The 5 best day trips from Amsterdam

This lively medieval city feels like a mini-Amsterdam, though its beautiful canals and gorgeous streets are untroubled by the hordes of selfie stick-wielding tourists. The picturesque Old Town is full of cool independent boutiques, bustling cafes and bars plus converted waterside wharf cellars and more, and it’s no slouch when it comes to culture either: some of the country’s best art and music can be found alongside the hundreds of historical monuments.

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The chic, cavernous industrial space occupied by De Zagerij caters to every whim: morning coffee, cocktails, quick and tasty lunches, or a full five-course à la carte experience. The food is modern with a twist, prepared using only the freshest ingredients.

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Utrecht is a beer lover’s paradise, and there’s nowhere better to sip a few ales than Café Olivier, a converted church that offers a huge range of brews both on tap and in bottles. Pro tip: order Belgian beer, their speciality.

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The best way to take in the magnificent Old Town – particularly Oudegracht – is from the water, and you needn’t restrict yourself to traditional canal tours (although they are great). Kayaks, pedalos and even gondolas are available to rent at various spots around the city centre.

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Housed in a 17th-century mansion that used to be an eye hospital, the 36 rooms of the Eye Hotel are stylish yet homely and come in a variety of sizes to suit all budgets. Details such as walk-in showers and Nespresso machines make it a comfortable base for a day or two of exploring.

If you only do one thing…

Climb Dom Tower, known as the ‘pride of Utrecht’. Some 465 steps will take you 95 metres to the top of the Netherlands’ highest church tower, where you’ll be rewarded with phenomenal views across the city and beyond. The guided tour also takes in the huge bells in the Ringing Attic and the beautiful St. Michael’s Chapel.

Take a trip back in time at Zaanse Schans, a perfectly preserved relic of the Netherlands’ industrial heyday in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the country’s best-loved attractions, the area’s windmills, warehouses and traditional houses have been turned into museums and workshops showcasing various historical trades and customs: visit a cheese farm, see flour being made the traditional way or watch clog makers at work. Both fun and educational, it’s a fascinating glimpse into an era that made the country what it is today. 

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Listed on the Michelin Guide for over 40 years, De Hoop Op d’Swarte Walvis serves contemporary Dutch cuisine prepared with exquisite regional produce. With a terrace overlooking the world-famous windmill panorama, the restaurant’s waterfront location is stunning, and you can dine in the bar, brasserie or restaurant proper.

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It’s fitting that an area steeped in production, particularly foodstuff, should have its own microbrewery, and Brouwerij Hoop doesn’t disappoint. The small-batch craft ales and beers are excellent, as are the bar snacks. 

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There’s no quirkier gift or souvenir than a pair of traditional wooden shoes, and at Kooijman, you can witness the whole process ‘from log to clog’, using 80-year-old machinery and deft hand-crafting skills.

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A B&B made up of several restored 17th-century villas, Heerlijck Slaapen offers elegantly done-out rooms and apartments, each with their own distinct feel and theme, wonderful river views, luxurious bathrooms and fine Dutch furnishings. 

If you only do one thing…

Marvel at a working windmill. There are six still-functioning mills here: a mustard mill, two sawmills, two oil mills and the world’s last working dye mill. Most offer a permanent exhibition and the chance to climb up to an outdoor viewing platform.

Known as the Garden of Europe, Keukenhof is home to one of the world’s largest flower gardens, with 79 colourful acres of blooms and 7 million bulbs planted every year. Though it’s primarily famous for its tulips, with over 800 varieties, there’s plenty more to discover. The last 10 days of the opening season, for example, are taken up by the world’s largest lily show. April is the best time to see the tulips in their wondrous glory.

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For the best food in Keukenhof, head to Vier Seizoenen, a family-run restaurant that serves classic French cuisine with an Asian twist. Dinner is à la carte, and the set lunch is decent, too. Both incorporate excellent fresh, local, seasonal produce.

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The small, quirky Het Café in nearby Lisse is a throwback to the Dutch ‘brown bars’ of yore. Bar games, hefty food portions and a cosy atmosphere make this a great place to quench your thirst after all the exploration. They even host karaoke on the weekend.

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If exploring the official garden isn’t physical enough for you, opt to rent a bike and cycle through the commercial bulb fields that surround Keukenhof. There are several routes to choose from (ranging from 4km to 7km), and whizzing past tulips in full bloom on two wheels is about the most Dutch experience possible.

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A traditional, small inn in nearby Lisse, Het Wapen van Noordwijkerhout is known for its friendly, helpful staff and great-value, fuss-free food. Parking is free, and the breakfast spread is sumptuous (as is everything else served here).

If you only do one thing…

Visit Keukenhof Castle. Over the road from the gardens, it was fully restored to its former lavish glory in 2012. The entry includes a 30-minute guided tour, and there’s also a petting zoo for kids and a teahouse for those in need of refreshment.

The Netherlands isn’t particularly well known for its flora and fauna, but it does boast several areas of outstanding natural beauty and wildlife. Vlieland, an island in the north, is one of the most exquisite, packed with sand dunes, meadows and marshland. Cars are banned, and there’s only one town, making it the perfect escape for those looking to wind down for a day or two. Take the fast ferry (45 minutes) from the mainland to maximise your time.

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In the cosy confines of Zuiver, there’s only one option: a five-course ‘surprise’ menu that changes daily and showcases the very best local and seasonal produce. The food is consistently excellent, and it’s worth shelling out for the accompanying wine pairings.

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There’s not much in the way of nightlife here, but for sundowners with the best view, Strandpaviljoen ‘t Badhuys – the island’s only beach bar – is the place to head. Grab a table on the terrace just a few feet from the golden sands.

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If time is of the essence, book a Tuk Tuk Safari, a guided tour of the whole island in an electric tuk-tuk. Lasting 90 minutes and complete with witty, informative drivers, the tour takes in Vlieland’s wildlife in all its epic diversity (plus some breathtaking views). Expect seals, birds of prey and the most dramatic cloud formations imaginable.

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Decked out in wood and with several cosy rooms in a converted stable, Posthuys offers a relaxing retreat in the heart of the sand dunes, several miles from the town centre. For nature lovers, this place is hard to beat. It also happens to be just a five-minute walk from one of the island’s best beaches.

If you only do one thing…

Visit the lighthouse. No longer in use, it remains a popular attraction; on a good day, you can see the mainland from the observation deck, 40 metres up.

The Netherlands’s second-biggest city has a distinctive, ultra-modern feel, born out of the huge rebuilding projects undertaken after World War II. Some of the 20th century’s most renowned architects have worked here, and the city’s warm, diverse character is shared by the enthusiastic, can-do locals.

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You’ll find many great restaurants here, but for authentic local flavour head to Markthal, a food hall in a striking residential and office building. The various stalls cover everything from sushi to tapas, pizza to vegan salads, and should you wish to do some grocery shopping, there’s also an excellent selection of produce stands. 

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Hail a water cab and ride out to the SS Rotterdam, a former ocean liner that now houses a hotel, bars, restaurants, a nightclub and a museum. The Captain’s Bar, a homage to luxury 1950s cruising, is the place to sup decadent cocktails and killer G&Ts.

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Explore the historic Maritime Quarter, the only part of the city spared from World War II bombing. Admire the riverside’s most iconic buildings and enjoy striking views of the largest port in Europe while on a harbour boat tour. Booking is essential.

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Housed in the former HQ of the Holland America Line Company, the Hotel New York is an art nouveau wonder that’s a throwback to a bygone era of luxury and class. The rooms are tasteful and elegant (and faithful to the original spirit of the building). 

If you only do one thing…

Climb the Euromast. Built as an observation tower in 1960, its various levels offer incredible views of the city. At 112 metres, there’s an open-air platform, while a rotating glass elevator takes you 185 metres up, where you’ll get to revel in possibly the country’s best panoramas.