THE NETHERLANDS

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The Netherlands is a modern utopia and business hub, and offers some unique experiences. It is both a relatively rainy, as well as pricey place to visit, so make sure you have some funds and an umbrella so you can get the most out of your trip. Below we recommend some of the fun cities to see and things to do in the Netherlands, as well as tips on how to get around, cultural experiences, and prices of activities.

EXPERIENCE THE DUTCH LIFESTYLE

CITIES TO VISIT

The most fun and buzzing cities in the Netherlands include Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Maastricht, and Groningen. These are the larger cities with bustling nightlife, restaurants, cultural events, festivals, and other fun activities. If you are looking to explore nature, you can take a ferry to the Dutch Islands, stay in a chalet around de Veluwe Nature Reserve, or take a little boat ride through the quaint canals of Giethoorn.

Check out our guide for fun things to do in:

DUTCH TRANSPORT

The OV-chipkaart is a rechargeable travel card that offers discounted fares for frequent travelers. A basic OV-chipkaart costs €7.50 and is valid for five years, and if you do not have a car and plan to travel around, this is the best option to not have to buy individual tickets constantly. It works for all modes of public transport. Buy this card (and recharge funds) or a ticket at a yellow machine any major station. You can also check in with your bank card or digital wallet. Use apps like 9292 or the NS app to plan journeys, check schedules, and get real-time updates.

Trains: NS train prices vary based on distance. For example, a one-way ticket from Amsterdam to Rotterdam costs approximately €16-€20. Day Passes: An NS Group Ticket for unlimited travel on a specific day costs about €7 per person for groups of 4-7 people.

Busses, trams & metros: Essential for reaching areas not served by trains, including rural areas and city suburbs. Typically costs around €1-€3 for short trips within a city.

If you are staying in one city and going to various places within the city, renting a bicycle will provide the ultimate Dutch experience. You can rent a bike from the station for around €5 per day if you have a personalized OV chipcard, but you need to switch this setting on in your personal NS overview. There are also many private bike rental companies for non-residents near major train stations.

DUTCH WEATHER

The Netherlands experiences a temperate maritime climate, characterized by mild winters and cool summers. The Netherlands is often windy, especially in coastal regions. Generally high humidity year-round, contributing to the frequent fog and overcast conditions. The sea temperature ranges from around 5°C (41°F) in winter to 18°C (64°F) in summer. Here is a seasonal overview:

Winter (December - February) Temperature: Averages between 2°C to 6°C (36°F to 43°F). Frequent rain and frosty nights. Short days with limited sunshine.

Spring (March - May) Temperature: Gradually rises from 6°C to 15°C (43°F to 59°F). Moderate rainfall, increasing daylight hours and more sunshine, especially in May.

Summer (June - August) Temperature: Averages between 17°C to 20°C (63°F to 68°F), occasionally higher. Generally the driest season, but showers and thunderstorms can occur. Long days with up to 16 hours of daylight in June and July.

Autumn (September - November) Temperature: Gradually decreases from 15°C to 8°C (59°F to 46°F). Increased rainfall, with October and November being particularly wet. Shortening days with less sunshine.

FUN THINGS TO DO

There are many fun indoor and outdoor things to do around the Netherlands. As good weather is scarce, make sure to use the sunny days to kayak or paddleboard through the canals, rent a sailboat for a day, go roller skating, cycling, or have a picnic in one of the many parks. The most fun indoor activities include trampoline parks, indoor skydiving, VR games, arcades, paintball, laser gaming, bouldering, and many more. A classic Dutch experience is visiting Keukenhof (the massive tulip gardens) in spring, when the tulips are in bloom.

SO MANY MUSEUMS

I do not know if any other country is on par with the Netherlands when it comes to wacky, bizarre, interactive museums. Our most fun experience thus far has to be the Doloris Metamaze in Tilburg. Any description of what to expect will only confuse you more, so I suggest to check it out yourself! Also check out the combination of art and technology at NXT museum in Amsterdam, or the enormous street art displayed at STRAAT museum in Amsterdam.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

There are many shows, performances, festivals and other cultural happenings that can be found across the Netherlands, year round. Most representative of the Netherlands, is Kings Day. Everyone and their mother can be seen wearing orange and participating in street parties & markets to celebrate King Willem. Both Kings Night (night before Kings Day), Kings Day & Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day) are national yearly festivals. There is also yearly carnival, celebrated mostly in the south of the Netherlands. There are also occassional city-wide festivals such as Pride. There are also many food, drink, and music festivals throughout the year in various places. The link below shows an overview of music festivals in the Netherlands in 2024.

DUTCH HISTORY

Although much of Dutch history is not visible by walking around the more modern cities, it certainly has numerous historical buildings. Maastricht is one of the cities most entertaining for its historical charm - as you can do an underground tour in the network of caves and visit an old fort. As Rotterdam was heavily bombed during WW2, a lot of the city is newly rebuilt. Some large cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle managed to retain their historical charm in the inner city, boasting many cobbled streets, arches and canals. There is some beautifully regal architecture to see in The Hague, as well.

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