Living in Germany since 2017 close to the Netherlands border, I have visited this lovely country pretty often. In fact, in 2023 I visited the Netherlands three times.
So you can trust my opinion when it comes to exploring the Netherlands because I’m sharing my first-hand experience after multiple visits. So, this page has a collection of all my travel blog posts for the Netherlands. If you’d like to see them and skip this entire page, then click on the below button.
The Netherlands shares its borders with Germany, Belgium, and France. It also shares a maritime border with the UK, Germany and Belgium. It is a flat country in the sense of its topography as compared to the nearby countries.
Table of Contents
What’s the Capital City of the Netherlands?
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands. It is a city that I have visited over and over again and thus written about the most on my blog as compared to the other travel destinations.
Which Language is spoken in the Netherlands?
The most widely spoken language in the Netherlands is Dutch, but English a majority of the locals speak English too so travelers usually don’t face any language barriers. Unlike France, the Dutch people have no problem speaking in English.
Apart from Dutch and English, West Frisian is also one of the languages spoken in the Netherlands.
What’s the difference between Holland and the Netherlands?
Holland and the Netherlands are not the same and can’t be used interchangeably, in just the same way England and the UK aren’t the same.
Holland is a part of the Netherlands and can be further divided into North and South Holland. Amsterdam is a part of North Holland and so are some of the most visited destinations in the Netherlands.
Top Airports in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a small country and the most used airport is the Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, which is actually between Haarlem and Amsterdam.
If you are flying to the Netherlands from another country, most likely you will land in Schiphol but some low-cost carriers within the EU also fly to the other airports mentioned in my list.
- Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, AMS
- Eindhoven Airport, EIN
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport, RTM
- Maastricht Aachen Airport, MST
Fun fact: There is a cycling trail in the Netherlands that goes behind the Schiphol Amsterdam Airport so there is a spot from where you can see the airplanes taking off. I was there in 2023.
What is the Netherlands famous for?
The Netherlands is famous for many things and it is usually my favourite thing to talk about when I discuss this country. Let me mention a few of them here:
Tulips
Dutch farmers are known for their stunning tulips and these flower fields play a big part in the Netherlands tourism. Every spring and early summer, people arrive in the Netherlands from all over the world to see the beauty of Tulips.
The most famous place in the Netherlands for seeing the beauty of Tulips is Keukenhof, but there are many other places around that you can discover when you discover the Dutch countryside on a bicycle. Which brings me to the next point.
You can also buy these tulip bulbs and take them on an airplane with a certificate and grow them in your own garden.
Bicycles
The Netherlands is perhaps the most bicycle-friendly country in the whole world and the locals are pretty proud of this. Not only is this good for the overall physical fitness of the residents but it is amazing for the environment.
Dutch cities are super easy to explore on a bicycle and they are nicely connected to each other. You can move from one city to another using amazing bike lanes. I rode a bicycle from Haarlem to Zandvoort and it was a lovely experience.
I love how Dutch cities are built to be more bicycle-friendly than car-friendly. It makes things
Windmills
Not just the bicycles but the Dutch have more cards in their pockets for being environmentally conscious. The Dutch windmills aren’t just super beautiful to look at but they are applauded for their engineering and the fact that they help water management and prevent flooding.
Many of the windmills in the Netherlands are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Moreover, they add to an already nice landscape!
Canals
The Canals in the Netherlands were built in the Dutch Golden Age as a result of the boom in trade, science, and art. The canals were designed to manage the growing urban population and helped in the transportation of both goods and people.
Whatever the history is, I must admit that the canal ring makes Amsterdam super romantic and prettier than it already is.
Super Liberal Culture
The Netherlands is one of the most tolerant countries in the world with a liberal culture. Prostitution is legal, marijuana is available in coffee shops and locals are just very openminded.
If you walk through the Red Light District, there are sex workers on the windows and some of the bars run sex shows. And if you visit a coffeeshop expecting it to just be a cafe, you are in for a shock because that’s usually a place for buying and consuming weed or hashish.
So wether you are a smoker or not, remember to pass no judgements, live and let live and accept the liberal culture with a smile.
Gouda Cheese, Old Amsterdam Cheese, Maasdam cheese
Dutch cheeses are famous but I’d like to mention three of the most famous ones – Gouda, Old Amsterdam and Maasam cheeses.
When you’re in the Netherlands, be sure to try out these cheeses. I love all of them but my favourite are the Old Amsterdam and Maasdam. Old Amsterdam is hard and yellow cheese with a nice flavour. Maasdam has a nutty flavor and has holes in it. They both taste amazing with beer and wine.
Netherlands Travel Blog Posts
Below are all the Netherlands blog posts and destination guides that I have published on my website. I hope you enjoy them and find the information that you need. If not, just write to me and I will be happy to help.
- Amsterdam for Couples: 25 Romantic Things to do in Amsterdam
Pretty lights, romantic bridges, hidden alleys, and storybook houses – sounds dreamy? Yep, that’s why I fell in love with Amsterdam, the most romantic city in Europe for couples in… Read more: Amsterdam for Couples: 25 Romantic Things to do in Amsterdam - Amsterdam Cafe vs Coffee Shop vs Coffeeshop: What’s the Difference?
Unless you’re living under a rock, you know already that the Netherlands tolerates the consumption of marijuana in small amounts. After all, it has been talked about pretty often in movies,… Read more: Amsterdam Cafe vs Coffee Shop vs Coffeeshop: What’s the Difference? - Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting? Second Largest City of the Netherlands
Traveling to Rotterdam is a unique experience for every traveler. Here, everyone will find something for themselves. Many tourists note that the impressions of their first trip turn out to… Read more: Is Rotterdam Worth Visiting? Second Largest City of the Netherlands - 25 Best Souvenirs from Amsterdam (Authentic and Very Dutch)
Do you ever buy souvenirs when you travel? I sometimes do so that I can save a small memory of my travels. At times I also gift something meaningful to… Read more: 25 Best Souvenirs from Amsterdam (Authentic and Very Dutch) - Is Zandvoort Worth Visiting? The Beach near Amsterdam
If you live in Europe in a country near the Netherlands, then you have most definitely heard of Zandvoort. It is a beach destination that’s close to Amsterdam popular amongst… Read more: Is Zandvoort Worth Visiting? The Beach near Amsterdam - Amsterdam with Kids – What to do with Children in Amsterdam
Guide to visiting Amsterdam with kids and what to do with children in Amsterdam. Out of all the destinations that I have ever visited, I have posted the most about… Read more: Amsterdam with Kids – What to do with Children in Amsterdam - Is Haarlem Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Visit Haarlem (the Netherlands)
Traveling to the Netherlands and wondering if Haarlem is worth visiting? This post is for you. I have posted often about Amsterdam, but it’s time to talk about Haarlem. Haarlem… Read more: Is Haarlem Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons to Visit Haarlem (the Netherlands) - Amsterdam Itinerary 3 Days: How to Spent 3 days in Amsterdam
I spent 3 days in Amsterdam in June 2023, and it was my fifth time here. Here’s my tried and tested Amsterdam itinerary that you can steal. What’s the best… Read more: Amsterdam Itinerary 3 Days: How to Spent 3 days in Amsterdam - Amsterdam 1 Day Itinerary: How to Spend One day in Amsterdam
Can Amsterdam be explored in just one day? No, but some of us don’t have any other option. So if you’re short on time, here’s the best Amsterdam 1 day… Read more: Amsterdam 1 Day Itinerary: How to Spend One day in Amsterdam - 20 Quotes about Amsterdam (that You’d Want to Steal)
Have I told you already how much I love Amsterdam? Amsterdam was the highlight of my first-ever trip to Europe in 2014. I moved to Europe in 2017 and I… Read more: 20 Quotes about Amsterdam (that You’d Want to Steal) - NDSM Amsterdam: How to Reach + What to do in NDSM Werf (Wharf)
What’s that one place in Amsterdam that’s different than all others? It is NDSM. NDSM Werf (or NDSM Wharf in English) is in Amsterdam-Noord. It is unique because it is… Read more: NDSM Amsterdam: How to Reach + What to do in NDSM Werf (Wharf) - Amsterdam Instagram Spots: 20 Photo Spots in Amsterdam (+ Map)
You asked and I answered, here are the exact locations of some of my Instagram posts from Amsterdam. It took me six visits to find some of the most amazing… Read more: Amsterdam Instagram Spots: 20 Photo Spots in Amsterdam (+ Map) - A Weekend in Amsterdam: The Only Amsterdam Weekend Guide You’ll Need
I spent a weekend in Amsterdam alone on my fifth visit to the city. Here are my costs and itinerary for spending the perfect weekend in Amsterdam. If you live… Read more: A Weekend in Amsterdam: The Only Amsterdam Weekend Guide You’ll Need - Is the I Amsterdam City Card Worth It? My Honest Review After Using it Twice (+ How to make the most of it)
- The Ultimate Amsterdam Nightlife Guide: Best Nightclubs + Tips
Amsterdam Nightlife Guide has been written by our Netherlands content specialist – Alara Benlier, who has lived in the country. With its famous canals, legendary coffeeshops, fascinating museums, and its… Read more: The Ultimate Amsterdam Nightlife Guide: Best Nightclubs + Tips - Top Places to visit in the Netherlands – Itinerary + Travel Guide + Map
This post about top places to visit in the Netherlands has been written by an ex resident – Alara Benlier. The suggested Netherlands itinerary and route map has been added… Read more: Top Places to visit in the Netherlands – Itinerary + Travel Guide + Map - Visiting Waterlooplein Market – Amsterdam’s Hippie Flea Market
Imagine a flea market on the streets of Amsterdam with the backdrop of canals, a rustic tower, and narrow buildings. Yes, this is what the Waterlooplein Market looks like –… Read more: Visiting Waterlooplein Market – Amsterdam’s Hippie Flea Market - The Perfect 2 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary (from a Frequent Visitor) + MAP
Here’s how to spend the perfect 2 days in Amsterdam. After multiple visits to this city, I am finally sharing my Amsterdam itinerary that you would want to steal. Often… Read more: The Perfect 2 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary (from a Frequent Visitor) + MAP - Best Museums in Amsterdam – Art, History, Sex and More
Amsterdam is home to many cool museums that are not just limited to art and history. Some of these museums in Amsterdam are pretty famous and the others are quite… Read more: Best Museums in Amsterdam – Art, History, Sex and More - Netherlands Itinerary One Week: the Ultimate Netherlands Road Trip Route Map
Are you planning to visit Europe this summer and not sure which country to spend most of your time in? We highly recommend the Netherlands. It is the land of… Read more: Netherlands Itinerary One Week: the Ultimate Netherlands Road Trip Route Map - Ultimate Guide to Amsterdam Coffeeshops: Menu, Tips & Best Coffeeshops
Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find sin. ― John Green, The Fault… Read more: Ultimate Guide to Amsterdam Coffeeshops: Menu, Tips & Best Coffeeshops - A Hipster’s Guide to Amsterdam-Noord: Things to Do + MAP
The best travel tip that I ever received about exploring Amsterdam was to get the hell out of the center and explore Amsterdam-Noord (one of the awesome neighborhoods). This came… Read more: A Hipster’s Guide to Amsterdam-Noord: Things to Do + MAP - Where to Stay in Amsterdam for Every Budget
If you have just booked your ticket to the Netherlands and are wondering where to stay in Amsterdam, you will definitely make a decision after reading this post. Did I… Read more: Where to Stay in Amsterdam for Every Budget - 30 Amsterdam Travel Tips that are Ridiculously Helpful [Tried and Tested]
Traveling to Amsterdam? After visiting 5 times, here are my top Amsterdam travel tips to make your trip hassle-free. How can anyone not like Amsterdam? The city is known for… Read more: 30 Amsterdam Travel Tips that are Ridiculously Helpful [Tried and Tested]