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.
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Amsterdam
Photograph · ESA (European Space Agency) · Attribution
Amsterdam 2,839 places
Practical information
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
- Seasonal closure recorded
- No data recorded for this month
- The current month
- 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.