Two and half weeks was just not enough time for me to see all of The Netherlands. I kept falling more and more in love with each new place that I visited. The towns just kept getting more quaint and charming as you venture deeper into the country. While I didn’t make it to every place on my list, I did make the most of the time I had in each city.
So, if you’re planning a trip to The Netherlands, be sure to include some of these must visit cities into your itinerary.
Amsterdam
Obviously! So this doesn’t count towards the 5 but I mean I had to include it because, well one it’s cute! And two, most likely you will begin your journey here so it’s worth a mention. Amsterdam is known for its parties, red light districts and legal marijuana, but there’s so much more to this city. Outside of all of that it is actually one of the cutest, most picturesque cities in The Netherlands. No wonder it is one of Europe’s most visited cities! I got stuck in Amsterdam for 7days and had to force myself to leave. There’s just so much to do and see! Be sure to check out some of the museums, explore the local markets, the beautiful canals, and actual coffee shops ha-ha.
Leiden
It was a complete accident that I ended up in Leiden. It couldn’t have been a more welcomed and unplanned adventure! My original plan was to take the train from Amsterdam to Haarlem, but the Wi-Fi was surprisingly good on the train. I got completely side tracked on my phone and totally missed the stop.Whoops! I noticed when I checked google maps and the sweet lady next to me laughed when I told her what happened. She said if I had the time it would be worth a few hours to visit the next town, Leiden. So I did, and it was soooooo cute! I spent the next few hours aimlessly walking around town getting completely lost. A visit to the Burcht Van Leiden is a must and not a far walk from the train station.
Haarlem
Only a 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam, if you are trying to do some shopping in Holland, Haarlem is the place to do it! It is way less crowded than Amsterdam and has so many more boutique stores to browse and visit. I really wished I had more time here because there really was so much to see, so many cute shops to check out and some fantastic restaurants to eat at! Next time I’m in Holland, I am beelining it to Haarlem to spend a few days.
Utrecht
Utrecht is a beautiful city to rent a bike and just go! Unless you’re a bicycle ninja, I found cycling around town in Amsterdam to be quite intimidating and honestly stressful, especially in anywhere near the city center. There is just way too much going on. Utrecht, on the other hand was the perfect place to bike my way around and see everything. Definitely visit the city center, where the famous Dom Tower is and grab some street food. Make your way to a few of the amazing bike paths all over the city for some gorgeous scenery. And if you’re lucky enough to be there on a Saturday, be sure to check out the oldest local flower market, located on Janskerkhof.
Dordrecht
Dordrecht is a beautiful port city that is often overlooked by many tourist. Such a shame because it’s so cute and totally worth a day trip! Located just 15 minutes by train from Rotterdam, Dordrecht is the oldest city in The Netherlands. You have to check out Grote Kerk, the largest church in the city, and climb up to the top for the most stunning views of the city. I also totally recommend stopping at Pim Poffertjes, a popular local spot, and try a twitter. A twitter is a mini pancakes drenched in butter and sprinkled in powdered sugar with whatever toppings of your choice.
Rotterdam
While I wouldn’t say Rotterdam is the cutest city in The Netherlands, it is for sure one of the coolest. The city got took a massive hit back in the 1940 by the German army. For that reason, Rotterdam has a very modern design and architecture. It is unlike any other cities in the country, and totally worth a visit. Be sure to have lunch at Markthal, the first indoor food market in the Netherlands. After that, visit the cube houses or Kubuswoningenin Dutch. 38 yellow cube-shaped houses located minutes away from Makthal. For the best views of city, make your way to the top of the Euromast, 185 meters up! But don’t worry, there is an elevator that takes you and for those who are extra adventurous, in the summer you could even abseil the building. Unfortunately, I was there in the winter, so no abseiling for me. Oh well, next time for sure!