These are the best places to travel this summer

The Netherlands

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Traditional dutch windmills and houses near the canal in Zaanstad village, Zaanse Schans, Netherlands.

© Olena_Z/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Plan your trip with Guide, an AI travel planner!

Create a personalized trip itinerary in seconds using artificial intelligence.

Create a trip

Overview

Tradition and innovation intertwine here: artistic masterpieces, centuries-old windmills, tulip fields and romantic candlelit cafés coexist with visionary architecture, cutting-edge design and phenomenal nightlife.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • AMSTERDAM - OCTOBER 3: Van Gogh museum building outstanding with design architectured in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on October 3, 2015.; Shutterstock ID 415294189; Your name (First / Last): Daniel Fahey; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Van Gogh Museum POI

    Van Gogh Museum

    Amsterdam

    This wonderful museum traces Van Gogh's life and artistic development via the world's largest collection of his work. More than 200 canvases are on…

  • Picnic in Vondelpark in afternoon light.

    Vondelpark

    Amsterdam

    Attracting over 12 million visitors per year, Amsterdam’s favorite playground is the green expanse of Vondelpark, with its 116 acres (47 hectares) of…

  • Rijksmuseum with tulips in Amsterdam..NOTE: dated image - "iamamsterdam" sign has been removed from outside museum.

    Rijksmuseum

    Amsterdam

    The Netherlands’ top treasure house, the Rijksmuseum (pronounced ‘rikes’), is among the world's finest art museums. With over 1.5km of galleries, it packs…

  • May 18, 2018: Exterior of the Rembrandt House Museum in the old Jewish quarter of Amsterdam.

    Museum het Rembrandthuis

    Amsterdam

    Housed in Rembrandt's former home on lively Jodenbreestraat, this evocative museum provides an unparalleled insight into one of the Netherlands’ greatest…

  • Van Nelle Fabriek

    Van Nelle Fabriek

    Rotterdam

    Designed and built between 1925 and 1931, this modernist World Heritage–listed factory northwest of the city centre is an icon of 20th-century industrial…

  • Mauritshuis Museum near Binnenhof Palace in Hague, Netherlands; Shutterstock ID 200624861; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

    Mauritshuis

    Den Haag

    Offering a wonderful introduction to Dutch and Flemish art, this splendid museum is set in a 17th-century mansion built for wealthy sugar trader Johan…

  • Anti-Hitler propoganda, display at the Verzetmuseum, Plantage Kerklaan 61a.

    Verzetsmuseum

    Amsterdam

    The museum of the Dutch Resistance brings the horror of German occupation in WWII vividly alive, using personal stories, letters, artefacts, films and…

  • Netherlands, Groningen, The Groninger Museum

    Groninger Museum

    Groningen

    Those arriving by train can't help but notice the Groninger Museum. Occupying three islands in the ring canal in front of the station, the museum is, at…

View more attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Follow this guide to the most distinct and memorable experiences to be had in the Netherlands.

Read article

Best Places to Visit

While it’s one of Europe’s smaller nations, choosing where to spend your time takes planning. Here are the best places to visit in the Netherlands.

Read article

Best Time to Visit

From the liveliest street parties to negotiating the fickle weather, here's everything you need to know about the best times to visit the Netherlands.

Read article

Things to Know

The Netherlands is an easy place to travel. Avoid common mishaps with this guide to what you need to know before you go.

Read article

Transportation

With a public transport network that dreams are made of, the Netherlands is a joy to explore. Here's what you need to know about getting around.

Read article

Money and Costs

These money-saving tips can help you find ways to experience the Netherlands on a budget.

Read article

Best Road Trips

Explore more of the Netherlands by car (or bike) with these top driving routes.

Read article

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in The Netherlands

Go Beyond

The Netherlands and beyond

Beyond The Netherlands