Netherlands Tour Packages

1. About The Netherlands
2. Tidbits
3. Essential Tips To Know Before Travelling To The Netherlands
4. Our Best Netherlands Tour Packages
5. Netherlands At A Glance
6. Top Reasons To Visit The Netherlands
7. Best Time To Visit The Netherlands
8. Top Things To Do In The Netherlands
9. Foods To Try Out In The Netherlands
10. Dos and Don’ts For Indian Travellers
11. Shopping In The Netherlands
12. Top Cities to Visit In The Netherlands
13. Art And Culture In The Netherlands

Owing to its lack of natural borders or mountain ranges, the Netherlands couldn’t shield itself from invading neighbours. This led to the Netherlands being occupied substantially throughout its history. Parts of the country were ruled by various groups and tribes for centuries, including the Scandinavian Vikings, Germanic groups, Celtic tribes, Romans, Austrians, the Franks, and the Spanish.

The Dutch tried to oust the Spanish rulers in the late 1500s. The Netherlands finally gained independence from Spain in 1648 after the Eighty Years’ War, which lasted from 1568 to 1648. During the Napoleonic Wars, Holland was taken over by Napoleon, the Emperor of the French, who put his brother Louis Bonaparte on the throne. In 1814, the Netherlands regained its independence from France after Napoleon’s defeat.

For 25 years, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium were a single country called the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Belgium gained independence in 1839, and Luxembourg became independent in 1890.

Tourism is significant to the Netherlands’ economy, with numerous visitors flocking to the country every year to admire the Dutch art and architecture. Tulips, too, are a significant industry in the Netherlands, with Dutch farmers producing about 9 billion flower bulbs annually.

• Approximately 26% of the Netherlands is below sea level.
• The Netherlands has more than 1,000 historic windmills, many still in use.
• The Dutch are some of the tallest people in the world.
• The Netherlands has over 32,000 km of cycling route networks.
• The Netherlands is the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural products after the United States.
• The Netherlands has more bicycles than any other country and has more bikes than people.
• The Kroller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands has the world’s second-largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh.
• The country has the highest concentration of museums in the world.
• The Netherlands is the world’s leading flower bulb producer.
• The Netherlands was the first country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001.
• The Dutch national anthem, Wilhelmus, is the oldest national anthem in the world.
• The Netherlands has the world’s biggest ice skating race.

• Indian citizens need a Schengen visa to travel to the Netherlands.
• A Schengen visa takes about 15 calendar days to be processed from India.
• Tipping is customary if you’re eating at a Dutch restaurant. A 5% to 10% tip is sufficient if you enjoyed the services.
• The museums are a popular tourist attraction. We suggest you book ahead online to avoid waiting in queue.
• The Dutch value clear communication and punctuality. Remember to be punctual when making appointments with them.
• The Netherlands is a very eco-friendly country, so make sure not to litter.
• Several establishments in larger cities are entirely cashless, with app-based smart wallets and contactless cards becoming more common.
• Some establishments don’t accept cards, so you should carry cash and cards to be safe.
• While traditional Dutch food is based on meat, fish, and potatoes, almost every restaurant has a few veggie options on its menu.
• Carry a few ready-to-eat food packets if you don’t like bland food.
• The tap water in the country is of high quality and is safe to drink.

Looking for a reason to book our Netherlands tour packages? We have multiple of them listed below:

One of the most famous emblems of the Netherlands is the tulip. We may have seen Indian movies where vast swathes of tulip fields cover the flat terrain of the Netherlands. They are a major tourist attraction, with more than a million people visiting the Keukenhof Garden alone. Some of the famous tulip farms you can see in the Netherlands include Leiden, Alkmaar, The Hague, and Noordoostpolder.

Did you know tulips are not native to the Netherlands? They were imported from Turkey during the Ottoman Empire. Soon, they became a craze among the Dutch, almost ruining their economy. Today, the Netherlands is one of the largest exporters of tulips in the world, with over 60% of the nation’s agricultural land being used for tulip farming.

If you enjoy bike riding, the Netherlands is the place to be. Cycling is a way of life for the Dutch, thanks to the 32,000 km of bicycle paths. Numerous biking rentals are available throughout the Netherlands. It’s also a safe activity since cycling signage is omnipresent in the country, ensuring that riders adhere to the numbered markers.

Some routes are scenic, showcasing some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Netherlands. These include the sand dunes of Zandvoort, the windmills of Kinderdijk, the tulip fields of Noordoostpolder, and the polders of Waterland.

You can even break your cycling tour and take your bike on the train. But remember to place your bike in the appropriate car, as you could be fined for not doing so. Also, there are time restrictions for taking your bike on the train.

The temperate climate and lush pastures make the Netherlands perfect for dairy farming. Dutch cuisine is famous for its dairy products, viz., cheese and butter. Gouda is a famous soft cheese loved for its nutty and intense flavour. Vla is another popular dessert made from fresh cow milk.

From waffles and pancakes to fish and French fries, the cuisine of the country is eclectic and definitely something to try when you explore the nation with our Netherlands tour packages.

The food of the Netherlands varies according to its different regions. For instance, the southern part of the country is known for its pastries, fruit products, and stews. The western area focuses on spirits, fish, and dairy-based products, and the northern region is famous for its sausages, meats, and heavy rye bread.

The Netherlands has diverse landscapes for you to rest your eyes on, including mountains, forests, lakes, and beaches. Some mountainous regions you can explore in the Netherlands include Cauberg, Eyserbosweg, Keutenberg, Mount Saint Peter, and Vrouwenheide. Tourists can access these areas through mountain biking, strolling, or hiking.

Make sure to visit the white sand beaches in the country, where you can catch a pretty sunset or take a stroll along the shoreline. You can go to Zandvoort Beach, Katwijk Beach, and Scheveningen Beach.

Every corner of the Netherlands looks like a canvas, which is why it’s not surprising that the country gave birth to some of the most iconic artists the world has ever seen. Home to more than 438 museums, the Netherlands offers tourists the opportunity to witness the creations of artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, and so on.

If you listen closely, every turn and alley in the Netherlands has a story to tell about its past. This is evident through the country’s unique structures and architecture. The windmills and canals of the Netherlands, too, have a history of their own and have been playing an important role in boosting the country’s economy for centuries now.

The Dutch approach life with a pleasant attitude, and this sunny demeanour makes them some of the most wonderful people you will ever encounter. Given that the country has a standard of living that is universally recognised, a sense of friendliness and well-being is evident as you meet the people of this country. It’s also among the safest nations in the world, which is always a bonus when selecting a vacation spot.

The weather in the Netherlands is neither too hot nor too cold, making it ideal to visit throughout the year. Since the country has a flat terrain, you will only encounter a few mountainous regions, but the Netherlands more than makes up for it in other ways. Travelling the country with our Netherlands tour packages, you will encounter national parks, gardens, canals, hiking trails, and more.

Tulips are the most loved flowers in the country, and you will get to see them in plenty during spring. The peak season in the Netherlands is from June to August, and the off-season is from December to February. The shoulder season in the country is from March to May and September to November. Let’s now look at what each season in the Netherlands brings about so you can decide when to book our Netherlands tour packages accordingly.

The temperature during the spring season in the Netherlands oscillates between 5 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius. While March starts slightly cold, the weather eventually becomes warmer. If you book our Netherlands tour packages for March, make sure to pack some woollen clothes along with your summer dresses, as it can get cold at night. Remember to carry an umbrella in May when the chances of rainfall increase.

Since this is partially a shoulder season, you can get discounts on the accommodation and ticket prices now. The festivals you can experience during springtime in the Netherlands are the European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), Alkmaar Cheese Market, and Tong Tong Festival.

Summer is the peak travel season in the Netherlands, with thousands of tourists flocking to the country to relish all the views and activities. The temperature during this season fluctuates between 13 degrees Celsius and 22 degrees Celsius. Since the temperature is mild at this time, you can easily enjoy a tall glass of beer by the canals during the middle of the day without worrying about the heat. Summers are gorgeous in the country, with long days allowing you to engage in sightseeing activities.

As the peak tourist season, book our Netherlands tour packages in advance, as everything gets booked up beforehand. You can rent a bicycle to explore the country’s gems and relax on its sandy beaches. Remember to bring sunscreen and pack a lot of summer clothes for this season. The festivals that take place during this season in the Netherlands include the Holland Arts Festival, Sensation, Pinkpop Festival, Scheveningen International Fireworks Festival, and North Sea Jazz Festival.

During the autumn season, the temperature remains between 8 degrees Celsius and 14 degrees Celsius in the Netherlands. Since this is the shoulder season, you could save a lot of money on flight tickets and accommodation. This is also the rainy season in the country. Therefore, make sure to carry an umbrella if you visit the Netherlands in the fall. The festivals you can experience at this time are the International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam Marathon, Amsterdam Dance Event, and the Crossing Border Festival.

While the winter season is quite chilly in the Netherlands, it doesn’t get as cold as other European countries. The temperature at this time oscillates between -1 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius. As the country walks into December, you will see the spirit of Christmas all around, evident from the well-lit stores on the streets.

Those of you who want to travel on a budget can do so during the winter season in the Netherlands. Being the off-season in the country, you will get some decent discounts and deals on your accommodation and flights. Be sure to pack enough woollen clothes in your luggage so you can layer well and stay warm during the winter season. The festivals that take place in the Netherlands at this time include St. Nicholas’ Eve, National Tulip Day, the International Chamber Music Festival, and the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).

The Netherlands is brimming with art, culture, and history, which is something you will get to experience firsthand as you roam the country with our Netherlands tour packages. In addition to artistic inclinations, the adventurous side of a traveller is also taken care of by this country. Listed below are the many activities you can participate in, be it solo or with your family, during your vacation.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is dedicated to the works of the prolific Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. The architects of this museum were Kisho Kurokawa and Gerrit Rietveld, and it was inaugurated in June 1973. The museum is known to have the world’s biggest collection of Van Gogh’s drawings and paintings. It attracted 2.3 million visitors in 2017, making it the world’s 23rd most-visited art museum and also the most-visited museum in the Netherlands. The museum launched an immersive experience in 2019 known as the Meet Vincent Van Gogh Experience, taking tourists through the creations and life of the painter.

Vondelpark is a public park in Amsterdam. Inaugurated in 1865, it was initially called Nieuwe Park and later renamed after Joost van den Vondel, a Dutch playwright and poet. Sprawled over 47 hectares, it is visited by about 10 million people every year. The park is home to a playground, an open-air theatre, and food service facilities, including bars and restaurants.

The open-air theatre is known as the Vondelpark Openluchttheater. From June to August, you can catch performances of world music, pop music, classical music, cabaret, and musical theatre at this theatre. There is also the Friday Night Skate, which takes place in front of the Film Museum every Friday.

The Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands explores Dutch history and arts. Situated close to the Van Gogh Museum, it was founded in November 1798 in The Hague and moved to Amsterdam in 1808. Pierre Cuypers, the Dutch architect, designed the current structure, which was inaugurated in 1885. The building underwent renovation for a decade and was reopened in April 2013 by Queen Beatrix.

The museum is known to be the largest art museum in the Netherlands, displaying 8,000 pieces related to art and history. It was the most visited museum in the Netherlands in 2013 and 2014, when it drew 2.2 million and 2.47 million visitors, respectively.

The Rembrandt House Museum is dedicated to the life and works of Rembrandt van Rijn, the Dutch painter. It is located in a house that the painter inhabited from 1639 to 1658. Rembrandt purchased the house in 1639. However, he had to auction it off due to financial issues in order to repay his creditors. The house was then occupied by numerous families in the upcoming centuries. The building was bought by the municipality of Amsterdam in 1907 and then donated to the Rembrandthuis Foundation.

Karel de Bazel, A Dutch architect, renovated the house between 1907 and 1911, after which the museum was opened in June 1911. The first people to visit the museum were Queen Wilhelmina and Prince Hendrik.

Van Nellefabriek is one of the most brilliant examples of functionalist and modernist architecture. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. While Howard Robertson described it as “a poem in steel and glass,” Le Corbusier called it “the most beautiful spectacle of the modern age.” The buildings were constructed between 1925 and 1931. The architects behind the design were Leendert van der Vlugt and Jan Gerko Wiebenga, a civil engineer.

During the 20th century, it was a factory that processed coffee, tobacco, tea, cigarettes, chewing gum, rice, and pudding. In 2015, it was named one of the 25 Most Beautiful Factories in the World.

The Mauritshuis is a museum in The Hague which is renowned for the Flemish and Dutch paintings that it is home to, dating from the 15th to the 17th century. Containing almost 800 paintings, it proudly boasts exquisite pieces such as Rembrandt van Rijn’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp, Jacob van Ruisdael’s View of Haarlem with Bleaching Grounds, Carel Fabritius’ The Goldfinch, and Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring.

The collection was founded by William V, the Prince of Orange and the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic. Therefore, the country’s first public art collection was the Prince William V Gallery.

The De Haar Castle is situated outside the city of Utrecht in the Netherlands, and it’s the biggest castle in the country. The history of this castle can be traced back to 1391 when the castle and the surrounding lands were given to the De Haar family as a fiefdom by Hendrik van Woerden. The castle was owned by the family till 1440 when the last male heir of the family died without having a child. It then belonged to the Van Zuylen family. The castle burned down, and most of its walls were destroyed in 1482, except for the areas without a military function. These parts were probably integrated into the castle during the early 16th century when it was being rebuilt.

The Netherlands Open Air Museum is situated in the city of Arnhem in the Netherlands. The national open-air museum demonstrates what life was like in the country back in the old days and the culture of the ordinary people of the Netherlands. The park is spread over an area of 44 hectares and was opened to the public in 1918. It’s home to about 40 buildings, including farms, antique houses, and factories from various parts and historical eras of the country.

In 1996, a heritage tram line was incorporated into the museum. In 2005, the museum was given the European Museum of the Year Award. Receiving over 550,000 visitors each year, the museum has a collection of the country’s historic clothing and jewellery. It also showcases beer brewing, linseed production, and paper production.

The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to Anne Frank. She was a German-born Jewish girl who documented her life as she and her family hid amidst Nazi persecution while German was occupying the Netherlands. All of her observations and thoughts were preserved in her diary, which later got published as a book titled The Diary of a Young Girl or The Diary of Anne Frank. While the book was published in 1947, a foundation named the Anne Frank Foundation was created a decade later to save the biographical museum from the developers who wished to demolish the block.

The museum was opened in May 1960. It occupies three adjacent buildings located on a canal known as the Prinsengracht. The buildings contain the hiding place, a permanent exhibition showcasing Anne Frank’s life, and an exhibition space shedding light on the various forms of persecution and discrimination from that era.

The Kinderdijk windmills are a collection of 19 monumental windmills in South Holland. While one mill is part of the municipality of Alblasserdam, most of the mills belong to the Kinderdijk village in the municipality of Molenlanden. It is among the most renowned Dutch tourist sites and has the largest concentration of old windmills in the country.

Constructed in 1738 and 1740, these windmills were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. They are officially known as the Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout and have been listed as national monuments. As you visit the spot, you will be able to see the locks, mills, dikes, and waterways and see how the Dutch have been utilising the water for more than 1000 years.

The Sint Janskerk is an enormous Gothic church located in the city of Gouda in the Netherlands. Its most prominent and vivid feature is its stained-glass windows, which also made it to the list of the top 100 Dutch monuments. Dirk Crabeth, a Dutch painter, created these windows along with his brother, Wouter Crabeth I, and Lambert van Noort. Built during the 15th and 16th centuries, the church is dedicated to the patron saint of Gouda, John the Baptist.

A huge part of the church, including the archives, burned down in 1552. A tower was constructed around 1350, and the foundation for the choir seen today was built in 1485. This expansion made the church the longest one in the Netherlands.

Situated in the province of Gelderland is the De Hoge Veluwe National Park, a Dutch national park covering 14,000 acres. The park, which includes woodlands, sand dunes, and heathlands, was established in 1909 by a couple named Anton Kröller and Helene Kroller-Muller. In 1923, wildlife was imported while the park was being constructed, and the hunting lodge and fences were still under construction.

One of the best ways to experience the wildlife and natural beauty of the park is by going on a safari. A forester takes tourists on a four-hour walk to witness the wildlife observation posts.

• Cycling
• Ziplining
• Ice skating
• Surfing
• Wakeboarding
• Flyboarding

The best thing about the food in the Netherlands, as you will discover with our Netherlands tour packages, is that it is immensely eclectic. Although it’s hugely inspired by French cuisine and sticks deeply to its traditions, it also has a hint of Arabian, Indonesian, Chinese, Turkish, and North African cuisines. If you’re travelling to the Netherlands from India, you’d be delighted to learn that Indian cuisine, too, has left a mark on Dutch food.

Most of Dutch cuisine consists of meat, potatoes, and bread. Served in huge quantities, Dutch food is superbly wholesome, striking a balance between savoury and sweet. Let’s explore the dishes you absolutely must consume during your holiday in the Netherlands.

Poffertjes refers to the fluffy, round, and small Dutch pancakes that you’re sure to have as a snack at least once during your trip. Created using buckwheat flour and yeast, these pancakes are baked in a poffertjes pan, which is a special pan. When these pancakes are available at outdoor events and festivals, you will usually find them being served on a piece of cardboard paper.

Although pancakes are typically breakfast food, the Dutch variant is mainly eaten as a snack. While powdered sugar and melted butter are the conventional toppings for these pancakes, a couple of non-traditional topping options exist as well. These include rum, fresh fruit, and whipped cream.

Kibbeling is a popular Dutch snack made from chunks of fish. These fish pieces are coated in batter, then deep-fried and served with a dipping sauce, such as garlic sauce, whiskey sauce, ravigote, or remoulade.

Kibbeling is traditionally a street food item and is eaten as a snack in the Netherlands. However, it is often made as a part of dinner meals, too, where it is usually paired with salad, French fries, and a sauce of one’s choice. The fish is fried until it is golden and wonderfully crispy, and you will easily find this snack available at numerous market stalls in the country.

Appeltaart, as the name probably suggests, is a traditional Dutch apple pie, which is often consumed with a cup of coffee. While it is similar to the conventional apple pie in several ways, it differs from the traditional recipe as well in other ways. For example, this Dutch apple pie is deeper as it is baked in a spring-form pan. Its interior is drier compared to the traditional apple pie and is filled with huge apple chunks, raisins, and currants. When you eat an apple tart, you will find it full of lemon juice, cinnamon, and other warm spices.

Stroopwafel is the name for the delicious Dutch waffle cookies that consist of two layers of sweet baked dough and a caramel filling in the middle. The ingredients needed to make this sweet dish include flour, milk, yeast, eggs, and brown sugar. These cookies were invented in the city of Gouda during the late 18th century, and sources suggest that a baker named Gerard Kamphuisen was behind this creation.

In the Netherlands, stroopwafels are usually eaten with tea or coffee. Customs dictate that a cookie be placed on top of a cup and steamed for a couple of minutes. This is done so that the heat softens the syrupy layer.

Another type of pancakes? Oh yes; after all, the Netherlands is known for its pancakes. Pannekoek is a variety of Dutch pancakes whose thickness falls between crepes and American pancakes. Made using flour, eggs, milk, and salt, these unique pancakes are eaten during breakfast and consumed throughout the day.

The ingredients typically used to create these pancakes include cinnamon, apples, sugar, and molasses syrup. However, some cooks like to add cheese and bacon to the mix when they are made as a wholesome lunch. These pancakes are also popular in South Africa and Belgium, where they are commonly served with cinnamon sugar and a single lemon wedge.

Oliebollen, also known as oliebol, is a snack consumed by the Dutch and Belgians. These deep-fried doughnuts have a soft and chewy interior and a crunchy exterior. The dough is created using milk, flour, yeast, eggs, and baking powder, and then it is deep-fried.

While some like to sprinkle these doughnuts with powdered sugar, others stuff the filling with currants or raisins. You will often find these fritters available at fairs around the country, and they are especially popular during Christmas and New Year celebrations. When you have these doughnuts, consume them with a hot cup of coffee.

Bitterballen is a Dutch meat-based snack that is deep-fried and coated with breadcrumbs. These bite-sized beef and gravy croquettes are popular snacks in the Netherlands, and they are often consumed with a glass of beer.
The filling of this snack is made using flour, beef, beef broth, and a variety of seasonings, which is what makes this a hearty snack. However, some also use different elements to make the stuffing, such as mushrooms, chicken, or veal. You will mostly find these snacks served at a brown cafe in the Netherlands, referring to cosy and traditional bars with a dark wooden interior. These bars usually have a brown stain that results from years of tobacco smoke.

• Always shake hands with everyone you meet, be it men, women, or children, and introduce yourself while doing so.
• In Dutch culture, first names are usually reserved for family members and close friends. Wait till you’re invited to move to a first-name basis.
• Don’t shout a greeting if someone is far away, as it is considered impolite. Instead, wave if you’re greeting someone from a distance.
• If you’re planning to visit someone, always call or text them to inform them instead of showing up unannounced.
• Always bring a gift for the host, such as chocolates, flowers, cookies, or potted plants. If the hosts have children, remember to get them a little treat.
• Don’t ask the host for a tour of their home, as it could be considered an invasion of their privacy.
  Don’t start having your meal unless everyone is present at the table.
• Don’t keep your hands above the table until you are done eating.
• Unless someone has specifically mentioned that they will be paying the bill, offer to split the bill or pay for your share of the food.

The shopping scene in the Netherlands is very intricately tied to the culture of the country. Listed below are the souvenirs you can check out at the markets during your vacation and some of the best places to shop in the Netherlands:

Traditional wooden clogs are a symbol of the rustic heritage of the Netherlands, representing elements of the era gone by. These clogs were mainly worn by labourers and farmers as their protective exterior made it easier for them to work in wet and muddy conditions. During the winter season, they provided ample insulation so that the feet would remain protected against injuries in an agricultural environment.

There is no way one can separate the thought of tulips from the thought of the Netherlands, as the two are so intimately woven together. The flowers became the country’s national icon after the 17th century when the ‘Tulip Mania’ hit the country. They hold a special space in Dutch culture, and tulip bulbs are a great way to fill your home with elegance and colour.

The Netherlands produces various kinds of cheeses, with Gouda cheese being one of the most popular kinds. You will also find cheese being offered as a dessert in several meals around the country. In addition to having these for your meals, you can bring them back home for yourself and your loved ones.
When packaged properly and carried in a limited amount, you can easily stuff some Dutch cheese in your suitcase. Remember that you can also buy cheese from the airport on your way back home, which is always an easier option.

With an impressive body of work, Vincent van Gogh is undoubtedly one of the most influential Dutch painters to have ever existed. If you’re a fan of his artistic creations, then you can purchase them in the form of prints to add a touch of Dutch art to the walls of your home.

Amsterdam is known for many things, one of them being its history during the Second World War. It served as a hiding place for Anne Frank and her family, the period which has been documented articulately in the book titled The Diary of Anne Frank or The Diary of a Young Girl. You can purchase this book during your vacation with our Netherlands tour packages so as to get a deeper insight into the experiences someone her age had during the Nazi occupation.

The city of Delft in South Holland gave birth to the iconic blue and white pottery that the Netherlands is famous for. The porcelain production in this region can be traced back to the 17th century. Over time, Delftware has been created to commemorate the significant events in Holland’s history. These pieces come in various shapes and sizes, and you can purchase ornaments, plates, clocks, and even creamers containing these blue and white colours.

• De Negen Straatjes: For vintage clothes, designer items, speciality shops, and cafes.
• Utrechtsestraat: For boutiques, speciality stores, bath accessories, and tableware.
• Van Oldenbarneveltstraat: For cheese, sweets, ceramics, shoes, designer handbags, jackets, and coats.
• Oude Binnenweg: For designer wear, antiques, bakeries, bars.
• Denneweg: For bars, restaurants, antique stores, fashion items.

• The period between July and August is when the most sales take place in the country, which is perfect since it coincides with the peak tourist season.
• Many stores clear out their warehouses in June, which means that luxury designer items can be obtained at extremely low prices.
• Most of the big shopping centres in the Netherlands open at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. and close at around 10 p.m. They don’t stay closed during holidays or weekends.
• The large markets, outlet stores, and supermarkets open at around 8 a.m. and close between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Many of these stores remain open for a shorter period of time on Saturdays or Sundays.
• Since Amsterdam is an eco-friendly city, remember to bring a tote bag or a reusable bag to carry everything you shop for so that you don’t have to pay repeatedly for plastic bags.

Amsterdam is the Netherlands’s capital and the most populated city in the country. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of the North’, the canals present in the city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built around a network of canals, the city is also famous for its liberal culture, artistic richness, and enthralling history. It’s a bicycle-friendly city where cycling is vital to everyday life. Some of the main attractions of Amsterdam include the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, the Dam Square, and the Hortus Botanicus.

Located in South Holland, Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands. The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is the largest seaport in Europe. Although the Second World War left the city in ruins, you can never predict so by looking at its current condition. This is because modern-day Rotterdam is filled with some of the most stunning examples of architecture. The must-see sights in Rotterdam include the Erasmusbrug, Euromast, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, and Rotterdam Zoo.

The Hague is the capital of the South Holland province of the Netherlands, and it is also the country’s third-largest city. The city is home to numerous courts, international offices, and embassies, but it’s so much more than just the black robes and courts. Ever since the time of the Dutch Republic, The Hague has been described as the de facto capital of the Netherlands. This is because it’s the seat of government of the country and also its administrative centre. The spots you can visit in The Hague are Kunstmuseum Den Haag, Escher in the Palace, Peace Palace, Madurodam, and Mauritshuis.

Utrecht is the most populous city of the province of Utrecht and its capital. It is also the country’s fourth-largest city. Famous for being the student capital, it has several affordable spots to grab a meal, drink, and party. Some of the city’s most attractive elements are its young ambience, open markets, and bars.
Some famous sightseeing spots in Utrecht are the Railway Museum, Dom Tower, Museum Speelklok, Rietveld Schroder House, and Utrecht Botanic Gardens. The city is also home to the largest university in the Netherlands, Utrecht University.

Perched between The Hague to the northwest and Rotterdam to the southeast is the city of Delft. It’s a part of the Randstad and the Rotterdam–The Hague metropolitan area. When you go sightseeing in Delft, the spots you can add to your itinerary include the Nieuwe Church, Museum Prinsenhof Delft, Old Church, Vermeer Centrum Delft, and Royal Delft.

During the 17th century, the painting of the Dutch Golden Age gained immense popularity. The art saw a shift from the 1620s, departing from the Baroque style, moving towards more realistic depictions, and focussing on scenes from the real world. This included cityscapes, landscapes, portraiture, historical, and genre paintings. Boards often requested group portraits of trustees, regents, and important members of a city’s civilian guard. An example of this was Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. Amsterdam Impressionism almost coincided with French Impressionism during the mid-19th century. This is when Vincent van Gogh’s works came into the limelight, gaining attention due to their bold colours, emotional rawness, and rough beauty. Other well-known artists from the Netherlands include Salomon Garf, Pyke Koch, and Piet Mondrian.

Owing to the Dutch Golden Age, which occurred during the 17th century, cities expanded, and the country’s economy thrived. This led to new canals, storehouses, and town halls. The wealthy merchants of the Netherlands built houses along the canals, and these houses were ornamented in a way that reflected their financial status. The growth of modern architecture received contributions from Dutch architects during the 20th century. Some famous architects of the country included Mart Stam, Leendert van der Vlugt, Willem Marinus Dudok, Jan Duiker, J. J. P. Oud, and Gerrit Rietveld.

Many Dutch writers have received international acclaim throughout their respective careers. Some of these writers include Desiderius Erasmus, Baruch Spinoza, Louis Couperus, Harry Mulisch, and Cees Nooteboom. The Netherlands also has a comic book tradition. The artists who have contributed to the field of comic books in the country are Martin Lodewijk, Jan Kruis, Hans G. Kresse, and Marten Toonder.

The musical traditions in the Netherlands are quite diverse, ranging from folk music and classical music to ballet. The traditional Dutch music is quite similar to German schlager and French chanson. With a simple rhythm and melody, these songs are straightforward regarding refrains and couplets. While the themes of these songs are usually light, some could be on heavier and more sentimental subjects, such as loneliness, death, and love. Levenslied music, the name for traditional Dutch music, usually uses instruments such as the barrel organ and accordion. In recent years, artists have also been using guitars and synthesisers, including artists like Frans Bauer and Jan Smit.