Fantastic views from The Kiekkaaste in Groningen

Discover the Netherlands - Visit our icons and hidden gems

Discover the Netherlands, a country full of exciting adventures and hidden gems, where nothing’s more than a stone’s throw away. Explore a specific region, go for a city trip or get active with cycling or hiking trips – there’s always something new to discover, from varied landscapes to rich heritage and exciting activities.

The Netherlands: a land of water

Drenkelinghuisje on wadden island of Terschelling

The Netherlands is a country defined by its relationship with water, and without its ingenious systems of dykes and flood defenses, much of the country would not exist. Start your journey at the impressive Delta Works, a high point of Dutch engineering. Cycle along the expansive coastline or go island hopping on the Wadden Islands. At low tide, you can even go for a walk on the tidal flats – an extraordinary experience where you can walk on the sea floor.

Too adventurous for you? If it’s rest and relaxation you’re after, the Flevopolder might be for you and Batavia Stad is a great shopping destination. Lovers of water sports should take a look at Sneek, where you can do stand-up paddling and more on the Frisian lakes. And don’t forget a visit to the Eise Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker, the world’s oldest working planetarium. As the winters are less cold than they used to be, the famous Elfstedenroute, a natural ice-skating route along eleven Frisian towns, is rarely operational, but thankfully it makes for a great cycling tour too.

City trips

Enjoying the ambience on the terrace at Kroast Amersfoort

Amsterdam is always worth a visit, of course. But beyond the world-famous capital of the Netherlands, there is much more to discover for lovers of city trips. Explore the mediaeval city center of Amersfoort, visit its famous Wall Houses (Muurhuizen) or go on a boat trip along the canals. Utrecht and Groningen are beautiful historic cities, too. Eindhoven is known for its spirit of innovation and design, and Rotterdam’s skyline is a must-see!

Enjoy the countryside

If you’d prefer to escape the hustle and bustles of the cities, turn your sights to the Dutch national parks and nature reserves. De Biesbosch Natural Park is a freshwater delta where you can canoe through a labyrinth of rivers and creeks or take walks along the paths with their countless little bridges. In Limburg, you can cycle through the hilly landscape – and reward yourself with a piece of vlaai, the traditional local cake. And in Gelderland, visit the natural parks of the Veluwe, and if you’re lucky, you might spot one or all of the ‘big four’ of the Netherlands: red deer, wild boars, mouflons (wild sheep) and roe deer.

Drone shot with trees and canoo at the Biesbosch national park

Farm stays

Buying potatoes from the vending machine at the farmer's premises

When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of unusual places to stay in the Netherlands, and one special way of spending the night is camping on a farm, where you can experience countryside living at close quarters. On many farms you can help with the daily tasks – fun for children and grown-ups alike. In addition, many farms have a farm shop and a café where you can enjoy lovely regional produce. And if you’re out exploring by bike, you might just come across a farm vending machine.

Travel with ease

Wherever your journey leads you, the Netherlands has an outstanding transport network to take you to every destination with flexibility and ease. Explore the country by train and combine your train journey with rental bikes or buses. You can also choose to travel like the locals: take a bike and enjoy the fresh air.

Whether you’re cycling across the countryside, walking through historic cities or relay by the water, the Netherlands has something special for everyone. Pack your bags and discover the many facets of this beautiful county!