Agritourism activities: discover the Dutch countryside
The Netherlands may be famed for its dynamic cities, but its idyllic countryside is equally captivating. Spend the night on a farm, learn the art of cheese-making, feed farm animals or put on your rubber boots to harvest seaweed. These and other agritourism experiences and activities let you fully immerse yourself in the Dutch rural landscape, uncovering its rich history and culture. From Friesland’s serene meadows to Zeeland’s coastal treasures, discover the authentic charm and heritage that make the Dutch countryside so special.
- Immerse yourself in the Dutch rural landscape.
- Meet farmers and discover stories behind regional products.
- Connect and unwind in nature.
Stay the night on a farm
Take a deep breath and unwind in the idyllic Dutch countryside. Farm stays are an opportunity to connect with nature, savour regional products, and experience the simplicity of countryside living. Various farms have camping facilities or guest rooms. The centuries-old farmstead Erfgoed Bossem in Twente offers guests a tranquil retreat. You can enjoy the comfort of a boutique farmhouse room, stay in a spacious glamping tent, or sleep under the stars in a ‘Star Cube’ tiny house. The tasting room serves slow food made with regional products.
Farmers Tom and Daisy run Hoeve de Betuwe organic farm in Dreumel, where you can spend time with alpacas, lead the cows in from the meadow, or help feed the animals. After a full day in the fresh country air, you’ll sleep soundly in one of the spacious tent houses. Den Branderhorst in Hengelo is a small-scale dairy farm run by Eddy and Anne-Marie. There are plenty of farm activities to keep the kids busy and help adults wind down. Stay in one of the roomy luxury tents or rustic holiday huts.
From sea to plate
No matter the season, you’ll find Ellen and Guido from WildWier knee-deep in the waters of the Oosterschelde or the North Sea, harvesting seaweed. Their fresh Zeeland seaweed is on the menu at sustainable restaurants including De Nieuwe Winkel in Nijmegen and Restaurant Rotonde in Rotterdam. Learn all about these delectable algae during a low-tide seaweed walk, then sample sushi made with wild seaweed. Foodies are sure to enjoy the three-hour ‘tasting safari’ or ‘Cooking in Boots’ workshop.
Nurture and nature
A social care farm is a working farm that provides activities for people with care needs. At De Tuinen van Weldadigheid in Veenhuizen Lambert and Jolanda love sharing their passion with others. Biodiversity at its finest, this organic oasis has the widest variety of edible crops in the Netherlands. Visit the nursery or sign up for a workshop. Dairy farm Pitteperk in Koudekerke offers tours, and there’s a farm shop where you can buy their cheese, preserves and produce. For a longer stay, you can rent one of their caravans.
Did you know?
The first Dutch farmers settled in South Limburg about 7,000 years ago? Archaeologists refer to these farmers as 'Linear Potters’.
Age-old artistry
The love affair with cheese in the Netherlands is no secret, and the art of making this delicacy goes back centuries. Kaasboerderij Weenink cheese farm in the Achterhoek region in Gelderland offers activities and tours and hosts an annual market selling regional products. During their cheesemaking workshop, you’ll discover everything that goes into making cheese. Learn all about the various types of cheeses – and sample them. Once your cheese has ripened for two weeks, you can collect it or have it delivered.
Agritourism in the Netherlands
Meet winemakers and animals
The production of Dutch wine has gained ground in recent decades. Many winemakers focus on innovation and sustainability. At many of these wineries, you can take a guided tour through the vineyards and cellars, sign up for a masterclass or wine tasting, or even get hands-on by participating in a grape-picking day.
The forest and heathland between Holten and Hellendoorn is ideal for walking and cycling.
And for animal lovers, the Netherlands also offers plenty of agri-experiences. Horses, pigs and cows are just some of the residents you can meet at an animal sanctuary in the Netherlands. De Paardenkamp horse sanctuary has farmsteads along the Soest-Amersfoort route. Sign up to groom horses in spring, take a heritage tour of a centuries-old farmhouse or enjoy an hour-long walking route through the meadows. Sanctuary Het Wijland in Darp is home to a variety of animals and offers educational tours and workshops. And at the Stichting Akka’s Ganzenparadijs goose sanctuary in Dalen, you can take part in a two-hour Paradise Walk.
Recreational farms
There are also plenty of recreational farms across the Netherlands. A couple of dozen woolly alpacas call Alpaca World Friesland in Workum home. Visitors can enjoy a meet-and-greet or take a beach walk with these gentle animals. In warm weather, the alpacas take a dip in the IJsselmeer. For a therapeutic experience, you can sign up to cuddle cows at several farms in the Netherlands. Boerderij Recreatie in Friesland has plenty of other activities too, plus a campsite to stay at. After cuddling cows at Bij ons op De Boerderij in Flevoland, enjoy a delicious lunch or high tea.
Tips from Agnes Heethaar
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Fields of purple
Take a long walk or cycle through the Sallandse Heuvelrug heathland and forest. The wide-open fields of blooming purple flowers in the summer are a sight not to be missed.
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Handcrafted heritage
In the village of Luttenberg is Dijkman Klompenatelier, the workshop of Martin Dijkman, a master craftsman in clog-making. Watch as he skillfully carves clogs by hand, all while sharing captivating stories about this timeless craft.
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Lemelerberg views
The Lemelerberg nature area offers walks in a biodiverse landscape with unique flora and fauna. There are shorter and longer trails, plenty of benches and viewpoints along the way, as well as a forest café.