🏞️ 6 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is a city you could wander in for days, but sometimes, the best way to truly understand the Netherlands is to step outside the canals and cycle paths. Luckily, there are so many incredible places just a short trip away. Whether you’re into history, food, art, or Instagram-worthy landscapes, these best day trips from Amsterdam will make you fall in love with the country all over again.
Here’s your guide to 6 unforgettable escapes: complete with what to see, where to eat, and how to get there.
- 1. 🏡 Zaanse Schans: The Iconic Windmill Village
- 2. 🏙️ Rotterdam: The Modern Dutch Marvel
- 3. 🏛️ The Hague: Art, Politics & Seaside Serenity
- 4. 🚤 Giethoorn: The Venice of the North
- 5. 🐟 Volendam: The Fishing Village with Flavor
- 6. 🌷 Keukenhof: The Garden of Europe
- 🗺️ Map of 6 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
1. 🏡 Zaanse Schans: The Iconic Windmill Village
Imagine a place where the air smells faintly of fresh-cut wood and cocoa, where green-painted wooden houses line a peaceful river, and centuries-old windmills still creak and turn against the Dutch sky. Zaanse Schans is more than just a tourist stop: it’s a living, breathing open-air museum where traditions are lovingly kept alive. Here you can watch artisans shape clogs by hand, see cheese makers craft creamy wheels of Gouda, and step inside windmills that once powered the Dutch Golden Age. The village isn’t just picturesque, it tells a story of resilience, craftsmanship, and a slower pace of life that feels worlds away from the busy canals of Amsterdam. Read my Zaanse Schans Travel Guide here.
📸 Climb inside working windmills like De Bonte Hen or Het Jonge Schaap, where the rhythmic grind of wood against stone echoes the region’s industrious past.
📸 Watch clog-makers carve wooden shoes and cheese-makers craft Gouda, all in live demonstrations you can peek into.
📸 Wander through the lovingly preserved green wooden houses lining the Zaanse River, offering endless photo-worthy moments.
🍽️ De Kraai — Famous for fluffy Dutch pancakes with both sweet and savory toppings.
🍽️ Catharina Hoeve — Sample local cheeses in a rustic, farm-style setting.
🍽️ For something cozy, try the café in one of the windmills, perfect for stroopwafels and hot cocoa while watching the sails turn.
🚉 By train: From Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans (~20 minutes), then a scenic 10-minute walk along the river.
🚌 By coach: Many full- and half-day tours include roundtrip AC coach transfers from central Amsterdam, relax as you pass windmills and countryside
🚲 By bike: For the adventurous, guided private bike tours roll across canal paths and fields to Zaanse Schans: fresh air, quiet lanes, and hidden avenues await
🚌 Zaanse Schans small-group half-day tour with local guide and transport
Take a 3-hour half-day tour to the countryside and explore Zaanse Schans in a small group. See how a clog maker is making the famous Dutch wooden shoe, visit a cheese farm and a working windmill. Spend half a day outside Amsterdam and enrich your trip by touring the Dutch countryside.
👣 Half Day Trip to Zaanse Schans Windmills and Walking Tour from Amsterdam
– Self-guided walking tour of Zaanse Schans.
– Scenic bus tour from Amsterdam.
– Demonstration of cheese making and wooden shoe crafting.
– Comfortable round-trip transport via coach.
– Flexible tour start times to accommodate your schedule.
– Free map and exclusive discounts at select local stores.
2. 🏙️ Rotterdam: The Modern Dutch Marvel
Rotterdam is the Netherlands reimagined: bold, forward-thinking, and unafraid to push the limits of design. After WWII devastation, the city rebuilt itself not with replicas of the past, but with daring modern architecture and an unapologetic embrace of innovation. Today, its skyline is a playground of quirky cube houses, soaring bridges, and glass towers that gleam against the water. Beneath the surface, Rotterdam is bursting with creativity: from street art to award-winning cuisine, bustling markets to cultural festivals. It’s a place where history nods politely to the future, and every corner feels like a fresh discovery waiting to happen. Read my Rotterdam Travel Guide here.
📸 Cube Houses: Tilted homes that flip your perspective upside down.
📸 Erasmus Bridge: Sleek and swooping: an icon that spans the Maas.
📸 Markthal: A rainbow-hued arch housing market stalls, restaurants, and even apartments.
📸 For art lovers: Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, or a cruise through the bustling harbors for a taste of Rotterdam’s cultural and maritime soul
🍽️ Street food inside Markthal, from fresh oysters to loaded fries.
🍽️ Have true Rotterdam fries at Bram Ladage
🍽️ Catch dinner with a view on the Euromast tower (its rotating platform is unforgettable).
🚉 By train: Direct train from Amsterdam Centraal, around 40 minutes.
🚌 Alternatively, many day tours bundle Rotterdam with Delft and The Hague, all with hassle-free transport and guides
🚌 From Amsterdam: Guided Trip to Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague
Discover the modern architecture of Rotterdam, explore the historical town of Delft with a visit to the Delft Blue factory, and see the political and royal sides of The Hague on this full-day trip.
3. 🏛️ The Hague: Art, Politics & Seaside Serenity
The Hague is a city of contrasts: part royal residence, part seaside resort, and part global stage for international justice. Here, Gothic parliament buildings overlook calm canals, masterpieces like Girl with a Pearl Earring hang in intimate museums, and diplomats share the city with surfers heading to Scheveningen Beach. The Hague manages to balance gravitas and charm, one moment you’re walking through the political heart of the Netherlands, the next you’re sipping coffee by the sea. It’s a place where history, culture, and coastal breezes meet, making it a refreshingly multifaceted escape from Amsterdam. Read my The Hague Travel Guide here.
📸 Binnenhof, the medieval heart of Dutch politics.
📸 Iconic art at the Mauritshuis, don’t miss Girl with a Pearl Earring.
📸 Peace Palace, home to the International Court of Justice.
📸 Kick back at Scheveningen Beach, a sandy fling beside courtrooms and council halls.
🍽️ Simonis Scheveningen, seafood feast steps from the waves.
🍽️ Restaurant Calla’s, a refined dining gem for a memorable meal.
🍽️ Coastal cafés and beach bars offer casual bites and sea views.
🚉 By train: Around 50 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam.
🚌 Or opt into guided tours that package The Hague with Rotterdam or Delft, transport, guide, and structure included
🚌 From Amsterdam: Guided Trip to Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague
Discover the modern architecture of Rotterdam, explore the historical town of Delft with a visit to the Delft Blue factory, and see the political and royal sides of The Hague on this full-day trip.
4. 🚤 Giethoorn: The Venice of the North
Giethoorn feels like it belongs in a fairy tale: a village without roads, where you glide past thatched-roof cottages in whisper-quiet boats and cross charming wooden bridges on foot. Known as the “Venice of the North,” it offers a gentler, slower kind of beauty. The only traffic here is ducks drifting past your boat, and the loudest sound is the soft splash of oars in the water. In spring and summer, flowers spill from every garden, and in winter, the canals sometimes freeze for ice skating. Whether you’re exploring on water or wandering on foot, Giethoorn wraps you in a dreamlike calm you’ll wish could last forever. Read my Giethoorn Travel Guide here.
📸 Glide along tranquil canals in whisper boats, houses seem to grow out of the water.
📸 Charming arched bridges and lush garden paths, nature is the décor.
📸 Local museums like ’t Olde Maat Uus provide a glimpse into rural life and traditions.
🍽️ De Lindenhof, award-winning fine dining for a special treat.
🍽️ De Grachthof, cozy, canal-side, and perfect for laid-back lunches.
🍽️ Quaint cafés offering stroopwafels and hearty soups by the water.
🚉 By train: Approximately 2 hours by train and bus, scenic but less convenient.
🚌 Most travelers choose guided day tours with round-trip transport and canal ride included, both relaxing and efficient
🚌 Amsterdam: Giethoorn Day Trip, Boat Tour, and Walking Tour
Discover the enchanting village of Giethoorn on a day trip from Amsterdam! Enjoy a scenic boat tour through serene canals with live commentary and uncover the village’s gems on a digital walking tour!
🚌 Amsterdam: Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Tour
Discover the waterways of Giethoorn and windmills of Zaanse Schans on a day tour from Amsterdam. Enjoy a canal cruise in Giethoorn and admire the iconic windmills, accompanied by a local guide.
5. 🐟 Volendam: The Fishing Village with Flavor
Volendam is the kind of place that makes you smile the moment you see it: colorful houses along the waterfront, fishing boats bobbing in the harbor, and the scent of smoked eel drifting through the air. This traditional fishing village has held onto its character through centuries of change. Locals still wear traditional costumes on special occasions, and you can sample some of the freshest seafood in the Netherlands straight from the source. Beyond the postcard charm, Volendam offers a warm, friendly atmosphere, the kind that invites you to linger, chat with locals, and savor the feeling of being somewhere truly authentic.
📸 Bustling harbor where fishing boats bob beside cafés.
📸 The Volendams Museum narrates village life, from sea to cheese.
📸 Hop on the ferry to Marken, another fishing gem floating on stilts.
🍽️ Havenrestaurant De Lunch, fresh herring and smoked eel served right by the water.
🍽️ Quaint cafés with hearty Dutch sandwiches and fish platters.
🚌 By bus: A direct bus ride from Amsterdam Centraal, just 30 minutes.
🚌 Or custom day tours blend Volendam with nearby stops like Zaanse Schans or Marken
🚌 Day Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam
Discover the Dutch countryside on this full-day tour to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken, with round-trip transfer from central Amsterdam ensuring a hassle-free trip. See windmills, waterlands, cheese makers, and clog factories up close, and learn about the region’s rich history directly from your professional guide, with tasters of cheese and other local produce and interior tours included in the price. If option selected, you embark on a 1-hour canal sightseeing tour right after the tour, ending at Amsterdam Central Station.
6. 🌷 Keukenhof: The Garden of Europe
For eight short weeks every spring, Keukenhof explodes into color, becoming the most dazzling garden in Europe. Over seven million flowers bloom in perfectly curated designs, from endless rows of tulips to delicate daffodils and fragrant hyacinths. Walking here feels like stepping into a painting, one moment you’re surrounded by a sea of red and yellow tulips, the next by soft pastels in intricate patterns. Keukenhof isn’t just about flowers; it’s about the joy and hope that spring brings. With its windmills, waterways, and themed gardens, it’s a once-a-year spectacle that captures the Netherlands at its most vibrant.
📸 Pathways lined with rainbow rows of tulips, everywhere you look is a flower vista.
📸 Themed gardens and indoor flower pavilion displays set to seasonal twists.
📸 The windmill-framed backdrop makes every bloom Instagram-perfect.
🍽️ Park cafés serving Dutch pastries, coffee, and light lunches: great for recharging between strolls.
🍽️ Nearby Het Tussenstation for a cozy countryside meal after your visit.
🚌 About 40 minutes by special bus from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: direct, convenient, and seasonal.
🚌 Guided spring tours often include bus transfer and skip-the-line entry
🚌 Amsterdam: Keukenhof Entry & Shuttlebus with Flexible Return
Experience Keukenhof with a convenient roundtrip shuttle bus from Amsterdam. Explore Keukenhof at your own pace and enjoy the freedom to choose when to leave with buses departing every 30 minutes.
🚌 Amsterdam: Keukenhof and Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip
Discover the beauty of the Dutch countryside on our day trip from Amsterdam. Enjoy the stunning Keukenhof, home to millions of flowers, and explore the charming windmill village of Zaanse Schans.
🗺️ Map of 6 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam, The Netherlands
From windmill whispers in Zaanse Schans to canal-side serenity in Giethoorn, vibrant architecture in Rotterdam, and tulip-drenched paths in Keukenhof, these are truly the best day trips from Amsterdam. Each one invites you not just to see the Netherlands, but to feel it, whether through flavors, stories, colors, or historic hum.
Whenever you’re ready to build a custom itinerary or need help picking the right tour, just say the word, happy to help craft your perfect Dutch day trip!
📖 Amsterdam Travel Guide
See my full Amsterdam Travel Guide for more tips on what to do, where to eat, where to stay, day trips and itineraries!
Join Mailing List
🌍 Stay in the Loop! ✈️
Love travel, food, and discovering hidden gems around the world? Join my mailing list to get exclusive travel tips, foodie finds, behind-the-scenes moments, and updates from my latest adventures, straight to your inbox.
No spam, just wanderlust. 💌
