If you’re wondering what is there to see outside of Amsterdam – but still close to the city – we’ll show you the most beautiful places you can go on a day trip from Amsterdam.
We asked locals where they go when they want to escape the city – and today we’ll share with you the most exciting answers we got.
All the destinations are easily reachable by car, train, or bus. Depending on your method of transportation, you can be back in Amsterdam in less than 24 hours.
Charming Towns
1. Haarlem
Located just 20 km from Amsterdam (a 15-minute train ride), Haarlem is a city worth visiting, with medieval vibes, cobblestone streets, beautiful alleys, and cozy houses.
If you’re visiting on Friday or Saturday, check out the small market, Botermarkt, where you can find food vendors.
If you’re visiting on Sunday, you’ll want to check out the Grote Markt and have some great kibbling, sweets, and drinks.
During summer, you can do some boat seeing and enjoy some freshly made gelato near the Spaarne River. Of course, you can also rent a boat and explore the city from the water.
2. Leiden
Leiden is only a 35-minute train ride from Centraal Amsterdam and has even fewer tourists than Utrecht. As a bonus, there are plenty of museums to see.
The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden – the museum of antiques – has an authentic Egyptian temple and there is a windmill museum that encapsulates the local scenery.
Leiden has a rich cultural heritage in the arts and academia. Famous painter Rembrandt was born here, and it is home to the country’s oldest university which is home to the Hortus Botanicus Leiden botanical garden.
If you’re into cats, then Sophie’s kattencafe is a must-visit.
For a fun activity, you can do an escape room indoors or outdoors. A “borreltour” can also be fun if you’re into trying a diverse range of snacks and drinks from local bars.
For a relaxing-vibe day, just chill at the Burcht. If the weather is nice, take some food and drinks and enjoy.
3. Utrecht
From Centraal Amsterdam, you can take a 23-minute train ride to Utrecht.
Utrecht is a laid-back version of Amsterdam with fewer tourists and more canals to visit.
There are also plenty of beautiful churches, galleries, and museums. While you’re there, climb the 450 steps up the Dom Toren to see the city from a panoramic view.
If you’re a more active person, rent some canoes at the Oudegracht and see the city from the water. Paddle to Theehuis Rhijnauwen for scrumptious pancakes.
The Science Park campus has a wonderful botanical garden worth checking out.
For really good craft beer, check out Cafe de Rat, Olivier, and Taplokaal Gist.
4. Delft
Delft is a very interesting town to visit with a beautiful old center and surprisingly good nightlife.
If you’re with your kids, check out the ceramic map of Delft which shows where you can find hidden characters embedded in the cobblestones, stroll by ceramic artworks, and discover why Delft is known as the Ceramics City.
If you’re into petting fluffy and cute animals, check out the petting zoo: Stadsboerderij. You can drive, walk or get the bus there.
Goats, bunnies, and sheep are waiting for you there.
While you’re in the area, you can try the clog mini-golf, for extra fun.
Enjoy your day trip by walking around the city, looking at the old buildings, having some coffee or tea, and maybe also doing a canal tour to enjoy the city from the water.
Gorgeous Nature & Scenery
5. Giethoorn
Although very touristy, Giethoorn is a place we consider worth visiting. It’s not about the things you can do there, it’s just about the beautiful scenery you get to see. Be aware that it can be packed with people.
This full-day trip will introduce you to picturesque Geithoorn.
There are no main roads so the entire trip is by boat, floating along canals dotted with classic Dutch homes, wooden bridges, and idyllic canals.
The footpaths and bicycle trails wind past centuries-old thatch roof houses and join the Weerribben-Wieden national park where peat and reed were harvested.
Next to the marshy land is Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus, a farm museum highlighting the area’s history.
- Bus/Mini-Van Transportation Included
- 1-Hour Boat Cruise through Giethoorn’s waterways, the “Venice of the Netherlands”
- Small Group
- Professional Guide
- 8-hours in total
6. Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a little magical place, like an open-air museum where you can see charming windmills, plenty of water, and a beautiful landscape.
It’s a neighborhood in Zaandam, located in North Holland, where you should go at least once in your lifetime.
How to get there:
You can walk around it in about 2 hours, but if you also visit the museums and windmills, it can take up to 6 hours – just perfect for a day trip.
You can also take the 391 Bus from Amsterdam Central directly to Zaanse Schans. It’s cheap but it does take 45 minutes and sometimes the bus is packed with tourists.
With the train from Amsterdam Centraal (direction Uitgeest), you’ll get a quick and smooth ride, and it can actually be cheaper than the bus ride if you’re using your OV. There’s a 10 minutes walk from the station Zaandijk Zaanse Schans to the village center.
- Bus Transportation Included
- Visit Cheese Market Edam
- See how Gouda and Edam cheese are produced in Volendam Haven
- Walk by fishermen’s houses, the fishing harbor, and the protestant church
- Food Tasting
- Professional Guide
7. Keukenhof Gardens
The world’s largest flower park, Keukenhof (dutch for “kitchen garden”) Garden is worth visiting – whether you’re a dutchie or a tourist.
It’s not a tourist trap. It’s exactly what it advertises it is. You get to see lots of beautiful flowers and rare tulips that you won’t find anywhere else.
Choose a sunny day, and explore one of the most popular bulb flower gardens in the world having more than seven million flowers. The park has 15 kilometers of pathways and the landscape is breathtaking.
- Separate entrance to skip the line
- Tour guide
- Bus transportation (with wifi)
8. Volendam and Marken
For a countryside day trip where you can see more than one beautiful village, a nice thing to do is to visit Volendam and Marken on the same day.
Get the dutch countryside experience, enjoy some great seafood, and discover the two charming towns in a few hours.
You can visit Volendam and then take the ferry to Marken – where you can walk around and grab some food and coffee, and check out why it’s famous for its wooden shoes.
- Round Trip from Amsterdam
- Ferry Ride
- Professional Guide
Culture
9. The Hague
Easily reachable by train, Hague is a city that has so much to offer. Art-wise, you can visit museums like:
- The Mauritshuis: see the Vermeers and other magnificent pieces
- The Escher Museum
- The Mesdag Collection
Other fun things you can do there:
- Visit the Zuiderstrand
- Visit the Parliament
- Catch a show at Het Paard
- Catch a show at Korzo Theather
- Eat Indonesian food at Di Duinoord
- Grab coffee near Prinsestraat
- Horse races at Duindigt
If you’re with kids, you can visit the Lego Center Scheveningen, go to Duinrell, or the Avonturia de Vogelkelder.
10. Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a 35-minute train ride from Centraal, which makes it ideal for a modern day trip. This hip town is known for its classic architecture and the art wall.
It is the largest port in Europe, so make sure to visit the bustling harbor for a local’s view into daily life. On your way back, stop at the famous Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge, a 400-meter bridge that connects three districts in the heart of Rotterdam.
For late-night drinks (if you’re not driving), check out Witte de Withstraat in Stadsplein.
Food & Drink
11. Gouda
Yes, “Gouda” as in gouda cheese. Visit the place where 60% of the Dutch cheese (not only gouda) is produced. Walk around the city and you’ll discover hidden gems yourself, cheese museums, cheese markets (Markt Goude), and cool shops everywhere.
Check out “de Looierspoort” street – is one of our favorites as it’s very cute and narrow and close to the market.
While you’re there, you should also stop for some original stroopwafels on the Lange Groenendaal 32.
Gouda also has some very nice old churches worth visiting, like De Gouwe Kerk and De SInt Jans Kerk.
12. Alkmaar
If you’re looking for a fun and local culinary spot, this is the place. Only 37 minutes from Amsterdam by train, this centuries-old cheese market offers classic Dutch cheeses, masterfully crafted by artisans.
The caveat is that they are only open from April through September, so make sure this is on your summer itinerary.
- Stroll through the medieval city center
- Visit the Famous Cheese Market
- Live Tour Guide
Explore A New Country
13. Belgium – Antwerp
If you wake up early, in less than 2 hours you can have an early brunch in Antwerp, one of Belgium’s largest cities.
It’s a popular destination for the Dutch, who love to go shopping and enjoy the sun sitting on terraces. It’s usually cheaper than the Netherlands, so that’s also a great reason to visit and enjoy good food.
It’s an urban city, modern, with great places to eat, and nice shops, and known for its beer, waffles, and fries.
