Author: 
As the capital of the Netherlands and the so-called “Venice of the North,” Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations.
The city center has a variety of fascinating attractions at its heart, including the Van Gogh museum, Dam Square, and the Anne Frank House, not to mention its famed coffee shops and the red-light district. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its historic network of canals.
A vacation in Amsterdam also serves as the perfect opportunity to explore many other popular Dutch cities and towns. You can even pay a visit to popular destinations in nearby Belgium when you make Amsterdam your base.
To give you some inspiration, we’ve created a travel guide of the 12 best day trips to take from Amsterdam.
See Beautiful Dutch Blooms in Keukenhof Gardens
- Distance from Amsterdam: 24 miles
- How to Visit: By car or coach.
- When to Visit: From April to May.
The Netherlands is renowned for its production and export of flowers, with tulips being its most famous bloom. On the outskirts of a town called Lisse, just 24 miles southwest of Amsterdam, lies Keukenhof Gardens, which are also known as the Garden of Europe. This is the prime destination for witnessing the country’s impressive bounty of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses.
Keukenhof Gardens are only open for a few weeks in spring each year when the bulbs are in full bloom. The last two weeks of April and the first two weeks of May give you the best chance of seeing the most impressive display, but it’s impossible to predict exactly when the bulbs will flower.
Early mornings and evenings tend to be popular visiting times because the light lends itself to impressive photography of the tulip fields. If you’d rather beat the crowds, visit between 10.30 am and 4 pm.
Since Keukenhof Gardens is a seasonal attraction, it gets incredibly busy. You need a ticket to enter, and these can only be purchased online or via a tour operator if you’re visiting as part of an organized day trip. Be sure to book early to secure your preferred time slot, and don’t forget to buy a parking pass at the same time if you’ll be driving there.
Getting There
Keukenhof Gardens are difficult to reach without a car, but you can take a bus or train to Lisse if you don’t mind walking the last stretch.
A great way to visit is to book a coach excursion so that you can take in the pretty Dutch countryside on the journey. It takes around four hours to see all the gardens, but you can easily spend longer here if you visit the restaurants, cafes, and exhibitions that are also on site.
Explore the Dutch Cheese Market in Alkmaar
- Distance from Amsterdam: 26 miles
- How to Visit: By train.
- When to Visit: Fridays, 10 am to 1 pm, from March to September.
The picturesque town of Alkmaar is 26 miles north of Amsterdam on the North Holland Canal, and it’s home to the famous Dutch Cheese Market.
Since the 1590s, Friday mornings in Alkmaar have been dedicated to the sale of Edam and Gouda, two of the Netherlands’ most famous cheeses. Over 23 tons of cheese is set out in the town square in readiness for cheese porters to weigh them and ship them off to buyers.
Centuries-old traditions surround the production and sale of cheese in Alkmaar, and it’s fascinating to watch the cheese porters carry out their rituals of welcoming the crowds and ringing bells.
If you visit in the morning, you can catch explanations of the rituals in English to learn about the market’s history. Be sure to drop into the Alkmaar Cheese Museum in the Weigh House. Here, you’ll find a series of exhibits and displays about traditional cheesemaking processes and the importance of the cheesemaking industry on the local economy and culture.
Alkmaar is a pretty town and makes for a charming destination for a day trip. You can soak in impressive architecture, guild houses, and monuments that exemplify 16th, 17th, and 18th-century Dutch design. You can also drop into a local restaurant or cafe to sample dishes that feature local cheeses.
Getting There
The easiest way to visit Alkmaar from Amsterdam is to take a train. The journey takes around 35 minutes, and the train station is just a 5-minute walk from the city center.
A cheaper method of public transport is by bus, but the journey can take up to 90 minutes and involves multiple lines. If you plan to drive, you can find plenty of parking garages and digital signs around the city directing you to available spaces, but it can be expensive to park.
See Quintessential Dutch History and Art in Haarlem
- Distance from Amsterdam: 12 miles
- How to Visit: By train.
- When to Visit: Anytime
Haarlem is a classic fairy tale city and one of Amsterdam’s most beautiful places. You can expect to see impressive historic architecture in Haarlem, which was initially established all the way back in 1245.
A highlight of Haarlem is the Grote Kerk (also known as St. Bavokerk) church which sits in the city’s main square. It’s an enormous late Gothic building known for its slender 130-foot tower. The church is a chapel of the Seamen’s Guild which is why it is adorned with three model warships inside.
The interior of Grote Kerk is richly furnished, and it’s easy to while away time here as you quietly take in the impressive decor. Look out for the renowned Müller Organ, which dates back to the 18th century and is deemed to be one of the greatest instruments in the world thanks to its unique tone and lavish appearance.
During the 17th century, Haarlem was a hub for artistic creation and home to some of Holland’s most famous painters. Be sure to pay a visit to the Frans Hals Museum to see some of their renowned artworks.
Getting There
It is just 12 miles west of Amsterdam, and it’s one of the easiest day trips to make since it takes just 15 minutes to reach it by train.
A great way to see all of Haarlem’s sites and to learn about its history is to take a guided tour on foot with a local. You could also take a boat tour to see the main sights via the small canals that sit near the city’s central square.
Visit 18th-century Dutch Windmills in Zaanse Schans
- Distance from Amsterdam: 12 miles
- How to Visit: Coach tour or train.
- When to Visit: Spring and summer.
The Zaanse Schans Museum is the perfect way to see what life in the Netherlands was like in the 1700s. The museum was created to preserve historic wooden houses and windmills from modern industrial development. Many of the houses are occupied, which gives the village a genuine community spirit and an atmosphere that is far more special than a typical open-air museum.
The windmills in Zaanse Schans, which include an oil mill, a sawmill, a mustard mill, and a paint mill, are still functioning. There’s also a clog-makers workshop, a cheese-making dairy, a bakery, and a grocery store. All of these businesses operate from heritage buildings. Make sure to visit the village museum, which outlines the region’s vibrant industrial past.
Marken and Volendam are nearby fishing villages that, like Zaanse Schans, give an impression of Dutch life in the 17th and 18th centuries. A brilliant way to spend a full day is by visiting all three villages. Most people do this by booking a day tour from Amsterdam that includes a coach trip through the picturesque countryside and a boat ride between Marken and Volendam.
Getting There
If you’d prefer to visit on your own schedule via public transport, you can start the day at Zaanse Schans by taking a 15-minute train ride from Centraal Station in Amsterdam, followed by a 20-minute walk from the station to the village. You can then travel to Volendam by bus and take a ferry to Marken.
Take a Boat Ride on the Pretty Canals of Bruges
- Distance from Amsterdam: 155 miles
- How to Visit: Train or coach tour.
- When to Visit: Anytime
Bruges is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities and an incredibly popular tourist destination that’s relatively easy to visit from Amsterdam, despite being in a different country.
The historic canals of Bruges, which connect the city with the Zwin estuary and the North Sea, are incredibly picturesque as they reflect the city’s beautiful old bridges, houses, and gardens. Be sure to check out the Markt, which is the city’s main square. It has an impressive medieval market hall and boasts the Belfort bell tower.
There are lots of museums and churches to explore in Bruges, but if you’re pushed for time, be sure to take a boat tour. This is the perfect method of sightseeing on a mild day as the views from the canal are incredibly impressive.
Getting There
There are around 155 miles between Bruges and Amsterdam, and you can travel by road or by train, with both methods taking around three hours.
Many people opt to book a guided day tour to Bruges from Amsterdam. These usually include coach travel and a walking tour of Bruges’ sights. Some of them include entrance to key attractions, while others let you explore the beautiful city at your own pace.
Sample Belgian Chocolate and Architecture in Brussels
- Distance from Amsterdam: 107 miles
- How to Visit: By train.
- When to Visit: Anytime
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the capital of the European Union, as well as a hub for European Gothic and Baroque architecture. The city is packed full of art, culture, and history, but it has a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than many other European cities, which makes it a perfect destination for those who want to avoid crowds.
The Grand Place, Brussels’ main square, is one of Europe’s best-preserved public squares. It is home to a series of ornate Baroque-style guild houses that were built in the late 17th century.
You can also see some incredible examples of Art Nouveau design in Brussels, including the work of master architect Victor Horta who worked on a number of structures in the 20th century.
You can’t visit Brussels without sampling its famous Belgian chocolate. Look out for demonstrations at one of the city’s many chocolatiers for insights into the origins of chocolate-making in the city.
Getting There
It takes two hours to reach Brussels via train from Amsterdam’s central station. This gives you complete flexibility over your sightseeing schedule. If you’d prefer a guided tour, there are plenty of coach trips available that include guided walking tours of the city center.
Discover Fine Art and Ceramics in Delft
- Distance from Amsterdam: 34 miles
- How to Visit: By train.
- When to Visit Thursdays or Saturdays, April to October.
Delft, situated 34 miles south of Amsterdam, is renowned for the blue and white porcelain known as Delftware that has been produced here since the 1600s.
The Old Town portion of the city is predominantly made up of buildings from the same century, which give it a charming atmosphere. You can expect to see Gothic churches, quaint houses, and hump-backed bridges over narrow canals.
Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles, known as Royal Delft in English, is the only remaining pottery-maker left in the city. You can visit their premises to watch the potters at work and see some of the brand’s most iconic historical pieces.
Art buffs will relish a visit to the Vermeer Center, where they can learn about the life and work of renowned artist Johannes Vermeer. Vermeer specialized in scenes of domestic, middle-class life, and his best-known masterpiece is Girl with a Pearl Earring, which he painted in 1665.
Getting There
It takes between 36 minutes and an hour to travel to Delft from Amsterdam by train. Visit on a Thursday or a Saturday to catch the popular antique flea market, which runs between April and October.
Escape the Crowds in Lively Utrecht
- Distance from Amsterdam: 14 miles
- How to Visit: By train.
- When to Visit: Anytime
Utrecht is a well-known university city that lies just 14 miles southeast of Amsterdam. Its student population gives it a contemporary, lively, and artistic atmosphere, but it’s much tamer and calmer than Amsterdam, making it the perfect place to escape from the bustle of the capital city for a day.
You can start your exploration of Utrecht in Domplein, the central square, where you can take in the impressive Dom Tower. A trip up the tower offers incredible views of the city and an opportunity to listen to the bells of the carillon.
The University Quarter in Utrecht is home to a series of markets, cafes, bars, and restaurants to grab a beer, coffee, or bite to eat. The Oudegracht waterfront is a pretty spot to relax in, and it’s home to several art galleries and bars that exist in cellars beneath the roads.
Getting There
It takes just 30 minutes to reach Utrecht by train. If you’re looking for a day trip that doesn’t involve too much travel, Utrecht is a perfect choice.
See Ultra-modern Dutch Architecture in Rotterdam
- Distance from Amsterdam: 43 miles
- How to Visit: By train
- When to Visit: Anytime
Rotterdam is the second-biggest city in the Netherlands, and it has a far more contemporary feel than Amsterdam. The city sustained massive damage during World War II, and when it was reconstructed, it developed a distinctive and incredibly modern design that makes it comparable to New York City.
Be sure to check out The Cube Houses, which are a series of unique apartments designed by architect Piet Blom. The cubes are tilted at a 45-degree angle to create a surreal and impressive sight. You should also visit Markthal, a food hall situated in a striking building that is home to a wide selection of high-quality produce and takeout food.
A unique sight to see in Rotterdam is the SS Rotterdam, which was once a cruise liner and is now home to a hotel, nightclub, museum, and series of bars and restaurants. You’ll also want to make time to scale the Euromast, an observation tower that provides panoramic views of the city from 600 feet up.
Getting There
It takes just 40 minutes to get to Rotterdam from Amsterdam via train. You can alight at Rotterdam Centraal or Rotterdam Blaak. The latter provides a shorter walk to the city’s main sights.
Tour the Iconic Windmills of Kinderdijk
- Distance from Amsterdam: 51 miles
- How to Visit: By train and waterbus.
- When to Visit: Anytime
The small town of Kinderdijk is an example of a settlement that was created to protect the naturally swampy Dutch environment from flooding. Windmills were used to drain the landscape to prevent major floods and keep fields dry enough for farmers to use.
There are nineteen windmills in Kinderdijk, and a tour of them gives you an idea of what life was like for those who lived inside them. You’ll get a fascinating insight into the feats of engineering that helped medieval Holland to thrive. The sight is special enough that it has held UNESCO World Heritage Site status for more than 25 years.
Getting There
Kinderdijk doesn’t have a train station, but you can reach it by bus from Rotterdam or Dordrecht after taking a train to either of these cities.
Alternatively, you can take the water bus, which departs from Rotterdam or Dordrecht and is a very pretty and relaxing way to complete the final leg of the journey.
It takes around two hours to reach Kinderdijk from Amsterdam, and you can expect to spend a good two or three hours exploring when you get there. It’s a very remote area with just a couple of cafes near the entrance, so bring your own snacks and drinks if you’re on a tight budget.
Have a Day of Culture by the Sea in The Hague
- Distance from Amsterdam: 32 miles
- How to Visit: By train.
- When to Visit: Summer
The Hague is the Netherlands’ former capital city, and it’s a great day visit for those interested in the country’s history and culture.
Key sights include the Peace Palace, which is home to the International Criminal Course of Justice, the Mauritshuis museum, where Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring is on display, and the Binnenhof, which houses the office of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
Situated directly on the North Sea coast, The Hague is the only major Dutch city with a nearby beach resort. You can get to the resort, called Scheveningen, in just 20 minutes via tram from the Hague city center. This is a great way to enjoy a day of sunshine, sand, and sea during the height of summer.
The Hague has a sophisticated, cosmopolitan atmosphere with a lively nightlife. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and clubs in the squares of Grote Markt and the Plein.
Getting There
It takes around 50 minutes to reach The Hauge from Amsterdam via train. If you want a direct route, set off from Amsterdam Solterdijk. If you leave from Amsterdam Centraal, you’ll first travel to Schiphol Airport, then change lines to get to The Hague.
Visit Rembrandt’s Birthplace of Leiden
- Distance from Amsterdam: 21 miles
- How to Visit: By train.
- When to Visit: Summer
Leiden has one of the Netherlands’ best-preserved historic city centers. It also boasts the most waterways and bridges in the whole country. The best way to take in the sights is to follow the Leiden Loop, which covers 25 points of interest and historical attractions. You can download the trail via a free app and cover it at your own pace.
An alternative way to see Leiden’s sights is to take a boat tour. The canals teem with boats throughout the summer season when the city is at its busiest. Look out for the poetry that adorns over 100 of the inner city’s walls.
As a university city and the birthplace of renowned master painter Rembrandt, Leiden has an artistic and creative atmosphere. Simply walking its streets and taking in its architecture is an inspiring way to spend a day for anyone who is interested in Dutch culture, art, and history.
Getting There
The best way to reach Leiden is via train. It takes just 35 to 40 minutes to reach the city from Amsterdam, and many routes are direct.
A Memorable Day Outside of Amsterdam
While Amsterdam has no shortage of fascinating sights to take in, a series of day trips out of the city is vital for getting a true insight into the unique culture and history of the Netherlands.
Be sure to plan plenty of excursions during your upcoming Amsterdam visit to see all that this fascinating country has to offer!
