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Last Updated on 25th January 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
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
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.
The Hague
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.
Haarlem
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!
Lisse & Dutch tulip fields & Keukenhof
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.
Leiden
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.
Zaanse Schans
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.
Muiderslot Castle
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.
Edam
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.
Gouda
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.
Giethoorn
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.
Delft
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.
Kinderdijk
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.
Utrecht
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.
Alkmaar Cheese Market
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!
Hoorn
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.
Efteling
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.
Bruges
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.
Brussels
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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