TravPa

Netherlands

Walk Amsterdam's canals and great museums, see the windmills of Zaanse Schans, explore Rotterdam's bold architecture, and visit Delft and The Hague, all short train rides apart.

Best timeApr to Jun, SepMoneyEuro (EUR)PlugsType F, 230 VMain airportAmsterdam (AMS)
Approved by TravPa Editors, Nov 3, 2026
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Overview

Most first trips start with three days in Amsterdam, including a morning among the windmills of Zaanse Schans, then head south by train through Utrecht to Rotterdam, with Delft and The Hague as a day out. Trains run from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal in 14 to 17 minutes, and the Intercity direct links Schiphol with Rotterdam.

The climate is mild and wet: gentle winters, cool summers and rain in every season. Spring brings the tulip fields, Keukenhof and King's Day, summer the beaches and cafe terraces, and autumn is generally less busy.

When to go

BestGo with a plan
janColdfebColdmarMildaprBestmayBestjunBestjulBusyaugBusysepBestoctMildnovRainydecCold

Keukenhof's flower gardens open only in spring, from 18 March to 9 May in 2027, and on King's Day, 27 April, the streets fill with orange clothes and street markets.

Every month in detail: weather and recent fares

Itineraries

[Photo: Rotterdam]
Rotterdam in 2 daysEuromast, Delfshaven, Markthal, Cube Houses, Erasmus Bridge, Deliplein, Royal Delft, Mauritshuis, ScheveningenPacked pace
[Photo: Amsterdam]
Amsterdam in 3 daysRijksmuseum, Albert Cuyp Market, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Jordaan, Dam Square, Zaanse Schans, Zeedijk, Rembrandt House MuseumBalanced pace
[Photo: Netherlands]
Netherlands in 7 daysRijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Zaanse Schans, Dom Tower, Markthal, Erasmus Bridge, Delft, Mauritshuis, ScheveningenBalanced pace

Where to stay

AmsterdamThe canal ring for first-timers who want to walk everywhere; the Jordaan for quieter canal lanes; De Pijp for markets and cafes; Oud-West near Foodhallen for a local feel.Best areas to stay in AmsterdamHotels in Amsterdam
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RotterdamThe center near Centraal or the Markthal for first-timers; Kop van Zuid for skyline views; Katendrecht for an evening scene; Delfshaven for an old harbor setting.Best areas to stay in RotterdamHotels in Rotterdam
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Getting around

  • Trains: NS trains link Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague, and run from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal in 14 to 17 minutes.
  • Paying: Tap a contactless debit or credit card or your phone to check in and out, and use the same card both times; card fares are second class.
  • Intercity direct: The fast Intercity direct between Schiphol Airport and Rotterdam Centraal needs a supplement on top of your fare.
  • In Amsterdam: The center is easy to walk, trams, metros and buses cover the rest, and the ferries behind Amsterdam Centraal to Noord are free.
  • In The Hague: Trams 1 and 9 serve the Kurhaus stop, a few minutes on foot from the Scheveningen boulevard.

Before you go

Travel insuranceHealth insurance from home often doesn't cover care abroad. Check what your plan includes, then compare travel cover for your dates. If you plan to rent a bike, check that your policy covers cycling.
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Phone dataMobile data keeps train times, timed museum tickets and maps on your phone as you move between cities.How a travel eSIM works
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