Top 15 cities in The Netherlands
Which cities are worth visiting in The Netherlands? Now, let me see. Are you into historic canals, ancient courtyards, works by world-famous masters, the seaside, cutting edge architecture, street art and amazing gastronomy? Yes? Good, because there are plenty of cities in The Netherlands worth visiting. Please, look beyond Amsterdam. Most cities in The Netherlands are easy to reach by train or car, most are just a short ride from Amsterdam. You won’t be disappointed..
Cities in The Netherlands: plan your visit
- If arriving by plane, you’ll probably arrive at Amsterdam Airport. Though it’s also possible to fly to Rotterdam/ The Hague International Airport or Eindhoven Airport.
- If you’re keen on travelling by train, it’s easy enough to catch a train from the UK, France, Germany, Austria and Belgium to The Netherlands. Book your tickets 3 months in advance to get the best deals.
- There are some amazing hotels in The Netherlands. Below I will list which hotel to stay in per city.
- You can simply catch a train to visit several cities in The Netherlands, you can buy your ticket online or at the station.
- If you’d like to see more of the country, simply rent a car to easily get everywhere.
- Read more about planning your trip to The Netherlands.
Top 15 cities in The Netherlands
Amersfoort
The magnificent Koppelpoort is probably the most beautiful old city gate in The Netherlands, and without a doubt the most photographed icon of Amersfoort. Its location is also pretty special, perched between the train station, the historical city centre and the cutting edge gentrified industrial area of Amersfoort, De Nieuwe Stad. Amersfoort has it all: cobbled historical streets, excellent museum (make sure to visit the birthplace of Piet Mondriaan), quaint canals, a beautiful old town and a lively café scene.
Plan your trip to Amersfoort
- Take the train from Amsterdam to Amersfoort, the trip takes about half an hour.
- Stay at Hotel De Tabaksplant in a stunning historical warehouse.
- Don’t forget to visit Flehite Museum and Piet Mondriaan’s Birth Place Mondriaanhuis.
- Discover all top things to do in Amersfoort.
Amsterdam
A visit to Amsterdam is on everybody’s list. Even if you’ve been to The Netherlands a couple of times, the city never seems to lose it’s charm. The historical canals, amazing museums, Golden Age buildings, vibrant atmosphere, quirky street art, fun neighbourhoods and attractive hidden gems (for those that look hard enough) don’t disappoint.
Plan your trip to Amsterdam
- You can choose from many lovely hotels in Amsterdam. Mr. Jordaan and Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht are really nice to stay at, for example. Look at more stunning boutique hotels in Amsterdam.
- Take an I Amsterdam City Card to visit most op the top sights and museums in Amsterdam and use all public transport for free. The I Amsterdam City Card is a great investment, for sure.
- Don’t fortget to visit the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank house.
- Read more about street art in Amsterdam and visit the most beautiful Dutch villages near Amsterdam.
- Look up all the top things to do in Amsterdam and plan your trip.
Delft
Delft is easily reached from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague and therefore is absolutely one of the top cities in The Netherlands to visit. Delft was once the home of famous Dutch master Johannes Vermeer and he made the skies over Delft world-famous forever. But there is more: the city plays a pivotal role in Dutch history and William of Nassau and all the Dutch royals have been buried in Delft. Enjoy Delft by bike, water or foot and explore the ancient cobbled streets, taking in the gorgeous historical buildings and squares.
Plan your trip to Delft
- Take the train to Delft. From Rotterdam and The Hague, the journey takes about 20 minutes, from Amsterdam you’ll reach delft within the hour.
- Stay at the beautiful Hotel de Koophandel.
- Join a bike tour in Delft. to discover the city like the Dutch would.
- Take a look at all the top things to do in Delft.
Den Bosch
Den Bosch is the capital of southern Dutch province Brabant and worth the title. It’s one of my favourite cities in The Netherlands. It was the posting of dukes and bishops but is most famous as it was once the home of painter Jheronimus (Jeroen) Bosch who used the city as inspiration for the hellish scenes in his works. To this day parts from Bosch’s painting can be recognised in the city, though Den Bosch is also known for some excellent museums, an outstanding café and dining scene and unique tunnel canals.
Visit Den Bosch, The Netherlands
- The train journey from to Den Bosch only takes one hour.
- Stay at Boutique Hotel The Duke.
- Take a look at the stunning St. Jan’s Cathedral and meet Van Gogh at Noord-Brabants Museum.
- All top things to do in Den Bosch.
Deventer
I absolutely adore Deventer and I really think you should go and visit this colourful, vibrant and romantic small city in the east of The Netherlands. Deventer is one of the beautiful Dutch Hansa Towns and the old city centre seems to have walked straight out of a fairytale book. Take a ferry across the IJssel river for a perfect view over the Deventer skyline as well as a visit to the sprawling gentrified area and go to Piknik and Fooddock.
Plan your visit to Deventer
- It’s easy to travel to Deventer: the train journey from Amsterdam only takes an hour.
- One of the coolest hotels in The Netherlands can be found in Deventer. Hotel FINCH is a beautiful boutique hotel in a lovely historical building.
- Take a look at all top things to do in Deventer.
Gouda
When you hear Gouda, cheese immediately springs to mind. And that’s because it originates from the Dutch city of Gouda. In summer you will have the opportunity to visit the traditional cheese market, though the historical cheese weighing house and brand new Cheese Experience are open year-round. But don’t linger on the cheese, please. Because Gouda main church has amazing stained glass panels and the city has cute canals, cobbled streets and beautiful courtyards.
Plan your trip to Gouda
- There’s a direct train from Amsterdam to Gouda, which runs regularly. The journey takes about 45 minutes.
- Find a hotel in Gouda, for example Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda.
- Don’t forget to visit the stunning St. Janskerk and Museum Gouda.
- View all top things to do in Gouda.
Groningen
Groningen has to be the most interesting city in the north of The Netherlands. Personally, I think it’s due to the historical university still being one of The Netherands’ most popular places to study, luring tons of new students to Groningen every year. This has lead to a relaxed atmosphere and super cool café scene. Groningen is also home to some great museums and cutting edge architecture. The city also serves as a perfect basecamp to discover the other sights in the north of The Netherlands
Visit Groningen, The Netherlands
- Take a direct train from Amsterdam to Groningen, the trip takes around two hours.
- It’s not that hard to find a super cool, yet affordable, hotel in Groningen. I especially like The Social Hub for its trendy vibe.
- Don’t forget to join a canal cruise in Groningen and visit the cutting edge Groninger Museum.
- See all top things to do in Groningen.
Haarlem
Haarlem has to be one of the most beautiful city in The Netherlands. To me, I feel this is the ultimate Dutch city. Haarlem has everything you would expect from a Dutch city. Gabled golden-aged buildings and streets, museums filled with work by top Dutch masters, a thriving café and restaurant scene and the opportunity to explore the city from the water. Haarlem is really close to Amsterdam, but feels a lot more unique due to very little crowds. If accommodation turns out to be too expensive for you in Amsterdam, Haarlem is the perfect aletrantive.
Travel to Haarlem, The Netherlands
- Simply take the train from Amsterdam to Haarlem. It takes about 15 minutes to get to Haarlem.
- I love several hotels in Haarlem, for example Boutique Hotel Staats.
- Discover Haatlem by bike like a true Dutchman
- Check out all top things to do in Haarlem.
Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden, capital of the province of Friesland and European cultural capital of 2018, is an unexpected pleasure to visit. The flanks of the canals are flanked by cosy cafés and are a joy to cycle along, but also discover the city’s museums and cultural scene and go hunting for street art.
Travel to Leeuwarden
- Travel by train from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden in two hours.
- Stay at the amazing Post Plaza Hotel in Leeuwarden.
- Take a self-guided walking tour in Leeuwarden.
- Check out all top things to do in Leeuwarden.
Maastricht
I always like to call Maastricht the most foreign city in The Netherlands. With a Roman history, Burgundian influences dating back to the French occupation and a free and fun atmosphere. Maastricht is where you go to feel like your properly on holiday, with sophisticated shopping and dining, stunning boutique hotels and excellent cultural options. Yes, Maastricht definitely has joie de vivre.
Visit Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Travel from Amsterdam to Maastricht in 2.5 hours from Amsterdam, by train.
- Stay at stunning design hotels like Townhouse Hotel or The Social Hub Maastricht.
- Read about all top things to do in Maastricht.
Middelburg
Even though Middelburg, capital of the province of Zeeland, isn’t all that big, its historical heart is filled to the brim with historical monuments. The late gothic town hall is one of the most beautiful and impressive one in its kind in The Netherlands and the church tower known as Lange Jan offers amazing views over the city and region. The city also has an excellent gastronomical scene, so don’t forget to stay the night and make a reservation at one of the amazing restaurants in town.
- Stay at Boutique Hotel The Roosevelt, a place the Dutch royals love to stay at as well (I loved it there, too!).
- Visit Zeeuws Museum, a really good museum located in a stunning historical building.
- Read about all top things to do in Middelburg.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is The Netherland’s contemporary answer to more classic cities, like Amsterdam, delft or The Hague. The heart of the city was completely destroyed by bombers in the second world war, but rose like a Phoenix from the ashes with the most amazing cotenporary architecture and cutting edge museums. A city break in Rotterdam will keep you entertained, full stop.
Travel to Rotterdam
- From many European cities, you can find flights to Rotterdam.
- Or travel directly from Amsterdam to Rotterdam by train.
- Having an amazing stay at old steamer SS Rotterdam.
- Top sights are, without a doubt, Markthal, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen and Kunsthal.
- Read about all top things to do in Rotterdam.
The Hague
The Hague, Den Haag in Dutch, is not only home to the government of The Netherlands, but also of Vermeer’s heart-moving The Girl with the Pearl Earing. Visit one of the many top museums in The Hague, find some cutting edge street art or take the tram to spend an afternoon at Scheveningen, The Hague Beach.
- Take a direct train from Amsterdam to The Hague.
- Stay the night at Marriott Hotel The Hague.
- Don’t leave Den Haag without visiting Mauritshuis, Escher in het Paleis and Gevangenpoort.
- Check out all top things to do in The Hague.
Utrecht
Utrecht is considered the cheaper, quieter and cosier alternative to Amsterdam, with a adorable historical city centre, canals, parks, great museums, lively cafés and one of the prettiest church towers in The Netherlands. And Holland’s largest fairytale castle De Haar is just a stone’s throw away.
- A train trip from Amsterdam to Utrecht only takes 25 minutes.
- Stay at beautiful Mother Goose Hotel or Hotel The Nox.
- Join a bike tour in Utrecht to see all the top sights and beautiful parks.
- Don’t forget to visit Centraal Museum and UNESCO listed Rietveld-Schröder Huis.
- Discover all top things to do in The Netherlands.
Zwolle
If you’d like to get to know the Hanseatic cities in The Netherlands, Zwolle is a lovely introduction. The city has an iconic city centre, but with a modern dynamic and top gastronomical scene. Take the opportunity to have dinner in a three Michel star restaurant or buy some books in an amazingly renovated church. Zwolle will surprise you.
- Travel from Amsterdam to Zwolle by train in a little over an hour.
- Definitely stay the night at beautiful Pillows Boutique Hotel.
- Discover the highlights of Zwolle during a bike tour.
- Highlights in Zwolle are Museum de Fundatie and bookshop Van der Velde in de Broeren.
- Read about all top things to do in Zwolle.
Top cities in The Netherlands
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