Visit the Netherlands and explore some of most popular places near Amsterdam. Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. Here, we list the top tourist spots near Amsterdam where you can taste famous Dutch cheeses, enjoy local food, and take part in plenty of activities.
Plan A Day Trip To Explore The Unesco-listed Canals And Famous Landmarks On A Boat Tour
Experience the ultimate journey through Amsterdam’s canals, passing by magnificent landmarks while enjoying food and drinks. We offer a variety of courses and facilities to enhance your food cruise experience. Please choose your favourite tour from our popular selection.
- High Tea Tour
- Breakfast Tour
- Brunch Tour
- Dinner tour
Here are the prices of our boat tour packages. You can choose your favorite boat from our unique collection of classic and luxury boats. If you have a plan for a wedding tour or romantic day trip in Amsterdam, we offer exclusive packages that include a romantic boat tour with rose petals and a photographer.
| 1 hr incl. welcome drink | €250 |
| 1.5 hrs incl. welcome drink | €340 |
| 1.5 hrs Amsterdam Light Festival Tour | €340 |
| 2 hrs incl. welcome drink | €430 |
| 2 hrs Dinner Cruise (food charged separately) | €430 |
| 3 hrs incl. welcome drink | €610 |
Here are the food course packages and their durations; we are affiliated with popular restaurants in Amsterdam. Contact us to order custom cushions and drinks to enhance your tour experience.
| Courses | Duration Required |
| 3 courses | 3 hours |
| 4 courses | 3.5 hours |
| 5 courses | 4 hours |
| 6 courses | 4.5 hours |
| 7 courses | 6 hours |
Zaanse Schans Windmill Tour for a Day
Just north of Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans takes you back to 17th-century Holland. This open-air museum features working windmills, wooden houses, and artisan workshops where you can observe cheese makers and clog artisans at work. The iconic windmills along the water are perfect for photos, and numerous paths are available for exploration. It’s an easy trip that shows you authentic Dutch life beyond the city.
- Highlights: Traditional windmills, wooden clogs, cheese farms, Dutch village life.
- Duration From Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans : Car: 25 min, Train: 20 min to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans + 10 min walk, Tour bus: 30 min
- Private Boat Tour :1.30 hours
Take a Private Boat to Zaanse Schans
We offer an elegant and luxurious option for exploring the route from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans. Getting from Amsterdam Central to Zaanse Schans is easy and quick, with several transportation options available. You can take your time and enjoy the peaceful views of the Dutch countryside on this private boat ride along the beautiful Zaan River.
The trip lasts about 1.5 hours each way. You’ll encounter attractive towns, old sheds, and buildings from the industrial era along your journey, which will provide a sense of the Netherlands’ rich maritime heritage. Book Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans Windmills Tour.
Giethoorn: The Venice of the North
Giethoorn has no roads in its historic center—just canals connecting thatched-roof farmhouses. Rent a boat or book a private tour to explore the waterways at your own pace. It’s quiet, beautiful, and utterly different from Amsterdam, though only 90 minutes away. Summer is the best time to visit when the gardens are in full bloom.
- Highlights: Grote Markt, Frans Hals Museum, canal views, local shopping.
- From Amsterdam to Giethoorn: Car: 30 min, Train: 20 min, Tour bus: 30-40 min
Haarlem and Utrecht: Twin Historic Gems
Haarlem is just a 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam and feels wonderfully unhurried. The Grote Kerk dominates the main square, and narrow streets branch off in every direction, lined with independent shops and cafes.
Stop for a treat at one of the many bakeries, then visit the Frans Hals Museum to see Dutch Golden Age paintings. The Grote Markt in Haarlem is a bustling historic square with a market, located just a short train ride from Amsterdam.
- Highlights: Grote Markt, Frans Hals Museum, canal views, local shopping.
- From Amsterdam to Haarlem: Car: 30 min, Train: 20 min, Tour bus: 30-40 min
Utrecht has something special: canal-level wharves where medieval storage cellars are now restaurants and plenty of bars. Climb the Dom Tower for city (Steden) views, explore the museums, or grab a coffee along the canals.
Rotterdam: Modern Architecture Meets Maritime Heritage
The Maritime Museum explains why this port city matters, and the harbor tours are impressive. Rotterdam’s food scene draws from cultures across the globe.
- Highlights: Modern skyline, Cube Houses, Erasmus Bridge, Markthal.
- From Amsterdam to Rotterdam: Car: 1 hour, Train: 40 min, Tour bus: 1.15 hours
The Hague and Delft: Royal Heritage and Blue Pottery
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and home to the royal family. The Mauritshuis has Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” and other masterpieces. The Peace Palace is worth seeing, and in summer, the beach at Scheveningen gets packed with locals.
Delft is renowned for its distinctive blue and white pottery, which is visible everywhere. Visit Royal Delft to watch artisans paint the designs by hand. The city center features picture-perfect canals and narrow streets, as well as the church where Vermeer is buried. You can easily visit both in one day. Both are located in South Holland.
- Highlights: Peace Palace, Scheveningen Beach, Delft Blue pottery.
- From Amsterdam to Hague & Delft: Car: 1 hour, Train: 50–60 min, Tour bus: 1.15 hours
Discover The Keukenhof Gardens
From late March through mid-May, Keukenhof Gardens explodes with millions of tulips. Located near Lisse, it’s one of the most photographed spots in Holland. Seven million bulbs bloom here, arranged in elaborate designs which is the largest . The surrounding tulip fields stretch for miles—you can even see them from a hot air balloon.
- Highlights: Sandy beaches, beach clubs, surfing, sunset dining.
- From Amsterdam to Keukenhof Gardens: Car: 40 min, Train: 30 min to Schiphol + 30-min bus to Keukenhof, Tour bus: 45–60 min
Planning a night out? Check our guide to the best evening activities in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Beach: Zandvoort or Bloemendaal
Locals head to the coast when summer hits. Zandvoort boasts a long sandy beach and a classic seaside vibe, complete with fish stands and ice cream shops. Bloemendaal is more upscale, featuring beach clubs where you can spend the entire day lounging. Both are 30 minutes away, and the ride takes you through dune landscapes.
- Highlights: Sandy beaches, beach clubs, surfing, sunset dining.
- From Amsterdam to Beach: Car: 35 min, Train: ~30 min to Zandvoort aan Zee, Tour bus: 40 min
Gouda and Alkmaar: Traditional Market Towns
Gouda hosts a cheese market on Thursday mornings in the summer, where traders still use traditional wooden sleds to transport their goods. The Town Hall is charming, and St. John’s Church has stunning stained glass windows. Buy some cheese, wander the canals, and soak it all in. This place is famous for its cheese and is located south of Amsterdam.
- Highlights: Cheese market (Thursdays, Apr–Aug), old city hall, canals.
- From Amsterdam to Gouda: Car: 1 hour, Train: 55 min, Tour bus: 1.15 hours
Alkmaar also has a cheese market, but it’s less touristy. The historic center is beautiful, and there’s excellent shopping if that’s your thing. It’s a genuine glimpse of Dutch culture, free from tourist crowds.
- Highlights: Famous cheese market, canals, Dutch architecture.
- From Amsterdam to Alkmaar: Car: 40 min, Train: 40 min, Tour bus: 50 min
Take a scenic walk and explore the most picturesque bridges in Amsterdam
Leiden
Leiden is a university town with serious history, and Rembrandt was born here. The National Museum of Antiquities is excellent, and the city’s canals are lovely to walk along. You can also visit the hidden courtyards (hofjes) tucked away throughout the old center. The botanical garden has been in existence since 1590 and is well worth a visit.
- Highlights: Botanical gardens, canals, birthplace of Rembrandt.
- From Amsterdam to Leiden: Car: 45 min, Train: 35 min, Tour bus: 50 min
Amersfoort & Naarden
Amersfoort has one of the best-preserved medieval centers in the Netherlands. The Koppelpoort water gate is incredible—half bridge, half city gate. Narrow streets fan out from the main square, where locals hang out at outdoor cafes.
- Highlights: Medieval walls, Koppelpoort gate, charming old town.
- From Amsterdam to Amersfoort: Car: 45 min, Train: 35 min, Tour bus: 50 min
Naarden is a perfect star-shaped fortress. Walk the walls to see behind the science of this geometric layout, then explore the streets inside.
- Highlights: Star-shaped fortress town, ramparts, Fortress Museum.
- From Amsterdam to Naarden: Car: 30 min, Train: 25 min, Tour bus: 35 min
Castle de Haar: Utrecht Area’s Fairy Tale
Near Utrecht, Castle de Haar is the Netherlands’ largest castle, and it looks like something from a storybook. The neo-Gothic towers, moat, and drawbridge are stunning. The gardens are enormous, especially beautiful when the roses bloom. Inside, you’ll see how aristocrats lived with rooms full of art and antiques.
- Highlights: Largest castle in the Netherlands, gardens, architecture.
- From Amsterdam to Castle de Haar: Car: 45–50 min; Train: 30 min to Vleuten + 10-min taxi; Tour bus: 1hour.
Den Bosch (S-Hertogenbosch): Art and Architecture
Den Bosch is where Hieronymus Bosch created his unique, fantastical art. The Noordbrabants Museum has exhibits about him, and St. John’s Cathedral is a massive structure. The old town has narrow streets. It’s perfect for getting lost in. Before you leave, try a Bossche bol—a chocolate-covered cream puff that’s a local tradition and absolutely delicious.
- Highlights: Medieval center, St. John’s Cathedral, Bossche Bol pastry.
- From Amsterdam to Den Bosch: Car: 1. 10 hours, Train: 55 min, Tour bus: 1.20 hours.
Volendam, Edam & Marken: Traditional Fishing Villages
These three villages, located north of Amsterdam, showcase traditional Dutch fishing culture. Volendam is the most popular destination, offering photo opportunities in traditional costumes and a bustling harbor. Edam is where the famous cheese comes from—the center is charming and quieter. Marken was an island until recently, with wooden houses on stilts and a peaceful atmosphere. Hit all three in one day if you’re ambitious.
- Highlights: Fishing villages, cheese tasting, traditional Dutch houses.
- Duration from Amsterdam to Volendam: Car: 30–40 min, Bus: 25–40 min, Tour bus: 30 min
Muiden: Castle and Coastal Charm
Muiderslot sits where the Vecht River meets the sea. This medieval castle is well-preserved with period rooms and engaging tours. The village of Muiden has a small harbor that’s nice to experience boat tours. It’s peaceful here, combining history with coastal scenery just beyond Amsterdam’s eastern edge.
- Highlights: Historic castle, gardens, museum, waterfront views.
- Duration from Amsterdam to Muiden: Car: 25 min; Train: ~20 min to Weesp + 15-min bus, Tour bus: ~30–40 min
In short, the Netherlands is one of the popular destinations in Europe. Visit the top tourist destinations near Amsterdam. Enjoy a private tour on a boat to explore Amsterdam’s canals, or visit the nearest spots in Amsterdam.
