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Visiting the Dutch capital and looking to venture outside the city for a day or two? This ultimate list of the best day trips from Amsterdam as recommended by travel experts has got you covered!
Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and fascinating European capitals and you can easily spend a week or more enjoying all it has to offer, from the romantic canals and beautiful architecture to the delicious food and vibrant nightlife.
But Amsterdam is also a great base to explore more of the Netherlands. And it being a small country, it’s certainly easy to do so. In fact, the possibilities are endless.
To help you decide where to go and what to do, I asked fellow travel writers about their favorite one-day trips from Amsterdam.
Here’s what they said.
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Best Day Trips from Amsterdam:
Eindhoven
Recommended by Zoe from Together in Transit
For a day trip to the South of the Netherlands, find yourself visiting the city of Eindhoven. It’s an easy day trip to choose, with it being only 1hour 40mins driving from Amsterdam or 1hour 20mins by public transportation.
I personally recommend Eindhoven as it’s a pretty unique and fun city to explore if you have never been.
To start with, the Strijp-S area just north of the city center is an upcoming and lively location for those who love architecture both old and new. This is due to the factory buildings being converted and redesigned into housing, restaurants, local boutiques, and art workshops.
Eindhoven also has a cool city vibe, with all the main shops for a day of shopping with friends as well as grabbing a bite to eat in many popular or top foodie hotspots.
There are many museums worth visiting too, such as the Philips Museum. For something alternative, explore the local street art at the bear pit, where you can see all the latest graffiti art and maybe even a live artist.
If you can, visit during the GLOW festival. This free event happens in November and gets the city all lit up at night, with special lights from many of the top buildings as well as special areas with lit-up artwork and designs.
So, whether you want to shop till you drop, explore a museum or visit an event, a day trip to Eindhoven offers something for everyone!
Utrecht
Recommended by Cosette from KarsTravels
A perfect day trip from Amsterdam is Utrecht. Located in the middle of the Netherlands, Utrecht is a beautiful city with canals, wonderful museums, and fun festivals year-round. From Amsterdam, it’s only 45 minutes by car or half an hour by train.
Utrecht is famous for its Dom Tower and canal area. The Dom Tower is an iconic landmark in Utrecht and is visible from afar, dominating the skyline of the city.
The Oudegracht (part of the canal area) dates from before the 10th century and has an extensive system of wharves and vaulted cellars. There are more historical buildings along the canals, such as the city hall, Stadskasteel Oudaen, and the Winkel van Sinkel. Join a canal cruise and admire all the city’s highlights from the water.
Another thing to do in Utrecht is to visit one of its museums. The Speelklok museum has a collection of self-playing musical instruments. While the Spoorwegmuseum is all about everything to do with the railways.
If you’re in the city at the right moment, then festival TREK is fun to visit. This is a food truck festival at the Griftpark. Or try the Whisky Tasting Festival at the Werkspoorkathedraal. Last but not least Festival Oude Muziek at the Neude, which is all about music.
You can also take a street art tour or wander around yourself to admire the beautiful street art in Utrecht, ranging from paintings from Caravaggio, like The Lute Player and Sleeping Mars, to a mural of a bookcase from JanIsDeMan that went viral.
Book a private day tour from Amsterdam to Utrecht here.
Alkmaar
Recommended by Alina from World of Lina
With just a 30-minute car or train drive away, Alkmaar is one of the best destinations to choose as a day tour from Amsterdam.
The gorgeous city of Alkmaar is located in the province of North Holland. It’s a beautiful, historic city with canals, old buildings, and various interesting museums such as the National Beer Museum or the Holland Cheese Museum.
The reason why the latter is located here is that Alkmaar is the cheese capital of the Netherlands. So if you’re a cheese lover, check out the city’s cheese market at the Waagplein main square in the city center. It takes place every Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and offers up to 30,000 kilos of different sorts of cheese.
Besides the famous cheese market, in the old center, you find many historic monuments, great shopping districts, and countless welcoming terraces, cafes, and restaurants for every budget.
The city is also a starting point of many beautiful cycling routes leading through stunning nature and along dunes and beaches.
The best and easiest way to get to Alkmaar is by taking the train. This way, you can relax, lean back, and enjoy the beautiful Dutch countryside. Trains leave every 10-20 minutes from the Amsterdam central station and tickets cost between €9 and €22.
Gouda
Recommended by Anjali from Cheerful Trails
Gouda is one of the most interesting day trips from Amsterdam. It is a quintessential town in the Netherlands surrounded by canals and Dutch windmills.
This tiny town is mainly known for its production of cheese, but there is so much more to it.
Gouda is home to significant architectural sights such as the Stadhuis (City Hall) and Church of St. John. The Church of St. John is notably known for its beautiful stained windows that showcase different depictions in each frame of the glass window.
Closely located to the church is the Gouda Museum, which is a must-visit attraction for artsy people. Here, you will find a collection of pottery, paintings, sculptures, and more artifacts dating back to various periods.
Next, take a leisurely walk through Market Square to see many quaint stores and cafes.
Many cafes have outdoor seating from where you can enjoy your meal or drink while admiring the gorgeous Church of St. John and City Hall. Don’t forget to try a delicious stroopwafel at one of the cafes.
For cheese lovers, Goudse Waag – a cheese museum with a tasting room is one of the unmissable attractions in Gouda.
Finally, make your way to the Red Lion Windmill. This picturesque working mill was originally built in 1727 and is located on the edge of one of the canals in the center of Gouda.
The most convenient way to reach Gouda from Amsterdam is by taking a train ride from Amsterdam central station. The journey is less than an hour long. You can also reach Gouda by road via an hour-long drive.
Or you can book a private day trip from Amsterdam to Gouda and a real cheese farm here.
Rotterdam
Recommended by Yaren & Antoine from Bug In Our Bag
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and less than an hour a drive away from Amsterdam. You can also get there by bus or train.
Unlike Amsterdam, the buildings in Rotterdam are almost brand new since the city was heavily bombed during the German invasion in World War II. This is why checking the architecture out in the city center is very interesting.
Rotterdam is also home to the Markthal, one of the biggest food courts in Europe. Besides the possibility to enjoy a variety of dishes from all around the world, in the Markthal you can also see the impressive ceiling art known as “The Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam.”
On your way to the Markthal, you can pass by the cube houses which are perfect to take some pictures. Be respectful though: there are actually people who live in those cube houses. You also have the opportunity to visit the Cube House Museum, which is basically a show house.
But the Cube House Museum is not the only interesting museum in Rotterdam. There is also the Dutch Pinball Museum which has more than 100 pinball machines from the 1900s to this year. Besides learning about the history of pinball, you can play on the machines for as long as you want!
Book a guided day trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hague here.
Zaanse Schans
Recommended by Raksha from Solopassport
Known for its spectacular wooden houses and historical windmills, Zaanse Schans is a perfect one-day trip from Amsterdam.
Just around 20 kilometers from Amsterdam, the old windmills date back to the 18th and 19th centuries and are living history.
The Zaanse Schans is a residential area in the neighborhood of Zaandam, and it gets its name from the river Zaan and its original function as a sconce against the Spanish. More buildings were added to the windmills to create an open-air museum.
The best way to reach Zaanse Schans is by taking a train from Amsterdam Central station. The nearest train station is Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans and the train journey takes just over 15 minutes. Then walk about 15 minutes to the windmills.
Even though there are plenty of things to do in Zaanse Schans, the number one thing is to take a walk viewing all the beautiful windmills, which are 8 in total.
There is also a dedicated museum called the Zaans Museum, dedicated to preserving and protecting the artifacts and heritage of the Zaan area. The area also has many cafes that serve delicious hot chocolate and cookies.
You’ll need at least 3 to 4 hours to see the windmills and explore the museum.
You can join a half-day tour from Amsterdam to the Zaanse Schans windmills here.
Giethoorn
Image: Travel with Co
Recommended by Jacoba from Travel with Co
Did you know that The Netherlands has its own Venice? Giethoorn is a small village in the province of Overijssel that’s also known as “the village with no roads”.
Most of the village is not accessible by car but has narrow paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
In addition, Giethoorn is surrounded by water, so there are countless beautiful wooden bridges and you can rent a boat everywhere.
Exploring Giethoorn by boat is definitely one of the best things to do in Giethoorn, because this way, you’ll get the best experience. From the water, you’ll have a great view of the cute houses with straw roofs.
Giethoorn is also located in one of the 21 national parks in The Netherlands, called Weerribben/Wieden National Park. When you explore Giethoorn by boat, you will also sail through some tranquil sections of this beautiful place.
There are also many hiking and cycling trails in Giethoorn and the surrounding area. A great way to explore the Dutch unspoiled countryside and get some fresh air.
Giethoorn is a great destination for a day trip from Amsterdam since it’s only a 1.5-hour drive and you’ll find yourself in a different world. Make sure to get there early to avoid the crowds.
Book a full-day tour to Giethoorn, including a boat cruise, here.
Delft
Recommended by Lara from The Best Travel Gifts
As much as I love Amsterdam (I actually live in Amsterdam, so I truly do love the city), sometimes you just want to escape the big crowds and tourists. And for that Delft is the perfect place to be.
Delft is a small city, located about 70 km south of Amsterdam, which can be reached from Amsterdam within an hour both by car and public transport.
It has a charming inner center, beautiful buildings, interesting history, and cute canals like Amsterdam, but without the crowds.
If you are interested in architecture, the best places to visit in Delft include De Oude Kerk (The old church), the old canal, De Oosterpoort (The Eastern Gate) and of course the main market square with the beautiful new church, city hall, and Zwaag.
Admire the city from the water on a Delft canal cruise. For stunning views over the entire city, make sure to climb the New Church’s tower.
For those who would love to learn more about Dutch history, specifically about the 80-year war with Spain, The Prinsenhof museum is a great place to start.
Delft played a significant role in that period, and the Prinsenhof is also where William the Silent a key player in Dutch history was assassinated. So make sure to visit that museum for more details about Dutch history.
Other museums worth visiting in Delft include: the Lambert van Meerten Museum, the Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles (the manufacturer of blue Delftware), the Musuem Paul Tetar van Elven, and The Science Centre Delft.
The latter is part of the Technical University of Delft, and personally, I think it’s a great museum for both kids and adults who are interested in science.
Book a day trip from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hague here.
Zeeland
Image: Offbeat Escapades
Recommended by Antoine and Marielle from Offbeat Escapades
Zeeland is a must-see region in the Netherlands and one of the best day trips to do from Amsterdam.
It’s about an hour and 30 minutes drive from the capital and is known to be the number one summer destination of the country. If you don’t want to drive, you can also take the train or bus to one of the main cities of the province.
In Zeeland, you can enjoy everything the North Sea has to offer. It has various towns that can be found near popular beaches.
As such, the region offers culinary highlights like mussels, fish, and lobster — which are the freshest you will ever find in the country. If we were to mention one Dutch province that is famous for its seafood, Zeeland would be it.
However, the beach and gastronomy are not the only note-worthy things about this region. Zeeland is also a province steeped in rich history, culture, and nature.
There are many popular museums and medieval sights to see such as visiting its capital, Middelburg.
The region is also one of the flattest parts of the country so going on a bike ride or camping is another wonderful experience to have.
Keukenhof Gardens
Recommended by Ania from The Travelling Twins
Everyone knows what Netherland is famous for – flowers, especially tulips.
The most famous spring gardens in the country are The Keukenhof Gardens. They are located 40 km away from Amsterdam in the town of Lisse.
The gardens are vast and have more than 7 million flower bulbs. In spring, when the garden is blooming, you feel like the whole world is blooming.
Given the close proximity to Amsterdam and good connection via shuttle buses, the Keukenhof Gardens make for a perfect day trip from the Dutch capital.
They are open every day from 9 am until 7 pm, from mid-March until the end of May. The entry ticket costs 18,50 Euros for adults and 9 Euros for children. The tickets can only be bought online with time slot entry.
The most beautiful time to visit Keukenhof is during springtime when people can walk through acres upon acres of gorgeous flowers in full bloom. But there are also flowers that are only in season for a short period of time, so even if you visit the garden at another time, there will still be plenty to enjoy
There is also a children’s playground with a carousel and mini-train within the gardens themselves. In summer, the mini-railway operates to take visitors through the fields of blooms.
You can easily get to Keukenhof Gardens by public transport, train, or bus from Amsterdam Central Station or Schiphol Airport. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes.
If you are traveling by car, you can park your car in the parking lot nearby. The parking fee is 6 Euros for the whole day long. From there it takes only ten minutes to get to the gardens by shuttle bus
Keukenhof Gardens provide an excellent day out for everyone, so the only thing you have to remember is to have your camera or phone and an extra battery pack with you – you’re surely going to need it!
You can book a half-day tour to the Keukenhof Gardens, including the entrance ticket, here.
Antwerp, Belgium
Recommended by Sinjana from Backpack & Explore
Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world, is one of the best day trip destinations from Amsterdam outside the Netherlands.
Located within 160km, you can easily reach this Belgian city from Amsterdam by train or bus.
The diamond district of Antwerp is where 220 million dollars worth of diamonds is traded daily. But besides being such an important business hub, Antwerp has a unique history of multiculturalism.
The diamond trading is mostly controlled by the Jews who migrated here during the second world war and the Jain Indians who came only a decade back.
The best places to explore in Antwerp are actually free. The Steen Castle, Scheldt Riverbank, Diamond district, Mier market, and the exquisitely beautiful Antwerp Central station are some of them. These can easily be covered in one day in Antwerp on foot.
Antwerp’s busy skyline is dominated by some marvelous architecture – old and new. The 123-meter-tall tower of OLV cathedral and the Brabo’s fountain in the central square are the highlights.
Take a stroll in the Stadspark, eat your heart out at the foodies’ street, and cherish the sight of sparkling diamonds in the diamond district.
Antwerp is also famous for fashionable clothing. And of course, remember to taste the famous Belgian chocolates when in Antwerp.
So there you have it. The best day tours from Amsterdam as suggested by travel bloggers. Which one will you choose?
More travel tips
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Tours
GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.
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