21 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam (By a Local)

While there are so many things to do in Amsterdam, these day trips from Amsterdam are just as diverse and thrilling. Think unique nature experiences, live music, and off-the-beaten-path towns and villages.

Having grown up in the Netherlands and lived in Amsterdam for over seven years, I’ve explored my backyard to a T. These are my favorite day trips from major hotspots to destinations you’ve never heard of.

21 Best Amsterdam Day Trips

Utrecht

Escape Amsterdam’s busy streets and immerse yourself in Dutch life in this medieval canal town. 

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 29 minutes by train | 📍 Google Maps | Utrecht Website

Where Amsterdam can feel too touristy at times, Utrecht’s canals come a lot closer to Dutch daily life. Its medieval center oozes history, and its terraces overflow with locals and students.

The town is a 30-minute train ride away from Central Station. It’s a perfect day trip to add to my recommended Amsterdam itinerary. History buffs will love exploring its famous Dom Tower. Families, on the other hand, can spend their afternoon in the green Oog in Al and go for lunch at Landhuis in de Stad.

But if you’re into lively cafés, visit one of the Oudegracht cellars. You can listen to live music at ‘t Oude Pothuys or go for craft cocktails at the Rum Club. Good food also abounds here, with restaurants like Maresia and the Vegitalian.

Amersfoort

This quaint town offers a wealth of Dutch medieval history on every corner.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 50 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Amersfoort Website

Amersfoort is a historical city to the west of Amsterdam, which can be reached by train in 50 minutes. Where Utrecht is trendy, Amersfoort is quaint and laid-back, with families going about their day. 

Even though it is not a major tourist hotspot, Amersfoort is a dream for travelers into medieval history. Just entering the city through the Koppelpoort, its former main gate, is a treat. 

You can easily fill an entire afternoon exploring the rest of the city. Walk along the town’s meandering canals, visit the Muurhuizen, and go for lunch or dinner at one of the many cute cafés. 

Caprera and Bloemendaal

Listen to the best music the Netherlands has to offer in its serene dunes.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 45 minutes to 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Caprera Website

Bloemendaal aan Zee is the hippest beach town in the Netherlands. In winter, the beach and neighboring National Park Zuid Kennemerland are a great place to go for a hike. 

It truly comes alive during summer, though. You can go for a swim during the day, party at Woodstock 69 at night, or take surfing lessons at Surfana. 

If you’re looking for more culture, head to the dunes where you can find one of my favorite venues: Caprera. This open-air theatre hosts some of the Netherlands’ best musicians and comedians. 

🚘 How to get there: While you could take the train to Haarlem and then a bus to Bloemendaal, the easiest way to get there is by renting a car. 

Rotterdam

With industrial grit, trendy cafés, and a compelling history, this city is Amsterdam’s cool cousin.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 1 to 1.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Rotterdam Website

Rotterdam is home to Europe’s largest harbor, making its industrial vibe omnipresent. As a WWII bombing destroyed most of the center, its skyline offers an interesting mix of old and new. 

Rotterdam is thus a must-visit if you’re into modern architecture and street art. It’s a sharp contrast to Amsterdam’s idyllic canals. Buildings like the Cube Homes or the Depot of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Museumpark show a different side of the Netherlands.

Despite the destruction, history lovers can find remnants of life before 1940. Delfshaven, for example, is a former harbor town sporting a traditional windmill and century-old homes. Want to know where else to go in the city? Then check out my Rotterdam where to stay guide.

The Hague

The Netherlands’ political heart offers a special blend of royal history, art, and beach vibes. 

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 55 minutes to 1.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | The Hague Website

The Netherlands’ political heart goes by many names: ‘s Gravenhage in old Dutch, Den Haag in the vernacular, and The Hague in international settings. The city itself, an hour south of Amsterdam, is as multifaceted as its names.

The Hague is a beach town, and it is perfect for combining a day at the sea with exploring the city. Those into art can visit the Mauritshuis to see Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring or visit Escher in the Palace to see the works of M.C. Escher.

Travelers interested in the country’s political and royal heritage also have a lot to see. The government, the king, and the International Court of Justice operate in some of the most stately buildings. The latter’s home, the Peace Palace, is a must-see.

You can read fellow TL writer Meg’s article about places she loved visiting in the Netherlands to find out why she enjoyed The Hague even more than Amsterdam.

Texel

This Wadden Island offers oyster walks, seal spotting, and ocean views.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 2 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Texel Website

The five Wadden Islands are a popular destination among the Dutch and one of the best places to visit in the Netherlands. They lie between the North Sea and the tidal flats of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO protected biosphere. Texel, the southernmost island, is easy to reach from Amsterdam by rental car and ferry in under two hours. 

Spend a day exploring its dunes, hiking through its grasslands, and spotting seals. You can also spend the night at Op Oost, a hotel dedicated to supporting the island’s ecosystem. 

The hotel organizes oyster walks, where you learn more about the island’s history and how to spot, harvest, and open oysters. We celebrated my boyfriend’s birthday here last year and had the best time.

👉 Pro Tip: Check the ferry’s timetable before you go! If you miss the last ferry of the day, you will have to spend the night on the island.

Keukenhof

From March to May, this flower park erupts in an array of colors and is the best place to see the tulips in bloom.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 33 minutes to 1.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Keukenhof Website

Many travelers think of tulips when they think of the Netherlands. The Keukenhof flower park, south of Amsterdam, is the best place to see them.

Open from March to May, the park showcases expansive fields of tulips, daffodils, and roses. Keukenhof can get busy, and tickets tend to sell out due to its seasonal nature. So, book both your tickets and transportation ahead of time.

If you like to go off the beaten path and avoid the most touristy spots, rent a bike and explore the tulip fields outside the park instead.

Zaanse Schans

This windmill village offers a peek into traditional Dutch life.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 20 to 30 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Zaanse Schans Website

Want to catch a glimpse of traditional Dutch life? Then hop on a 30-minute bus to Zaanse Schans, a windmill village to the north of Amsterdam. 

While the view of its wooden houses and six windmills is reason enough to visit, the village is not a museum. It’s alive. Artisans still make clogs, cheese, and tin sculptures daily, and most of the homes are inhabited. 

The Zaanse Schans’ website offers an interactive map that will help you find your way. Entering the village is free, but if you want to visit the windmills or museum, you must buy a ticket at the Zaans Museum.

Alkmaar

This city is a hotspot for foodies and cheese lovers.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 35 to 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Alkmaar Website

A 45-minute train ride will take you to Alkmaar, the Dutch capital of cheese. This city, to the north of Amsterdam, hosts the oldest and largest cheese market in the country. The market takes place on Fridays from March to September and is an iconic experience.

But Alkmaar has more to offer than cheese. Its center resembles Amsterdam, but without the crowds. Spend an afternoon exploring the romantic Grote Sint-Laurens Church, its canals, and the City Hall. 

For foodies, Alkmaar has some great restaurants, like Roberto bar e cucina and Heerlijk Nel. And if you can’t get enough of its cheese, visit the Dutch Cheese Museum.

Nationaal Park Veluwezoom

This national park’s rolling hills are the most romantic spot for nature lovers.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 1.5 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Veluwe Website

In need of a day in nature? Swap the flatlands of the west coast for the hills of the Veluwe. This national park is famous for its wildlife and heath, which blooms in spring. As a kid, I called it a fairy forest, and it’s still one of the most magical places I’ve been in the Netherlands. 

You can get there by train via Rheden, but I recommend renting a car instead. This way, you can start your hike across the heath from this car park and drive up to Bistrobar Beaune for lunch, drinks, or dinner.

Zandvoort

Whether you’re a surfer, beach bum, or Formula 1 fan, a trip to Zandvoort must be on your Amsterdam itinerary.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 35 to 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Zandvoort Website

Zandvoort might not be the prettiest town, but it is the closest beach town to Amsterdam. While I prefer Bloemendaal or Castricum, I head to Zandvoort whenever the surf is good. 

The direct train between the city and Zandvoort means many Amsterdam locals take surf lessons at Surfana. Plus, if you want to have a quick trip to the beach on a sunny day, Zandvoort is the easiest place to get to.

Besides surfing and sunbathing, Zandvoort is also known for its Formula 1 track. While you could get lucky with the F1 ticket sales and see Max Verstappen, you can also race on the track yourself. 

Kinderdijk

These 19 mills are living proof of the Netherlands’ centuries-old innovative water management.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 1.25 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Kinderdijk Website

You will love Kinderdijk if you liked Zaanse Schans. Like most parts of the Netherlands, this area is a former swamp. It could only be traversed during low tide, which severely limited food production. To expand the region’s arable land, windmills were built to pump the water out.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site now includes 19 mills that have kept the polder dry since the 18th century. Visiting Kinderdijk, on foot or by bike, is a must for immersing yourself in Dutch heritage.

The quickest way to get to Kinderdijk is by renting a car, as public transport takes twice as long. Also, keep in mind that tickets tend to sell out, so reserve your spot ahead of time.

Haarlem

Once you’ve seen most of Amsterdam’s sights, head to this Medieval city of water and culture.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 20 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Haarlem Website

If you think the name Haarlem sounds familiar, you’re right. When New York City was a Dutch settlement, Harlem was named after this one. But where Amsterdam’s neighbor lacks the towering skyscrapers, it makes up for it with its charming canals and courtyards.

Any traveler will love Haarlem, with its many restaurants, shops, and cafés. Dutch master Frans Hals lived in Haarlem, and his namesake museum is a must-visit for art enthusiasts. If you’d rather sit back and relax, then doing a boat tour is the best way to get to know the city.

👉 Pro Tip: You will find Haarlem one train stop before Zandvoort, making it easy to combine the towns on a day trip.

Castricum aan Zee

This beach town might be harder to reach, but its laid-back vibe and restaurants are the best summer spot.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Castricum Website

Castricum aan Zee is my favorite beach town and the best destination for a hot summer’s day. It feels a bit more relaxed and family-friendly than Zandvoort and Bloemendaal. 

But most importantly, Castricum aan Zee hosts Club Zand, one of the Netherlands’ best beach clubs. This place has the best coffee, cocktails, and seasonal food. Its bohemian terrace is always full, so if you don’t want to wait, you can order takeaway instead.

🚘 How to Get There: In July and August, you can hop on the coastal bus from Station Castricum. In the other months, you will have to rent a bike or a car to get to the beach. 

Volendam

The Netherlands’ most iconic fishing village is the best place to try fish and listen to Dutch folk music.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 35 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Volendam Website

Volendam is a fishing village north of Amsterdam. Its wooden houses line the dike and look out over its harbor, where fishermen haul in their daily catch. Unsurprisingly, this town is the best place to try traditional fish dishes, like pickled herring or eel.

Travelers looking for history and culture are also in the right place. You can learn more about Noord-Holland’s old way of life at the Volendams Museum. Or join the other tourists and dress up in traditional garb for a photo at Experience Volendam. 

More interested in modern daily life? Then visit a live music show in PX Volendam. The village is the birthplace of a great number of Dutch folk singers and musicians, who might perform there if you’re lucky.

Leiden

This picturesque Dutch city is the country’s historical center of natural science.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 40 minutes to 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Leiden Website

Leiden is a bustling university town with tons of history, food, and culture to explore. You can fill a day with seeing the 11th-century fortress called the Burcht, the Pieterskerk, and the ‘gezellige’ waterfront bars.

But the city has much more to offer than the typical canal-filled cityscape. It is also a center of science, with Naturalis being its crown jewel. This biodiversity research center features over a million objects. Additionally, it offers exhibitions on dinosaurs, evolution, and the Ice Age.  

If you’re more into living plants, then visit the Hortus Botanicus, the Netherlands’ oldest botanical garden. Spend a couple of hours strolling along its flower beds and greenhouses, while learning about the medicinal benefits of nature.

Delft

This small town to the south of Amsterdam is the birthplace of both Willem van Oranje and the famous Delft Blue porcelain.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 50 minutes to 1.3 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Delft Website

Delft might be small, but it had a major impact on the Netherlands. It was the home of Willem van Oranje, who led the resistance against Spain and paved the way for Dutch sovereignty. But most travelers might know it for the dainty Delft Blue porcelain.

Museum Prinsenhof Delft, which reopens in 2027 after restorations, is a must-visit if you’re interested in this part of Dutch history. It tells the story of Willem van Oranje, describes Delftware’s origins, and showcases the work of the Dutch masters. 

Prefer to get creative? Then visit Royal Delft to paint your own porcelain plates!

Marken

This former island with traditional Dutch homes is a must-see for culture lovers and hikers.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 30 to 40 minutes | 📍 Google Maps 

Marken is a former island east of Volendam. Its drawbridges and wooden homes with colorful shutters are a popular destination among locals. Like its neighbor, Marken offers a glimpse into a traditional Dutch past.

Travelers into history and local culture must visit the Marker Museum. Its exhibitions take you through six former fishermen’s homes. 

If you’re more into hiking, then walk the trail around the island. The lighthouse, Het Paard van Marken, is a highlight along the track.

👉 Pro Tip: Rent a bike in Volendam and cycle to Marken on a sunny day. Or, when it’s windy, rent a sailboat and enjoy the view from the water!

Muiderslot

You can still hear the chatter of knights and kings in the Netherlands’ most enchanting castle.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 25 minutes to 1 hour | 📍 Google Maps | Muiderslot Website

The Muiderslot is one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful castles. Its towers proudly overlook the Vecht river, with the bridge over its wide moat being the only way in. The fortress dates back to the 13th century and is a must-visit for all travelers.

A ticket will allow you to wander the halls of the castle, but there is much more to do here than look. The Muiderslot organizes tours, historical tastings, and knight combats. 

The museum caters especially well to kids, with plays and creative workshops. To make your kids’ day, time your trip to Muiderslot with one of their special events. If your kids are lucky, they can attend one of the knights and princesses weekends.

Breukelen, de Vecht & Loosdrechtse Plassen

An area filled with romantic castles, waterfront restaurants, and lots of water to sail on.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 25 to 45 minutes | 📍 Google Maps | Breukelen & Loosdrechtse Plassen Website

Breukelen lies between Amsterdam and Utrecht, and is the heart of one of the country’s most romantic areas. The village itself has many stellar restaurants and is home to Nijenrode Castle, Hogwarts’ private business school look-a-like.

But the bodies of water around Breukelen are equally pretty. The banks of the Vecht and Loosdrechtse Plassen are lined with numerous castles and quaint villages. Spend a day exploring the likes of Kasteel Gunterstein, Fort Nieuwersluis, and Kasteel Sypesteyn. 

While most of the area can be seen on a day trip, I recommend spending a night at Bistrotel ‘t Amsterdammetje. I once stayed here with my mom and had the best time enjoying the hotel’s food and backyard.

🚘 How to Get Around: You could rent a car to explore the different castles and towns in the area, or get active and rent a bike. Want the best of both worlds? Then go on a tour of the Vecht River.

Antwerp

Our southern neighbor’s largest city is the place to go for craft beers, fashion, and art.

🗺️ Distance from Amsterdam: 1.5 to 2 hours | 📍 Google Maps | Antwerp Website

Antwerp might seem far away, but it is a mere 1.5-hour train ride from Amsterdam. The city is ideal for travelers with limited time but who wish to explore more of Europe. 

Whether you’re looking for a change in architectural scenery or want to try the best craft beers in the world, Antwerp is the place to be. Spend a day taking in the Gothic and Renaissance-style center, trying Belgian chocolate, and visiting a brewery.

Above all, Antwerp is super trendy. It has a buzzing fashion scene with new designers popping up every day. Done shopping? Then visit MoMu, a museum that showcases both the history and present of Belgian couture.

Want More? Listen to My Amsterdam Podcast Episode!

If you liked this post, you’ll love my Amsterdam episode on the Travel Lemming Podcast. It’s available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts (just search “Travel Lemming Amsterdam”).

The host, Betty, and I chat about the best things to do in Amsterdam (2:26), Amsterdam safety tips (26:24), where to stay in Amsterdam (19:51), Dutch food to try (32:47), etiquette tips for Amsterdam (39:12), and all the other common questions about Amsterdam. 

Download now and remember to listen to the entire episode before you visit Amsterdam.

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These day trips from Amsterdam are bound to make your trip even better! Next up, check my Amsterdam packing list to make sure you’ve got everything you need before you leave