The Netherlands is home to an extraordinary collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that tell the story of the country’s rich history, groundbreaking innovations, and natural wonders. From the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk to the serene beauty of the Wadden Sea and the famous Amsterdam canals, each of these 13 sites offers a unique glimpse into the Dutch ability to harmonise culture, nature, and human ingenuity. Whether you’re drawn to architectural masterpieces or breathtaking landscapes, these heritage sites are a testament to the Netherlands’ enduring legacy.
Plan your trip to The Netherlands
- Find your cheapest flights into Amsterdam.
- Search for hotels in The Netherlands that fit your needs. If you start your trip in Amsterdam, take a look at these stunning boutique hotels in Amsterdam.
- To see UNESCO World Heritage in The Netherlands you will need a car. If you’re not visiting the country with your own car, renting a car is the way forward.
- Read my page ‘plan your trip‘ for all you need to know about visiting The Netherlands.
13x UNESCO World Heritage in The Netherlands
Amsterdam’s canals
Amsterdam’s canal ring is so much more than picturesque. These 17th-century waterways are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a key part of the city’s identity. Hop on a canal cruise or take a leisurely stroll—either way, you’ll see why millions of tourists are drawn here every year.
Van Nelle Factory, Rotterdam
In Rotterdam, the Van Nelle Factory is an architectural masterpiece. Once a coffee, tea, and tobacco factory, it’s now a hub for creative businesses. Guided tours give you a glimpse into its past and why it’s considered an icon of industrial design.
- Top things to do in Rotterdam
- Stay on the SS Rotterdam for an amazing experience
Windmills of Kinderdijk
The Windmills of Kinderdijk also reflect how the Dutch have innovatively managed the constant threat of water. Construction of the windmills began as early as the Middle Ages to keep the land dry. Although the windmills have been out of regular use since 1950, they remain operational and could be used again if necessary. Today, they primarily serve as a popular tourist attraction.
- Read more about visiting the Windmills of Kinderdijk
- Day trips to Kinderdijk
Beemster Polder
The Beemster Polder is a stunning example of Dutch landscape design. Reclaimed in the 17th century, this area is a harmonious blend of natural beauty and human ingenuity. Visit for scenic cycling routes, tulip fields in spring, and charming villages.
The Wadden Sea
The Wadden Sea is an extraordinary place to visit. Spanning the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark, it’s a haven for millions of birds and other wildlife. Time your visit with low tide to try mudflat walking (“wadlopen“), a uniquely Dutch experience. You may even spot some seals.
Rietveld Schröder House, Utrecht
Located in Utrecht, the Rietveld Schröder House is a must-see for design lovers. Built in 1924 by Gerrit Rietveld, it’s an icon of the De Stijl art movement. The house’s open-plan design and bold colours feel modern even today. Tours are available, so book in advance. If you feel like seeing more of Rietveld’s designs, combine your visit to the Rietveld Schröder House with Utrecht’s Centraal Museum.
- Top things to do in Utrecht
- Spend the night at Mother Goose or The Nox Hotel
The Dutch Water Defence Lines
The Defence Line of Amsterdam and the New Dutch Waterline were merged into a single UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. This 200-kilometre network used water as a defence mechanism by flooding fields to create a barrier too shallow for boats but too deep for foot soldiers and horses. Nowadays many of the fortresses are open to the public or have a new public function like a museum or a restaurant.
- Spend the night in one of the old fortresses, for example B&B Fort Bakkerskil.
- Read more about Muiden, along the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
Lower Germanic Limes
The Lower Germanic Limes are a UNESCO World Heritage site in The Netherlands close to my heart as I live along this ancient former northern frontier of the Roman Empire. This frontier ran along the river rine and has many archaeological remains along it, like roads, watch towers and aquaducts. I live near one of these (rebuilt) remains, Castellum Hoge Woerd in Utrecht, whoch houses a museum where you will learn all about the Lower Germanic Limes and roman times in The Netherlands.
Schokland
The former island of Schokland in the Dutch Noordoostpolder became the first Dutch site to earn a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. What makes Schokland so special? People have lived here since prehistoric times, and according to UNESCO, “Schokland symbolises the heroic, centuries-long battle of the Dutch against encroaching water.” Residents of Schokland, which is now reclaimed land, were often forced to leave their homes due to the threat of flooding. In 1859, the island was permanently evacuated. Nearly a century later, in 1940, Schokland became part of the mainland following the reclamation of the Zuiderzee.
Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, Lemmer
Water plays a significant role in many Dutch UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal in Friesland has been on the list for many years. And for good reason: it is the largest still-operational steam pumping station in the world. Since 1920, it has helped keep Friesland dry and can still be activated during high water levels.
Eise Eisinga Planetarium, Franeker
The Eise Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker is the newest Dutch addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The world’s oldest working planetarium, it feels like a step back in time to the 18th century, when Frisian wool comber Eise Eisinga built an intricate scale model of our solar system on the ceiling of his living room. It’s rather a trip to the north of the country, but the Planetarium will absolutely blow your mind.
Colonies of Benevolence
The Colonies of Benevolence were a unique social experiment in the 19th century. When King William I took the throne in the Netherlands and Belgium, poverty and unemployment were widespread. Johannes van den Bosch devised a solution: the Society of Benevolence. Impoverished families were offered a home in these colonies, where they could sustain themselves independently. Four of these former settlements—three in Veenhuizen in The Netherlands and one in Belgium – are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Historic Inner City of Willemstad, Curaçao
The next Dutch UNESCO World Heritage Site is in the Caribbean part of the Netherlands, on the island of Curaçao. In 1997, the historic inner city of Willemstad in Curaçao was added to the list. According to UNESCO, “The city is distinguished by the diversity in the design of its four historic districts (Punda, Otrobanda, Pietermaai, and Scharloo), separated by the open waters of a natural harbour.”
- Stay at the beautiful Papagayo Beach Hotel
- Take a walking tour in colourful Willemstad
- Hato Cave, Flamingo’s, and Turtle Beach Tour in Curaçao
UNESCO World Heritage in The Netherlands
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