![]() ![]() It’s a national holiday filled with outdoor concerts, lots of orange (the national color), plenty of drinking, and insane celebrations on the canals. For 33 years, they celebrated Queen Beatrix on April 30th as part of Queen’s Day, however, in 2013 she passed the throne to her son so the holiday changed dates, and Queen’s Day became King’s Day. ![]() Celebrate King’s Day (Koningsdag)Įvery year on April 27th (April 26th if the 27th is a Sunday), the Dutch celebrate the birthday of their King, Willem-Alexander for Koningsdag. There’s not a ton to do here but the town center has a good market, a towering Gothic church, and it’s a low-key alternative to the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. Wander the city and take in the historic homes of the merchant class who brought the city to prominence. Haarlem, located just outside Amsterdam, was a cultural and economic hub during the Dutch Golden Age (1588-1672). Other Things to See and Do in the Netherlands 1. There are also some good museums (including the Museum de Gevangenpoort and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag), but since The Hague is located on the coast, when the weather is nice you can also just lounge on the beach. ![]() You can see some of the royal palaces here as well as some beautiful historic buildings dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. The Hague is a cosmopolitan city and home to the International Criminal Court. Go in May to catch the best of the tulip season. It also boasts in one of the Netherlands’ largest flower-growing areas. ![]() There are over a dozen museums in this small city, including the Museum of Antiquities and the National Museum of Ethnology. It’s a historic city and filled with beautiful 17th-century buildings and landscaped parks. Head to this small town and see where the Pilgrims lived before they left for America. You can take a tour with a large company (there are tons of different canal tours on offer including a pizza cruise, cruises with wine and cheese, and booze cruises with unlimited drinks) but if you can, I suggest you rent your own boat which is much more affordable (prices start at 50 EUR) and gives you a more intimate experience. The canals are such an integral part of life that you can’t really understand the country until you spend time boating on the canals. Whether in Amsterdam or in another city, make sure you take a canal tour to see the canals that made the country famous. It’s an often-overlooked city that’s worth a few days of exploring. The port has an interesting harbor to explore (you can learn more about it in the attached Futureworld) and a few decent museums. It may not get the attention Amsterdam does, but this city is a great place to visit if you want good parks and modern architecture (most of the old buildings were bombed in World War II) - including some futuristic cube houses. Rotterdam is one of the busiest shipping ports in the world. Take a free walking tour to really get a feel for the city. It’s perfect for exploring by bike and it’s every museum lover’s dream, with exhibitions on everything from Anne Frank to van Gough. There are famous canals, beautiful and historic houses, tons of parks, a foodie scene, art, coffee shops, and, of course, the infamous Red Light District and its wild nightlife. The capital and center of tourism in the country, Amsterdam is as beautiful as it is crazy. Top 5 Things to See and Do in the Netherlands Whether you are backpacking or just traveling on a budget, this Netherlands travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and ensure you make the most out of your time here. Spend time exploring outside of Amsterdam and you can discover the country that keeps me coming back every year. Most travelers come here just to see Amsterdam for a few days before moving on. The people are wonderful, there are tons of small towns to explore, and its small size means it’s easy to visit in a short time. It’s one of my favorite countries in the world. The Netherlands is a country filled with centuries-old brick homes, an interconnected system of canals (you can travel most of the country via the water), expansive farmland, and even some really nice beaches. When most people think of traveling in the Netherlands, they think of Amsterdam, with its semi-sleazy Red Light District, charming canals, historic windmills, and laid-back “coffee” shops where you can smoke pot.īut there is much more to the country than its largest city. ![]()
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