Day trips from Amsterdam: adventure just beyond the city

Amsterdam has so much to offer – stretching canals, sunset bike rides and world-class museums. Yet, beyond the capital’s charm, there is so much more to explore when visiting the Netherlands. To help you choose your next Dutch destination, we’ve covered eight of the best day trips from Amsterdam. From the regal culture of The Hague to the art history of Delft, discover where to explore next on your trip.

For traditional Dutch landscapes, Zaanse Schans is picture-perfect. Often referred to as ‘Old Holland’, expect to find windmills, clogs and tulips. To make the village feel even more charming, the air in Zaanse Schans carries the sweet scent of chocolate. Thanks to its nearby cocoa factories, the whole area smells deliciously inviting.

If you’re particularly interested in Dutch culture, you can find a reconstruction of the oldest Albert Heijn (a popular Dutch supermarket) in Zaanse Schans. Now transformed into a museum-shop hybrid, you can find original furnishings from when Albert Heijn opened the shop at the end of the 19th century. From copper weighing scales to hand-operated coffee grinders, explore the store’s original fixtures. Finish your day trip with a photo outside the Zaanse Schans Museum, where you can catch a snap with some colourful clogs.

Getting there:

• Approximately 30 minutes by train
• Around 20 kilometres by car

Haarlem is a popular day trip from Amsterdam, thanks to its historic charm. The city’s compact size makes it ideal for exploring in a day. Wander past windmills, admire the architecture and browse the local shops that give Haarlem its distinct character. 

For art lovers, the Frans Hals Museum is worth a visit. Discover the works of Frans Hals himself, along with art from other artists from Haarlem, including Judith Leyster and Jacob van Ruisdael. Looking to pick up a memento or two from your getaway? Stop by the Gouden Straatjes (Golden Streets) where you’ll find high-end stores, cafés and quiet nooks. End your day with a bike ride to the beach, and admire the sunset as you reminisce on your adventures.

Top tip: for an authentic Dutch experience, the Haarlem Two-Hour Walking Tour lets you discover the city with a local.

Getting there:

• Approximately 15 minutes by train
• Around 30 kilometres by car

Utrecht boasts picturesque canals, cathedrals and an all-round youthful feel, thanks to the area’s university campus. The town is mainly pedestrianised too, so if you’re looking to explore freely, this destination should feature on your list. 

One of the most famed pieces of architecture in the area includes the Dom Tower. Construction of the tower started in 1321, but the architectural marvel underwent many restorations due to its destruction, including a natural disaster in 1674. Nowadays, the tower stands as a cherished symbol of Utrecht, admired for its soaring 112-metre Gothic silhouette. 

In search of some water-based exploration? Take in Utrecht’s sights by cruising along its canal on a tour, such as the Utrecht Canal Cruise. Learn about the town’s history, attractions and wharf-cellar-turned-cafes with this one-hour guided tour.

Getting there:

• Approximately 20 minutes by train
• Around 45 kilometres by car

Leiden is another Dutch city with a youthful feel, due to its university campus. There are many attractions to enjoy in the area, including the popular Museum De Valk. The tower mill, which is situated on the city walls, is one of the few remaining city millers' houses in the Netherlands. Admire the grain-mill-turned-museum and climb the seven storeys to get stretching views of Leiden.

Mills aside, Leiden is perhaps most known for being the birthplace of the Baroque style painter, Rembrandt. Visitors can explore sites tied to his early life, including the Young Rembrandt Studio, his birthplace marker near the Weddesteeg, the Rembrandt walking route and Museum De Lakenhal, all offering insight into his formative years.

Getting there:

• Approximately 30 minutes by train
• Around 50 kilometres by car

Cheese lovers are sure to want to get in on the action at Gouda. The Gouda Cheese Market gives you both an insight into traditional Dutch culture, including the handjeklap (hand-clapping) negotiations and Dutch cuisine. Held every Thursday from early April to late August, you can dive into various types of cheese, including young, beer and smoked Gouda. 

Beyond its dairy offerings, Gouda also boasts its impressive Stadhuis (City Hall) and the church Sint-Janskerk. Stadhuis is a 15th-century Gothic marvel, which serves as a historical centrepiece for the area, known for its carillon that plays every half-hour. And Sint-Janskerk is a 123-metre-long church with stained-glass windows that glimmer in the sunlight. Admire the Biblical and secular scenes that are depicted on the glass.

Getting there:

• Approximately 45 minutes by train
• Around 70 kilometres by car

The Hague is a place full to the brim with culture, with the Dutch government located here, along with the Dutch royal family. If seasonal travel is your thing, visiting the Hague around the Prince's Day on the third Tuesday of September promises a regal parade with the royal family travelling through the streets in a glass carriage adorned with golden accents. 

The Hague is also a cultural hotspot if you’re interested in law. Specifically, the Peace Palace is a judicial building that serves as the seat of several major international institutions. For a quieter escape from the bustle of the city, make a stop by Kijkduin – a coastal southern suburb with various beachy pavilions. You might even spot a highland cow or two roaming around the nature reserve, Westduinpark.

For lovers of all things nature, a stop by Haagse Bos is sure to offer seasonal delights. In the spring, admire the foxes, blossoming berries and squirrels. Whereas the autumn treats visitors to ripe chestnuts and a variety of mushrooms. Why not stop for a touch of bird watching on your getaway?

Getting there:

• Approximately 40 minutes by train
• Around 70 kilometres by car

Combining the perfect mixture of both modern and historic, Delft has something suited to a variety of interests. From cafés to brick buildings, the city has a unique character that makes it worth the day trip from Amsterdam.

For those interested in the arts, Delft is home to the Royal Delft Museum. Learn about the last remaining Delftware factory and stop by the Flagship Store afterwards to pick up a piece of pottery or two. The museum often puts on events too, such as painting exhibitions and scavenger hunts, great if you’re travelling with the whole family.

Art lovers are also sure to relish the Vermeer Centrum, where you can learn about the life of Johannes Vermeer. Most famous for his painting The Girl with the Pearl Earring, which is found in The Hague, Vermeer actually lived in Delft, and a lot of his life is reflected in the museum.

Getting there:

• Approximately 45 minutes by train
• Around 70 kilometres by car

If modern cities are your thing, Rotterdam certainly should make a feature on your list of day trips from Amsterdam. Reconfigured in the post-war era, the city was redesigned with futuristic architecture, with a standout feature including the city’s Cube Houses. Admire the staccato buildings, the surrounding art galleries, markets and port that make Rotterdam so charming.

If you’re interested in architecture that withstood WWII, Delfshaven, found in Rotterdam, offers insight into original Dutch architecture. A standout feature includes the Pilgrim Fathers' Church, a religious site that has existed since 1417.

For food lovers, a stop at Markthal is a must. Featuring over 100 food spots, you’re sure to be spoiled for choice. From Caribbean to Dutch food, follow wherever your palate takes you. There are even some food-themed events that take place in the hall, including tasting evenings, tea parties and charity events.

Getting there:

• Approximately 40 minutes by train
• Around 80 kilometres by car

The Netherlands brims with diverse experiences, all of which are just a short journey from Amsterdam. Whether you're drawn to the classic windmills of Zaanse Schans or the history of The Hague and Delft, a day trip from Amsterdam promises character and culture. It’s time to explore beyond the capital.