When people think of the Netherlands, cities like The Hague and Utrecht come to mind. But your average Dutchie might get a little ticked off if you act like those are the only existing cities.
Rarely do you hear about the beautiful city of Hilversum or the historical city of Nijmegen.
It’s always “Amsterdam this, Rotterdam that” and never “Actually, I really like Maastricht“. 😤
What is it?
The Randstad is a megalopolis — a cluster of major cities including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.
Over 8.3 million people live within the Randstad, compared to the Netherlands’ total population of 17.9 million.
So chances are, if you’re in the country, you’re reading this from within the Randstad.
But of course, the remaining 9.1 million people live perfectly happy, fulfilling lives outside this cluster of cities, right? 🤨
Why do they do it?
Some Dutchies may feel that everything outside the Randstad is dull.
There’s this idea that all the culture, nightlife, and beauty are concentrated in just a few big cities — and that the rest isn’t worth exploring.
Obviously, that’s not true. But for those living outside the Randstad, it can feel insulting when visitors act like the Netherlands begins and ends with Amsterdam.
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And so what happens? An unspoken rivalry between the Randstad and everyone else — even when there’s nothing to fight about. 🤷🏻
Why is it quirky?
Well, it’s kind of self-imposed.
No, people in the Randstad don’t think they’re better than everyone else. And no, folks outside don’t have an inferiority complex.
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But you will notice this subtle feud when you ask a Dutchie which city is the best — suddenly, the country is divided over whether it’s a Randstad city. ⚔️
Should you join in?
Unless you want to contribute to this weird rivalry, it’s probably best to stay neutral.🍵
Instead, enjoy all the Dutch cities for what they are — each with its unique charm, history, and vibe.
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!👇
Not true at all. Dutchies usually do not like Randstad indeed but not because of the reasons you have gave. It is because Randstand feels home of inmigrants and expats and some of them cause trouble and do not know how to behave, plus they write articles like this like if they knew dutch society at all!. The other cities feel more dutch still with some expats but way less.