Historic and picturesque destinations in the Netherlands (2024)

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Amsterdam-

Known for its historical attractions, collections of great art, and for the distinctive color and flavor of its beautifully preserved old sections, Amsterdam is one of the greatest small cities in the world. Built over an extensive series of canals, it's also one of the most romantic.

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Keukenhof-

Dubbed the "Garden of Europe," Keukenhof is world famous for its colorful flower gardens—huge fields of tulips and other flowers, including hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses, and carnations. As well as providing an astonishingly vibrant visual treat, Keukenhof is infused with an intoxicating bouquet that you'll want to bottle and take home.

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Amersfoort-

Amersfoort means "ford on the Amer," a reference to the river (today called the Eem river) that flows through this handsome town. The landmark Koppelpoort (pictured) is a medieval showstopper. The gate, completed in 1425, forms part of Amersfoort's old town walls.

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Naarden-

Naarden is a spectacular example of a star fort, complete with fortified walls and a moat. Originally a garrison town, Naarden today is still centered around its splendid 15th-century church.

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Kinderdijk-

The windmills at Kinderdijk provide the Netherlands with perhaps its most iconic landscape. Dating from around 1740, this much-photographed group of mills is the largest concentration of old windmills in the country, and one of the best-known Dutch tourist sites.

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Giethoorn-

The fairy-tale village of Giethoorn in the province of Overijssel is only accessible by boat and is commonly known as the "Venice of the North." The system of hand-dug canals and small islands are interconnected by 176 bridges to the mainland.

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Delft-

Delft enjoys a worldwide reputation due to its connection with the painter Johannes Vermeer (1632–1675), Delft Blue earthenware, and the Royal House. City Hall (pictured) dates back to 1620.

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Haarlem-

Handsome Haarlem delights with its narrow streets lined by monumental buildings and engaging museums. Haarlem is called the most Flemish city of the north and is one of the country's most photogenic destinations. A sightseeing highlight is the enormous Molen de Adriaan, a towering windmill overlooking the Spaarne river.

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Leiden-

Leiden is a city with a rich cultural heritage. It has been one of Europe's most prominent scientific centers for more than four centuries, and is the birthplace of several famous Dutch painters, among them Rembrandt (1606–1669).

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Broek in Waterland-

This delightful village set in the province of North Holland comprises a collection of wooden houses, some of which date back to before 1850. The entire community is surrounded by water and has a reputation for being one of the cleanest and tidiest destinations in the country.

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Willemstad-

Another star attraction, Willemstad is best explored by first walking on the town's ramparts, a 45-minute stroll that offers an absorbing perspective into this noted fortified destination. Along the way, you'll encounter several historic remnants such as a military gunpowder house built by Napoleon when the French occupied the town in the early 1800s.

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The Hague-

The Hague's Binnenhof encloses the Ridderzaal (pictured), the main building of the 13th-century inner square of the former castle of the counts of Holland. The Binnenhof itself is among the oldest Parliament buildings in the world still in use.

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Roermond-

Peaceful, tranquil Roermond is set on the lower Roer at the east bank of the Meuse river. Its venerable town center is a designated conservation area, the skyline of which is punctuated by the towers of its two churches, St. Christopher's Cathedral and, pictured, Roermond Minster (Munsterkerk in Dutch).

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Arnhem-

Despite Arnhem being one of the country's larger cities, its historic core is compact and full of places of interest, visitor attractions that include one of the biggest and most-visited zoos in the Netherlands, and several museums. Arnhem was the scene of a humiliating Allied defeat during the Second World War when combined British and Polish forces attempted to secure the city's bridge (pictured)—a military operation that proved a "bridge too far."

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De Hoge Veluwe National Park-

Lying 8 km (5 mi) north of Arnhem is the largest continuous nature reserve in the country, De Hoge Veluwe National Park. Enclosing a diversity of scenery including dense forests and impressive sand dunes, the park preserves an abundance of wildlife, including mouflon, a rare breed of wild sheep. Visitors can hike or cycle the many way-signed trails year round.

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Gorinchem-

Nestled between the Linge and Merwede rivers, medieval Gorinchem is a fortified town in the Groene Hart region of South Holland. The ramparts with bastions are almost completely intact, making Gorinchem the largest authentic fortified city in the Netherlands.

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Thorn-

Known as the "white village" for its white-washed brick houses in the historic center of town, cobblestoned Thorn is found in the southernmost province of Limburg and is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, referenced as far back as 975.

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Utrecht-

Many call Utrecht the beating heart of the Netherlands. Built around the eye-catching 14th-century Dom Tower, the city is peppered with major museums and art galleries, and dances to a vibrant and eclectic music scene.

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Maastricht-

Distinguished by its incredibly well-preserved medieval-era architecture and vibrant cultural scene, Maastricht is young at heart despite being granted city rights as far back as 1204. A large student population lends the destination plenty of youthful appeal, and it's visited by tourists for its shopping, recreation, and the 1,677 national heritage buildings scattered throughout the city center—the second highest number in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam.

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Texel-

Texel is one of the Dutch Wadden Islands. Known for its bird-rich national park set in rolling sand dunes, the island is found north of the city of Den Helder and comprises seven villages connected by countless walking and cycling paths. The landmark Eierland Lighthouse from 1863 is accessible to the public up to the sixth floor.

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Valkenburg-

Located by the Geul, a small river in the province of Limburg, Valkenburg draws visitors to its famous caves, mined by the Romans for marl—a mineral-rich mudstone—and the ruins of a 12th-century castle.

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Marken-

Marken used to be an island in the Zuiderzee, but is today connected to the mainland via a long causeway, which you can cross by car. Marken village is set on what is now a peninsula, its traditional colored wooden houses being one of the most attractive aspects of this former island destination.

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Harlingen-

Located in the province of Friesland on the coast of the Wadden Sea, the quaint port city of Harlingen enjoys a long history of fishing and shipping. The city was founded in the mid-13th century and is characterized by the many workshops, lighthouses, churches, and warehouses that reflect its nautical heritage.

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Zutphen-

Dominating the skyline of old Zutphen is St Walburga's Church, the foundations of which date back to the 14th century. It's just one of almost 400 national monuments and over 500 local monuments that make this destination one of the most important and well-preserved historical city centers in the Netherlands.

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Zierikzeeb-

Zierikzee has functioned as a port city since the Middle Ages, built on the wealth generated by trade with the rest of the would during the medieval period. Within its walls are dozens of historic monuments to investigate, including Sint-Lievensmonstertoren, a free-standing 16th-century church tower.

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Bunschoten-Spakenburg-

Bunschoten-Spakenburg is rarely listed on a Netherlands must-see itinerary, but therein lies its appeal. This under-the-radar provincial retreat features a series of old boat wharfs, a requisite flour mill, and plenty of salt-laced maritime atmosphere.

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's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch)-

Wrapping itself around the historic quarter of 's-Hertogenbosch within the old city walls is the Binnendieze, a network of rivers and canals that originally served the double purpose of providing a means of transport and a reinforcement against attack. Elsewhere, on the central square, is the oldest remaining brick house of the Netherlands, De Moriaan.

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Hoorn-

Hoorn flourished during the Dutch Golden Age, a period in history roughly spanning the era from 1588 to 1672, when the city developed into a prosperous port city. Its rich and illustrious past can be admired in the many notable buildings collected near the water's edge, among them the Hoofdtoren (pictured), a 16th-century defensive structure that today houses a restaurant.

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Breda-

Breda in the the province of North Brabant is often overlooked by foreign tourists, which is a shame because the city is largely comprised of late medieval buildings that surprise and impress with their beauty and grandeur. Main sites include Breda Castle and the gothic Grote Kerk, its decorative 97-m-tall (318 ft) spire visible in the photograph.

Sources: (Britannica) (History) (DailyArt Museum)

See also: Europe's most picturesque small towns and villages

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