Netherlands holidays unveil a country of winding waterways and technicolour tulip fields, where pretty windmills still whir.
In the dazzling capital, Amsterdam, you’ll find a passion for art that dates back to the Dutch Golden Age, plus pristine parks and gabled buildings in pastel hues.
The allure of Amsterdam’s canals is matched only by its impressive cycleway system. Take to two wheels as you explore the city’s landmarks, museums and blissful green spaces.
The beauty of this compact capital is that the must-see attractions are never too far away. Even the coastal delights of Zandvoort are less than an hour from the city – ideal for a fun-filled day at the beach.
Enjoy the perfect Dutch adventure when you book your holiday to the Netherlands with Etihad.
Urban wonders and stunning natural delights await in the Netherlands, here are a few suggestions for what to see and do.
This charming country is best experienced through its famous waterways. Relax on a canal cruise in Amsterdam to see the city from a different perspective.
There are plenty of options, including hop on, hop off sightseeing boats, romantic candlelit dinner cruises and a specialist Rijksmuseum canal cruise, which tours artistic points of interest.
You can venture beyond Amsterdam on the country's numerous rivers, which include the Rhine, the Meuse and the picturesque Overijsselse Vecht.
They wind their way through stunning landscapes and past glorious fields of tulips.
Step back in time with a trip to one of the country’s 700 castles and country houses. Steeped in history, these impressive fortresses and estates were once home to Dutch nobility.
Many sites now open their doors to the public as museums, hotels or restaurants. De Haar Castle’s neo-Gothic turrets are unmissable.
The largest castle in the country and less than an hour from Amsterdam, its manicured gardens are equally stunning.
Originally built in the 13th century, it was renovated in the 18th and has hosted parties for Hollywood royalty.
If you’re visiting the Netherlands for a tulip tour, don’t miss the chance to see the gorgeous coastline too.
Around half an hour by train from Amsterdam, its beautiful beach and coastal dunes make Zandvoort one of the Netherlands’ most popular resorts.
There are plenty of charming towns dotted along the North East coast. Visit Egmond aan Zee beach and prepare to fall in love with its quaint fishing village atmosphere.
It’s a fantastic swimming spot – and the wild horses you’ll see here make this region feel like another world.
The Netherlands’ cities are modern and free-spirited. They tend to be home to great art, too. In Amsterdam you’ll find many of the country’s best cultural attractions tucked between canals.
Join the locals by hiring a bike – the city has more than 30 peaceful parks, including Vondelpark and Rembrandtpark, that are perfect for exploring on two wheels.
Rotterdam is less than an hour away from Amsterdam.
This is a city with a futuristic feel – head to the aptly named Cool District to see the iconic yellow Cube Houses and step through the door of the show home to see what life’s like for the residents.
Netherlands holiday packages are made for tours of the stunning countryside, a quarter of which is below sea level. Visit a national park to see the wild beauty of this picturesque country.
There are plenty of activities to try in the Amsterdam Forest, from boat trips to climbing adventures.
There’s a goat farm here, along with chances to swim in pretty waterways and lakes.
For a unique experience, head to the tidal wetlands of National Park De Biesbosch for a guided tour from a local woodsman.
Amsterdam is the perfect spot for a city break in the Netherlands – sightsee during the day and let your hair down at night.
To be close to the centre, stay in the Canal Belt area, otherwise known as the Grachtengordel.
For a taste of Amsterdam’s hip side, find a hotel in Amsterdam Oost.
This spacious university district is filled with family-friendly parks and trendy concept stores.
Thanks to Amsterdam’s many peaceful suburbs, you don’t need to journey far from the city to experience the serene side of this magical country.
Zuidoost is a leafy and diverse area which is home to Amsterdam’s largest cinema.
It’s also right next to the lush lakes of North Holland, making this the perfect base for combining a cultural break with day trips into the countryside.
If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in cultural experiences, consider booking a stay in the capital’s Museum Quarter.
At its heart you’ll find the 19th-century Museum Square, or Museumplein, which is home to a trio of major museums.
The Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art and the Van Gogh Museum can all be found here, alongside plenty of chic boutiques and stylish cafes.
The local currency in the Netherlands is the euro. ATMs are widely available. Most shops, restaurants and attractions accept major debit and credit cards.
There are plenty of travel options in the Netherlands. The flat landscape means bikes are a great way to get around cities, where you’ll also find tram and metro systems.
The official language in Netherlands is Dutch, though the majority of the population also speaks English.
Plug sockets in the Netherlands take two plug types – C and F – both of which have two pins. You may need to bring a travel adaptor with you.
Until recently, Dutch cuisine had been something of a hidden gem. Now holidaymakers are discovering the Netherlands has much more to offer than simply cheese and waffles.
Holidays in the Netherlands create the perfect excuse to try the full smorgasbord of delights. For a delicious street food snack, track down a bitterballen stand.
These Dutch meatballs are crispy, deep-fried croquettes with a savoury filling. Choose from beef, chicken or mushroom.
For an authentic taste of Dutch cuisine, head to Bierhandel De Pijp in Rotterdam. The city’s oldest restaurant has been serving traditional recipes from the open kitchen for over 100 years.
You’ll find a museum in the Netherlands for just about any topic or interest you can think of, from the offbeat exhibits in Amsterdam to the contemporary galleries of Rotterdam.
Immerse yourself in the works of the Dutch Masters in the Van Gogh gallery of the esteemed Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
To see modern creativity, Rotterdam’s Netherlands Photo Museum displays striking shots from sport, nature and journalism photographers.
In Amsterdam, don’t miss Anne Frank House. It’s a moving experience, telling the story behind the world’s most famous diary.
Every spring, the Dutch countryside is covered with a rainbow of blooms. The annual tulip crop is estimated to include around two billion flowers, creating a delightful display across the country.
You’ll find the largest kaleidoscope of colour in the northern fields, but with the bulb so embedded in the country’s culture, gardens and parks across the Netherlands celebrate spring with their own plantings.
Keukenhof Gardens – around 45 minutes from Amsterdam – is a great place to see the flowers in full bloom.
The park’s only for a couple of months each year but features mesmerising displays along with celebrations of national culture.
In Amsterdam itself, take a trip to the city’s floating flower market to buy some tulips of your own.
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