The 12 most beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands

Visiter les Pays-Bas

Awe-inspiring landscapes, a gentle way of life and heritage treasures… Take off for the Netherlands with our selection of the most beautiful places to visit in this superb country!

Located in north-western Europe, between Belgium and Germany and bordering the North Sea, the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy of seventeen million inhabitants, spread over an area of 45,508 square kilometers. Fifth happiest country on the planet according to the World Happiness Report 2019, the Netherlands boasts a valuable historical and cultural heritage, attracting nearly twenty million tourists every year.

With landscapes worthy of the finest Dutch painting masters, the land of bicycles remains a popular destination for travelers, thanks to its sumptuous landscapes, lush nature and cultural heritage, marked by a fascinating history.

So, if you’re ready for take-off, head to Tulip Country for a tour of its finest treasures!

Tolt takes you away: to the Netherlands!

Wondering what a trip to the Netherlands can do for you? Tolt answers the prejudices that sometimes surround this country of many surprises!

1. Amsterdam

Visiter Amsterdam aux Pays-Bas

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Veronika Galkina

The Dutch Venice is an essential stopover on your trip to the Netherlands. Famous for its canals, its sultry Red Light District, its vibrant nightlife and its exceptional cultural wealth, Amsterdam is a magical place dating back to the 17th century, which lends itself to a host of activities and discoveries. It’s impossible to get bored in a city whose motto is « Why not?

For your visit, rent a bike and explore the city’s streets and its 1,300 bridges. You’re sure to fall under the spell of this human-sized capital with its sometimes surprising architecture. Don’t miss the famous Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, or the Anne Frank House.

And if you feel like it, take a trip to one of the city’s many coffee shops, before a shopping spree in Czaar Peeterstraat.

For a sumptuous view of Amsterdam, head to the Adam Look Out observation platform. Here you can admire the city’s historic center and harbor. End your stay with a romantic stroll along the city’s canals.

2. Maastricht

Patinoire et marché de Noël à Maastricht, Hollande

Photo credit: Shutterstock / www.hollandfoto.net

Best known for being the city where the founding treaty of the European Union was signed, Maastricht is a dynamic city in southern Holland, popular with students. A city full of charm and a must-see in the Netherlands.

Start your visit by discovering Maastricht’s tumultuous history through Fort Sint Pieter and the city’s underground passages, where you can admire impressive frescoes.

Then head for the town center and, weather permitting, take a stroll along the ramparts to discover the remains of this ancient medieval city. Don’t miss the amazing Boekhandel Dominicanen bookshop, which occupies a former 13th-century Dominican basilica. The city also boasts impressive basilicas, such as that of Saint-Servais, as well as numerous museums.

3. The Hague

La Haye, Hollande

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / fotolupa

You can’t visit the Netherlands without visiting the Royal City by the Sea. This is the nickname of The Hague, a sumptuous city built on the North Sea coast, home to the government and the King’s working office. World-famous as the home of the International Court of Justice, The Hague is also brimming with historic buildings, museums, hotels and luxury boutiques.

Take a tour of the Binnenhof, the political center of the Netherlands for many centuries. This is where all the country’s important decisions are taken. You can also photograph the exterior of the Noordeinde Palace, where the king works, and visit the gardens and royal stables.

If you still have time, take a stroll through the Haagse bos district. From the outside, you can admire the main residence of King Willem-Alexander and his family.

Another way to discover the city? Come aboard the Ooievaart and admire the fabulous city from the many canals that criss-cross it.

4. Utrecht

Château d'Utrecht, Pays-Bas

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Ververidis Vasilis

A centuries-old university town just thirty minutes from Amsterdam, Utrecht is a must-visit city in the Netherlands. Built around the Dom Cathedral and its tower, the city’s history dates back over two thousand years. It was built by the Romans in 48 BC.

Just stroll along the cobbled streets of the city center and look up to appreciate the city’s beauty. Along the way, stop off at Rietveld’s Schröder House, built in 1924 by the famous Dutch architect of the same name, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’d like to find out more about Utrecht’s history, visit Haar Castle, considered to be Holland’s largest castle, and its sumptuous gardens.

5. Keukenhof botanical garden

Keukenhof, Hollande

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Olena Z

If you’re lucky enough to visit the Netherlands in spring, don’t miss the Keukenhof botanical garden in the municipality of Lisse.

Here you can admire one of the most beautiful tulip beds in the whole of Holland. It’s well worth the trip. The emblem of the country, the tulip first appeared in the Netherlands in the 16th century, the golden age of Holland. Without doubt, one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands.

6. The island of Marken

Île de Marken, Pays-Bas

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Resul Muslu

Looking for a charming island to visit in the Netherlands? Marken is the place for you. Located just twenty kilometers northeast of Amsterdam, Marken has preserved its authenticity. Long isolated, the island is now linked to the mainland by a dike built in 1957.

You’re sure to fall in love with the town’s atmosphere and its traditional houses, made of brick and wood in black, gray or green with white accents. On foot or by bike, take the time to wander through the narrow streets leading to the old fishing port, now a small marina. The old fishermen’s houses, some still on stilts, are home to restaurants and souvenir stores. You can also visit the traditional Dutch clogmaker’s workshop.

7. Dordrecht

Dordrecht, Hollande

Photo credit: Shutterstock / www.hollandfoto.net

Dordretch is a peaceful little town of just 120,000 inhabitants, marked by its commercial history. A stroll through the Voorstraatshaven district reveals some splendid old houses that once belonged to wealthy merchants. The oldest of these, the T’zeepaer, boasts an impressive Gothic façade.

Take time to stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town, dominated by the bell tower of the Grot Kerk church and criss-crossed by numerous canals. To better understand the country’s history, stop off at the Court of the Netherlands and the Augustinian convents. One of the most beautiful cities to visit in the Netherlands!

8. The mills of kinderdijk

Moulins de kinderdijk, Pays-Bas

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When you think of Holland, windmills immediately spring to mind. Just fifteen kilometers from Dordrecht, the nineteen windmills of Kinderdijk, built in the 18th century, are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the mills were built to protect the polders from flooding.

The nineteen mills are carefully distributed along the canals, creating a picture-postcard landscape. A not-to-be-missed discovery that can be made on foot, by bike or by boat.

9. Zeeland’s beaches

Plage de Zélande, Pays-Bas

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Fancy a dip in the refreshing waters of the North Sea? The Netherlands has some splendid beaches, mainly in the Zeeland region. Let yourself be tempted! You’ll discover immense beaches with white sand, immaculate cleanliness and breathtaking scenery.

The beaches of Ouddorp or Cadzand are ideal for families. For water sports enthusiasts, head for the beaches of Domburg or Brouwersdam.

10. Hoge Veluwe National Park

Parc national de Hoge Veluwe, Pays-Bas

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Rudmer Zwerver

Less than an hour from Amsterdam lies the largest national park in the Netherlands. Covering more than 5,400 hectares, you’ll discover a splendid variety of landscapes. Green forest, heather fields, majestic lakes and shifting dunes are a feast for the eyes. Don’t be surprised if you come across a few wild animals during your visit. Hoge Veluwe Park is teeming with deer, hinds and mouflons.

11. Gouda

Gouda, Pays-Bas

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You’ll immediately fall under the spell of the city of the famous cheese. Gouda looks a lot like Amsterdam in miniature. Start your visit at the market square with its 15th-century town hall. Not far from there, you’ll find the magnificent Sint-Janskerk church, built lengthwise. Then head north for a visit to the Cheese Museum and lunch on the harbor in the Gouwehaven district.

12. The Wadden region

Région des Wadden, Pays-Bas

Photo credit: Shutterstock / zhekoss

The Wadden Sea is a must-see region in the Netherlands. Located between Denmark and Holland, the Wadden Sea is dotted with fifty small islands, forming an unparalleled ecological treasure trove. Only five of the islands are inhabited, and here you can adapt your pace to that of the marshes. Each island has its own particularities, but all offer splendid landscapes that, at times, give you a feeling of being at the end of the world.

Map of hotels and accommodation – Netherlands