Day Trips Outside the City of Amsterdam

Den haag

An easy day trip from Amsterdam, the Hague is a cosmopolitan center bursting with style and culture . The seat of national government has always been housed in the Hague, as well as being the official residence of the Dutch monarchs. It is a dignified, stately place filled with regal embassies and mansions, green boulevards and parks, prominent galleries and museums, and an electrifying nightlife; it even has delectable food! The seaside town of Scheveningen attracts tons of visitors to it’s long pier and boardwalk along the beach beach. Three royal palaces grace the city as well!

Utrecht

Utrecht, with its unique, deep-set canals is one of the country's most pleasant day trips. The central point is the Dom Tower, which was built between 1321 and 1382,. At over 110m tall, it is the highest church tower in the country. A guided tour (Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm; last entry 4pm; €3.40) takes you unnervingly close to the top, from where you can see Rotterdam and Amsterdam on a clear day. Bustling with tons of shopping and hip cafes and bars, a day spent here is a day well spent!

Delft

It's easy to understand why Vermeer chose to spend most of his life surrounded by Delft's beauty. This is perhaps the loveliest little town in all of Holland. The facades of the Renaissance and Gothic houses here reflect age-old beauty. It remains serene, with flower boxes (and plenty more in the flower market on Hippolytusbuurt) and linden trees bending over its gracious canals. A good part of Holland's history is preserved in the tombs of Delft. To many visitors, of course, Delft means just one thing -- the distinctive blue-and-white earthenware still produced by the detailed methods of old. Every piece of true Delftware is hand-painted by experienced craftspeople. When you’re here it’s hard to believe you’re a short train ride away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam.

Rotterdam

This city, known for it’s modern architecture and buzzing nightlife, is the second largest city in the Netherlands.The cultural mix coupled with some excellent museums make Rotterdam a must-see place! There is a vibrant energy when you arrive here, most likely resulting from its’ multicultural community, gritty arts scene and long-standing rivalry with Amsterdam in most aspects of culture. When Rotterdam’s local football team, Feyenoord, goes head to head with Ajax of Amsterdam, things always get exciting!