If you’re visiting the Netherlands, you must head from Amsterdam to Haarlem, a typically “Dutch” city. Haarlem is a very easy day trip from Amsterdam, only fifteen minutes on the train. This iconic Dutch city with pretty canals, fewer tourists, a laid-back vibe, and gorgeous architecture is a must-see for people who have limited time in the Netherlands. Keep reading for what to do in Haarlem with a complete one day in Haarlem itinerary (and map). At the bottom, there’s a more complete list of things to do in Haarlem.
…Day Trips from Amsterdam
Your Dutch bucket list: 55+ Amazing things to do in the Netherlands
I’ve been lucky enough to call the Netherlands my home. Visiting family and friends will ask me what is the one thing that they must do in the Netherlands. That answer isn’t so easy. We’ve came up with 55+ things for you to do in the Netherlands to add to your Dutch bucket list based on our time living in the Netherlands. Not everything will be possible (due to weather) during your trip, but I hope that it inspires you to revisit this beautiful country.
…A perfect weekend in Amersfoort, the Netherlands
One of the things that I love most about living in the Netherlands is how easy it is to travel around the Netherlands. Amersfoort is a charming city just thirty minutes from Amsterdam (and only 15 minutes from Utrecht) with a stunning medieval center. Although I’ve been to Amersfoort briefly before, this past weekend gave me the chance to explore this beautiful Dutch city. Keep reading for your perfect weekend itinerary for Amersfoort, the Netherlands!
…Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren Amersfoort: the musical center of the Netherlands
In the center of Amersfoort, standing 98.33 meters tall, is the most distinctive and noticeable landmark of Amersfoort: Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren (in English, “Tower of Our Dear Lady” a common reference to Mother Mary). Not only is the height impressive, being the third largest tower in the Netherlands, but this tower, known as Laang Jon, houses an impressive collection of bells and marks center point for all surveying done in the Netherlands. Read about the history of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwetoren, the carillons of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwetoren, and the Rijksdriehoekscoördinaten.
…The best Christmas markets in the Netherlands not to miss
Now that Halloween is over, we can shamelessly shift to Sinterklaas. Just kidding, we’re ready for Christmas. Although the Dutch Christmas markets are not as famous as their German counterparts, the Christmas markets in the Netherlands are absolutely charming. I ended up not ranking these strictly as people look for different things in different Christmas markets, but I’ve grouped it based on the opinions of friends. I’ve included ten Christmas markets in the Netherlands and I’ll be updating this post with more experiences/photos this year!
The Rietveld Schröderhuis: the iconic building of De Stijl
As someone with a keen interest in architecture who has traveled to some of the most famous architectural masterpieces in the world, I was excited to visit the Rietveld Schröderhuis, one of the iconic buildings of de Stijl.
What is striking about architecture is that it’s not just a work of art to be admired, but also one to be used. Although some architecture is built to fulfill the architect’s whimsies, the Rietveld Schröderhuis was built specifically to suit the needs of its owner.
Beyond the history behind this iconic house, the interior of the Schroder house is extremely striking yet functional. This post will discuss the history as well as the architecture behind the home. (There are many photos of the interior as well as the exterior of the Rietveld Schröderhuis!)
…Your one day guide to visiting Utrecht, the most enchanting city in the Netherlands
Have you ever visited a place that you fall in love with instantly? From the moment that I visited Utrecht on a day trip from Amsterdam, I fell in love with Utrecht. This beautiful Dutch city has canals that are two stories, unlike Amsterdam, which only adds to the delightful architecture, slow pace, amazing food, and the few tourists. Keep reading for my one day guide to Utrecht with what to do in Utrecht in one day and a complete itinerary for visiting Utrecht.
…What to know about visiting the Peace Palace in the Hague by a local
One of the most stunning buildings in the Hague is the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis in Dutch). Visiting the Peace Palace is not particularly easy, however touring the grounds where the International Court of Justice is held is a worthwhile endeavor. I’ll be discussing the history of the Peace Palace, what to expect from a guided tour of the Peace Palace, and how to visit the Peace Palace as a private citizen.
…20 Easy Day Trips from Amsterdam by a Dutch resident
I’ve been living in Holland for nearly three years now. One of the best parts of the Netherlands is how easy it is to take day trips! I include insider tips from my time living in Amsterdam for the best day trips from Amsterdam to other gorgeous Dutch cities, including Gouda, Leiden, and Giethoorn. I include easy day trips from Amsterdam as well as off the beaten path day trips from Amsterdam.
…How to view the beautiful Japanese garden in Den Haag in fall and spring
One of the small joys of living in a place year-round is that you get to experience your home city in each season. Although seasons in the Netherlands are far more mild than those of my home country, I still have a huge soft spot for fall and spring here in the Netherlands. One of the best places to ring in spring and fall is at the Japanese garden in Den Haag. I’ll be including advice for visiting the Japanese garden in both seasons, including getting to Clingendael.
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