production of hydrogen fuel. It chose instead projects based in California, Washington, Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Illinois.

The hydrogen summit in Rotterdam has an array of public an private sponsors. Lujan Grisham is traveling with office staff, New Mexico cabinet secretaries for the environment and transportation, and husband Manny Cordova. The New Mexico delegation also includes Rob Black, president of a statewide chamber of commerce.

The Future of Electric Cars Hinges on a Dongle

A free charging adapter can help alleviate one of the biggest problems holding back EVs.

Take a road trip in an electric car, and you’ll quickly realize that gas stations are incredible. Nothing in the world of EVs is as fast and easy as checking highway signs for the nearest Shell or BP, filling up your tank in just a few minutes, and getting on with your day. It’s not just that chargers are still hard to find. They can be dreadfully slow, adding as little as 25 miles of battery life every hour . Plenty of faster ones exist, yes, but there is no guarantee that they will work . A long-distance drive in an EV still requires a lot of planning and a lot of luck.

But if you drive a Tesla, the experience is better. The company’s Superchargers are speedy—adding up to 200 miles of charge in just 15 minutes—and simple to use. Set up an account with Tesla and charging initiates automatically after plugging in. There’s no fumbling with screens or swiping a credit card. Superchargers consistently clock in as the most reliable EV chargers in the U.S.

Even though Tesla Superchargers make up nearly three-quarters of America’s fast chargers, most non-Tesla EV drivers have had to look for a plug elsewhere. That’s because Tesla’s cars use their own proprietary charging port, similar to how the Lightning Connector is only for Apple products. But in recent months, Tesla has opened up its Superchargers to cars from Ford and Rivian. With a brick-size charging adapter, drivers can plug into more chargers than ever before, alleviating one of the biggest challenges to owning an EV. Many more automakers may soon get Supercharger access and adapters, but that has gotten complicated by Tesla’s shocking and sudden decision to fire its entire Supercharger team last week . So much about the adoption of electric vehicles in America now hangs on a dongle.

Tesla isn’t opening up its Superchargers out of the goodness of Elon Musk’s heart. In 2021, Tesla’s charging port seemed doomed: To encourage standardization, the federal government had decided to subsidize charging stations with the Combined Charging System (CCS) connector used by other automakers. The company responded by open-sourcing its connector—which it renamed the North American Charging Standard, or NACS for short—and struck a deal with the government to make its chargers accessible to other automakers. Since then, nearly every major automaker has announced that they’ll build the NACS port into future vehicles, including Ford, Rivian, GM, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, BMW, Nissan, and Jeep. (That’s not even the full list.) Tesla’s North American Charging Standard has functionally become exactly that: the new charging standard for America’s EVs. Tesla has received billions of dollars in federal funding to rapidly build more Superchargers—promising to double the number by the end of the year—and could bring in billions more from Supercharger fees.

Although the first non-Tesla cars with the NACS port won’t come out until next year or later, adapters are the linchpins that give most of the EVs already on the road access to the Supercharger revolution. Currently made by Tesla directly, these dongles are more complicated than the converters you’ve used with your phone or other devices. They have to safely handle kilowatts of power while not overheating, work in extreme weather, and perhaps most important of all, coordinate the software “ handshake ” between the vehicle and Tesla chargers. That last element requires an exchange of information among Tesla, other carmakers, the electric grid, and the consumer—allowing for seamless charging and billing.

Because of the intricacies of this software handshake, Tesla is expanding Supercharger access to other carmakers one at a time; Ford was first, in late February, and then Rivian followed in March. Although both of these companies are letting customers reserve a dongle for free, at least temporarily, the dongles are so sought-after that the supply has struggled to keep up. Ford declined to give specifics on demand for its dongle, but a spokesperson for Rivian told me that it has seen an opt-in rate above 90 percent for the free adapters. However, the company wouldn’t share specifics on how many adapters it has shipped.

The adapters, like any technology, are not perfect: Software glitches have led some drivers to get the dreaded “ red ring of death ,” and non-Tesla cars might not necessarily be able to charge as quickly. But mostly the dongles are working as promised . Once non-Tesla owners receive the updated software in their cars, they can attach the dongle to the Supercharger cable, plug it in, and voilà. For that reason, other carmakers are eager to follow Ford and Rivian and offer adapters later this year, or early next.

The promise of these adapters is undeniable: One of the biggest things holding EVs back is charging anxiety, Jeremy Michalek, an EV expert at Carnegie Mellon University, told me. Many new EVs can now go 300 miles or more on a single charge—more than sufficient for daily or even weekly driving—but the public chargers are still nowhere near good enough . An adapter “takes away one of the big logistical problems with trying to figure out where to charge,” he said, simply because it opens up the chargers that already exist. Adaptors could also help boost EV sales at a time when they have stagnated, reassuring Americans that they can make that five-hour road trip to see relatives without running out of battery power along the way.

Read: The one thing holding back electric vehicles in America

Like anything with Tesla, however, it’s not nearly that simple. NACS adoption has gone from a success story for electric cars to a monkey wrench in the EV future. Last week, Musk laid off Tesla’s 500-person Supercharger team , a baffling, inexplicable move considering how central charging has become to the company . On his social platform, X, Musk posted that Tesla will grow the Supercharger network “at a slower pace.” Ford and Rivian reportedly are now in the dark, having lost their main contacts at the company. The layoffs might already be slowing down the dongles: Unhappy Ford-EV owners have taken to Reddit to discuss delays in adapter delivery, as first reported by The Verge . Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

The rollout of these adapters is poised to be an early test of how much Tesla is willing to continue to invest in charging at all. At worst, the layoffs suggest that now that Tesla has won the charging-plug wars, Musk is abandoning the mission as he seeks to pivot the company around AI . “Cutting all of the Supercharger staff means that Tesla won’t have anyone left to develop the software updates and ensure interoperability with non-Tesla vehicles,” Sam Abuelsamid, the principal e-mobility research analyst at Guidehouse Insights, told me. “Over time, it may lead to reduced reliability of the existing chargers and adapters.”

There is no going back from NACS. Regardless of what Tesla does with its charging network, the connector has been standardized so that any charging company, such as Electrify America and ChargePoint, can use it in its own stations. And unlike other connectors, NACS supports the same voltage as the street lights and utility poles all over the country. This is already in practice in European cities such as Amsterdam, London, and Paris, where you can plug your EV into lamp-post charging ports. In the U.S., such chargers would make EV ownership more accessible for people who live in apartment buildings, and can’t reliably charge overnight in private garages.

In the long run, the transition to the NACS standard could also help make EVs more affordable—still the biggest barrier to widespread EV adoption. “If we can get consumers comfortable with the idea that there’s charging everywhere,” Abuelsamid said, “automakers can start to build EVs with smaller batteries”—which would mean cheaper electric cars.

But that is still well into the future. For now, every gas-burning car purchased could spew planet-warming emissions for the next decade-plus. While the country works to turn its 10,000 fast-charging stations into a more expansive network that could replace 150,000 gas stations, dongles are a key step along the way. If Tesla’s layoffs materially slow the rollout of these adapters and the future of electrification, no one wins.