When you think of the Netherlands, what comes to mind? Some people may associate this with cobbled wooden shoes and wheels of cheese, while others would think of the red-lit passageways and coffee shops in the heart of Amsterdam. In actuality, this nation has a lot more to offer: from breathtaking nature trips to moving art displays, the Netherlands is brimming with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Check out these ten incredible summertime activities for a trip you won’t soon forget.
1. Be Astounded By The Notorious Windmills
The Kinderdijk windmills are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nestled among the Dutch countryside’s meandering canals and open meadows. Learn more about the past and the significance of these lovely structures by taking a boat tour through the neighborhood and touring the Overwaard Museum Mills.
Don’t miss Illumination Week, which runs from Monday through Friday during the first week of September and features an evening market and multicolored floodlights that illuminate the famed windmills.
2. Visit The Van Gogh Museum To Be Inspired
One of the most well-known and infamous painters of the contemporary era is Vincent Van Gogh. You might be surprised to learn that the Dutch painter led a very modest existence and only sold a small number of his works while he was still alive. Explore the magnificent paintings at the Van Gogh Museum in the center of Amsterdam to learn more about the life of the great artist.
3. Enjoy Den Hague’s Scheveningen Beach
We guarantee that the beach is just as lovely as it is challenging to say! Enjoy the sunshine or get your heart pounding on the pier at Bungy Jump Holland, where you can take the 60-meter bungee jump out over the water. Come later in the season to take in the International Firework Festival, which takes place the third week of August and features one of Europe’s most stunning fireworks displays.
4. Enjoy Yourself At The County Fair
From July 16 to July 25, the Tilburgse Kermis fun fair features more than 200 attractions. Everyone can have fun at the three-kilometer-long fair, which features rides, games, live music, and beer halls. On Pink Monday, you can participate in the rubber duck race or show your support by “sponsoring” a duck to race down the river in hopes of winning a fun reward.
5. The Fairy Tale Theme Park for yourself
Visit the Dutch Disneyworld: De Efteling if you’re looking for some clean family fun. This theme park has captivating performances, exhilarating rides, and magnificent landscapes to capture your mind.
6. Along the Giethoorn Canals, paddle
Take a beautiful boat excursion through this unusual northern town, where cars are not allowed. The town is fully connected by canals rather than highways, and on the last Saturday in August, it holds the must-see boat procession known as The Gondelvaart (Gondola Tour).
7. Take a Walk in Beautiful Utrecht
Utrecht is the most neglected and underappreciated city in the Netherlands, with stunning canals and exceptional cafés, terraces, and wharf cellars. Take in the architecture as you meander around the charming canals, and for a better view, ascend the old Dom Tower. Follow the Trajectum Lumen, a unique self-guided tour of the city that combines a walking path and a light display at night.
8. Cycle Throughout the Park
You must rent a bicycle if you want to fully appreciate Dutch culture. The greatest way to take in the surroundings is by using this most widely used mode of transportation. Take to the open road and ride a bicycle through the breathtaking De Hoge Veluwe National Park. Visit the market on the fourth Sunday of each month to purchase organic food and handcrafted items while keeping a lookout for black woodpeckers and horned Mouflons that resemble deer.
9. Celebrate Diversity In Rotterdam
By virtue of its modern architecture, adoration of hardcore music, and cosmopolitan populace, Rotterdam stands out from the rest of the nation. Every year, during the Summer Carnival, the city’s diverse cultures and customs are celebrated. Come on July 10 to vote for the Carnival Queen and take in the festivities that precede the parade and party on July 31.
10. Stop And Take A Flower Smell
The Netherlands is full of vibrantly colored flowers all year long, even though the country’s famous tulips only bloom from March to May. Dahlias and carnations can be found in the regal fields between Leiden and Haarlem in the south from June through the end of August. Despite being closed for the season, the famous Keukenhof Garden is surrounded by some of the most breathtaking flower fields in the nation.
