The Netherlands is a country full of culture, history and natural beauty. But beyond the famous attractions like Amsterdam’s canals, tulip fields and windmills, there are many hidden gems that offer a unique and memorable experience for visitors. Here are 10 under-the-radar experiences to have in the Netherlands that will make your trip unforgettable.
Explore hidden churches in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known for its rich religious heritage, but did you know that there are dozens of secret churches hidden in private homes across the city? These churches were built during the Protestant Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries, when Catholics were forbidden to hold mass publicly. One of the most remarkable examples is Ons Lieve Heer Op Solder, or Our Lord in the Attic, a church that occupies three floors of a canal house and can accommodate up to 150 people. Another hidden church is Museum Amstelkring, which houses a stunning baroque altar and organ.
Visit under-the-radar museums in Amsterdam
If you want to avoid the crowds at the popular museums like the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam has plenty of other options for art and culture lovers. You can visit Huis Marseille, a Golden Age mansion that showcases contemporary photography from around the world, or Micropia, an interactive museum that reveals the fascinating world of microbes. You can also check out Electric Ladyland, the world’s first museum of fluorescent art, where you can see glowing minerals, plants and artworks.
Experience wine culture in Staufen im Breisgau
If you love wine, you should visit Staufen im Breisgau, a charming village on the edge of the Black Forest in southern Germany, just across the border from the Netherlands. Staufen im Breisgau is known for its terraced vineyards and its loca
Enjoy cheese tasting in Gouda
Gouda is not only a type of cheese, but also a charming town in South Holland that has been producing cheese since the 12th century. You can visit the Cheese Museum, located in a historic weigh house on the market square, where you can learn about the history and production of Gouda cheese and see how it is weighed and traded. You can also taste different varieties of Gouda cheese at one of the many cheese shops or markets in town.
Experience fairy tale magic in Efteling
Efteling is one of Europe’s oldest and largest theme parks, located in Kaatsheuvel, North Brabant. Efteling is inspired by fairy tales, legends and folklore, and features attractions such as a haunted castle, a flying Dutchman, a talking tree and a fairy tale forest. You can also enjoy thrilling rides, such as roller coasters, water slides and dark rides. Efteling is open all year round and offers different shows and events for each season.
Visit the world’s largest flower garden in Keukenhof
Keukenhof is a spectacular flower park in Lisse, South Holland, that covers 32 hectares and showcases more than 7 million bulbs of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other flowers. Keukenhof is open only for eight weeks each spring, from late March to mid-May, when the flowers are in full bloom. You can admire the colourful displays of flowers, as well as sculptures, fountains and pavilions. You can also rent a bike and explore the surrounding fields of flowers.
Experience Dutch history in Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is an open-air museum in Zaandam, North Holland, that recreates a typical Dutch village from the 17th and 18th centuries. You can see authentic windmills, wooden houses, barns and workshops that were relocated from different parts of the country. You can also visit museums that showcase the traditional crafts and industries of the region, such as cheese making, clog making, chocolate making and clock making.
Experience modern art and design in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a vibrant city in South Holland that is known for its modern architecture, art and design. Rotterdam was heavily bombed during World War II and rebuilt with a futuristic vision. You can see examples of its innovative buildings, such as the Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge and the Markthal. You can also visit some of its renowned museums, such as the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, which displays works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Dalí, or the Kunsthal, which hosts exhibitions of contemporary art and design.
Experience canal life in Giethoorn
Giethoorn is a picturesque village in Overijssel that is often called the Venice of the Netherlands. Giethoorn has no roads, only canals that connect its thatched-roof houses and gardens. You can experience the tranquil canal life by renting a boat or a canoe and exploring the village and its surroundings. You can also visit some of its attractions, such as the Museum De Oude Aarde, which displays fossils and minerals, or the Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus, which shows how people lived in Giethoorn in the past.
Experience nature and culture in Texel
Texel is the largest and most popular of the West Frisian Islands in the North Sea. Texel offers a variety of natural landscapes, such as dunes, beaches, forests and marshes. You can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, birdwatching and seal spotting on the island. You can also experience the local culture and history at its museums, such as the Ecomare, which is a nature museum and a seal sanctuary, or the Kaap Skil, which is a maritime museum that displays shipwrecks and treasures.
