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Netherlands

Netherlands

Continent

Europe

Best States to Visit

  • Utrecht
  • Flevoland
  • Friesland
  • Groningen
  • Drenthe

Best Cities to Visit

  • Amsterdam
  • Rotterdam
  • Utrecht
  • Delft
  • Maastricht

Size

41,543 KM2

Population

17,169,226

GDP

$830,572,618,850

Spending Budget

$151 - $2,116

Famous For

  • The Netherlands may be a small country, but it's packed with world famous icons. Discover bulb fields, windmills, cheese markets, wooden shoes, canals of Amsterdam, masterpieces of Old Masters, Delft Blue earthenware, innovative water-management and millions of bicycles.

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October

History

The prehistory of the area that is now the Netherlands was largely shaped by the sea and the rivers that constantly shifted the low-lying geography. In the Dutch Golden Age, spanning much of the 17th century, the Dutch Empire grew to become one of the major seafaring and economic powers, alongside Portugal, Spain, France and England. Science, military, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. By 1650, the Dutch owned 16,000 merchant ships. Many economic historians regard the Netherlands as the first thoroughly capitalist country in the world. The Netherlands abolished slavery in its colonies in 1863. The Netherlands was able to remain neutral during World War I, in part because the import of goods through the Netherlands proved essential to German survival until the blockade by the British Royal Navy in 1916. That changed in World War II, when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940. In 1954, the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands reformed the political structure of the Netherlands, which was a result of international pressure to carry out decolonisation. The 1960s and 1970s were a time of great social and cultural change, such as rapid de-pillarisation characterised by the decay of the old divisions along political and religious lines. Youths, and students in particular, rejected traditional mores and pushed for change in matters such as women's rights, sexuality, disarmament and environmental issues.

Present Day

The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country primarily located in Western Europe and partly in the Caribbean. The four largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. “Netherlands” means low-lying country; the name Holland was originally given to one of the medieval cores of what later became the modern state and is still used for 2 of its 12 provinces. The country is indeed low-lying and remarkably flat, with large expanses of lakes, rivers, and canals. Some 2,500 square miles (6,500 square km) of the Netherlands consist of reclaimed land, the result of a process of careful water management dating back to medieval times. Netherlands is today one of the world’s most densely populated countries. Although the population as a whole is “graying” rapidly, with a high percentage over age 65, Amsterdam has remained one of the liveliest centres of international youth culture. Prostitution, “soft-drug” (marijuana and hashish) use, and euthanasia are all legal but carefully regulated in the Netherlands, which was also the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.

Future

Cities in the Netherlands want to make their air cleaner by banning fossil fuel delivery vehicles from urban areas from 2025. To encourage transport organizations to go carbon-free, the government is offering grants of more than US$5,900 to help businesses buy or lease electric vehicles. There will be additional measures to help small businesses make the change. The Netherlands claims it is the first country in the world to give its cities the freedom to implement zero-emission zones. Amsterdam’s city government wants to build 52,500 houses by the end of 2025. This means building an average of 7,500 houses per year, of which 2,500 will be in the social housing sector and 1,670 in the medium-priced rental sector. The Housing Development Plan (Woningbouwplan) demonstrates that there are enough plans and building land to meet these numbers. However, to achieve this level of development, 7 years of economic prosperity will be needed, plus measures by central government.
Must Visit Places ------------

Amsterdam

Amsterdam also referred to as the “Venice of North” is the capital of the Netherlands, and it is full of historic landmarks, significant buildings and interesting sights. It is truly a global city that makes you feel at home no matter where you hail from. You can spot here a melting pot of various cultures and religions. It is a gastronomical paradise for visitors and has an unmatched infrastructure that makes it a destination like none other. The city is lined with various canals that contribute to its glorious stature in the world. Bask in the shimmering skyline of the city, gasp at the cityscape punctured by staggering skyscrapers twinkling in the night’s sky and enjoy it’s effervescent nightlife. It offers experiences around every turn, making it a destination that finds a sweet spot in the heart of every visitor.

Delft

Delft is a beautiful city in North Holland, Netherlands, located between The Hague, to the northwest and Rotterdam, to the southeast. It is located along the north-south railway line that connects Netherland's largest cities — including The Hague, Haarlem, and Rotterdam. Delft is a picturesque town renowned for its artistic heritage and monumental buildings. It is also home to some of the most beautiful, intersecting canals and residential squares. Known to be one of the most scenic cities in Northern Europe, Delft will greet you with gorgeous, unexpected views at every corner. From fantastic shopping streets and bouquets to art galleries and cathedrals, there is no shortage of splendid attractions in Delft.

Maastricht

Maastricht is situated on the southern side of the Netherlands and is the capital of Limburg's province. It touches Belgium on its west, and to the east, it is a few miles away from Germany. Maastricht is situated on both sides of the Meuse, at the point where Jeker joins it. Maastricht is known for its whitewashed landscapes, colorful alleys, and blue domes. Its futuristic skylines, colorful historical buildings, and tree-lined canals will make you fall in love with it at first sight. Added to that, swathes of green spaces and storied red-brick facades make it Europe's most gorgeous cultural epicenters. There are many places to Visit in Maastricht, ranging from art galleries, museums, and cathedrals. It has beautiful churches and lively restaurants with a menu full of tasty sensations. You can visit Fort Sint Pieter, an excellent example of a defense fortification, and walk across the St Servaas bridge.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands in the province of South Holland. It is located at the mouth of the Nieuwe Maas channel and leads into the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta in the North Sea. It lies about nineteen miles from the North Sea and is linked by the New Waterway canal. Rotterdam is a surreal destination with captivating landscapes and rich flora and fauna. It is the land of contrasts with stunning beaches and golden dunes that will keep you awe-inspired with their beauty. Rotterdam is a bustling city in the Netherlands worth making a detour because of its art-dominated streets, striking architectural landmarks, influential design studios, and lively restaurants and bars. It has eighteen gigantic windmills that are collectively recognized as a World Heritage Site. The city has a high concentration of institutes and art galleries, including Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Art, Kunsthal, and TENT.

Giethoorn

Giethoorn is a bustling town in the province of Overijssel, and it lies within the De Wieden nature preserve. It is situated in the Steenwijkerland municipality, about five kilometers southwest of Steenwijk. Giethoorn is a fairytale Dutch village dotted with beautiful reed beds, lakes, and forests. It has many farms with thatched roofs and wooden bridges. From glorious seaside promenades to grand architecture and nostalgic charm, Giethoorn has it all. Think of Giethoorn, and the sights and sounds of sputtering tuk-tuks, street food carts sizzling with Dutch fare, and markets teeming with tourists looking for budget buys, instantly come to mind.

Hague

The Hague is located on a coastal plain in the Netherlands, and it is the country's administrative capital. It lies at the southwest corner of the Randstad conurbation, which is one of the largest conurbations in the entire world. The Hague is the green lung of the Netherlands dotted with beautiful gardens and parks. It is an ideal place to escape the fast-paced city life and take a much-needed break. A vibrant nightlife, delectable cuisine, and rich heritage are the cornerstones of the Hague experience. The Hague is home to numerous government embassies and ministries and has the headquarters of major international organizations, like the International Court of Justice. It has some of the most iconic museums, such as the Louwman Museum Mauritshuis, that give you a glimpse of Dutch history. You'll also find here amusement parks, art galleries, sports centers, and lush green parks.

Eindhoven

Eindhoven is a bustling municipality of the Netherlands located in the southern region of the country. Its neighbouring towns and cities include Nuenen, Son en Breugel, Geldrop-Mierlo, Heeze-Leende, Waalre, Helmond, Veldhoven, Eersel, en Oirschot. Eindhoven is blessed with the world's most awe-inspiring vistas, ranging from towering volcanoes to cascading waterfalls and beautiful gardens. It is the Dutch design capital, and it conducts the biggest design event in the entire Northern Europe. There are many top tourist attractions in Eindhoven that signify the rich history and culture of this city. You can visit Van Abbemuseum, a museum of contemporary arts, and Speelpark de Splinter, a public park where you can indulge in an active workout. There are also petting zoos, cycling trails, churches, and art galleries where you can have the best time of your life.

Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden is a municipality and city in Friesland located around 1.7 kilometers from Holland Casino Leeuwarden. It is situated in the Netherlands north-western part, about a ninety-minute drive from Amsterdam. If you're looking for a unique destination with urban pleasures and man-made and natural beauty, you should head straight to Leeuwarden. It offers a combination of breathtaking vistas and magnificent architecture, nature, and art in perfect harmony. Its magical scenery is breathtaking and fascinating at first sight, making you feel like you've entered the setting of a real-life fairy tale. There are tons of attractions in Leeuwarden, ranging from museums to shopping streets and art galleries. You can visit Oldehove, which is an unfinished church tower situated in the center of Leeuwarden. Other important attractions that you must visit include Saint Boniface Church and Fries Museum.

Groningen

Groningen is a Dutch city in the Netherlands located at the northernmost side of the Hondsrug area. It borders the Friesland in the west, Germany in the east, and Drenthe province to the south. The Wadden Sea is located on the northern side of Groningen. For those looking to escape from chaos to calm, Groningen is the perfect destination. Apart from its scenic backdrop of the sky-high mountains and glistening tea gardens, it has beautiful waterfalls that make it a slice of paradise for the visitors. The fascinating beauty of Groningen is sure to give you many Instagram-worthy memories. Take a leisurely trip to Groningen, and feast your eyes on the city's cultural hotspots and historical attractions. It has beautiful historical monuments like the Groningen University and Museum and Martini Tower.

Haarlem

Haarlem is the capital of North Holland and is located at the northern edge of the Randstad. It is bounded by Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Morningside Park, and St. Nicholas Avenue on the west; 155th Street and the Harlem River on the north and Fifth Avenue on the east. Haarlem creates a beautiful and romantic atmosphere with its waterscapes, architectural elegance, boats, and delicious cuisine. It is renowned for its charming landscape, the annual carnival, and laid-back vibes. Haarlem is dotted with many tourist attractions that globetrotters and vagabonds love to visit during their trip to this city. This medieval age city has some of the most beautiful frescoes, sculptures, palaces, churches, romantic restaurants, and trendy bars. Some of the popular attractions include Frans Hals Museum, The Old City Hall, and Teylers Museum.

Utrecht

Utrecht is a municipality of the Netherlands located on the eastern side of the Randstad conurbation. It lies in the center of the country, bordering the Gelderland in the southeast, the Eemmeer in the north-east, South Holland in the west, and North Holland in the north. Utrecht promises a unique perceptual experience with its iconic Dutch houses, sand drifts, grasslands, and lush green forests. It is a photographer's paradise with colonial-era landmarks that can give your Instagram feed a distinguished look. Utrecht has some of the most fascinating attractions, including the ancient Dom Tower and Tivoli Vredenburg. It also has some of the most beautiful cathedrals, such as St. Martin's Cathedral and St. Salvator's Church. You can also visit Oudegracht, which is the oldest surviving canal in Europe. There are also several museums such as Railway Museum, Museum Catharijneconvent, and Miffy Museum.

Leiden

Leiden is situated on the Oude Rijn, at around twenty kilometers from The Hague and forty kilometers from Amsterdam to its north. The Kaag Lakes lie to the northeast of Leiden, and it forms densely connected agglomeration with Leiderdorp, Voorschoten, and Zoeterwoude. Leiden is an extraordinarily diverse city, featuring lush, green countryside, medieval towns built on canals, wild shorelines, and beautiful skyscrapers. Leiden also features beautiful green spaces and dozens of small canals, which give it a charismatic appearance. If you're on the hunt for some of the best places to visit in Leiden, you must head to De Burcht, which is an old castle with two beautiful canals. You can also visit the Museum Boerhaave to take a look at the history of science and medicine through the centuries. If this doesn't seem enough, you can visit Hortus Botanicus Leiden, the oldest garden in the world.

Rijksmuseum

The largest art museum in the Netherlands, Rijksmuseum is itself a history book. Now located in the borough of Amsterdam South at the Museum Square, this Dutch national museum was founded on November 19, back in the year 1798, but in The Hague. After two times of relocation within ten years, as well as a ten-year renovation, the current building of the Rijkmuseum, was opened to the public in 2013. Claimed to have a total collection of one million objects, owned by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, they are all pertinent to the Dutch art and history. The spectacular museum also houses the masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael and Vermeer, the Dutch Golden Age painters. Some of the attractions of Rijksmuseum are the paintings of ‘Night Watch’ by Rembrandt and ‘The Milkmaid’ by Vermeer. Consisting of a tunnel entrance, a beautiful garden, a library and a restaurant - the museum building has been a heritage site since 1970.

Anne Frank House

One of the most popular destinations in Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House, displays the hardship that Anne Frank, her family, and four other Jews went through during World War II. It lies on the Prinsengracht canal in central Amsterdam, Netherlands, and is famous as the building used by Anne Frank and her family to hide from Nazis during wartime. It is believed that they stayed there in the Secret Annex for more than two years.

Keukenhof

Popularly known as the ‘Garden of Europe’, Keukenhof is a 32-hectares garden, located in the town of Lisse in the Netherlands. People often say, spring in the Netherlands actually means tulips and to see the flowers in their best version, you have to visit Keukenhof once in a lifetime. This largest flower garden in the world is home to more than seven million flowers like hyacinths, azaleas, daffodils, rhododendrons, carnations, lilies, roses, orchids, irises besides tulips - all spring flowers in every imaginable colour on earth. Along with the vibrant scenario of flowers, the garden also includes lakes, sculptures and naturally decorated pavilions, that will surely set up your mood to dive into the sea of graceful nature. In its current form, the garden is treated as the independent and international platform to showcase the Dutch floricultural sector.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

One of the best places to visit in Netherlands for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers is De Hoge Veluwe National Park, which consists of sand dunes, heathlands, and woodlands. It is spread across 14,000 acres and is the natural habitat for moeflon, wild boar, and deer. The park has well-maintained cycling tracks, hiking trails, an underground museum, and souvenir shops. It has a visitors' center where you can learn about the landscape, animals, nature, history, and culture of The Hoge Veluwe.

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is a masterpiece of water management and a UNESCO world heritage site where you can discover the world's oldest windmills. The great architecture and stunning design of these windmills make them perfect for Instagram-worthy shots. As you step into this idyllic Dutch village, you'll find everything here below sea level. The windmills and waterways here tell the tale of the highs and lows of the Netherlands. Hunters and fishermen come here in summers when the water level is low.

Madurodam Theme Park

One of the best places in Netherlands that you must include in your itinerary is Madurodam Theme Park. It is a miniature park in The Hague that features miniature scale model replicas of famous Dutch castles and public buildings. There are various hands-on experiences that the visitors can have at this theme park. You can load containers onto a cargo ship in Rotterdam's miniature port, learn how a plane takes off at Schiphol airport, or prevent a flood by operating the storm surge barrier.

Canals of Amsterdam

The immense networks of waterways and canals are the main attraction of Amsterdam. The three main canals, Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht, form concentric belts around Amsterdam, known as the grachtengordel. These canals are lined by churches, Renaissance-style buildings, and palaces, connecting some of Amsterdam's top attractions. Picturesque bridges connect this city, and houseboats covered in flowers float in the canals' moving water. You can also rent a paddleboat and explore the beautiful canal belt at your own pace.

Beemster Polder

About thirteen miles north of Amsterdam, the Beemster region is an example of a Dutch polder—a flat piece of green farmland formed by draining a body of water. Aside from its cultural significance (it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999), Beemster Polder is a gorgeous landscape, complete with little canals, windmills, and lush, green fields. Make sure to stop by Middenbeemster, which, like most towns in the country, is impossibly charming.

Thorn

Located in the province of Limburg (near the Belgian border), Thorn is postcard-pretty with cobblestone roads and white-washed brick buildings. Its can't-miss attraction is the tenth-century abbey church in the town center.

Alkmaar

Alkmaar has many intriguing museums and lots of medieval architecture worth checking out, but most travelers flock here for one reason: cheese. The town is known for its traditional cheese market, which takes place on Friday mornings from April to early September.

Volendam

This picturesque fishing village is Holland’s best-known for a reason: it's filled with colorful wooden houses, bobbing fishing boats, and seafood stall after seafood stall dishing up fish and chips, smoked eel, and pickled herring piled high with onions.

Wadden Sea

This coastal wetland—a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the "largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world"—is home to a number of animal species including the harbor seal, grey seal, and harbor porpoise. There are some 50 islands here; the Netherlands "owns" five of them.

Middelburg

Originally established to withstand Viking attacks, Middelburg is the oldest town which makes it the best tourist places in Netherlands. Middelburg is also one of the best places to visit in Netherlands. You would not want to miss out on this culturally and architecturally rich city on your trip to Netherlands.