We love visiting The Netherlands and visit at least once or twice a year. As we have a regional airport that flies directly to Schiphol and a daily ferry service from our hometown to Europoort, heading across the North Sea is extremely easy for us. We’ll be honest the first place we visited was Amsterdam, as it is for many people when they first visit The Netherlands. However as for a number of people Mr ESLT didn’t particularly like it. He did persevere though and has visited it again a couple of time since, warming to it a little bit more each time. Vicky, on the other hand, loves Amsterdam and has visited in excess of 15 times. Therefore, when Mr ESLT suggested trying some alternatives to Amsterdam, Vicky was hesitant.
But then she remembered she also loves travelling and is willing to give anywhere a go, at least once. And since then we have visited the length and breadth of the country experiencing what all the smaller and less visited cities have to offer. From seaside getaways to scaling the tallest church tower in the country and not forgetting making (and of course eating) stroopwafels in their birthplace, The Netherlands is so much more than just its capital and there are some great alternatives to Amsterdam to explore.
Amsterdam is cool, there’s no denying that, but as with any capital city, you do not get to experience the real country. Therefore we have put together this list of seven cities which are amazing alternatives to Amsterdam and why you should visit if you are thinking of heading to The Netherlands once travel is back on the cards.
One of which has now even knocked Amsterdam off the top spot as Vicky’s favourite Dutch city.
Eindhoven
Eindhoven has a lot to offer including its own airport making visits to the city from a number of other cities across Europe very doable. Also, because the rail network is fantastic in The Netherlands (fast, clean and efficient), even if you fly into Schipol, don’t rule Eindhoven out. Numerous direct trains run daily and journeys take less than 90 minutes, making this a city to consider.
Once the home of the electrical giants Phillips, the city is a now a cool urban place with a number of repurposed buildings and spaces. The city, of course, still celebrates its famous history and you can visit the Phillips Museum which takes you through the history and origins of the company and how it was founded together with a number of the key sites the company once owned and occupied.
For example the district of Strijp S, once an industrial centre, it is now home to quirky and cool bars, restaurants, boutiques, an amazing ice cream parlour and even an indoor skate park. Eindhoven feels like an undiscovered gem, it has a contemporary vibe and it’s certainly got plenty to offer if you are a looking for a cool city break in The Netherlands.
Where to Stay
Luxury – Hotel NH Collection Eindhoven
Quirky – The Student Hotel Eindhoven
Budget – Budgethotel
Where to Eat
Intimate – De Luytervelde
Sociable – Down Town Gourmet Market
Cheap Eats – Happy Italy
What to Do
- Street art bike tour including guide
- City bus tour with live guide
- Discover Eindhoven City By Luxury Bus
Groningen
Located in northern The Netherlands, Groningen is a great city to visit, especially if you love nightlife. As it is a lively university city, there are a number of bars (including The Stockroom speakeasy) and clubs. This means that when the sun goes down there is a whole different side of the city to discover.
If walking along canals in The Netherlands is on your ‘must-do’ list then Groningen is a great option when looking for alternatives to Amsterdam. Here you can stroll along the waterways whilst admiring the beautiful Dutch architecture. The city has a rich Maritime history and if that sounds like your thing then we’d recommend a visit to the Northern Maritime Museum.
Groningen is also home to the Martinitoren (Martini) clock tower, located in Grote Markt square. Other must-visit attractions include the futuristic Groninger Museum and the Martinikerk which is a large Gothic church with frescoes and a baroque organ. A visit to ‘The most beautiful train station is The Netherlands’ (Groningen Centraal) should also be on the cards.
Where to Stay
Luxury – Hotel Prinsenhof Groningen
Quirky – The Student Hotel Groningen
Budget – City Hotel Groningen
Where to Eat
Romantic – Gustatio Groningen
Cool and Unique – Florentin Groningen
Cheap Eats – Konbu Street Food
What to Do
Gouda
If you are a foodie then Gouda is the place to head, especially if cheese is your thing. The Cheese market is held in the town square every Thursday morning between April and October. You will see farmers and traders bring their cheese to the market to sell. 60% of Dutch cheese is produced in the Cheese Valley which is the region surrounding Gouda.
Stroopwafels (syrup waffles) which are now a famous Dutch export were first created in Gouda. If you want to find out more about stroopwafels, head to Kamphuisen’s Syrup Waffle Factory. Here you can see how they are made from start to visit by taking a tour of the factory. As the tour has interactive sections, you can even lend a hand in the baking process before sampling the finished product.
Another reason Gouda is one of the great alternatives to Amsterdam is its size. This small yet perfectly formed city has beautiful Dutch architecture, history, culture, canals and of course windmills all of which can be reached on foot. Sint-Janskerk (St John’s Church), Stadhuis Gouda (City Hall) and the Museum Gouda are all musts in the city.
Where to Stay
Central – Best Western Plus City Hotel Gouda
Quirky – Houseboat: Historical sailing ship
Budget – Pension Groeneweg
Where to Eat
Vegan – Lunchcafé Curcuma
Cheese lover – Restaurant Belvédère
Sweet tooth – Bakery Van den Berg
What to Do
The Hague
The Hague, Holland’s Royal City by The City has a lot to offer visitors. It is the perfect city in The Netherland’s to visit if you want a combination of city and beach break. It is a very different city to the capital but is one of the great alternatives to Amsterdam nevertheless. The city itself is most well known as being home to the UN’s International Court of Justice located in The Peace Palace (together with the Permanent Court of Arbitration). If you want to learn more about the courts you can visit the on-site Visitor centre.
If you are a lover of art then a visit to some of the city’s museums are a must. The most famous, The Mauritshuis is home to mostly Dutch Golden Age paintings including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer (Girl With The Pearl Earring), amongst others. Escher in Het Paleis (Escher in The Palace) which displays the works of the Dutch graphical artist M. C. Escher is also a very interesting museum not just because of Escher’s work but also because of the Lange Voorhout Palace it is housed in.
If you want a beach break then head to one of The Hague’s seaside districts. Scheveningen is the most popular and has all you would expect from a beach break, perfect if visiting with the family, especially during the summer months when the promenade is lined with pop up bars and restaurants. Kijkduin is smaller but full of charm and has the added benefit of being able to stay right on the beach in a fabulous beach house.
Where to Stay
Beach – The HaagseStrandhuisjes
Luxury – Hotel Des Indes
Budget – EasyHotel Den Haag City Centre
Where to Eat
Beach Front – The Fat Mermaid
Great Views – The Penthouse
Amazing Breakfast/Brunch – Habana Beach
What to Do
- Food Walking Tour of The Hague
- Photography workshop in The Hague
- Private Guided Tour of Mauritshuis Museum
Leiden
Another great city when considering alternatives to Amsterdam is Leiden. Leiden is a university city, with a number of the schools scattered across the city. it has a number of canals which you can take a canal cruise on and of course the obligatory Dutch windmill or two. The city doesn’t have a town square like a lot of Dutch cities do, however that doesn’t stop the city holding a market every Saturday along the streets next to the canals.
One of Leiden’s most famous sons is Rembrandt who was a Dutch draughtsman, painter, and printmaker. He is considered to be one of, if not, the greatest artists of his time which is commonly referred to as the Dutch Golden Age. The people are very proud that he hailed from the city and have named streets, buildings, bridges and even hotels after him in his honour.
With 13 museums all within walking distance of each other, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding which one to visit first. From the National Museum of Antiquities to the National Museum of Ethnology and not forgetting CORPUS ‘journey through the human body’, there really is a museum for everyone. Leiden is also home to a beautiful Botanical Gardens which have been the study gardens of the University of Leiden since 1590.
Where to Stay
Luxury – Boutique Hotel Steenhof Suites
Contemporary – Boutique Hotel d’Oude Morsch
Budget – Bastion Hotel Leiden Voorschoten
Where to Eat
Beer lovers – Stadsbrouwhuis City Brewery
Easy Dining – Waag
Romantic – The Bishop
What to Do
- Leiden bicycle tour
- City walk Leiden. History, Rembrandt, Pilgrims, Courtyards
- Leiden Private Tour and Canal Cruise
Rotterdam
The number one city to look at if you are considering alternatives to Amsterdam is naturally Rotterdam. Rotterdam is the second-largest city in The Netherlands and has a lot to offer its visitors. This urban haven is home to a number of attractions that make it just as appealing as the country’s capital. If architecture is your thing – you’re in luck. No visit to Rotterdam is complete without swinging by the quirky cube houses. Designed by architect Piet Blom and based on the concept of “living as an urban roof”, photographs simply do not do them justice.
If you are a foodie then you will be spoilt for choice in Rotterdam. From intimate dining options with surprise menus to funky communal dining options, there is something to appease everyone’s pallets. There are also a number of bars in Rotterdam making it a great choice if nightlife is your thing. The Nhow Rotterdam hotel has a fabulous rooftop terrace bar which offers fantastic views of the Erasmus Bridge and Rotterdam skyline together with great G&Ts.
Even though Rotterdam is quite a large city, it is still extremely easy to get around. Of course, you can walk everywhere if you have the time and are able to. If not, why not hire a bike, you are in The Netherlands after all. Failing that there is a reliable and frequent metro system which allows you to get all around the city quickly. Rotterdam also boasts water taxis which are a great way of whizzing around the city, not only are they fast but lots of fun too.
Where to Stay
Luxury – Mainport Design Hotel
Budget – Stayokay (in the famous Cube Houses)
Boutique – Hotel New York
Where to Eat
Social dining – Foodhallen
Food on the go – Markthal
Intimate – De Matroos en Het Meisje
What to Do
- 2-hour Private Food Walking Tour of Rotterdam
- Rotterdam Habour Tour
- Architecture Highlights Walking Tour in Rotterdam
Utrecht
Utrecht is a great city to visit if you love history and medieval old towns. Again it is a relatively compact city, meaning you are able to see most things by foot. However, of course, you can rent a bike, take a canal cruise or even hire a kayak if you want to experience the city from a different viewpoint. Utrecht is also great if you enjoy shopping as there are a number of high street shops both Dutch and international lining the main canal through the city.
Utrecht is also home to the Dom Tower which is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. It stands at 112.5 metres (368 feet) high and you are able to take a tour of it. The tour takes roughly 1 hour. This includes climbing the 465 steps to the top (with a couple of breaks along the way), the opportunity to take in the views of the city from the top and then descend. It can be hard going in places because of the steepness of the steps and the narrowness of the staircase, but completely worth it once you reach the top.
Utrecht was also the birthplace of Dick Bruna, the Dutch author, artist, illustrator and graphic designer who created Miffy (a cute little cartoon rabbit, if you are not familiar with her). The city celebrates this fact and references to her can be found throughout the city. This includes Miffy’s Traffic Light, Miffy Square which features a Miffy statue and of course the Miffy museum itself. Great fun for kids and big kids alike.
Where to Stay
Boutique – The Hunfeld
Luxury – Grand Hotel Karel V
Budget – BUNK Hotel Utrecht
Where to Eat
Lively atmosphere – The Rum Club
Italian – Piatto
Book in advance – C’est ça
What to Do
We hope these 7 alternatives to Amsterdam have offered some inspiration when it comes to deciding where to visit in The Netherlands – it truly is an amazing country!
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