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The Netherlands Destination guide

As the world leader in travel experiences since 1947, we connect you to the real Netherlands in a way like no other. Known for tulips, cheeses and charming canals, the Netherlands is a country that you will instantly love. Once a colonial powerhouse with trading posts all over the globe, this nation is now known for its forward-thinking ideals and laid-back attitude. Journey with us as we peel back layers of culture, admiring opulent 17th century architecture and asymmetric waterfront homes, visiting numerous museums and learning of a dazzling diamond cutting heritage. Enthralling from the countryside to the cities, we’ll visit sprawling gardens in Keukenhof and uncover the maritime history of the port town of Rotterdam. Between deep-fried bread balls and delicate caramel waffles, we’ll cycle and explore leaving no pages unturned. Travel with Trafalgar and we’ll reveal both the iconic and the unexpected, taking in art, history and cuisine as we move from thriving cities to quaint villages. With an extraordinary legacy of art and a melody of architectural styles, there is no shortage of inspiration to be found here. Travel with us and unlock the infinite possibilities thanks to our exclusive Trafalgar Highlights.
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"Understated beauty is an accurate way to describe Netherlands. A land of vividly colorful countryside, picturesque villages, and cities bursting with canals and rich with striking architecture"
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The Netherlands at a glance
Filled with tulips, cheeses and charming canals, the Netherlands is a country that you will instantly love. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and peel back the layers of the country, from sprawling gardens and maritime history, to an inspiring melody of art, cuisine and archictecture.
Currency
Euro
Winter avg temp
3°C
Summer avg temp
16°C
Time Zone
GMT+2
Capital City
Amsterdam
Language
Dutch
Good morning
Goedemorgen
Good evening
Goedenavond
Food cheese

Our top 5 things to do in the Netherlands

From the capital’s majestic Royal Palace to the wonderland of tulip fields found in Keukenhof, these are just some of the experiences we’ll share with you when you visit the Netherlands with Trafalgar.

Come face-to-face with Rembrandt's masterpieces

Come face to face with Rembrandt’s iconic pieces and immerse into the mind and soul of a true artistic genius. The Het Rembrandthuis Museum is the place where the Dutch multidisciplinary artist worked for many years, offering treasures that honour the depths of his talents.
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Visit The Royal Palace in Amsterdam

The Royal Palace is an Amsterdam must do thanks to its opulent 17th century architecture. Admire the yellow stone exterior before moving inside where you can float across marble floors and glance up at the extravagance of the ceiling and chandeliers. Found on the west side of Dam Square opposite the war memorial, it is close to numerous other Amsterdam attractions.
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Walk through the edgy port city of Rotterdam

Journey across the country and find the port city of Rotterdam. Gaze upon vintage ships at the Maritime museum and collect local trinkets from a variety of different retail stores, all while being surrounded by over 160 different nationalities and languages. Bold architecture and an idyllic waterfront location make this a city worth savouring.
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Stroll through an enchanting wonderland of tulips

Find the endlessly beautiful fields of tulips in Keukenhof, a mere 40-minute drive from the Dutch capital. You will feel an immense appreciation for nature’s beauty walking through the colourful gardens, alive with petals during the months of spring. Take time to sit and take in the vision and scents, either beside a lake or near a windmill.
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Gain insights into the tradition of diamond cutting

Find Europe’s oldest and most renowned diamond cutting in the Netherlands. Visit one of Amsterdam’s many factories and marvel at the art of cutting these sparkly rocks first hand. Coming to the country in the late 16th century, diamond cutting has become a long-standing tradition and part of the Netherland’s cultural fabric.
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Best museums in the Netherlands

Fill your mind with intrigue and discover why this country has been home to some of the most brilliant artists in European history. These are just a few of the museums Trafalgar will guide you through, peeling back the layers of culture in The Netherlands.
Amsterdam

Rijkmuseum

The Rijkmuseum contains over 8,000 masterful pieces of art, many crafted by famous Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals. Treat yourself to a day of learning and inspiration and quickly realise why this is the most visited museum in the Netherlands.
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Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum

Admire the expressive works of the Vincent Van Gogh Museum and honour one of the most prominent artistic figures of all time. Known for his erratic personal life and huge body of work, have an encounter with the Dutch artist in his homeland within the walls of his contemporary Amsterdam museum.
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Amsterdam

Anne Frank House

Journey to the soul-stirring home of Anne Frank whose diary uncovered the dark realities of Nazi occupation of WWII to millions of readers across the globe. Well preserved from its original state, you will feel an unnerving connection to this country’s heritage as you walk from room to room.
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Best food in the Netherlands

The Netherland tempts the tastebuds with caramel filled waffles, deep-fried bread balls and extravagant fries, with an occasional pause for hearty nutrition in dishes like Stamppot. Uncover many culinary delights when you travel through the Netherlands with Trafalgar.

Bitterballen

A treasured snack found in many cafés, the bitterballen is a deep fried bread ball filled with delicious meat and roux, cooked in rich beef stock with onion, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Dip in creamy mustard or enjoy on its own, either way, it’s addictive.
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Stroopwafel

Be mesmerised by the Netherlands beloved waffle meets cookie treat of Stroopwafel. With a thin dough and sticky thick caramel filling, pair this fluffy treat with a warm coffee and a cool day, picked up from a street vendor offering various irresistible toppings.
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Stroopwafel

Be mesmerised by the Netherlands beloved waffle meets cookie treat of Stroopwafel. With a thin dough and sticky thick caramel filling, pair this fluffy treat with a warm coffee and a cool day, picked up from a street vendor offering various irresistible toppings.
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What to pack for the Netherlands

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Comfortable bike riding shoes

Bike tours in Amsterdam are an essential part of the Netherlands travel experience. Pack comfortable walking shoes so you can pedal until your heart is content, feeling like a local while soaking up the scenery of the city.

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Raincoat

Rainy days can happen at any time of the year in the Netherlands, with an average annual rainfall of 700 millimetres. Come prepared with a raincoat or a small travel umbrella.

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Jackets and cardigans

The Netherlands is a great place to travel in both winter and summer, with both seasons offering many perks. Consult a weather website before packing as even the summer months can require a jacket or cardigan.

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A camera and memory card

From tulip fields to charming windmills, the Netherlands is endlessly photogenic. Pack a good camera and a spare memory card to capture your experience at its very best.

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Empty bag space

With delicious local cheeses and oversized clogs tempting your souvenir list, spare bag space is a must when travelling in the Netherlands. Remember to check what rules apply when returning home with your chosen goods.

Other things to know before you go

Depending on your nationality, you'll need a valid passport and may also need visas to enter. Please check this well in advance of your trip departure date here. Some countries also require passports to have 3-6 months left on them before the given expiry date, so be sure to double check this before booking your travels.

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Our Europe & Britain destinations

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