The fifteen finest weekend journeys from Amsterdam

One of many issues that I’ve liked about residing within the Netherlands is how simple it’s to take weekend journeys inside the Netherlands and the encircling international locations.  Whereas residing in Amsterdam, we took weekend journeys a minimum of as soon as a month to a brand new metropolis.  I’ve been to each single place on this record and I hope that it conjures up you to take one in every of these ideas for weekend journeys from Amsterdam (or wherever else within the Netherlands).

I’ve put a star subsequent to the weekend journeys from Amsterdam the place you’ll wish to take an alternate type of transformation (e.g. automobile, bus, airplane) because of the excessive price of the Dutch trains, particularly if you happen to’re with greater than two folks.   Click on for ideas for locating low cost Dutch prepare tickets!

• Utrecht / De Haar*
• Amersfoort
• Rotterdam
• Dordrecht
• Den Bosch
• Giethoorn*
• Middelburg*
• Valkenburg
• Texel
• Maastricht
• Friesland*
• Antwerpen
• Aachen*
• Brussels
• Paris*
• London*

Utrecht & De Haar

Utrecht is a simple day journey from Amsterdam, nevertheless, don’t underestimate its charms!  There’s one thing so enjoyable about strolling the attractive two-story canals after darkish previous to dipping into one of many many cozy cafes.  If you happen to solely have someday in Utrecht, you’ll finish solely see the town middle.  Click on for my information to Utrecht.

When you rise up within the morning, remember to get a hearty breakfast at one in every of Utrecht’s many implausible brunch locations previous to seeing Kasteel de Haar.  This beautiful fairytale citadel is technically near Amsterdam though you may be shocked concerning the trouble of getting a mere 22 kilometers out of Utrecht.  Nonetheless, it’s price visiting to see the grounds and the doorway corridor.

In case you are on the lookout for extra in-depth journey recommendation about Belgium and the Netherlands, I created a guidebook on behalf of Moon Journey about Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges. You could find this e-book on Amazon!

We advocate staying in a single day at Lodge Dom, a comfortable boutique resort with an unbeatable view of the Domkerk so long as you don’t thoughts being woken up by the church bells. Alternatively, think about staying at Mom Goose, a 4* boutique resort with bespoke adorned rooms.

Amersfoort

Not too long ago, we lastly received to Amersfoort for a weekend.  This metropolis is all about slowing down.  It’s filled with cute boutiques for individuals who love procuring and crammed with nice breweries producing craft beer, its historic legacy.   The effectively preserved medieval middle with out the crowds makes for the proper counterpart to Amsterdam’s hustle and bustle for these on the lookout for an evening of quiet.  Click on for my information to Amersfoort!

We stayed at De Gaaper, a small resort within the historic middle, though you’ll discover a number of choices for inns that received’t break your funds if you happen to reserve forward. 

Rotterdam

Rotterdam was destroyed throughout World Conflict II, nevertheless this contemporary Dutch hub has change into a pressure to be reckoned with.  Stuffed with cutting-edge trendy structure and world-class museums, Rotterdam is ideal for a weekend journey because it requires a bit extra time.   Click on for a fast information to Rotterdam.

Sooner or later is sufficient to get a small style of the trendy middle whereas two days provides you an opportunity to pattern Rotterdam’s hip nightlife and go to a few of its different neighborhoods.  Notably, Delftshaven is a historic city that was integrated into Rotterdam that feels a world away from the remainder of Rotterdam.

Dordrecht

Dordrecht is oft forgotten, nevertheless this charming metropolis in Holland makes for an excellent day journey for {couples} on the lookout for someplace that feels completely different.  Though Dordrecht continues to be quintessentially Dutch, I stored having throwbacks to my time in Venice.  Possibly it’s one thing concerning the huge canals, the dreamy warehouses, or the passing boats.  Both manner, Dordrecht is a pleasant vacation spot for somebody who thinks that they’ve seen all of it. Click on for my information to Dordrecht.

Den Bosch

Efteling

Efteling is a Dutch amusement park in Brabant that really predates Disney.  Its distinctive universe with its quirky illustrations makes it a delight for each adults and youngsters to expertise the rides and artwork that you just’ll see all through the amusement park. 

Though you may simply go to Efteling throughout someday, the schlep all the way down to Efteling (2+ hours) makes it extra appropriate for a weekend journey.  I’d advocate combining it with visiting Tilburg, the closest metropolis to Efteling.  Click on in your information to efteling.

Middelburg

Situated in Zeeland, Middelburg packs some punches.  By some means, folks typically neglect about this Western a part of the Netherlands, however with many scrumptious proud meals traditions, their very own language, and regional clothes.  Zeeland is a hefty ~three hour journey from Amsterdam, which is why I like to recommend staying in a single day.

Town of Middelburg, Zeeland’s capital is filled with lovely ornate Dutch structure though one of the spectacular buildings within the metropolis (that’s free to stroll by way of) is the Middelburg abbey, which is now repurposed for different makes use of. If you happen to tire of the sights, there’s many beautiful cafes to step into and vintage outlets to browse.  Click on for ideas for visiting Middelburg.

Only a bus journey (or prepare journey away from Middelburg) is Yerseke.   This small Zeeland fishing city is why Zeeland is known.  You’ll discover various oyster pits with the eating places serving contemporary oysters proper above them.  If you happen to’re a foodie, it’s onerous to withstand the possibility to strive the uncommon Oosterschelde lobster, mussels, and oysters. 

Giethoorn/Zwolle

First head to Zwolle for the day and the night time.  This charming Dutch metropolis hides a wonderful bookstore (solely open on Saturdays) that dates again to 1465.  For sure, there’s one thing particular about listening to the organ performed as your browse their collection of items and books.  

Zwolle has a medieval metropolis middle with many Rijksmonumenten (historic buildings) make for a soothing day journey from Amsterdam.  If you happen to’re on the lookout for an inexpensive weekend away, Zwolle is a good wager.

Giethoorn is that loopy village within the Netherlands with out roads that you just’ve seen throughout Pinterest.  Sadly, Giethoorn is way more durable to get to independently than many individuals understand because it’s about two hours by prepare/bus from Amsterdam.  

Sadly, the key is out about Giethoorn because it receives almost 200,000 guests every year.  It doesn’t cease Giethoorn from being lovely, however you may wish to keep in a single day in one of many charming mattress and breakfasts alongside the canals to expertise Giethoorn with out the insanity of the crowds.

Valkenburg

I lastly visited Valkenburg for the primary time and I can not wait to carry my parents-in-law right here.  This historic metropolis in Limburg is known for its quarries (often called caves…) which you can tour yr spherical, good for lovers of historical past.  Throughout the Christmas market season, Valkenburg turns into to the Christmas Metropolis of the Netherlands.  

Valkenburg makes an excellent base for journeys inside Limburg, which is filled with picturesque hills.  Many Dutchies love to come back down right here to spend a day biking alongside the hills and discovering cute small cities alongside the best way.  I’d say that Valkenburg is an efficient location for a weekend away from Amsterdam if you happen to’re trying to expertise one thing not so flat. 

Texel

Up within the North of the Netherlands, Texel sits only a ferry away from Den Helder.  This picturesque island is filled with blooming purple heather in the course of the fall, good for a soothing weekend journey in the course of the low season.  (Texel will get fairly common in the course of the summer season with worldwide vacationers!)  

Alongside the coast, you’ll spot quite a few birds, making this a birder’s paradise.  If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient, you’ll additionally spot wild seals alongside Texel’s many seashores.  The primary sights on Texel are enjoyable, sipping on the native beer (comprised of native components), biking across the island, and having fun with its lovely small cities.  There’s a cause why folks come right here yr after yr though reserve your lodging early….

Maastricht

Maastricht is among the principal college cities of the Netherlands.  This charming metropolis is one in every of my favourite getaways.  There’s one thing about Maastricht’s slim cobblestones streets crammed with cute boutiques.

Be sure you give your self an opportunity to go to Boekhandel Dominicanen, a surprising bookstore in a Twelfth-century church.  Style vlaai at its supply. Spend the night enjoyable at one in every of Maastricht’s many enjoyable cafes.  If in case you have further time, head to the artwork museums or the Zonneberg caves to study concerning the distinctive historical past of this area.  Click on for my information to Maastricht.

Friesland*

Can we miss Friesland? This province of the Netherlands has its personal language (the closest language to English).  I’d advocate exploring Friesland by automobile if attainable because it will provide you with way more flexibility than if you happen to go by prepare as the general public transit between cities may be restricted.  One of the best time to go to Friesland is throughout August when a crusing competitors (Sneekweek Zeilden) happens.

Friesland is known for its twelve cities and though it’s not totally attainable to go to all of them in a weekend, I’d advocate getting a style of Friesland.  I’d advocate basing your self out of Leeuwarden, Friesland’s capital and the 2018 European metropolis of tradition.  From right here, discover Sneek the place Weduwe Joustra has a museum/distillery, see the planetarium at Franeker, and expertise the docks of Harlingen. 

You’ll be able to at all times discover a low cost flight someplace from Schiphol, however I’ve determined to give attention to locations which might be a fast prepare journey away from the Netherlands, good for a weekend away.   For a lot of of those locations, it may be extra inexpensive to take a OuiBus or Flixbus to those locations fairly than the prepare.  

Antwerpen (Belgium)

Antwerpen is my go-to weekend getaway once I’m feeling that wanderlust setting in.  Though I’ve been to Antwerp so many occasions that I can’t even rely, it nonetheless manages to supply extra issues to do.  To be honest, most of my time in Antwerpen has revolved round sitting in beer bars and exploring the museums.  Though you’ll hear Flemsih, the accent sounds a bit completely different and the Belgians actually know how you can eat well.

Aachen (Germany)

Solely an hour from Maastricht, Aachen is a historical past geek’s dream vacation spot.  Right here, you may see Charlemagne’s burial place inside the epic Aachen Cathedral together with items from the treasury.  A part of the appeal of Aachen is simply strolling round this metropolis, though you can also make a weekend of visiting Aachen by combining it with the picturesque Monschau, a wonderful German city with half-timbered homes and a medieval middle.

Brussels (Belgium)

Only a quick hop away from the Netherlands, Brussels feels acquainted but completely different.  The distinctive French-style structure makes Brussels a deal with to discover, particularly for lovers of comics and road artwork.  Chocolate lovers may also be in heaven as they pattern goodies from among the most well-known chocolatiers on this planet.  Regardless of its fame, Brussels feels sufficiently small which you can reliably discover it throughout a soothing weekend as you expertise the most effective of each side of Belgium. 

Paris (France)

Even if you happen to’ve been to Paris earlier than, Paris is so giant that you just’ll discover one thing new whether or not you plan to–or not.  Past the enduring sights, Paris has one thing for nearly everybody.  Throughout our time residing in Paris, I spent numerous hours exploring the key courtyards and its coated passages.  I nonetheless have the sensation that I would like one other million years to see the corners of Paris that I’ve missed.  

London (U.Ok.)

Due to the Eurostar, you may be in London in solely three hours! London jogs my memory of a number of New York.  It may be loud, soiled, and crowded.  London can be charming, numerous, and cultured.  A weekend in London is simply sufficient to get a style of this numerous capital metropolis.  Click on for a information to London.