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Netherlands Holidays

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Your guide to holidays in the Netherlands

Holidays in the Netherlands offer a great blend of culture, history, and modern energy. This compact country, wedged between Germany and Belgium, is famous for much more than windmills and wooden shoes. With its vibrant cities, charming countryside, and North Sea coastline, it's a perfect destination for a short break or a longer stay. From the canal-lined streets of Amsterdam to the cutting-edge architecture of Rotterdam, you'll find a progressive and welcoming atmosphere everywhere you go.

Where to go in the Netherlands

Each Dutch city has its own distinct character, while the coastline offers a completely different pace of life. It's easy to explore several places in one trip, giving you a real taste of what the country has to offer.

Amsterdam

Most trips begin in Amsterdam, a city that feels both historic and incredibly current. You can spend your days exploring world-class museums and browsing the independent shops of The Nine Streets, or De Negen Straatjes. In the evening, a stroll along the 17th-century canal ring – a UNESCO World Heritage site – is a must, before you dive into the city's diverse nightlife.

Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht

Rotterdam is Amsterdam's modern counterpart. As home to Europe's largest port, its skyline is defined by striking contemporary architecture, including the famous Cube Houses. Just a short train ride away is The Hague, the seat of the Dutch government, which combines city culture with a seaside resort. For a classic Dutch city, head to Utrecht, where you can enjoy a coffee by its unique wharfs and canals.

The Dutch coast

The Netherlands might not be the first place you think of for a beach holiday, but its coastline is impressive. Zandvoort, easily reachable from Amsterdam, is a lively beach town with plenty of bars and restaurants. Nearby, Scheveningen is another popular resort with golden sands and a pier, making it a great spot for families.

When to visit the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a year-round destination with a temperate climate, so it's rarely too hot or cold. Spring and summer are particularly popular, with pleasant weather perfect for cycling and sightseeing.

Tulip season

For many, the best time to visit is during tulip season, which runs from mid-March to mid-May. This is when the fields burst into colour. The most famous place to see them is at the Keukenhof Gardens, one of the world's largest flower gardens. You can also see the spectacular Flower Parade, or Bloemencorso, if you time your visit right.

Public holidays and events

The Dutch love a celebration, and planning your trip around a public holiday can be great fun. The biggest event is King's Day – or Koningsdag – on 27 April, when the entire country dresses in orange for a nationwide street party. Other key dates include Sinterklaas on 5 December, a traditional gift-giving day, and Liberation Day on 5 May.

Top things to do in the Netherlands

Whether you're into art, history, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there's always something to do. Getting around is part of the fun, with cycling and canal boats being popular choices.

Canal cruises and cycling

Seeing the cities from the water on a canal cruise offers a unique perspective, especially in Amsterdam. To travel like a local, however, you have to get on a bike. The Netherlands has an impressive network of cycle paths, making it a safe and enjoyable way to explore both the cities and the flat, open countryside.

Museums and culture

The country has a rich artistic and cultural history. In Amsterdam, the Museum Quarter is home to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, which holds the largest collection of his work. A visit to the Anne Frank House offers a poignant and powerful look into the city's past. For something different, Rotterdam's Maritime Museum charts six centuries of Dutch shipping history.

Dutch food to try

Dutch cuisine is hearty, comforting, and delicious. You'll find sweet treats and savoury snacks sold at street-food stalls and in cosy cafés – known as brown cafés.

Be sure to try these local favourites:

  • Stroopwafel: two thin waffles stuck together with a sweet syrup filling, best eaten warm.
  • Bitterballen: a popular bar snack, these are deep-fried meatballs typically served with mustard.
  • Stamppot: a traditional dish of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables such as kale or carrots.
  • Herring: served from street vendors, raw herring with pickles and onions is a Dutch classic.
  • Dutch cheese: look beyond Edam and Gouda and sample some of the many other local cheeses.

From its art-filled cities to its flower-filled fields, the Netherlands offers a holiday that is both relaxing and culturally enriching.

Need to know

building
Capital
Amsterdam
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Language
Dutch
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Currency
Euro
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Time zone
GMT +1
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Flight time
45 mins

* Average time from London Luton to Amsterdam

All regions in Netherlands

Amsterdam

Rotterdam

The Hague

Utrecht

Explore our map of Netherlands

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    Your questions answered

    As the Netherlands has a temperate climate, it's very rarely too hot or cold for visitors to enjoy. However, the country’s most popular visiting period is the summer, when average temperatures reach 17℃, though rainfall is still common. The spring and autumn months are also a good time to visit the Netherlands as, while it may not be as warm as during the summer, the climate is still pleasant, and there are often fewer crowds.
    Perhaps not best known for its beaches, the Netherlands, nevertheless, has several that are worth a visit. A 45-minute drive from the centre of Amsterdam, Zandvoort beach makes various watersports available, including windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beach also has plenty of bars and restaurants, while a local nature reserve provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the wildlife. Popular with both locals and tourists, the seaside resort of Scheveningen, near The Hague, boasts plenty of family-friendly activities such as an arcade and shopping centre.
    The Netherlands, otherwise known as the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consists of four main countries. The majority of the Netherlands kingdom is in Western Europe and is known as the Netherlands. However, the kingdom also has countries in the Caribbean, including Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. The three public bodies of Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, also based in the Caribbean, are considered part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands too.
    The Netherlands celebrates several holidays throughout the year. The feast of Sinterklaas, celebrated annually on the 5th of December, involves the exchange of presents with a poem hinting at what the gift may be. Christmas is commonly celebrated over the 25th and 26th of December, though gift-giving over this period isn’t as popular. Held on the 31st of December, Old Year's Day – Oudejaarsdag – sees families celebrate with traditional sweet pastries called Oliebollen. An annual feast traditionally held on the 27th of April, King’s Day, or Koningsdag, is celebrated with many towns and cities hosting markets where the market sellers dress in orange.
    The Netherlands has many traditional foods, with many regions of the country having their own distinct dishes. A popular street food snack, stroopwafels are thin waffles cut in half before being put back together with syrup. Traditionally eaten around Christmas and New Year, poffertjes are small pancakes served with melted butter and icing sugar. A cultural heritage food, bitterballen are fried breaded meatballs that are a popular snack in bars. Believed to date back to the 15th century, stamppot is a hearty dish made of mashed potatoes and root vegetables.
    Dutch is the country’s official language, but English is also commonly used and is also the official language of the Kingdom of the Netherlands countries of Saba, Sint Eustatius, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. German is also quite often spoken in the Netherlands, while a number of the Dutch population also speak French and Spanish.