Netherlands

Windmills, Waterways & Wonderful Welcomes

Holidays in Netherlands

Your Guide to Netherlands

Picture yourself cycling alongside tranquil canals reflecting tall, gabled houses, wandering through fields bursting with colourful tulips in spring, or admiring masterpieces by Rembrandt and Van Gogh in world-renowned museums. The Netherlands offers these iconic images and so much more. It's a country shaped by its relationship with water, showcasing impressive feats of engineering alongside historic cities and picturesque countryside. Renowned for its liberal attitudes, innovative spirit, and friendly, pragmatic people, it’s a place that’s both deeply historic and refreshingly modern.


For many first-time visitors, the magnetic allure of Amsterdam with its canals, museums, and unique atmosphere is the main draw, perhaps combined with a spring trip to see the tulips at Keukenhof Gardens. But the Netherlands offers plenty for returners and those looking beyond the capital: explore the cutting-edge architecture of Rotterdam, the stately international hub of The Hague, the charming university city of Utrecht, historic cheese markets in Alkmaar or Gouda, the windswept Wadden Sea islands, or simply enjoy cycling through the flat, scenic landscapes.

Getting to Netherlands

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Flights: Numerous flights operate daily from London and many regional UK airports, often taking under an hour. Major carriers like British Airways, KLM (the Dutch national airline), and budget airlines like EasyJet serve Dutch airports. Key gateways:


  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS): One of Europe's largest and busiest hubs, and the main gateway for most visitors. It boasts excellent train connections directly beneath the terminal, whisking you to Amsterdam Centraal station in 15-20 minutes, and other major Dutch cities.
  • Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM): A smaller, convenient airport serving both Rotterdam and The Hague, with good connections from London City and some regional UK airports.
  • Eindhoven Airport (EIN): Primarily a hub for budget airlines like Ryanair, serving the south of the country.


Eurostar: A fantastic option! Direct high-speed trains run from London St Pancras International to Rotterdam Centraal (approx. 3h 15m) and Amsterdam Centraal (approx. 4h). Comfortable, convenient, and delivers you right to the city centre.

Transport options in Netherlands

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Trains (NS - Nederlandse Spoorwegen), Cycling, Trams & Buses, Rental Cars.

Official Spoken Languages

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The official language is Dutch. In the province of Friesland, Frisian is also an official language. However, the fantastic news for UK visitors is that English proficiency in The Netherlands is exceptionally high – consistently ranked among the best in the world for non-native speakers.


You will find that almost everyone you encounter, especially in urban areas and within the tourism sector, speaks fluent English

Weather & Climate

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Late Spring (April-May) for tulips and festivities, or Summer (June-August) for the warmest weather and outdoor activities are prime times. Autumn (especially September) offers pleasant conditions with fewer crowds.

Must-Do Experiences in Netherlands

A canal surrounded by trees and buildings in the city of Amsterdam.

Amsterdam's Canal Charm & Culture

Explore the enchanting capital. Take a canal cruise to admire the UNESCO-listed canal ring and distinctive gabled houses. Visit the deeply moving Anne Frank House (book tickets months online in advance – essential!). Immerse yourself in art at the magnificent Rijksmuseum (home to Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch' and works by Vermeer) and the Van Gogh Museum (dedicated to the Dutch master – book timed tickets online). Wander through the charming Jordaan district or experience the unique atmosphere of other neighbourhoods.

A windmill is in the background of a field of red tulips in Netherlands

Windmills & Tulips

Witness quintessential Dutch landscapes. Visit Zaanse Schans, a picturesque village near Amsterdam with preserved windmills, wooden shoe workshops, and cheese farms (can be touristy but charming). Or head to Kinderdijk (near Rotterdam), a UNESCO site boasting 19 authentic windmills in a stunning polder setting. In Spring (late March - mid-May), don't miss the breathtaking floral displays at Keukenhof Gardens, or cycle through the vibrant bulb fields (bollenstreek) nearby.

A painting of a girl with a pearl earring on a wall, known as Vermeer’s iconic 'Girl

Art Masters at The Hague & Hoge

Delve deeper into the Dutch Masters and beyond. Visit the exquisite Mauritshuis museum in The Hague to stand before Vermeer’s iconic 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and Rembrandt’s 'The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp'. For a unique art and nature combination, explore the Kröller-Müller Museum, located within the beautiful Hoge Veluwe National Park (easily reachable from cities like Utrecht or Arnhem), boasting a significant Van Gogh collection and an impressive outdoor sculpture garden (free white bikes provided to explore the park).

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Explore Dynamic Cities

Discover the Netherlands' urban diversity. Experience the striking modern architecture and vibrant food scene of Rotterdam (visit the Markthal, Cube Houses, Erasmus Bridge). Explore The Hague (Den Haag), the elegant seat of the Dutch government, Royal Family, and international courts like the Peace Palace. Wander the charming canals and climb the Dom Tower in the lively university city of Utrecht. Or visit historic gems like Haarlem (great museums, close to Amsterdam), Delft (famous for its blue pottery), or Leiden (Rembrandt's birthplace).

Tips for First-Time Visitors

This cannot be stressed enough. Cycling is king in the Netherlands, and cyclists move fast and expect priority. Dedicated cycle lanes (fietspaden, often red asphalt) are everywhere. Always look very carefully in all directions before stepping off a pavement or crossing a road – especially watch out for bikes coming silently from directions you might not expect. Never walk or stand in a cycle lane. If you rent a bike, follow local rules, use lights at night, and lock it securely!

Beware the Bikes

This quintessential Dutch word is hard to translate directly but embodies cosiness, conviviality, warmth, friendliness, and a pleasant atmosphere. You might find it sharing 'borrelhapjes' (snacks served with drinks) in a traditional wood-panelled pub ('brown cafe' or bruin café), enjoying coffee and cake with friends, or simply feeling comfortable and welcome somewhere. Experiencing 'gezelligheid' is experiencing a key part of Dutch culture.

Find Your 'Gezelligheid'

For the culinarily adventurous, sampling 'Hollandse Nieuwe' (new season soused herring) is a Dutch tradition, especially around May/June when it arrives. Find a 'haringhandel' (herring stand) and try it the local way: held by the tail, optionally dipped in raw onions, head tilted back, and lowered into your mouth! Or, more manageably, have it chopped up in a soft white bun ('broodje haring'). It has a unique, salty flavour!

Dare to Try Raw Herring?

For seamless travel on trains, trams, buses, and metros nationwide, the Dutch use a smart system. You can buy an anonymous OV-chipkaart (like an Oyster card) at stations/shops and load credit onto it – remember you MUST tap in at the start AND tap out at the end of every journey (even when transferring) to pay the correct fare. Alternatively, the newer OVpay system allows you to simply tap your contactless bank card, phone, or smartwatch on the readers to check in and out – often the easiest option for tourists on short trips (just check your bank's foreign transaction fees).

OV-chipkaart vs OVpay for Transport

Netherlands: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

The Netherlands offers a delightful and easily accessible European escape just across the water from the UK. It’s a country that charms with its iconic canals, windmills, and tulips, impresses with its world-class art and innovative design, and welcomes visitors with its famously open and friendly atmosphere. Its compact size and superb public transport network make exploring its diverse cities and picturesque landscapes incredibly straightforward.


Whether you're seeking a culture-packed city break in Amsterdam, a colourful springtime visit to the bulb fields, a relaxing cycling holiday through flat polders, or an exploration of modern architecture and design, The Netherlands provides a rich and rewarding travel experience. Goede reis! (Have a good trip)