NETHERLANDS

TRAVEL IN THE NETHERLANDS

It's funny to think that this small, low-lying and almost completely flat country in northern Europe has had such an enormous impact on world culture. But then, this is the land that gave the world masters like Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and gave the names to places like New York, Brooklyn and Harlem.

Today’s Netherlands is a land of friendly and laidback locals, charming cities and beautiful waterways. It could just become your new favourite travel destination.

FAST FACTS
Language: Dutch
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 230V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter the Netherlands.
Dialing Code: +31
Time Zone: (GMT+01:00)

ABOUT CONTIKI
From quick breaks to epic journeys, Contiki exists to connect young travellers with the time of their lives.
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Try the Heineken experience

The old Heineken brewery was built in 1867, and this interactive tour of the premises is one of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam. You'll learn about the history and the mechanics of how the company's famous pilsner is brewed, and - like any good brewery tour – end the trip with a session in the tasting room. Hangovers pretty much guaranteed.
Cruise the canals of Amsterdam

Known as the 'Venice of the North', Amsterdam is criss-crossed by an impressive network of over 100km of canals. Hence, a canal cruise is one of the main Amsterdam attractions, and it's easy to see why - bobbing gently along the water, you're perfectly placed to get a feel for the city and catch many of its major sights, which is why we're classing this as a Holland travel essential.
See the tulips at Keukenhof…

Keukenhof is one of the world's largest flower gardens, and also one of its most beautiful. It's only open for eight weeks of the year, but during this time its impressive 79 acres of flowerbeds showcase over seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in full bloom.
...and the mill network at Kinderdijk-Elshout

Originally constructed in 1740 to help with drainage in the small and notoriously flood-prone village of Kinderdijk, this network of 19 windmills is the largest of its kind in the Netherlands. It became a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997 and is now one of the most famous sights in the country. The best way to see them? Get on your bike for the authentic Netherlands experience.
Visit Hoge Veluwe National Park

Around 55 square kilometres of beautiful heathlands, sand dunes and woodlands await you here, in the Netherlands' largest national park. Such is the Dutch enthusiasm for cycling that there's a 1700-strong network of bicycles, known as the 'White Bikes', which you can use to explore the park for free, as well as a campsite if you making getting properly stuck in.

Things to do in the Netherlands

Whether you've come for the culture, the legendary Amsterdam clubs or just to see the pretty canals of Utrecht, there's plenty to keep you occupied in the Netherlands. Here are our top tips for Netherlands travel 2022.

North Sea Jazz Festival
Rotterdam
North Sea Jazz Festival was never what you might call a slow-burner. In 1976, its very first year, it featured the likes of Miles Davis, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie, and has been packing them in ever since. Held over a weekend in Rotterdam, it's one of the most prestigious festivals in Holland.

For more information on the North Sea Jazz Festival, click here.
Koningsdag
Amsterdam
This Dutch national holiday is celebrated throughout the Netherlands, but it's in Amsterdam where things really kick off. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets and turn the place into a giant carnival, where music, dancing and revelry continuing well into the wee hours. King's Day is also notable for its nationwide flea market, making it a great time to pick up a bargain.

For more information on Koningsdag, click here.
Lowlands
Biddinghuizen
LowLands is a three-day festival of music and performing arts, and it's one of the most popular in the country. Held a short hop from Amsterdam in a series of outsized tents (the main one is the size of a football field!), it offers an international line-up of rock, pop and dance music as well as street theatre, cabaret performances and more.

For more information on Lowlands, click here.
Best Kept Secret Festival
Hilvarenbeek
While Best Kept Secret's lakeside setting in Beekse Bergen safari park is wonderfully scenic, it's the lineup that really draws the crowds. Here you'll find top name acts alongside next-big-things from the worlds of indie, folk, hip-hop, rock, electronica and dance music, making it one of the best Dutch music events.

For more information on Best Kept Secret Festival, click here.
Pitch Festival
Amsterdam
One of the most popular music events in Amsterdam, Pitch Festival is held in a redeveloped factory site within easy walking distance of the city centre. The industrial buildings are an atmospheric setting for the more intimate shows, and there's a large outdoor stage for the heavy hitters. The vibe is contemporary with a lineup that blends live bands with DJs.

For more information on Pitch Festival, click here.
Amsterdam Open Air
Amsterdam Open Air was designed to take the famed Amsterdam nightlife to the festival stages, so expect things to get loud, late and banging. A predominantly Dutch roster of electronic artists and DJs take care of the beats, while a range of artisan caterers ensure you won't go hungry. Pitch your tent and get ready to party!

For more information on Amsterdam Open Air festival, click here.

Top 6 Festivals in Netherlands

They love a party, the Dutch, which means there are plenty of Dutch festivals to choose from. These are our pick of the best.

Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam
This national museum of arts and history is the most visited in the country. Here you'll find your Rembrandts and Vermeers and a host of other works from the Dutch Golden Age, as well as a large and varied collection of exhibits from the 13th to 21st centuries including costumes, furniture and even dolls' houses.

For more information on the Rijksmuseum, click here.
Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam
This museum is home to the largest collection of Van Gogh's works in the world, so as you'd expect it's one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam - book early to avoid a lengthy queue. As well as prized masterpieces by the tortured genius, there's a roving exhibition of famous works from around the world.

For more information on the Van Gogh Museum, click here.
Anne Frank Huis
Amsterdam
Anne Frank's story has captivated the imagination of millions, and a visit to the place where she went into hiding and penned her famous diary is an essential Netherlands travel experience. Though one of the world's most famous museums it's also one of its smallest, so pre-booking is essential.

For more information on the Anne Frank House, click here.
Stedelijk Museum
Amsterdam
Amsterdam's premier museum of contemporary and modern art houses many important works by the likes of Mondrian, Kandinsky and Matisse. Located in Amsterdam's Museum Quarter, it's an easy stroll from other Holland travel essentials like the Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum, so you can tick them all off in one go.

For more information on the Stedelijk Museum, click here.
Museum Willet-holthuysen
Amsterdam
This fully furnished canal-house museum is perhaps the grandest in the city. Originally built for the Mayor of Amsterdam in the late 17th century, it was bequeathed to the city by its last owner in 1895 on the condition that it became a museum, and has been offering visitors a unique viewpoint on Amsterdam canal life ever since.

For more information on the Museum Willet-Holthuysen, click here.

Top 5 Museums & Galleries in Netherlands

The Netherlands is a huge draw for lovers of art and culture, and there are many world-class museums and galleries throughout the country. We've come up with a top five to help you plan your Holland travel 2015.

Bitterballen
These meaty deep-fried balls have a crunchy outer with a deliciously gooey filling, making them one of the most popular beer snacks in the country. Eat them dipped in mustard, just like the locals.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Café Luxembourg, Spui 24, 1012 XA Amsterdam}
Patat met
In terms of street food, the French fry is king in the Netherlands, and there is perhaps nothing more quintessentially Dutch than a paper cone of piping hot crispy fries slathered heavily with mayonnaise. Other popular toppings - curry sauce with chopped raw onions - are also worth a try.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx, Voetboogstraat 31, 1012 Amsterdam}
Haring
Holland's answer to sushi, raw herring is sold at fish stands throughout the country. Eat it served on a plate cut into chunks with raw onions and pickles on the side, or tackle it the traditional way - grab it by the tail, dip it in onions then pop it in your mouth whole. It's said to be a great hangover recipe, but we'll let you judge that one for yourselves.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Schmidt Zeevis, Vasteland 60, 3011 BM Rotterdam}
Stamppot
This hearty dish is Dutch comfort food at its best. It's a mash of potatoes with a combination of other vegetables (take your pick from the likes of carrot, onion, kale, sauerkraut, spinach and endive) and is usually served with rookworst, a smoked Dutch sausage, and plenty of gravy.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Stamppotje, Haarlemmerstraat 14, Amsterdam}
Stroopwafel
Stroopwafels are made from two thin layers of baked dough, with a syrupy caramel filling in between. Balanced over the top of a cup of tea or coffee until the biscuit softens and the filling melts, they make a delicious teatime snack.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Albert Cuyp Market, Albert Cuypstraat, Amsterdam (or Lanskroon, Singel 385, 1012 WL Amsterdam)}

Food in The Netherlands

Traditional Dutch cuisine is rustic and simple, with hearty stews, meats, vegetables, cheeses and bread making up the bulk of the typical meal. As you'd expect from a country with such a seafaring heritage, fish is also a key player in the Dutch diet, so keep an eye out for delicacies such as smoked eels and brined herring.

The country's former colonies have brought in many different culinary influences from around the world (there are a huge number Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam, for example), so the Netherlands is now a very different place and dining options are much more cosmopolitan, particularly in the major cities.

Check out our list of five must-try Dutch dishes.

What To Pack?

A GPS enabled phone - Amsterdam is a warren of confusing streets and it's incredibly easy to get lost here. Load up your map of the city on the hotel wifi to avoid those roaming charges.

Bicycle clips - This is a country to explore on foot, or - like the locals - on two wheels. Don't let your trousers get tangled up in the cranks.

An umbrella - Summer weather in Holland is typically warm and sunny, but you never really know here. It pays to be prepared for showers!

A backpack - Where else are you going to store your umbrella? Throw in a waterproof jacket for good measure.

Sensible walking shoes - Barcelona and Seville in particular have a number of cobbled streets. Ladies don’t be caught out struggling in high heels!

An adapter plug - The Netherlands uses the European standard 2-pin plug.

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