Country guide

Netherlands

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.

Amsterdam
Photograph · Diliff · CC BY 2.5

Amsterdam 2,839 places

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

January: seasonal closure recorded
February: seasonal closure recorded
March: no seasonality data recorded
April: no seasonality data recorded
May: no seasonality data recorded
June: no seasonality data recorded
July: no seasonality data recorded
August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
September: no seasonality data recorded
October: no seasonality data recorded
November: no seasonality data recorded
December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

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

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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.

🇳🇱Netherlands

Cities

Practical information

Planning a visit

Top things to see

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Brouwerij 't IJ

Café ‘t Mandje

In't Aepjen

Reijnders

Scheltema

Schiller

Advocatuur

AnnA

Aran

BAR

Barrica

Bar Tolhuistuin

Beer Temple

Benelux Bar

Bertus

Blend Coffee and Wine

BrewDog

Bubbles Seafood & Wine Bar

Café Aquarius

Café Baco

Café Bar De Duivel

Café Bloemers

Café De Blauwe Pan

Cafe de Huyschkamer

Café de Oude Werf

Cafe in the City

Café Mulder

Café Struis

Café 't Blauwhooft

Café 't Hooischip

Café 't Mannetje

Club Church

Dammer's Tap

De Blauwe Parade

De Drie Fleschjes

De Heksenketel

De Lachende Gulden

De Nachtegaal

Drake's Cruising

Durty Nelly's

Dwaze Zaken

Executive Lounge

Expocafé Zamen

Festina Lente

GlouGlou

Het Paviljoen

Hoopman

La Tertulia Coffeeshop

Lion's Head Restaurant & Brewery

Manhattan Lounge Bar & Terrace

Mankind

Molly Malone's

Mulligans

Radion

Rembrandt Corner

Rijncantine

Shelter

Spelletjescafé 2 Klaveren

The All Out

tHuis aan de Amstel

't nieuwe diep

Vindict

Walhalla

Wispe Proeflokaal

Wynand Fockink

Za

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Air

Amore Cafe

Amsterdamse Academische Club (UvA)

Anadolu

Anno1890

Arendsnest

Arie Op De Hoek

Netherlands