Not sure where to go for the May holidays? Come to Holland, where you’re sure to find something for everyone. There are tulip fields, flower parks, villages-Venices, old windmills, vibrant capitals, and charming cozy towns. In my opinion, Holland is the best choice for a spring trip. Here, I’ll share the best ideas of what to do in Holland. Save them in your bookmarks, so when the time comes, you can immediately create a wonderful itinerary through the entire country!
What to do in Holland.
Visit the most liberated city in Europe – Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is a city of chocolate-like houses; a city that can be bright and colorful despite the perpetual rain; a city where you feel calm and relaxed even among the crowds of tourists. It’s a European-style clean and tidy town that evokes a sense of relaxation and tranquility.
Amsterdam is a place where it feels like I don’t need to DO anything, although there’s a lot to do. I’m very happy just wandering around, looking at the beautiful streets, and eating all the food. Here, you catch yourself thinking that this is the town where you feel truly yourself. Amsterdam has a captivating atmosphere, architecture, and perfection in every detail, as well as the unique appearance and lifestyle of the locals.
Read more about this city here.
Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers at the flower market.
I think there’s no one in the world who hasn’t heard about Dutch tulips and the flower market in Amsterdam. After all, the first thing we remember when thinking of this city isn’t hash cakes or even the chocolate houses, but these delicate flowers. It’s pointless to describe this magnificence. How can you find the words to convey the entire rainbow of colors, sensations, and smells that reign in the tulip paradise? It’s easier to see it for yourself!
Feel the spring in the most blooming city of the country – Haarlem.
Springtime Haarlem is beautiful. There’s no need to rush anywhere, and there aren’t many major attractions. You can just stroll around, take in the sights, and enjoy the warm weather.
In spring, the atmosphere here is especially unique; the streets are bathed in soft light, the air filled with birdsong, and cherry blossoms, roses, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, daffodils, and tulips—all bursting with color. Haarlem was once considered a city of artists, but now it’s a city of flowers.
Just a little outside the town, you’ll find yourself surrounded by fields of tulips—yellow, red, delicate pink—a kaleidoscope of scents and colors that seem to have captivated me completely.
Read about this blooming city here.
Be swooning with beauty in the most beautiful flower park in the world – Keukenhof.
One of the things I love most about exploring a new place is stumbling upon hidden gems. The most beautiful flower park, Keukenhof in the Netherlands, is truly a treasure! In fact, it’s considered the most beautiful park not only in its country but in all of Europe! And it’s really true! It’s simply incredible!
Many of you have probably been there, but for those who haven’t yet had the chance to run through the tulips with your camera or simply take a leisurely stroll and admire the unimaginable variety of early flowers, let me tell you about this place.
The flower park Keukenhof in the Netherlands is also called the “Kitchen Park,” and its owners are the local royal family. The park is surrounded by the tulip meadows of Lisse, where, in the past, aromatic herbs were grown for the kitchen of Jacoba of Bavaria’s castle. Once, there was a small castle here that supplied spices to the county. That’s why the park is called the “Kitchen Garden.”
Keukenhof Flower Park in the Netherlands is a unique place. You won’t find so many flowers anywhere else in the world. Tulips have long become a symbol of the country; they inspired people so much that they started inventing new and new varieties. In just one park, over 4 million bulbs of more than 100 varieties are planted.
Read more about this wonderful park here.
Find your paradise in the village of Giethoorn – What to do in Holland.
When I first heard about Giethoorn, I was captivated by the idea of a village where roads were replaced by canals and cars by boats. Known as the “Venice of the North,” Giethoorn is a picturesque village nestled in the Dutch province of Overijssel, where life seems to flow at the gentle pace of its waterways.
Looking at Giethoorn, you might think there’s no place quieter and more peaceful than this village. All the houses are lined up on small islands connected by wooden humpback bridges. Each house is more beautiful than the previous one; the locals love to take care of their gardens, decorating them with everything possible. They plant flowering trees, display pots of roses in the windows, decorate fences with figurines, and keep ducks and chickens. Here, even the most ordinary ducks seem somehow especially beautiful.
So, if you find yourself in Holland, make sure to stop by here for at least a day, but it’s even better to book a hotel (I’ve listed the best ones below) and spend a full weekend here. You’ll be delighted! Being so small and secluded, this place is very quiet. You can hear any sound and yet, nothing but silence at the same time. It’s truly a wonderful feeling!
Read about the most magical village of Giethoorn here.
Count all the windmills in the village of Kinderdijk.
Today, the windmills of Kinderdijk have become something like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The clear silhouettes of 19 elegant structures are drawn against the backdrop of a village idyll. When the colorful lights are turned on in the evening, fairy-tale shadows begin to float on the surface of the water. Only one windmill is open to tourists, but the whole village seems authentic.
The windmills are not just functional structures but also homes for the locals. Almost all the windmills (18 out of 19 are inhabited) are home to millers and their families, and the nineteenth one houses a museum. It’s amazing how people manage to maintain continuity in their business. For me, it remains a big mystery, as generations of millers have lived in these windmills for centuries and don’t even think about changing their place of residence or occupation.
The silence around the windmills is broken here and there by the voices of nature: the chirping of crickets, the splashing of frogs, and the gurgling of other creatures. And in the river, there are fish and elusive water striders.
Kinderdijk is a village idyll: windmills, wooden houses, craft workshops, and peacefully grazing sheep and cows completing the idyllic landscapes, as if they stepped off the canvases of Flemish painters.
Discover medieval Holland in Delft – What to do in Holland.
Delft is a wonderful, cozy, and incredibly photogenic city. Walking its streets, it feels like there’s no calmer place on the planet. It’s unhurried, and life goes on at its own pace. Everywhere there is greenery and blossoms, and the songs of street musicians fill the air. Here, everything is imbued with the modest charm and coziness of the Dutch province: canals, narrow streets where Dutch artists once painted, all of it remains untouched, just as it was 400 years ago.
Delft is a city of historical values, centuries-old traditions, and a unique architectural ensemble. This city preserves the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and does not strive to change, but rather continues to delight the eye with its understated yet piercing beauty.
The city is proud of its old canals, the New and Old Church, and the Prinsenhof Palace. Incidentally, it was here that the first ruler of Holland died. But the city is also famous for its blue and white Delft porcelain items.
In medieval Delft, life hums in its own way: plates clatter in restaurants, signs hang on elegant balconies offering rooms for rent, boats dart along the canals, younger folks whiz by on bikes, while the more venerable sip beer on the now-opened summer terraces.
Stay in the coziest hostel, Stayokay, near Bunnik.
This quiet place, not far from the big city, is perfect for hiding away from the world for a while and completely immersing yourself in nature. Stayokay is surrounded by a small pond, and livestock grazes right outside your window. Here, in the mornings, roosters crow, and chickens cluck, just like at grandma’s in the village.
Stayokay Hostel is unique. I always had to stay in the city center, where the streets were noisy, and the chatter from local restaurants was loud, cars honked, but here, my hostel was in the forest, on the bank of the small Kromme Rijn River.
The Stayokay Hostel is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Utrecht, where you’ll discover numerous walking trails and cozy pubs to refresh yourself before bed. The best part is that this area is not as bustling, despite having a great selection of shops and cafes nearby.
Find more photos and information here.
See medieval Utrecht by bike.
Experts say that if you want to experience old Holland, you should come to Utrecht. If you overlook the vast number of bicycles, you might think this city has frozen in time. It’s a city of bicycles, like any other in Holland. Here, it’s not customary to walk; everyone gets around by bike, even if it’s just to ride three meters to the nearest bakery.
Besides being a city of bicycles, you could say Utrecht is one of the most beautiful cities in Holland. Utrecht is like a precious emerald, a region of picturesque spring, blooming with flowers.
This old university town once had the status of an independent settlement. It’s busy yet calm at the same time. The central streets are packed with restaurants, shops, and tourists, but it doesn’t feel chaotic. Utrecht is a fairly large city by Dutch standards, with a population of over 300,000.
It’s proud of its status as the “largest small town in the Netherlands.” The title means that the city has retained the soul of a province while having everything a modern city has to offer.
Read more about this town here.
Learn about Vincent van Gogh in his homeland – What to do in Holland.
In the southern Netherlands, in the province of Brabant, you’ll find a museum devoted to the most famous Dutch artist. It’s located in the town of Zundert. Vincent van Gogh spent his childhood here, and now in the 21st century, he’s come back home in the form of a museum.
This artist, who struggled to make ends meet and sold only a few paintings in his lifetime, is now known throughout the world. Van Gogh was an artist who truly loved his country and expressed it with his paintings. But, unfortunately, the love was unrequited, and today, Holland has a huge debt to the artist.
His homeland is trying to repay the debt with various museums dedicated to Van Gogh and his works. In one museum, they even installed a specially designed interactive installation where anyone can write a letter to Vincent. And yet, in Zundert, the locals live quietly and modestly, not flaunting their world-famous treasure.
See the world’s largest flower auction in Aalsmeer.
This small town located near Amsterdam is the center of flower trade in the Netherlands. Most of the flowers we see in our local flower shops come from here. And it’s not just tulips; they grow a variety of flowers here. People from all over the world come to Aalsmeer to buy fresh flowers.
Aalsmeer is a key point on the map for those who want to explore the Dutch flower business. Every day, tons of flowers are sold here at the local auction, and the prices vary depending on demand. Even if you’re not interested in the flower business, Aalsmeer is worth a visit just to see the scale of this industry and experience the atmosphere of a flower auction.
Explore the cheese town of Alkmaar – What to do in the Netherlands.
Alkmaar is a small town in North Holland, known for its traditional cheese market. Every Friday from April to September, the town’s central square is transformed into a bustling market where huge wheels of cheese are traded.
The cheese market in Alkmaar is a centuries-old tradition, and it’s one of the few places in the world where you can still see cheese being traded in this way. The market is a lively spectacle, with cheese carriers dressed in traditional costumes, and it’s a great place to sample some of the best Dutch cheeses. But Alkmaar is not just about cheese. The town has a charming old town center with narrow streets, canals, and historic buildings. It’s a great place to wander around and soak up the atmosphere of traditional Holland.
Take a boat trip through the canals of Leiden.
Leiden is a beautiful city with a rich history, and there’s no better way to see it than from the water. The city’s canals are lined with historic buildings, and a boat trip through the canals is a great way to see the city’s architecture.
Leiden is also home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, and the city has a lively student population. The city has a number of museums, including the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, which has a collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Leiden is a city that’s full of charm, and a boat trip through its canals is a great way to experience its beauty.
Explore the art and culture of Maastricht – What to do in Holland.
Maastricht is a city in the southern Netherlands, known for its art and culture. The city is home to a number of museums, including the Bonnefanten Museum, which has a collection of contemporary art.
Maastricht is also a city with a rich history, and you can see evidence of this in its architecture. The city has a number of historic buildings, including the Basilica of Saint Servatius, which is one of the oldest churches in the Netherlands.
The city is also known for its vibrant cultural scene, with a number of festivals and events held throughout the year. Whether you’re interested in art, history, or just want to experience the atmosphere of a lively city, Maastricht is a great place to visit.
Experience Queen’s Day Celebration in The Hague.
Visiting The Hague in the spring, specifically on the night of April 29th to 30th, is a must. This night is considered Royal, and the city doesn’t sleep, with concerts and a festive, joyful atmosphere. The next day marks the celebration of Queen’s Day, when everyone dresses in orange and goes for a stroll, eagerly awaiting the Queen.
The Queen, in turn, arrives at a parliamentary session in a gilded carriage, accompanied by elegantly dressed guards. The celebration of Queen’s Day in The Hague is no coincidence, as this city houses all government agencies, foreign embassies, ministers, and the Queen’s residence. This gives the city an extraordinary charm that can be felt while walking through its streets.
Get acquainted with the freest city in the Netherlands – Rotterdam.
Rotterdam might not be the most famous city in the Netherlands, but it’s no less liberated than Amsterdam. Rotterdam is about freedom—freedom of behavior, conscience, and relationships. The feeling of freedom hits you as soon as you arrive in the city. People wear what they want, behave how they like, and freely express their emotions.
Rotterdam is considered the capital of high-tech, an ultra-modern city. The buildings here are varied: residential structures, incredible sculptures, quirky bridges of bizarre shapes, and everything unusual that could come from a crazy artist or architect’s mind. Some houses look like children’s toys, others like mushrooms, and there’s even a bridge shaped like a yacht. The city’s star is a tower shaped like a mast, with an observation deck, a hotel, and a restaurant. This city is closely intertwined with the sea, with ships, liners, barges, water taxis, houseboats, and many other curious watercraft all around.
Try on klomps in the Village of Zaanse Schans.
Zaanse Schans is an open-air museum of Dutch culture. There are several real windmills here, most of which function as museums, a workshop-shop for national footwear (klomps), and an old cheese factory where real Dutch cheese is made.
Speaking of klomps, during the Middle Ages, the best ships were built in the Netherlands, and the shipbuilders were given special shoes to protect their feet from heavy logs. Klomps became a source of pride for the country, though nobody wears them anymore.
Simply gaze out the train window – What to do in the Netherlands.
Outside the city, the scenery flashing by the window changes abruptly. You’ll see flat green fields sliced by thin water canals, with occasional lonely houses, farms, sheep, cows, and swans strolling through the fields.
Try Dutch Cuisine.
Try seafood, particularly fresh raw herring. This traditional dish is eaten with onions. Young herring caught during the warm season is especially prized. If you visit outside of the season, go for haring, a lightly salted herring.
Pea soup is also a great first dish to try: a pea soup with chunks of bacon and aromatic spices.
Rice tart (Rijstevlaai) is an unusual dessert made from yeast dough, filled with rice pudding, and baked with apricots.
Take home Dutch souvenirs – What to do in Holland.
Wooden clogs (klomps) are traditional Dutch footwear. These clogs are quite heavy, and wearing them barefoot might result in a splinter! For those who love local color, klomps are a perfect souvenir.
Tulip bulbs – if you can’t make it to Keukenhof during peak bloom, you can create your own Keukenhof at home. Tulip bulbs of various types can be purchased at flower markets (the largest is in Amsterdam) in early autumn. However, note that seed import regulations can be strict.
Windmills are another symbol of the Netherlands. Souvenirs featuring windmills are just as common as those with klomps and tulips.
Cheese – the tastiest souvenir from the Netherlands. You’ll find the best selection at markets, fairs, and exhibitions, as well as in specialized cheese shops.
The color orange is another symbol of the country, so don’t hesitate to buy anything orange. There are even specialty shops selling all sorts of trinkets, but they must be orange.
Jenever juniper vodka – a national Dutch vodka made from barley, corn, and juniper berries. Technically, it’s more like gin, but the Dutch version differs from classic gin with its grainy aroma and flavor.
Stay in the most authentic hotels in the Netherlands.
When you think of Holland, visions of tulip fields, windmills, and charming canals likely dance in your mind. But beyond these postcard-perfect scenes lies a world of unique and authentic experiences, especially when it comes to places to stay. If you’re seeking an immersive Dutch experience, these hotels offer a blend of tradition, comfort, and local charm that will make your stay truly memorable.
The Dylan Amsterdam: Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam’s trendy Nine Streets district, The Dylan Amsterdam is a boutique hotel that effortlessly blends classic Dutch design with contemporary elegance. This historic building, dating back to the 17th century, has been beautifully restored to offer luxurious accommodations with a sense of timelessness. Each room is individually designed, showcasing a mix of modern furnishings and antique details that pay homage to the building’s storied past. Whether you’re sipping coffee in the courtyard garden or enjoying a meal at the Michelin-starred restaurant, The Dylan offers an authentic slice of Amsterdam’s rich history and culture.
Kruisherenhotel – Maastricht: In the historic city of Maastricht, you’ll find the Kruisherenhotel, a unique blend of medieval architecture and modern design. This former 15th-century monastery has been transformed into a luxurious hotel where Gothic architecture meets contemporary art. The hotel’s stunning interior features soaring vaulted ceilings, original stained-glass windows, and a harmonious mix of old and new elements. Each room is a work of art, offering a truly unique experience that reflects the city’s rich cultural heritage. Dining in the hotel’s impressive nave restaurant, surrounded by centuries of history, is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Château St. Gerlach – Valkenburg: For a truly unique stay, head to the rolling hills of Limburg and discover Château St. Gerlach. This magnificent estate, set in a restored 12th-century monastery and castle, offers a blend of history, nature, and luxury. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens, orchards, and vineyards, making it an ideal retreat for those looking to unwind in the Dutch countryside. Each room and suite is elegantly decorated, with antique furnishings and modern amenities that ensure a comfortable stay. The estate also features a wellness center, a gourmet restaurant, and its own vineyard, offering guests a taste of the good life in one of Holland’s most scenic regions.
How to get there and travel around the Netherlands.
As I prepared for my journey to this enchanting region, I found myself immersed in planning the best way to get there and how to navigate the country with ease. Let me take you through my experience and share some helpful tips for your own Dutch adventure.
Getting to Holland: My journey to Holland began with a flight to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of the busiest and most well-connected airports in Europe. Schiphol is a gateway not only to Amsterdam but also to the rest of the Netherlands. If you’re coming from other parts of Europe, you might also consider taking a train, as the country’s rail connections are excellent. The Eurostar, for instance, offers a direct route from London to Amsterdam, making it a convenient option if you’re already on the continent. Check Aviasales to find the cheapest flights to Amsterdam if you’re planning to travel from another country.
Once you arrive at Schiphol, getting into Amsterdam city center is a breeze. The airport is just 20 minutes away by train, and frequent services run throughout the day.
Traveling around Holland: Holland is relatively small, which makes it easy to explore different cities and regions without spending too much time in transit. The Dutch rail network is efficient, reliable, and well-connected, making train travel my preferred mode of transportation.
Train Travel: The trains in Holland are punctual and cover most major cities and tourist destinations. I purchased an OV-chipkaart, a rechargeable smart card that can be used for train, bus, tram, and metro travel across the country. This card made my journeys seamless, as I could easily top it up and use it whenever I needed to hop on a train.
Driving: If you prefer the freedom of driving, renting a car is a viable option. The roads in Holland are well-maintained, and driving between cities is relatively straightforward. However, keep in mind that parking in city centers can be expensive, and traffic can be heavy during peak hours. I chose to rent a car to explore the Dutch countryside, visiting windmills and tulip fields that were a bit off the beaten path.
I highly recommend traveling by car, as it’s the most convenient and direct option. If you don’t have a car, you can rent one at very reasonable prices here.
In conclusion, Holland is a country full of surprises, with something to offer every traveler. Whether you’re interested in art, history, nature, or just want to experience the vibrant culture of its cities, you’ll find it in Holland. So why not start planning your trip today?
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