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Day Trips and Tours from Amsterdam

Day Trips and Tours from Amsterdam

The most visited destination in the Netherlands is its capital  — Amsterdam. Its romantic canals, bike culture and collection of astounding artworks set Amsterdam apart from other European cities.

However, the Netherlands has more to offer than this buzzing center can provide, which is why it’s worth booking a day trip from Amsterdam.

Witness Dutch customs of centuries past in one of the country’s traditional villages, discover expertly-crafted windmills and waltz among millions of blooms as you explore this diverse European nation.

Zaanse Schans Windmills

Windmills are one of the most easily recognized symbols of the Netherlands and the Dutch began constructing these magnificent buildings as far back as 1,200 A.D.

While there were once as many as 9,000 mills dotting the country’s landscape at one time, today they number just 1,200.

The most concentrated amount of these can be found at the Zaanse Schans Windmills, just north of Amsterdam.

On a day trip here, you’ll explore a myriad of iconic Dutch traditions, which include clog and cheese making. You’ll meander past the historic wooden houses of the town and admire its colorful windmills up close.

Volendam

If charming and traditional is what you’re searching for, look no further than Volendam. This fishing village is located on Lake Markermeer and is known as the “pearl of the Zuiderzee.”

The main attraction of the quiet township is its quaint harbor, lined with tall red-roofed buildings and endless rows of fishing boats.

However, the residents' unusual costume-like attire and regional dialect are also reasons why visitors flock to the town.

Volendam excursions center around its energetic port before venturing on to other destinations in the northwest of the Netherlands, such as the endearing village of Marken, famed for its folklore.

Keukenhof Gardens

The "Garden of Europe" — Keukenhof Gardens — is one of the world's largest botanical sites and over 7 million blooms spring up here annually.

Among this wide collection of fragrant blossoms grow a variety of tulips — the national flower of the Netherlands.

During Keukenhof Gardens' fleeting annual opening, you can take a day trip to this natural wonderland, where you'll find a dazzling display of colors and intoxicating aromas.

As well as tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths have been perfectly planted in pristine patterns weaved around the park.

Edam

Famed for its cheese-making, Edam is a historic town, founded in the 14th century and located in the northwest of the Netherlands.

While many things about the village have changed over the years, its processes for creating delicious cheeses have not.

On a day trip to Edam, you'll visit a traditional factory to see how the salty treat is expertly churned from cow’s milk. Try several fresh varieties before wandering the streets of the medieval town and learning about its iconic cheese market.

Giethoorn

Traveling to the Overijssel province, you’ll stumble upon the village of Giethoorn. While this small town could be easily skipped over, its myriad of waterways makes it a unique stopping point for anyone in the region.

Day tours to Giethoorn snake through the canals that form the village, admiring the unchanged Dutch architecture of the 17th century along the way.

With no cars cluttering up its streets, Giethoorn is a haven of peace, tranquility and old-world charm.

Bruges

If you want to travel further afield and leave the Netherlands entirely, you might consider taking a day trip to Bruges. This Belgian city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its historical significance, which dates back to the 9th century.

There is plenty to be seen in this buzzing hub of culture, including its Lake of Love, which is said to bring luck to those who cross its bridge together.

History enthusiasts will love participating in a Bruges walking tour to the medieval Begijnhof while culture buffs will be mesmerized by the colorful houses that line the streets surrounding the city’s Grote Markt.

Rotterdam

The waterside city of Rotterdam translates to the “Dam on the River” and is the second largest city in the Netherlands.

Nestled along the southwestern stretch of the country’s coastline, Rotterdam is famed for its large port and modern architecture. You can expect to cruise along the river Maas on a boat trip in Rotterdam.

Another remarkable attraction you must see on a Rotterdam excursion is its fascinating cube houses, which were built in the 1970s and are tilted by more than 45 degrees.

Some Rotterdam day trips continue on to the city of Delft, famed for its recognizable blue and white ceramics.

The Hague

Along the west coast of the Netherlands sits The Hague, known as the “International Center of Peace and Justice.”

The city gains this reputation as it is home to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice, a meeting place for world leaders to work through animosity and form alliances.

One of the most impressive buildings you’ll see on a day trip to The Hague is its 20th-century Peace Palace, which is the seat of international law.

Another of the city’s most esteemed monuments is Noordeinde Palace, which is one of the three Dutch royal family’s official residences and the workplace of the current king, Willem-Alexander.

Brussels

Just a short journey from Amsterdam is Belgium’s vibrant capital city — Brussels. Known for its cuisine, this city is a firm favorite of foodies everywhere.

From its warm doughy waffles to its artisanal chocolate truffles and addictive french fries, visitors on a day tour of Brussels can happily eat their way around the city — experiencing its culture through their taste buds.

Alongside its culinary delights, Brussels is home to an abundance of splendid buildings, including Belgium’s most celebrated structure — Atomium.

Wander through the city’s Grand-Place, admiring its plethora of baroque and neo-Gothic buildings.

Kinderdijk

Another option for an excursion from Amsterdam is to leave the thousands of lights and bustling streets behind, and enter a world of tranquility at Kinderdijk.

This UNESCO-listed site is formed of 20 picturesque windmills, peaceful rivers and splendid countryside.

Created in the 18th century, the Kinderdijk windmills were originally used to prevent flooding of the lowlands and are now a legendary symbol of the Netherlands.

Day trips here enable you to learn about the intricacies of these buildings, as well as step inside a windmill to view their internal workings.

Hoge Veluwe National Park

Deep in the heart of the Netherlands, De Hoge Veluwe National Park is a diverse reserve formed of sand dunes, woodlands and heathlands.

This enchanting park was formed as far back as the last ice age, over 11,000 years ago and is home to a smattering of wildlife, which includes red deer, roe deer, and wild boar.

A pack of Eurasian wolves also roams these lands, although it's unlikely that those on a day trip to Hoge Veluwe National Park will come across the majestic creatures.

A must-see attraction inside the park is the Kröller-Müller Museum, which features masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet.