If you were dreaming of a fresh breeze, sorry to burst your cool bubble, it’s time to sweat it out. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are about to become the hottest trio of the year in the Netherlands so far.
Sunday night gave us a little break — a cool breeze, a gentle sigh — like the weather whispering, “brace yourself.”
According to AD, the week kicks off with a toasty morning: between 16 degrees up north and a balmy 22 degrees in the south. But don’t get too comfy, the real heat is just revving up. 😬
By the afternoon, things will start to cook. The sun will be blazing, except for a few sneaky veil clouds drifting in the west.
And what’s causing all this? Winds from the east are importing premium-grade oven air straight from central Europe. Thanks, neighbours.
30 is the new normal
In the centre and south, you’ll experience full-on tropical vibes this afternoon. Temperatures will reach 30 degrees and possibly even higher.
The coast gets a tiny break (thank you, sea breeze!) but even there, it will still be a sizzling 26 to 30 degrees. Basically, no one’s safe from the heat. 🥵
As the sun dips, don’t expect much relief. Monday evening will remain sticky: temperatures will stay around 22 degrees up north and up to 29 degrees in the centre and south of the country.
Only after midnight will things cool down with temperatures dropping between 14 and 17 degrees. So yes, it’s officially sleeping-with-the-window-wide-open weather.
Initially, Tuesday was forecast to be the sweatiest day of the year, with 30 degrees in Vlissingen and up to 36 degrees forecast in the South (yes, that’s you Maastricht).
Even the coast will be gasping with temperatures of 27 to 30 degrees.
But…
Wednesday will be the hottest
Forget everything you thought you knew, Wednesday is coming in hotter than hot. Yes, there might be some showers sneaking in 🌧️, but until they do, we’re talking sauna energy.
Humidity will skyrocket, and depending on when the rain decides to show up, temperatures could soar well above 30 degrees — and in Eindhoven, possibly a boiling 39 degrees. 😱
Coastal folks might get a little breather, but if the showers arrive fashionably late, the heat will go full drama queen.
Four people suffered injuries yesterday evening after an electrical cabinet in a train travelling between Alkmaar and Uitgeest exploded.
The explosion took place at around 20:20 while the train was travelling near Limmen. According to an NS spokesperson, it occurred “not in a compartment, but in the hallway of the train.”
As a result, one person suffered a head injury, while three others became unwell due to smoke inhalation.
No air conditioning
The aftermath of the explosion was not easy for the 600 passengers onboard the train.
The airconditioning was turned off and smoke from the explosion spread as they waited for two evacuation trains.
According to the NOS, those who suffered from smoke inhalation did not have to go to hospital in the end, however, the passenger with the head wound was taken to be treated.
What caused the electrical cabinet to explode is still unknown.
This little piece of rubbery history isn’t just old — it’s naughty, historically rich, and now sitting proudly in a glass box for all of Amsterdam to admire.
Yes, you read that right. As Het Parool reports, the Rijksmuseum added a rare condom adorned with an erotic print to its collection earlier this month.
Image: Rijksmuseum/Kelly Schenk
Not your average museum acquisition
It all started at an auction house in Haarlem, where curators Joyce Zelen and Huigen Leeflang from the Rijksprentenkabinet were browsing thousands of antique prints.
Zelen tells Het Parool that the listing was easy to overlook. But Leeflang, with his trained eye and Zelen, with her PhD in libertine art, spotted something truly unusual.
“We had to ask the boss if we could bid on a condom,” Zelen confessed.
(Just imagine getting THAT message on Teams. 😅)
The condom, believed to date back to around 1830, was auctioned off for just €1,000. “A bargain,” Zelen said, noting that similar pieces have sold for much more in recent years.
Not your standard contraceptive packaging
This bizarrely brilliant artifact features a copperplate etching printed on dried animal membrane
Zelen suspects it could come from a sheep, goat, horse, or crow, but without visible clues, the museum is planning DNA research to find out. 🕵️♀️
And the print? It’s anything but subtle. A nun sits with her legs spread before three very excited clergymen, framed by the caption “Voilà, mon choix” (“This is my choice”).
@rijksmuseum The Rijksmuseum acquired a rare and risqué 19th century condom to its collection. Likely made from a sheep’s appendix and adorned with an erotic print of a nun choosing between three aroused clergymen. Yes, really… 🖼️ Anonymous, Condom with print, c. 1830. Acquired through the F.G. Waller Fonds #rijksmuseum#amsterdammuseum#arttok♬ original sound – Rijksmuseum
The image is both a satire of religious celibacy and a cheeky nod to the Judgement of Paris — the Greek myth in which a mortal must choose the fairest goddess.
The Rijksmuseum believes it was never actually used as a condom, but rather sold as a luxurious brothel souvenir. Less functional, more flirtatious.
A museum display like no other
Now proudly on display in the Rijksmuseum’s nineteenth-century department, this once-forgotten object sits in a glass case alongside prints and illustrations that explore sexuality, brothel culture, medicine, and the fear of disease.
The exhibition uses this curious item to reflect on how the 1800s approached sex and shame, often through euphemisms, moral judgment, and a looming fear of syphilis.
Zelen points out that there is still surprisingly little known about sexual culture in the nineteenth century, as many objects were mislabelled or quietly archived.
A small object, yes, but one that opens the door to a world we’re only just beginning to understand.
So, what do you think? Will you be heading to the Rijksmuseum to see this scandalous little slice of history?
For two years straight, fewer people have packed their bags and moved to the Netherlands.
Around 316,000 newcomers arrived in 2024, 19,000 less than the year before. The Dutch charm is still strong — but apparently not that strong.
What’s behind the dip?
According to Statistics Netherlands, the drop is mostly thanks to fewer knowledge migrants (highly skilled workers) moving to Holland, especially from countries like India, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, and China.
The number of knowledge migrants has dropped by a dramatic 40% since 2022. According to the stats, most folks came for love or a payslip: 22% for family, and 21% for work.
Of those who came for family, 40% were following a worker, 5% followed a student, and 7% were reuniting with someone who had arrived as an asylum seeker.
Moved here for love? A job? Or just for the stroopwafels and bad weather? Let us know in the comments!
It’s 7 PM on a Tuesday in late May, and instead of dinner, thousands of Dutch families are lacing up for a countryside adventure. Welcome to the Avondvierdaagse, a Dutch tradition where whole communities turn into walking armies for four evenings straight.
Think Dutch planning, sugar-fueled kids, and a national love for endurance all rolled into one. Equal parts heartwarming and exhausting, it’s a community highlight and a charming act of collective masochism. Let’s break it down. 👇
What is the Avondvierdaagse?
The Avondvierdaagse (literally “evening four-day walk”) is a community event where children aged 4 to 12, accompanied by a few brave adults, walk 5, 10, or 15 kilometers each evening for four consecutive days.
Most go for the 5-kilometer route, which ideally gets everyone home before bedtime… ideally. 😅
It began in 1940, when the Nijmegen Four Day Marches were cancelled due to troop mobilization. What started as a one-time solution has grown into a nationwide tradition celebrated in towns and cities across the Netherlands. 🎉
Parent survival guide to the Avondvierdaagse
Let’s be practical. As many Dutch parents have learned, surviving the Avondvierdaagse takes some serious planning.📝
Parent survival guides recommend the “fair division” approach: one parent handles the first half of the route while the other cycles to the halfway point to take over the second half.
The secret to blister-free feet? Wash and dry them well, then rub with camphor spirits and slip on thin cotton socks. Seasoned Dutch parents swear by it to avoid the painful blisters that can turn a cheerful march into a teary meltdown. 😬
The quirky traditions that make it so Dutch
Like any proper Dutch tradition, this four-day event comes with its own set of wonderfully weird customs.
One classic? Kids sucking on a half lemon topped with Wilhelmina peppermints wrapped in cloth — supposedly for “energy.” 🍋
Another favourite ritual is shouting at full volume when passing under bridges, turning peaceful underpasses into echo-filled arenas of chaos.
To keep spirits high, clever parents prepare themed playlists and even organize costume days to help them push through the mid-week slump.
On the final day, there are medals, cheers, and a shared sense of relief — kids love the prize, adults love that it’s over. 👀
Why Dutch families love (and hate) the Avondvierdaagse
The community mobilization is extraordinary. Schools form walking groups, parents step in as route marshals, local businesses hand out snacks, and entire neighborhoods turn into temporary support squads. 🤝
Grandparents emerge from retirement to cheer on passing walkers, creating intergenerational bonding that reflects what makes Dutch family life so distinctive.
But the downsides are real. Children become “knackered” from late bedtimes and exhaustion, resulting in kids who are “grumpy, short-fused, chagrijnig, and reluctant to get out of bed.”
Weather is no deterrent — events continue through storms that leave everyone “wet to the skin,” sometimes creating what one Dutch media outlet described as “hysterical, wet adventures” with crying children and stressed parents taking shelter under highway overpasses. 😵💫
Managing overstimulated children
The sensory overload is real. Thousands of excited kids, tired parents, route marshals blowing whistles, and four nights of pure chaos.
Savvy Dutch parents come prepared with “surprise stops,” placing family members along the route armed with fresh strawberries or handmade signs to lift spirits and break the monotony. 🍓
The trick is managing expectations. Most kids end up walking the full distance just fine, while the emergency strollers and wagons that nervous parents bring often cause more chaos than comfort.
International walking events vs Dutch Avondvierdaagse traditions
While community walking events exist worldwide, from charity walkathons to Britain’s tradition of Boxing Day walks, the Avondvierdaagse is uniquely Dutch in its scale and community integration.
The International Marching League promotes similar events in 29 countries, but these are usually serious athletic challenges rather than the gezellig, family-friendly chaos found in the Netherlands.
Nothing quite matches the Netherlands’ ability to mobilize entire populations of children for what is essentially voluntary suffering, combining mass participation, meticulous organization, and cheerful endurance in a distinctly Dutch way. 😄
Why the Avondvierdaagse tradition still marches on
Despite exhausted families and questionable weather, people keep coming back. Instead of enjoying a glorious Dutch BBQ or spending the evening at the cinema, thousands choose to walk, again and again.
Many say they feel “truly ingeburgerd” after finishing their first Avondvierdaagse. There is something deeply Dutch about finding meaning in shared endurance for the sake of community.
This tradition reflects everything the Dutch value: organized collective action, physical activity, and quiet satisfaction in completing challenges without making a fuss. It builds social cohesion through shared experience, teaches children perseverance, and creates memories that bond families and communities. ✨
In a time when children’s lives are increasingly digital, the Avondvierdaagse offers something truly irreplaceable. It gives kids the chance to be part of something bigger, reach goals through persistence, and discover that their community will quite literally walk beside them when they need support.
Have you walked the Avondvierdaagse and lived to tell the tale? Share in the comments! 💬
The Consumentenbond (Dutch Consumer Association) has launched a class action lawsuit against Booking.com for allegedly overcharging customers through fake discounts and artificial scarcity.
According to the Consumentenbond, customers have been systematically overcharged for years through misleading practices. We’re talking about potentially hundreds of millions of euros in damages.
What does this mean? If you’ve booked through them since 2013, you might be eligible for compensation.
What did Booking.com allegedly do wrong?
If you’re an international who’s spent countless hours hunting for the perfect Amsterdam Airbnb or that ideal weekend getaway hotel, chances are you’ve used Booking.com at least once.
Ironically, this Dutch-founded company that employs thousands of internationals here in the Netherlands, has been using some pretty sneaky tactics to trick us into spending more.
The NOS reports that the platform uses fake discounts, incomplete prices, and fabricated scarcity to influence customer decisions — what experts call ‘dark patterns.’
Here’s how it supposedly worked: Booking.com allegedly made illegal agreements with hotels preventing them from offering cheaper rates or better conditions on their own websites.
This meant that whether you booked directly with the hotel or through Booking.com, you’d end up paying inflated prices across the board.
Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumentenbond, explains that these practices violate both Dutch and European regulations.
The European Court already ruled last year that Booking.com broke the rules, and Spain hit the company with a whopping €413 million fine for similar practices.
Can I join the lawsuit?
Here’s the good news: if you’ve booked through Booking.com even once since January 1, 2013, you’re eligible to join the claim.
But it gets better — even if you used other booking sites like Expedia or Agoda, or booked directly through hotel websites, you might still qualify.
Why? Because according to the lawsuit, Booking.com’s market dominance artificially inflated prices across the entire sector, affecting everyone who booked accommodations during this period.
The potential compensation varies depending on how often you’ve booked and how much you’ve spent, but estimates suggest individual claims could range from tens to hundreds of euros per person.
How can I make a claim?
The best part? Joining costs you absolutely nothing.
The Consumer Association is working with Consumenten Competition Claims (CCC) on a ‘no cure, no pay’ basis.
If they win, participants pay a maximum of 25% of their compensation to cover legal costs. If they lose, you pay nothing.
The organisations are hoping to reach a settlement with Booking.com first, but they’re prepared to take the case to court if necessary.
If you’ve used Booking.com (or similar platforms) since 2013, consider checking out the Consumentenbond’s claim page to see if you’re eligible for compensation.
Even if you only booked once or twice, you might be surprised by what you could claim back.
What this means for future bookings
Beyond the potential compensation, this lawsuit is pushing for an end to misleading practices on booking platforms.
The goal is to create a more transparent marketplace where you can actually trust those “limited time offers” and discount claims.
For internationals who rely heavily on booking platforms — whether you’re searching for short-term rentals during your housing hunt or planning that long-awaited trip back home — this could mean more honest pricing and fewer psychological pressure tactics in the future.
How’s Booking.com taking it?
Let’s just say, they’re not exactly clicking accept all and moving on.
Instead, a spokesperson from booking.com responded with: “We have always fought to provide the best possible prices and transparent booking experience to travellers and strongly contest any allegations to the contrary.”
And added: “We have removed price parity clauses across Europe, but believe that they did help ensure consumers could access great prices everywhere.”
Adding also that they were reviewing the contents of this claim and will respond accordingly.
Have you noticed these misleading practices while booking accommodation in the Netherlands? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
So, you’re telling your Dutch friend about your recent work status or vacation travels and you get hit with a “leuk!”
They say it with excitement, in an informal manner — but what does it mean? And what’s up with the Dutch using it in almost every context?
Leuk is a word you’ll either love to use or cringe every time you hear it, and it’s safe to say, you hear it all the time. Why? Because it can be used about as often as a Dutchie eats hagelslag on a boterham, a.k.a every day! Let’s dive into it.
What is it?
Similar to the word gezelligorlekker, leuk means nice or fun. Unlike English, the Dutch use the word leuk for everything.
Here are some examples where your eardrums will be tickled by this delightful Dutch word:
Oh, hoe leuk! – Oh, how fun!
Leuk man! – Nice man!
What en leuke jas! – What a nice coat!
Het is superleuk! – It is super nice!
Fun fact: The term leuk did not always mean “nice” but instead meant “lukewarm”’ or “tepid.” Dutch linguist Nicoline van der Sijs first recorded this term in her chronological dictionary in 1898.
In earlier times, the word leuk could have meant “serene” or “calm.”
So, how did we go from using the term leuk meaning “lukewarm” to “nice”? The students, of course! In the 19th century, leuk began to be used as the English word “cool”.’
The word can be applied to anything from the mundane to the amazing. You’ll hear this word being used among Dutch kids, teenagers, adults and even grandparents.
It’s a broad word used by all ages, and we’re all here for that!
“Leuk to see you guys!” Image: Freepik
The word can also be used to describe a person: leukmeisje (attractive girl) or leukejongen (nice boy). In this scenario, it has two meanings: attractive and aardig (nice, pleasant).
There’s also a romantic connotation to the word leuk. Perhaps the most Dutch way a person can confess their deep love for you is “Ik vind je leuk,” meaning “I like you.” 🥰
Why do they do it?
It’s like the adapter plug of words: easy to use, can express when you’re happy about something or someone, and it’s casual, so bonus points!
Don’t know how to respond when a Dutchie tells you something that you know they’re excited about but you have no interest in whatsoever? No problem — just grab the word leuk from your Dutch vocabulary.
While Dutch people can be direct, they can also be informal and who doesn’t love informality? 🙋
Why is it quirky?
While the word itself isn’t very odd or unconventional since English has a similar term, how the word is used makes it rare since leuk can be slipped into almost every scenario.
Talk about functionality!
Should you join in?
Yes! It’s the easiest way to integrate into Dutch culture. Since it’s a simple word used almost daily. You could even say that it might be leuk to join in! 😉
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
Nestled in the heart of the Netherlands lies a charming town brimming with cheese, delightful walks, a jaw-dropping city centre, and heaps of things to do — Gouda!
An ideal spot for refuge from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam, and an embarkation point for a foodie pilgrimage (including sampling the most authentic cheese at the market), Gouda will not disappoint.
The city even clinched a spot in the New York Times’s Best Places to Visit in 2022 list!
No time to waste? Jump to a Gouda activity below! 🪤
1. Follow your tastebuds and browse the Gouda Cheese Market
You’ve probably encountered Gouda cheese at your local market or your supermarket; everyone seems to want a “slice” of the glory Gouda has brought to the Netherlands.
Start your day in Gouda by stuffing your face with its famous dairy product. Image: Depositphotos
Go right to the source at the Gouda Cheese Market, where local makers and traders can tell you about the process (and provide a free sample)!
For hundreds of years, the people of Gouda have participated in the ritual of trading cheese. The modern market features costumed vendors and horse-drawn carriages to transport you back in time.
TIP: In Dutch, “Gouda” is pronounced “How-dah”. Make sure to put some guttural emphasis on the “h”; if it sounds like you are clearing your throat, you are doing it right.
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: Thursday mornings (until 12:30 PM), April through August 📍 Location: Markt 35, 2801 JK Gouda
2. Take a tour and enjoy a siroopwafel at Kamphuisen Bakery
A little-known (but tasty!) fact about Gouda is that the syrup waffle originated here, and has evolved to become a Dutch dessert staple. Enjoy the original — with a Gouda twist — at Kamphuisen Bakery.
Here, you’ll learn about the history of this tasty treat, and how the original Gouda siroopwafel differs from its mass-produced cousin, the stroopwafel. You can be the judge with an included taste test.
Don’t bother asking the folks at Kampbuisen Bakery for the recipe for their famous treat — it’s been safely kept in a sealed envelope since 1810.
💰 Price: €11.50 for adults, free for children under 3, tickets include a guided tour of the factory and a taste test ⏰ Opening hours: 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays 📍 Location: Markt 69, 2801 JM Gouda
3. Admire the Old City Hall
Constructed in the mid-15th century, this historic city hall served as a meeting location and event space for hundreds of years. While city council meetings are no longer held here, this beautiful building can be booked for weddings and other private events.
We like to call this “Gouda Gothic” 😉. Image: Depositphotos
While you may be perfectly content to snap some pictures of its intricate Gothic architecture, tours are available to the public on most weekdays. With a tour, you’ll get access to the renovated interior, complete with furnishings and decor from the 17th and 18th centuries.
💰 Price: Tickets available at the city hall ⏰ Opening hours: 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, Tuesday to Thursday 📍 Location: Markt 1, 2801 JG Gouda
4. Wander down Looierspoort
Dutch architecture is most recognised for its tall, narrow buildings, strategically placed alongside canals to maximise space.
With a squish and a squeeze, you can enjoy Gouda’s incredible narrow street. Image: Jan Dijkstra/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0
On Looierspoort Street, you’ll not only find the famous narrow buildings, but narrow streets to match. Once designated as housing for the city’s leather tanners during the industrial period, this street in Gouda is famous for being the narrowest in the Netherlands, with some places only as wide as an adult arm span.
Take your camera and duck into Loorierspoort to snap a few photos to show what makes Gouda a special Dutch city.
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: Open to the public all day, every day 📍 Location: Looierspoort, 2801 LT Gouda
5. Watch your weight at Goudse Waag
Watching over the Gouda Cheese Market stands the Goudse Waag building. Built in the 15th century, the Goudse Waag served as a location for farmers and cheese vendors to weigh their cheese before selling their wares at the market.
If you attend the cheese market on a Thursday, you’ll get to see this process in action! Don’t worry if your trip doesn’t coincide with the market schedule — it’s open to the public on most weekdays.
The Goudse Waag is just a LITTLE old. Image: Depositphotos
The museum also features clog-making and candle-making demonstrations, in addition to wine and cheese tastings.
💰 Price: €7.50 for a guided tour, free for children under 5 ⏰ Opening hours: Varies depending on the time of year 📍 Location: Markt 35, 2801 JK Gouda
6. Learn the anatomy of a windmill at the Roode Leeuw
Get your grind on at the Red Lion Windmill, one of the country’s oldest windmills that is still in service. Visitors can watch this artisanal grain grinding process in action, unchanged for hundreds of years.
By harnessing the power of the wind, an expert miller can grind, crush, and sieve grains into fine flour, which is then sold to bakeries in the area (this is still done today!).
Perched by the water, this is a classic Dutch icon that can’t be missed on a trip to Gouda! Image: Depositphotos
Feeling inspired to get your hands dirty in your own kitchen? Take a bag of artisanal flour home with you when you visit the shop.
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: Thursday from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM 📍 Location: Vest 65, 2801 VE Gouda
7. Marvel at Sint Jan Church
Watch the history of the Netherlands unfold as you gaze through the stained-glass windows at St. John’s Church, which hosts the biggest collection of original windows in the Netherlands.
This historical Gouda church is a feast for the eyes. Image: Depositphotos
Recounting the religious history of the Netherlands, the windows tell the story of the country’s Protestant past, and its Catholic connections with Spain. Trace how the techniques evolve from the medieval style to the refined style of the Dutch Golden Age.
While it’s the stained-glass windows that may put Sint Jan on the map, the church also boasts a beautiful organ and has a special tour available for organ amateurs for an hourly fee.
💰 Price: €11.00 for adults, family rates available, free entry with Museumkaart ⏰ Opening hours: Open Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM from November – March) 📍 Location: Achter de Kerk 2, 2801 JW Gouda
8. Check out the fish market at Visbanken
Visbanken translates to “fish banks” in Dutch and is where fish markets and trading typically take place. Gouda’s Visbanken was established in 1588, and the structures are still standing today on either side of Gouda’s main canal.
With all that old-world beauty in Gouda, you can almost smell the fish! Image: M.H.Top/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
While the original fish market may be long gone, the stone pillars are a reminder of Gouda’s rich trading history. Take a stroll across the bridge, and you’ll find plaques explaining the historical and cultural importance of the site.
TIP: Grab a table at a nearby café and imagine the hustle and bustle of the fish market in its glory days.
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: Open to the public all day, every day 📍 Location: Lage Gouwe 1, 2801 MA Gouda
9. Become a cheese connoisseur at the Gouda Cheese Experience
If simply tasting all of the free cheese samples at the Gouda Cheese Market isn’t enough to appease your cheese cravings, take a deep dive into the cheese-making process with the Gouda Cheese Experience.
On your tour, you will learn how Gouda cheese is made: from what the cow eats, to milking, to ageing, to the recognisable and delicious product you consume today.
💰 Price: €16 for adults, €14.50 for children aged 5-15, and free for children under 4 ⏰ Opening hours: 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM, Monday through Sunday (last tour starts at 16:30) 📍 Location: Agnietenstraat 21, Gouda
10. Take a walk through history at the Gouda Museum
With a variety of rotating collections and several permanent installations, there is something to pique everyone’s interest at the Gouda Museum.
The museum hosts classic religious works of the Middle Ages, modern impressionists, and Dutch pottery, all located within a historic building that dates back to the 14th century. Make it a family outing and attend a workshop or book an interactive children’s “mini-tour”.
💰 Price: €14.50 for adults (€10 with CJP > 18), free for children under 17, free entry with Museumkaart ⏰ Opening hours: 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday 📍 Location: Achter de Kerk 14, 2801 JX Gouda
11. Support the fair trade market at Lange and Korte Groenendaal
You won’t find any chain stores here, making this area in Gouda a unique shopping experience. This shopping centre is located just off the beaten path in Gouda, and is the first shopping street in the Netherlands to be designated as a “fair trade street.”
Lange and Korte Groenendaal hosts several shops owned by a diverse group of small entrepreneurs that specialise in fair trade.
Fairtrade products are handmade or artisan items that are sourced, created, and shipped sustainably. Shops include boutique clothing stores, wooden toy shops, and florists.
TIP: Conclude a day of shopping with a meal at one of many restaurants in the shopping district. Enjoy diverse cuisines from a range of cultures and regions.
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: Varies by shop 📍 Location: Lange Groenendaal
12. Grab a pint at a local brewery
While you may have heard of wine and cheese, beer and cheese are also a match made in food heaven!
The Dutch are famous for loving beer, and Gouda is no exception. Image: Depositphotos
Take inventory of your fresh cheese purchases at a local brewery, and pair it with a flight of flagship beer at a local Gouda brewery.
Feel like a bite to eat on the side? Bunnik’s BierBrouwerij has standard classics and “beers of the moment” on offer just outside the city centre.
Water goes up, and the ground goes down! The Netherlands has been sinking for a while, but Gouda is a place you can really see it.
See the bricks on the side of the canal starting to cave in? No one in Gouda is safe (unless you’re on another street). Image: Samantha Dixon
Annually, the soil in Gouda drops by three millimetres — and in this 700+-year-old city, that makes a big impact.
Take a stroll along the Turfmarkt and watch where the once-contained canal water snaps at the heels of passersby. But that doesn’t stop locals parking their cars on the teetering banks!
Stand-up paddleboarding (or SUP) is a unique way to navigate Gouda’s classic canals, and is great exercise! You can rent one for the day (or by the hour) from a SUP shop during the summer.
Young people paddleboarding through the canals of Gouda, Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
Take your time leisurely paddling the canals, pause for lunch and a drink, and enjoy your unique perspective on the historical city.
Swapping bikes for boards, Dutchies just love a mode of transport that shows off their balanceability! 🧘♂️
Looking for a way to spend a day in Gouda cheese country? Look no further than a bike tour through Cheese Valley, lovingly dubbed “the Green Heart of the Netherlands.”
Cruise by happy cows munching on sweet grass, enjoy views of the lake, and check out historic city centres on your journey.
Looking for a guided bike tour? Keep an eye on Green Cow Bike Tours, which include an English, Dutch, or German guide to explain important facts about each town (Gouda and Woerden) — sadly they aren’t running for the 2024 season, but they promise to be back soon!
In the meantime, check out this great self-led Cheese Valley bike tour, with pitstops for much-needed rest, picture opportunities and significant points of interest, including a cheese warehouse. 🚲
💰 Price: The route map is free to download ⏰ Opening hours: This one’s up to you! 📍 Location: Depart from Stationsweg, 3441 EN Woerden
16. Take the quickest cruise of your life to Gouda’s ex-industrial side
All aboard Pontje Gein! This 1930s ferry spends its weekends chugging across Gouda’s Hollandsche IJssel to the ex-industrial site GOUDasfalt and will cost you a mere €1 (okay, €2 if you also want to get back).
Once you’re on the other side, take a walk among the industrial wilderness in the process of urban reclamation.
You’ll find breweries, shops filled with quirky antiques, local artists and crafters, laser tag, and even a city beach where you can wiggle your toes in the sand.
💰 Price: €2 return for the ferry (you can pay by pin or cash) ⏰ Opening hours: Varies 📍 Location:Gouderaksedijk 32, 2808 NG Gouda
17. Get outside with a self-guided walking tour
If you are looking for some leisure time on your trip to Gouda, consider an organised self-guided walking tour. With a unique route, who knows where some individual exploration will lead you?
A wander through the streets of Gouda is always a delight. Image: Depositphotos
Self-guided walking tours are organised by theme, emphasising specific points to fulfil a variety of interests, including historical routes, maritime and harbour routes, children’s routes — even local flora and fauna!
💰 Price: €5 for the map at the tourist office (or download online for free) ⏰ Opening hours: For the tourist office, 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM daily (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM November – March) 📍 Location: VVV Gouda, Markt 35, 2801 JK Gouda
And there you have it — 17 things to do in Gouda in 2026! Gouda has so many more dimensions than “just cheese” (although delicious)! Find something for the entire family in gorgeous Gouda!
What is your favourite activity to enjoy on a day trip to Gouda? Tell us in the comments below!
What did they decide? It’s time to introduce cat stairs; a surprisingly adorable Dutch invention that’s saving paws, one soggy rescue at a time.
How does it work?
The cat stairs aren’t exactly spiral staircases or IKEA masterpieces, think more along the lines of wooden or metal planks fixed to the water’s edge, sometimes with mesh for grip.
Sure, they’re not much to look at, but if you’re a flailing furball in a canal, it’s basically a luxury ladder to safety.
Kattentrappen geplaatst om verdrinkingsdood katten en andere dieren te voorkomen: [AMERSFOORT] Gemeente Amersfoort plaatst dit jaar langs kades en grachten zo'n driehonderd kattentrappen. Deze trappen moeten katten, egels en andere dieren redden van… https://t.co/7kpG4yTfth
— DeStadAmersfoort.nl (@StadAmersfoort) June 13, 2025
The stairs have been installed with one goal in mind: giving cats and other small critters a fighting chance when gravity, curiosity and canals collide.
300 stairs and counting
The municipality isn’t messing around. They’re aiming to install around 300 of these cat stairs all across the city; from the charming Vathorst to the bustling centre.
So wherever a kitty might take an accidental dip, there’s a little ramp ready to help it bounce back.
Locals have been helping pinpoint the best spots to install the stairs, especially in places where cats like to roam.
Since not all canal edges are public property, residents are even being encouraged to install their own little cat-friendly ramps.
Want even more wholesome news? The municipality of Amersfoort isn’t the only one thinking about cats; Leiden is also hoping to install cat stairs within the next five years.
Would your cat use the stairs or just scream until someone helped? Tell us below in the comments.
After yesterday’s heat, today cools things down with clouds, showers, and some gusty wind, but don’t worry, amazing summer weather is just days away.
So yes, Thursday’s a bit of a grump, but your weekend plans? They’re looking like pure sunshine and bliss, and early next week? Even hotter. Let’s break it down. 👇
Thursday grumpy skies and feisty winds
Today’s weather is Dutch fashion advice: dress in layers and carry hope and an umbrella.🌂
According to RTL Nieuws, the weather is noticeably cooler, with heavy cloud cover, patchy showers, and even a chance of thunder in the southeast.
Temperatures will rise to around 19°C in the north and 22°C in the southeast by late morning, but the real drama is the wind, blowing strong from the southwest, especially along the coast with wind force 4 to 6 expected. 💨
This afternoon, grey skies will stick around with occasional sun peeks. A stray shower might appear in the east, but most spots will dry out. Unless your hair has trust issues, inland highs reach a mild 23°C — manageable. 💁♀️
By evening, however, showers will ease off. Temperatures will cool down to about 16°C, and that restless wind will finally take a breather.
Friday flips the switch and the weekend goes full summer mode
Here comes the part we’ve all been waiting for: the sweet return of summer. Think terrace drinks, breezy bike rides, or claiming your spot at the nearest beach. 🍹
On Friday, the temperatures will feel just right: 20°C in the north and a sunny 25°C in the south, perfect for slowly easing back into your summer wardrobe.
Then comes the weekend, and it’s full-on summer vibes. Saturday brings clear skies and warmth, with temperatures sitting between 22°C and 25°C.
Next week it’s sunscreen, fans, and possible regret
Starting next week, things heat up…fast. Monday sets the tone with temperatures climbing above 30°C in many parts of the country. But that’s just the start of it. 🔥
As Weer.nl reports, very warm air from Spain will move into the Benelux right around the turn of the month, pushing temperatures even higher. For a day or two, we’re talking highs of up to 36°C.
Yep, your Dutch summer dream is finally coming true, but don’t count on the nights to cool you down. Tropical temps mean the evenings could stay above 20°C.
So, with a soggy Thursday behind us and a scorcher of a week ahead — how are you planning to make the most of it? Beach getaway? Or hiding indoors with ice cream and a fan on full blast? Let us know! 🍦
