Amsterdam is an amazing city but there is a lot more to the Netherlands than just the city of canals. If you’re a local or visiting Amsterdam, check out these 5 fantastic day trips you can take from the lively capital. This is a great way to witness the Dutch countryside, visit other towns with small, cute cafés and even some magnificent castles! Have you been craving a day out of the busy streets of Amsterdam? Are you craving a road trip abroad? Or do you just have a couple of extra days in your itinerary and you want to explore more of the Netherlands? If you answered yes to any of those questions, stick around and I will tell you about FIVE great towns to visit outside of Amsterdam. All a short car/bus/train ride from Amsterdam Central.
Before we jump into the details, I would like to answer the most frequently asked question: How many days should I spend in Amsterdam? I would recommend 3 full days. This duration is just the right amount of time. Spend 2 days exploring the great city of Amsterdam and leave 1 full day to enjoy the countryside that I will take you through today!
1. Zaanse Schans
About Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a beautiful riverside town. It has historic clapboard houses and windmills from the 18th century. Some of these windmills are still working and you can hop in to see how they work. They were and are still being used to grind spices, produce paint, saw wood, and make oil.
Along with the windmills, you can see how the iconic Dutch footwear, Clogs are made. There is a wooden shoe workshop that shows you how Clogs are made, and you can also purchase a pair! It is also a great place to buy some souvenirs.
How to get to Zaanse Schans?
Rental Car
It is a quick 20-minute car ride from Amsterdam and a very scenic one I would say.
Public Transportation
Take:
If renting a car is not an option, taking public transportation is also a great option. Take Bus 391 Zaandam, Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam Centraal and get off at Zaandam, Zaanse Schans.
It is a 40–45-minute scenic bus ride that takes you right to the center of Zaanse Schans
2. Volendam
About Volendam
Volendam is well-known for its beautiful old harbor, fish trade, seafood, colorful timber houses, and traditional clothing!
This is a great place to try some Poffertjes! It’s a traditional Dutch batter treat. Resembling small, fluffy pancakes. They have light; spongy texture and we’re served with custard. There are a lot of street vendors just lined up in the harbor.
How to get to Volendam?
Rental Car
It is a quick 23-minute car ride from Amsterdam Central.
Public Transportation
Take:
Take Bus 316 Volendam-Edam from Amsterdam Centraal and get off at Katwoude, Hotel Volendam. It is a 24-30-minute bus ride to Volendam.
3. De haar castle
About De Haar Castle
De Haar Castle is one of the largest castles of Holland and is just a 30 mins drive from Amsterdam Central. Castle De Haar has everything you would expect from a castle: towers, turrets, moats, gates, and suspension bridges.
There is a park you could also visit on its own if you don’t want to go into the castle. A great afternoon picnic in the park looking at this magnificent castle definitely sounds like something I want to do next time I’m visiting and if you have the museum card, it’s a free entrance to the castle.
💰Park visit: €7
💰Castle visit: €18 (entrance to the park incl.)
How to get to De Haar Castle?
Rental Car
It is a 30-minute car ride from Amsterdam Central
Public Transportation:
Take:
- Sprinter 4023 Rotterdam Centraal from Amsterdam Centraal and get off at Breukelen.
- Once off at Breukelen, take Bus 524 Woerden from Breukelen and get off at Kockengen, Dreef.
- Once off at Kockengen, Dreef, take Bus 127 Vleuten Station from Kockengen, Dreef and get off at Haarzuilens, Eikslaan/Kasteel.
This commute is a bit longer on public transportation. 2 buses, 1 sprinter, and a full 1 hour 40 minutes later you will reach the castle but once you’ve reached there, it is so much worth it. You can also make a whole day out of it. Spend some time exploring the castle in the afternoon and once you’re tired, throw yourself a small picnic under a tree in the garden while taking in the view of the magnificent castle, making you feel like a royal and as if you’re enjoying a picnic in your own garden. Lastly, wait for the sunset if you wish and return to Amsterdam.
4. Kinderdijk
About Kinderdijk
The windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the best-known Dutch tourist spots. The name Kinderdijk is Dutch for “Children dike” and etymology says, “During the Saint Elizabeth flood of 1421, the Grote Hollandse Waard(nearby area) flooded, but the Alblasserwaard polder stayed unflooded. It is often said that when the horrendous storm had subsided, a villager went to the dike between these two areas to inspect what could be salvaged.
In the distance, he saw a wooden cradle floating on the water. As it came nearer, some movement was noted, and upon closer investigation, a cat was found, trying to keep it in balance by leaping back and forth in such a manner that water couldn’t flood the cradle. As the cradle eventually came close enough to the dike for a bystander to pick up the cradle, he saw that a baby was quietly sleeping inside it, nice and dry. The cat had kept the cradle balanced and afloat.” Also, they have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
If you only have 1 day, I recommend Kinderdijk over any other day trips. Waterways, footpaths, and bike trails crisscross the area, leading to the main visitors’ center and museums in preserved working windmills.
How to get to Kinderdijk?
Rental Car
It is a 1-hour 12-minute car ride from Amsterdam Central
Public Transportation:
Take:
- Sprinter 4037 Rotterdam Centraal from Amsterdam Centraal and get off at Rotterdam Alexander.
- Once off at Rotterdam Alexander, take Bus 36 Kralingse Zoom from Station Alexander and get off at Rotterdam, Kralingse Zoom.
- Once off at Rotterdam, Kralingse Zoom, take RET Metro C Bus 489 Nieuw-Lekkerland via Kinderdijk (Red line) from Rotterdam, Kralingse Zoom and get off at Kinderdijk, De Klok.
In total, it will take you 2 hours 21 minutes. If you don’t have a rental car and don’t want to take public transportation, there are different companies that have day excursions to Kinderdijk.
5. Delft
About Delft
On to our last town, Delft. Delft is this small, cute canal town. Next time I’m in Amsterdam, I actually want to stay here for a couple of days. There are so many cafes, and I can totally see myself reading a book every afternoon while sipping on my latte. There is a lot more to this town than just the small city vibe. Delft is a popular tourist destination in the Netherlands, famous for its blue pottery, and for being home to the painter Jan Vermeer. The town has a central market square with different street vendors and right in the square, there is an old church opposite the City Hall that is worth visiting. If you have some time, go up to the top of the church tower for some never-ending views of Delft.
How to get to Delft?
Rental Car:
It is a 50-minute drive from Amsterdam Centraal.
Public Transportation:
There is a direct train from Amsterdam Centraal to Delft and takes only 1 hour.
Take:
Intercity 2274 Vlissingen from Amsterdam Centraal and get off at Delft.
These are 5 fantastic day trips you can take from Amsterdam. If there is a rental car at your disposal, you can do all of these in one day, something I had done. But obviously, not everyone is comfortable with driving and so there are other options. Pick one or two towns that you think you will like the most and head out for a great adventure. Bookmark this for your next trip to Amsterdam, the city of canals.
Don’t forget to check out more itineraries on my website Mrshutterup! And follow along with me on my adventures through my Instagram @mrshutterup.
If you liked this, please check out my other city blog/itineraries and leave a comment! Also, let me know what else you would like me to cover on my next city blog in the comments below. I would really appreciate it. Lastly, check out my most recent blog post about Denali National Park in Alaska
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Great suggestions for Amsterdam! Thanks!
Thank you! Reach out if you need any additional help or have questions! Will be glad to help! 🙂