Destinations Netherlands
The Netherlands is known colloquially as Holland. The country, known for its picturesque canals, blooming tulip fields, historic windmills and lively cities, is a perfect destination for a time-out.
In addition to the twelve provinces on the European mainland, the Dutch territory also includes the Caribbean islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Other Dutch Caribbean territories are not part of the Netherlands, but are autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. These are the countries of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. In addition, special regions such as the Wadden Sea, a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, are also part of the Kingdom’s territory.
Around half of the country is just under one meter above sea level, and a quarter is even below sea level. The highest elevation is Mount Scenery at 877 meters and is located on the Caribbean island of Saba. The highest point on the mainland is 322.5 meters above sea level.
The largest city and capital is Amsterdam. It is known for its well-preserved historic buildings, extensive canal system and impressive art scene.
The Netherlands is known for its art history. Vincent Van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt van Rijn all came from the Netherlands. Among the most popular tourist attractions are the Van Gogh Museum, the Amsterdam canals, Dam Square and the windmills of Kinderdijk.
If you love nature, don’t miss the colorful tulip fields at Keukenhof in Lisse, which are in full bloom in spring. For an insight into Dutch history, visit the Zaanse Schans open-air museum. Here you can discover historic windmills, clog workshops and cheese farms.
For those who prefer peace and quiet, the province of Zeeland with its pristine beaches and picturesque villages offers the perfect getaway. Or explore the Wadden Sea, a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers an impressive variety of flora and fauna.
The Netherlands also offers a rich culinary scene. Try local delicacies such as stroopwafels, bitterballen or the famous Gouda cheese.
Discover the destinations in the Netherlands
We present our discoveries in the Netherlands here.
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. The city, often referred to as the “Venice of the North”, is a unique destination that attracts visitors from all over the world.
The province of Groningen is located in the north of the Netherlands. The capital of this province is also called Groningen, three small uninhabited Wadden islands (Rottumeroog, Rottumerplaat and Zuiderduintjes) belong to the region.
In Zuid-Holland lies the port city of Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands. A city break in Rotterdam is an ideal way to combine a visit to a world port with exploring a multicultural city.
The westernmost and largest Dutch island in the Wadden Sea is Texel. Not only the Dutch, but also the Germans love their holidays on Texel and come to the island again and again.
Discover the fascinating beauty of the Dutch coastal town of Zandvoort. Situated on the North Sea coast, just a stone's throw from Amsterdam, Zandvoort offers the perfect destination for an unforgettable vacation.
Travel information about Netherlands
Arrival
By plane
Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam is one of the largest airports in Europe and is served by numerous airlines.
Other airports are located in Eindhoven, Groningen, Maastrich and Rotterdam.
By train
The rail network in the Netherlands is quite dense and especially the trains to the major cities run quite frequently.
From Germany, some direct routes, for example coming from Frankfurt or Berlin are offered daily. In addition, regional trains run close to the border.
The main hub of the rail network is Utrecht.
By bus
The number of long-distance buses traveling to the Netherlands from Germany, for example, has increased steadily in recent years.
By car
The road network in the Netherlands is very well developed. Many vacationers like to travel by car, which can often lead to long traffic jams at the beginning of vacations and on public holidays.
Speed limits for passenger cars:
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- Urban: 50 km/h
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- Road: 80 km/h
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- Freeway: generally 130 km/h, often there is a speed limit of 100 km/h.
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- Attention: where until now the speed limit was 130 km/h all day, since March 2020 only a maximum of 100 km/h is allowed between 6 am and 7 pm. The signage on the freeways has been adapted accordingly.
By ship
Ferry connections to Great Britain are offered.
River cruises are offered on the Rhine or the Meuse, for example.
Entry requirements
These regulations only apply to the part of the Netherlands that is in Europe, the Caribbean parts of the Netherlands have different regulations.
Entry to the Netherlands for German citizens and citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland is possible with the following documents: passport, identity card.
Travel documents must not have been expired for more than one year.
Likewise, some other nationals may enter the country without a visa for up to 90 days per calendar year; other nationals require a Schengen visa to enter the country.
Bringing vaccinated and chipped pets is also without problem
On the Way in the Netherlands
By plane
Flights within the country are no longer offered due to inefficiency.
By train
All major cities are connected by rail.
In local traffic, so-called Sprinter and Sroptreinen are offered. For long-distance traffic, there are ICs that stop at the larger stations.
In some, mostly more rural regions, a regional railroad company operates.
By bus
The regional bus network is very well developed.
By bike
The Netherlands is a cycling country. Large parts of the infrastructure have been adapted to cyclists.
A distinction is made between riders who use their bike as a means of transportation to work, school, or shopping, and riders who travel for tourism.
The regular riders find fast transit routes marked with red signs. The tourist riders, who often prefer to ride “nice” routes should follow the green signs.
Bike theft is a major problem in the Netherlands. It is safe and inexpensive to use a guarded bicycle parking lot (stalling) at train stations or in the city center.
Best time to visit
The Netherlands, known for its picturesque windmills, tulip fields and historic cities, is a wonderful destination to visit all year round. The country is characterized by a temperate maritime climate with fairly mild temperatures all year round. It is often quite rainy. Most holidaymakers travel to the Netherlands from March to August.
Spring (March – May)
Spring is a wonderful time to visit the Netherlands, especially from mid-April to early May when the tulip fields are in full bloom. Average temperatures rise from 8°C in March to 15°C in May. The number of rainy days drops to a minimum, especially in April and May
Summer (June – August)
Summer is the warmest and most popular time for tourists, especially for a beach vacation. The average temperatures are between 17°C and 21°C. Rainy days are similar to spring, with around 10 to 12 days per month.
Fall (September – November)
Autumn offers a mild climate with average temperatures between 10°C and 16°C. However, there are more rainy days, especially in the fall months.
Winter (December – February)
Winter in the Netherlands is relatively mild, with average temperatures between 2°C and 3°C,. Snow is rare but possible, especially in the south-east of the Netherlands. Rainy days are around 13 to 16 days per month.
Language
The official and colloquial language is Dutch. In some regions a dialect is spoken, such as Frisian or Limburgish.
English is a compulsory subject in school and the language is spoken quite well by many Dutch people.
Money
The Euro is the valid currency in the Netherlands.
Tip
In the Netherlands, a service charge is already included in the bill in hotels, restaurants, stores and taxis. Tipping is always appreciated, but not mandatory.
Taxi drivers and wait staff are usually tipped 10 percent.
Power Plug
Type C and F plugs/sockets are used in the Netherlands. Since these are also used in Germany, travelers from Germany do not need an adapter for their electrical appliances.
