Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Netherlands

A photograph of Netherlands
Photograph · Michielverbeek · CC BY-SA 4.0

Twenty-six per cent of the Netherlands lies below sea level, and the polders holding that water back have been under construction since the fourteenth century. The 2026 census counted 18,130,208 people on 33,500 km2 of land, a density of 541 to the square kilometre, and that figure is what a visitor actually experiences: towns arriving one after another with worked farmland in between rather than open country. Twelve provinces sit in Europe. Three further special municipalities belong to the same country and are nowhere near it, out in the Caribbean.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Dutch
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+31
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
112
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and F · 230 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Safe from the mains
Dutch public drinking water is regulated for direct consumption

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Bimhuis
    03 1 hour

    Bimhuis

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  2. Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam
    04 1 hour

    Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam

    The Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam, locally known as Internationaal Theater Amsterdam, stands as a prominent municipal theatre in Amsterdam's city centre. This historic building serves as a major venue for Dutch-language theatre productions and international performances.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  3. AFAS Live
    05 1 hour

    AFAS Live

    AFAS Live is a mid-scale concert venue located in Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  4. Carré Theatre
    06 1 hour

    Carré Theatre

    Koninklijk Theater Carré is a historic theatre located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The venue was established in the late nineteenth century and has served as a prominent cultural institution in the city for well over a century.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  5. DeLaMar
    08 1 hour

    DeLaMar

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  6. W139
    10 1 hour

    W139

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  7. OCCII
    11 1 hour

    OCCII

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  8. De Balie
    19 1 hour

    De Balie

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  9. Vondel statue
    22 1 hour

    Vondel statue

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  10. De Dokwerker
    24 1 hour

    De Dokwerker

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  11. Het Lieverdje
    27 1 hour

    Het Lieverdje

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  12. Orgelpark
    28 1 hour

    Orgelpark

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  13. Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ
    33 1 hour

    Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

    Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ is a concert hall in Amsterdam situated on the IJ waterfront. The building serves as a major venue for contemporary classical music and jazz performances.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  14. Melkweg
    34 1 hour

    Melkweg

    Melkweg is a prominent music venue and cultural centre in Amsterdam. The name translates to Milky Way in English. It occupies a former dairy factory, which accounts for its distinctive industrial character.

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  15. 270 degrees
    36 1 hour

    270 degrees

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  16. ADM-Monument
    38 1 hour

    ADM-Monument

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  17. Ajourrelief
    39 1 hour

    Ajourrelief

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  18. Amphitrite
    41 1 hour

    Amphitrite

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  19. Angstig konijn
    44 1 hour

    Angstig konijn

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  20. Ankh
    45 1 hour

    Ankh

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  21. Argus
    47 1 hour

    Argus

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  22. Bandenboot
    50 1 hour

    Bandenboot

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  23. Blauwe Boog
    52 1 hour

    Blauwe Boog

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  24. Blauw Jan
    53 1 hour

    Blauw Jan

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  25. Boegbeeld
    54 1 hour

    Boegbeeld

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  26. Bokkenrijder
    55 1 hour

    Bokkenrijder

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  27. Bolgewas
    56 1 hour

    Bolgewas

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  28. Borstplaat
    57 1 hour

    Borstplaat

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  29. Brugknuffel
    59 1 hour

    Brugknuffel

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  30. Buizenkolom
    60 1 hour

    Buizenkolom

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  31. Butterflies
    63 1 hour

    Butterflies

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  32. Cascade
    64 1 hour

    Cascade

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  33. Communicatie
    65 1 hour

    Communicatie

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  34. Compositie
    66 1 hour

    Compositie

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  35. Curiosity 2015
    71 1 hour

    Curiosity 2015

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  36. De Bretten
    76 1 hour

    De Bretten

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  37. De hechtsteek
    79 1 hour

    De hechtsteek

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  38. De ratelaar
    82 1 hour

    De ratelaar

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  39. De Stam
    84 1 hour

    De Stam

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  40. De Wachter
    87 1 hour

    De Wachter

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  41. De wiedster
    89 1 hour

    De wiedster

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  42. De wildplasser
    90 1 hour

    De wildplasser

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  43. De wokkel
    91 1 hour

    De wokkel

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  44. Erotica
    95 1 hour

    Erotica

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  45. Familie
    97 1 hour

    Familie

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  46. Fata morgana
    98 1 hour

    Fata morgana

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam
  47. Fête galante
    99 1 hour

    Fête galante

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Amsterdam

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Netherlands be?

Six to nine days can use Amsterdam as one base while adding Utrecht, Haarlem, Rotterdam, or The Hague by train. Flower areas are seasonal and need confirmed opening dates, so they should not replace a permanent city day without checking the calendar.

What entry documents are needed for Netherlands?

The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area, and passport or visa requirements depend on nationality. Verify the applicable rule through the Dutch government's official entry service before travel.

What is the best way to travel around Netherlands?

Schiphol has a railway station beneath the airport, and the national network reaches roughly 400 stations. OVpay supports contactless check-in and check-out, but the same card or device must be used at both ends of a journey.

When is a practical time to visit Netherlands?

April to May suits spring flowers when opening dates align, while September is a broader city-trip option. Weather can change quickly, so protect outdoor cycling or garden plans with an indoor alternative.

What money and payment basics apply in Netherlands?

The Netherlands uses the euro (EUR). Contactless payment is widespread, but keep a compatible backup because a card used to check into transport must also be available to check out.

What practical safety details should I save for Netherlands?

Dial 112 for emergencies in the Netherlands. Type C and F sockets provide 230 V, and mains tap water is recorded as safe.