Travel Guide | The Netherlands
My grandparents immigrated from the Netherlands before my dad was born. Most of their extended family still lives there. A few years ago, my parents, and my siblings and their families, went to The Netherlands for a family reunion. This was my second time there and I fell even more in love with this small country. I feel like a part of me belongs there - I finally felt like I fit in somewhere! Tall blondes, contemporary and clean design, artsy, outdoorsy and healthy - there are so many things I love about The Netherlands. While Amsterdam is worth the visit alone, there are many small towns that are just as cool. I will highlight some of my favorite parts of the country and the best foods to try and things to see and do. You can stay in most of the cities I mention below, you don’t have to stay right in Amsterdam. It is easy to do day trips and get around. I recommend staying in Haarlem, Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam or Leiden for something different (and cheaper!).
The Netherlands Checklist:
Enjoy lots of dutch cheese
Eat a Stroopwafel
Try some poffertjes
Get frites with sauces
Eat herring like a local
Rent a bike
See the windmills
Go to the tulip fields
Try on wooden shoes
Visit the Amsterdam art museums
Buy some Delft blue pottery
Sleep on a houseboat
Eat Surinamese food
Food
Amsterdam
Coffee & Coconuts - My absolute favorite cafe in Amsterdam! Bali/surf shack vibes, they serve nutritious and elaborate cuisine - from smoothie bowls to wraps and salads. Everything is a tasty work of art! You can lounge on a bean bag while you enjoy your food, or sit at a table and work for a while - the environment is laid back and comfortable.
De Bakkerswinkel Oud-Zuid - Fresh jams and scones, dutch cheese toast and sandwiches. It is small and charming - perfect if you want a quiet place to enjoy some tea or casual lunch.
The Avocado Show - if you love avocado, this place is for you. Every item has avocado in some form and it’s all instagram-worthy.
Albert Cuyp Market - This is a street market that is open 4 days a week. Check out the poffertjes stand for mini dutch pancakes with powdered sugar on top. The best!
Bakers & Roasters - can you tell brunch is my favorite meal? This is a solid brunch - you’ll want to come back the next day. So many options, all delicious!
The Happy Pig - dutch pancakes (thin like a crepe) rolled up into small bites. Great for a treat or snack!
Sandwichshop Amsterdam - warm and cold gourmet sandwiches and paninis. Also great breakfast items! Modern, but cozy atmosphere.
Warung Mini / De Hapjeshoek - two good options for trying Surinamese food, cuisine you’ll find all over this region and worth trying!
Foodhallen - a giant food hall with meal options from all over the world to suit everyone’s cravings. Great place to stop for lunch.
Stroopwafels - you MUST try the stroopwafels fresh from a street stand.
FRITES! SO many frites. Here are some of the best spots - Frietboutique Amsterdam, they have locations all over. Try some traditional croquets or bitterballen while you’re there. Fabel Friet, I love curry ketchup or spicy mayo on my frites, but this place also has the popular, truffle mayo and parmesan. Freddy Fryday, these frites are loaded with toppings making them more of a full meal. You can get pork, chicken and more on top. Vleminckx Sausmeester, tiny little frite stand, with more sauce options than you’ll know what to do with! Great location in central Amsterdam for a quick snack.
Van Stapele Koekmakerij - famous cookies, be prepared to wait in a line
Delft
Kek De koffiebar - My other FAVORITE cafe in the Netherlands! Everything dish is full of vibrant colors and healthy, fresh ingredients. Vegan options. Meat options. Brunch & Lunch. I felt like I was on a tropical getaway in the middle of downtown Delft. Great healthy options for kids too.
De Pizzabakkers Delft - Yummy, wood fired pizza
The Hague
Frites Atelier - You must try the frites in the Netherlands!! I love that there is a whole shop just for french fries! These are so good - there are lots of toppings to choose from and the frites are hot and crispy. Great for a snack or a whole meal! I love the peanut sauce on the frites.
De Poentjak - indonesian cuisine, make a reservation for dinner
Oma Toos - dutch pancakes!
Leiden
Just Meet - steak, burgers, cured meats. A carnivore’s paradise.
Paco Ciao - STUNNING interiors, fun atmosphere, and even prettier dishes! So much color and texture. Healthy and fun food options.
Kebab Lovers - You’ll find kebabs all over the Netherlands. This one is solid - cheap and quick for a delicious lunch!
Dapp Frietwinkel - best frites in Leiden
Blossom by KP Cafe - attached to a childrens store, parents can enjoy healthy food while children play, lots of vegan & vegetarian options, great for aesthetic looking brunch or dinner
ROOS - brunch spot with colorful, healthy options
Ragu - Italian spot with pasta and wood fired pizza
What to See & Do
iAmsterdam card - When you arrive in Amsterdam, you may consider getting an “iAmsterdam” card that gives you access to museums, bike rental, a canal tour, the Zoo, Zaanse Shans and public transportation. You can order the card online or pick it up at the iAmsterdam store in the central train station. Your card is activated when you first use it. You can decide how many days you want it to work and pay accordingly. Simply scan the card at museum entrances, and bus, tram and metro stations.
Take a canal tour through Amsterdam - A great way to see and learn about the city. Use your iAmsterdam card which includes a canal tour , book through any of the major canal tour companies. or rent a private boat for a customized experience.
Museum Visit - Amsterdam is full of museums. The Rijksmuseum, The Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk are my recommendations. I also highly recommend going to the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Natural History Museum) in Leiden - it is VERY impressive, and awesome for kids of all ages! The Panorama Museum and Mauritz House in The Hague are worthwhile if you find yourself in that area.
Shopping - My absolute favorite areas for shopping are the 9 Straatjes/Joordan district in Amsterdam, Haarlemmerdijk street in Amsterdam, and all over the city of Haarlem. A couple of my favorite shops are Sukha, Sissy-Boy, bizamode Store, & Other Stories, Scotch & Soda and Lemonade Kid’s Fashion.
Ride a bike - If you dare, rent a bike and join the herds of people riding the streets of downtown Amsterdam. Or, take a train out to the countryside and bike through the windmills for a leisurely cruise.
Go to the coast - The pier at Scheveningen is a lively beach, only a short train ride from Amsterdam. There are lots of restaurants on the boardwalk, and fun activities for all ages. There are quieter beaches north of this, and lots of places to swim and enjoy the sandy beach. Take a trip to the south coast for surfing (kite surfing is popular) - near Ouddorp, you’ll find some decent waves.
Visit Delft - my favorite small town. It is known for their dutch blue pottery - you can go to the Delft Blau Museum and see them make the pottery. Spend the day in boutiques shopping for pottery, dutch cheese and fun souvenirs. Be sure to go up the bell tower in the city center for the best views.
Visit Gouda - to eat and learn about cheese! Alkmaar is also known for their cheese market.
Visit Haarlem - another picturesque and walkable city to visit. If you go, walk into the St. Bavo church - it’s stunning!
Visit Utrecht - a mini Amsterdam, Utrecht is a must visit city!
Visit Leiden - LOVE this city. It is only a short train ride from Amsterdam and is the perfect size city to explore. Lots of neat historical sites to check out, great shopping, and excellent food! I recommend checking out Hortus Botanicus, the Train Museum or Natural History Museum if you have children. If you are a treasure hunter, go to “Anterieur” antique shop!
Visit Geithoorn - the city with no roads or cars, only canals and boats. Rent a boat and explore the charming town.
Day trip to Belgium - You can rent a car or take a train to Belgium. It is only a couple hours away. Brugges is my favorite charming town to go to - mostly for the chocolate and waffles, but also for the cute gingerbread looking houses, and shops.
Tulip Fields- In the Spring (typically end of March to beginning of May), make time to visit the tulip fields. It’s absolutely incredible! The most popular is Keukenhof Gardens, just outside Amsterdam. You can pay to see the Keukenhof Gardens with hundreds of tulip varieties. Or rent a bike and cycle along the rainbow-striped fields of tulips.
Go see the Windmills - I highly recommend taking the train to Zaanse Shans. It isn’t too far out of Amsterdam. The whole town smells like chocolate because of the chocolate factory - it feels like a fairytale. There is a lovely walk where you can see windmills, even go inside one. There are museums, mills, dutch shops. It is a culture experience!