Are there any plans to visit the Netherlands any time soon? If so, get ready to be surprised or rather thrilled out of your skin. Although Amsterdam is the first city that would pop up in your mind there is so much more the Netherlands can offer. This great and rich country has many wonderful sights, beautiful places, and interesting monuments that are not widely known. The Netherlands is not only the country known as the home of the canals and the Industrial Revolution but also characterized by such exciting cities, beautiful towns, and outstanding museums. The following is a list of eight stunning cities in the Netherlands that you must include in your travel list!
1. Amsterdam: The Heartbeat of Dutch Culture
A City of Canals and Culture Amsterdam, the capital of the country is undoubtedly, the most famous city in the Netherlands. Apartments, cultural tourist attractions, blend in with restaurants, antique shopping places, and commercial buildings. Some of the features defining the identity of the city include the famedan canals, cobble-stone streets and architecturally well- preserved old age buildings. Amsterdam is packed with things to do whether one is going for a walk along the canals, to tour a museum or to cycle.
Culture and history are some of the aspects that make the city stand out due to the presence of a vibrant culture. Amsterdam offers sightseers and art lovers, in particular, numerous attractions embracing a great number of museums; the most famous among them are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. These institutions give one a broad perspective of art, history and culture making Amsterdam a one stop destination for museum lovers. This is also manifested in the building structures in the city many of which displayed the architecture of the Golden Age period.
More than just icon and culture heritage Another interesting fact, the city never sleeps; some guests love to enjoy the nightlife and some like hanging out around the coffee shops. Most of the city’s establishments open their doors to entertainment seekers where people can find traditional British pubs, today’s contemporary bars, restaurants, and clubs. It is very suitable to explore by foot especially the increasingly gentrified areas like the Jordaan and De Pijp where the tourists can find stores, galleries and restaurants.
Available Lodging should you plan to spend some time in Amsterdam you will be richly rewarded with a good number of hotels that you can book depending on the collage you will be willing to pay. Yes, like any other big city, there are all types of accommodations, ranging from spectacular five star hotels to lowly hostels.
2.The Hague: A touch of Poignancy and form of contemporariness
It is a city politically and royally important as it is the third largest in the Netherlands and is home to the government as well as the royal family’s residence is also found here and is known as The Hague or Den Haag. This city plays more than just a political role but cultural too. The hosting city The Hague is situated at the North Sea shore giving it an advantage of contracting city life and seashore vibes.
Cultural and artistic attractions The Hague possesses the International Court of Justice as well as several other crucial organizations. Also, splendid streets, magnificent houses, green squares and gardens, remarkable monuments and buildings can be found in this city. aesthetes will marvel at the number of artistic icons and a variety of galleries and museums in the city including the famous Mauritshuis that displays works of Vermeer and Rembrandt among other artists.
Amenities It is a trendy cosmopolitan city to dine, wine, and shop with great restaurants, stores and dazzling nightlife. The city is also located near the beach thus water sporting and other beach related activities are also famous. The segment of beach goers can have a good time at the beach then take time to tour around the busy central part of the city.
Available Hotels There is great variety of hotels, different in class, in The Hague and they include luxury hotels, boutique hotels, and inns among others. So if you are a fan of beautiful views, sea and sand or a fully equipped city center you will never lose sight of The Hague.
3. Leiden: A Wistful Academic Charm
Leiden: Unique Academic Center and a Piece of History Leiden is the historic city that is not as crowded as Amsterdam, but is equally beautiful. Comprising picturesque canals, some alleys, and ancient structures it is home to one of the oldest universities in Netherlands.
Historic and Cultural connection Apart from being an education city Leiden is associated with art and in particularly with Rembrandt, a famous painter. Culture is apparent in the numerous museums and art galleries namely those that display the classic Dutch arts together with the modern touch. Rich old Churches, beautiful and informative museums and the fine old windmills are the dominating factors which contribute to the historical beauty of the city.
Large Student Population Leiden is home to numerous students which is why it has a youthful and energetic feel. Amsterdam boasts of several eateries such as the café, bar, restaurants among them are those that provide traditional Dutch foods and the others provide foods from all over the world. Leiden is a rather small city that is best to be discovered on foot or by a bike thus visitors get an opportunity of acquainting themselves with the distinct mood of the city.
Leiden’s Lodging Facilities Leiden’s lodging is well endowed with hotels from the traditional style to the contemporary apartments. Many of the city’s guest houses and B&Bs offer a rather homey mood and can be characterized as quite friendly.
4.Rotterdam: Innovation meets resiliency – A city on the rise
Rotterdam The Netherlands’ second largest city with a powerful image of contemporary architecture and a bustling port was almost razed to the ground in the Second World War but was again rebuilt. The city was seriously damaged during World War II and was reconstructed through what is known as architecture moderne. Today, Rotterdam is known as a progressive city, characterized by its modern architecture and progressive development in the contemporary architecture’s appearance.
Refurbishment Scenery In the modern world, many extravagant buildings including skyscrapers, innovative and futuristic designs characterize Rotterdam. Some distinctive architectural achievements that should be mentioned when talking about the city architecture are Erasmus Bridge, Cube Houses, and Markthal that represents an immense indoor gourmet market arch-shaped. Besides the mentioned architecture, Rotterdam is also a cultural city with many museums, theater and art galleries.
Impressive atmosphere of Rotterdam Observed as one of the main and most actively developing ports of the world, Rotterdam also has a specific nautical flair. Yes, recreation areas mainly the waterfront provides an excellent platform for walking, boat rides, and meals by the water bodies. Also visible when it comes to food choice there is the variety, there are many restaurants for whispers as the locals call them, everything from fine dining to fast food.
Rotterdam Hotel and Hostel Accommodation Classification Accommodation in Rotterdam is quite complementary; modern hotels and luxury to average hotels and hostels. Depending of the type of the accommodation that you prefer, whether it is a high end hotel or just some place to sleep and have easy access to the city, Rotterdam offers it all.
5. Maastricht: A Cross-Cultural Delight
Historic and Multicultural appeal Maastricht is among the oldest cities in the country situated close to the borders of Belgium and Germany. Thus, the presence of clearly defined historical attributes and multicultural perspectives makes it an interesting city to visit. The general ambiance of Maastricht is inviting essentially due to the beautiful streets, old houses and medieval architecture.
Festivities & Culture Monuments Maastricht For lovers of history and architecture lovers, Maastricht is packed with countless stunning and charming old churches, suave squares, and great museums. This section of the city is interesting whereas it includes very narrow streets and quite informal or traditional shops and cafes. Maastricht reached cultural importance and extends its rich cultural life by bright and colored events and festivals of the town attracting people throughout the region.
The shopping and dining experiences Maastricht is a hub of shopping and has many stylish boutiques and local shops as well as varied market. The city’s eating scene is equally as good, with every kind of eating venue available which represents the cultures of the world. Maastricht restaurant provides various meals ranging from Dutch meals to meals of other origins depending on the preference of the people.
The choices ranging from historic hotels located in the city center to comfortable contemporary hotels with every comfort for the guests. Depending on the interest Maastricht has everything that anyone can look for in a place, be it a couple, business man or a family.
6. Haarlem: A romantic substitute to Amsterdam
Picturesque Just a few kilometers away from Amsterdam, is HAARLEM is a beautiful city that provides a small town feel. with narrow stone pavements, wonderful old architecture and a network of canals, Haarlem has all the elegance of a Dutch town. To those green spaces, parks and gardens of the city, the fast paced life seems a mere distant echo. Near Haarlem there are the tulip fields which one must-see during the flower period.
Shopping and Culinary Scene: The shopping lovers can find charming and different shops and markets in Haarlem. Exactly the same can be said about the choice of restaurants and cafes offering from the traditional Dutch cuisine to different ethic food. Apartments in Haarlem are equipped with comfortable pubs and bars where you can taste alcoholic drinks and feel the atmosphere of the city.
Availability Haarlem has a numerous range of Hotels; it has hotels in ancient structures with traditional themes as well as new age hotels with all mod cons. Important no matter the duration of the stay, Haarlem’s accommodations are cozy enough to ensure a comfortable visit to this historic city.
7.Eindhoven: The stad is widely regarded as being the Design Capital of the Netherlands.
Design Capital Nowadays, Innovation and Creativity Eindhoven, which is referred to as the Dutch design capital, can be characterized as a creative city. The main aspects of the city’s architecture as well as its design cannot but unite under the designation of futuristic. Eindhoven is one of the main cities in technology and design, so the atmosphere is rather active and inspiring.
Museums and Galleries Another interesting area of attraction in Eindhoven is the arts and museum with several art galleries and museums that exhibit modern art and design. Among the attractions that every art lover should see, the Van Abbemuseum can be named – this is one of the best museums of modern and contemporary art in Europe. It is also depicted through the many design studios, galleries, and facets of public artwork across the city.
Contemporary Facilities: Eindhoven is equipped with some of the facilities that are considered the part of today’s life standards such as malls, eating joints, and places of entertainment. Large green parcel of land that characterize this city also offer a break from the Concrete jungle giving one an option to take a breather. Eindhoven has numerous good places to eat with different levels of organization starting from a fine dining establishment and ending up with a fast-food joint.
Destination Overview Eindhoven has numerous accommodation facilities ranging from the design hotels to those that are cheap. The lodging facilities required by travelers interested in discovering this rapidly developing city include hotels and guesthouses.
8.Utrecht: The Iron Age and modern history respectively.
Rich in historical and architectural treasures, Historic and Picturesque Utrecht is one of the largest and the oldest cities of the Netherlands presenting beautiful canals, medieval constructions and splendid buildings. The majority of it refers to the old town which is largely characterized by narrow lanes, fine churches, and well-tended gardens and thus has a sort of rich and romantic theme. The canals of Utrecht are different because instead of the usual cellar of a wharf, they have the modern looks of cafés, shops, and restaurants.
Cultural and Educational Centre Utrecht is also a cultural and educational city that has Art centre and many students. Some of the recognized museum located in the city include the Centraal Museum, and the Museum Speelklok, which displays musical instruments and clocks. There are many theaters, concert halls and festivals that successfully fill cultural palette of Utrecht.
Entertainment and Modern Lifestyle: Apart from the historical structures Utrecht also has a young and vibrant culture. Fashion is one other scene the city enjoys and the purchasing districts are equip with numerous trendy boutiques, departmental stores, and specialty stores. Many eating places are available in the city thus meaning that one can get a taste of the different foods from different parts of the world. The nightlife in the city is quite good and this has been made possible through the presence of several bars, clubs and live music shows.
Facilities: There are several hotel facilities in Utrecht which can be classified into the historical and the modern hotels including. For couples or families, tourists will find the accommodations offered in Utrecht to be comfortable and conveniently located for touring the city.
Conclusion: Searching for the Off-Beaten track Accessories of Netherlands
The Netherlands is full of contrasts; ancient cities and advanced technology, productiveness of the megalopolis and solitariness of the landscapes. Lively Amsterdam with its centres and markets, Leiden with its canals, every city in the Netherlands has its own temperament. If it is the historical past of the country that one is interested in or the modern innovation in industries, you will find it in this beautiful country; from Rotterdam to Maastricht.
Here are eight stunning cities that can be visited in the Netherlands; I hope you have enjoyed the article. Delft is the city that specializes in blue pottery; Groningen is rather young and famous for nightlife; Gouda is well-known because of the cheese. Every city has its own history and it goes through its own chapter.
Next time you are planning a visit to the Netherlands you should give Amsterdam a miss and go in search of the other cities that are just as stunning. If history is your interest, art, or just plain appetite, or you would love to go out on an adventure there is nothing like the Netherlands. Therefore get ready for the journey, travel, and get to feast on the eye and the uniqueness of the Netherlands.
