The tiny country of the Netherlands has many great experiences to offer. Known for its culture, history, architecture, famous art, and wide open fields — the lowlands is the place to go for adventurous souls!
The best time to visit this wonderful country is between April (hello, tulips!) and October (you know, because of the rain), but the Netherlands really is an all-year-round sort of destination
Explore Amsterdam’s nightlife
Amsterdam is known for its incredible nightlife, with many amazing clubs scattered throughout the city.
Move your body to popular music (Lady Gaga, Sia, Eelke Kleijn, anyone?), or explore the world of more alternative vibes, and you’ll have a great night out.
One of the most popular clubs in Amsterdam is OT301, situated in an old Dutch Film Academy. Another is Radion, which sports techno music and various events. You’ll also find that all types of people are accepted and gathered at Nyx, or experience a different vibe at Vondelbunker.
Visit museums
The Netherlands boasts a vast history of arts and culture that can be experienced by visiting the country’s many world-class museums.
Explore famous artworks from artists like Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer, or discover the bustling contemporary art scene of the Netherlands.
The Dutch capital can showcase some of the most vital parts of Dutch history, while the museum town of Leiden offers deep dives into fascinating things like the Weaver’s House, the American Pilgrim Museum, and the Academic Historical Museum.
Go mudflat hiking
If you love experiencing the outdoors as it is, then Mudflat hiking may be just the thing for you. Mudflat hiking is exactly what it sounds like: hiking across vast mudflats and experiencing the wildlife of the Netherlands.
Located in the Wadden Sea, it can be a strenuous journey, battling intense winds and all the rest of nature’s elements.
The Wadden Sea is a vastly untouched piece of land. You experience it like it was meant to be, with professional guides leading you through the nature reserve.
Although it can be intense, the experience of exploring new islands, and seeing unique wildlife, makes mudflat hiking greatly rewarding.
Explore the (Dutch version of) mountains
Try out the beautiful “mountain” hiking spots if you love exploring the outdoors but don’t necessarily want to get your clothes muddy on the mudflat.
The highest mountain in the Netherlands is the Vaalserberg, which stands at just over 322.7 metres (so it’s more like a hill, really, but we’ll take it). This “mountain” is between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, at the Drielandenpunt (three-country-point).
If you want a smaller hike with more history, try the Sint Pietersberg hike, a mountain standing at just over 171 metres. It’s a historic spot where the residents of Maastricht hid during WWII, which boasts a fortress and 80 kilometres of underground tunnels you can explore as part of a guided tour.
Go on a castle adventure
We all dream about going on an adventure and discovering ancient ruins filled with treasures. Like Gonzo searching for El Dorado in this Gonzo’s Quest review or Indiana Jones exploring new ruins, we also dream of finding ancient treasures.
Although they’re not filled with gold and jewels, exploring the castles of the Netherlands is an excellent alternative. These breathtaking castles will transport you back into olden times, giving you a glimpse into the life of royalty.
READ MORE | A guide to 11 breathtaking castles and palaces in the Netherlands
These historic buildings are often well-preserved and open to tourists. Famous castles include De Haar Castle, Muiderslot castle, Doorwerth Castle, and the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
Practise crazy sports
If you’re a sports lover, then you’ve come to the right country to experience some of the oddest sports out there. While you’ll find run-of-the-mill sports, including hockey, football, and ice skating, you’ll also find some pretty insane ones.
One example is paalzitten, a sport where you sit on a pole for as long as possible. Another exotic sport unique to the Netherlands is fierljeppen.
In this sport, you run towards an 8- 13 metre long pole plunged in canal water, jump on it, and climb as high as you can, with the aim of using the pole to land on the other side of the canal.
Enjoy typical food
You can’t visit a new country without trying out the local food — it’s basically an unofficial tourist rule. The Netherlands offers many typical foods you can try out, from the syrup sandwich stroopwafel to baby pancakes called poffertjes.
For lovers of fried foods, bitterballen are a must. Why? They’re deep-fried, breadcrumbed meatballs. Another must-try fried treat are oliebollen, the Dutch version of a doughnut.
If you’re in The Hague, try out Botanica, serving authentic Dutch cuisine focused on seasonal vegetables. Another option is Just Meet in Leiden, a quality, meaty establishment.
The Netherlands offers plenty of opportunities to explore culturally rich and historical sites for adventure-seekers. Rent a bicycle and explore Amsterdam, enjoy a canal boat cruise with cheese and wine, and much, much more.
An astonishing number of great activities are available, ensuring you’ll never be bored when visiting this stunning country.
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