Places to Visit in the Netherlands: Cities and Tour Routes

The list of places to visit in the Netherlands is topped by Amsterdam; however, since the country is small, you can also add Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Utrecht and Zaanse Schans to the same route. A Schengen visa is required for Turkish citizens. This guide covers the cities, the number of days, and the tours on sale, in order.

In short

• Choose Amsterdam as your base; set aside at least 2 days and take day trips to nearby cities.
• The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam are on the same line; they can be visited in order in 2 days.
• A Schengen visa is required for Turkish citizens; apply early, factoring in processing time.
• Applications are made to the consulate of the country where you will stay longest; buy museum tickets in advance.

How should you plan a route in the Netherlands?

Cities in the Netherlands are close to each other and the train network is dense. For this reason, choosing a single base and taking day trips instead of changing hotels every night is the most efficient method for most travelers. We recommend Amsterdam as your base: most international flights land here, and it is the city with the widest range of hotel options.

Build your route in this order:

• Amsterdam first: set aside at least 2 days. Museums, canals and neighborhoods cannot be fit into less time.
• Then the nearby surroundings: Zaanse Schans, Haarlem and Utrecht. Each takes half a day or a full day.
• Then the southern line: The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam. You can tour these in 2 days along a single train line.
• Nature and villages toward the end: canal villages like Giethoorn provide balance after the pace of city life.

A practical rule of thumb for planning duration: if you're going for the first time, 4 days is a sufficient starting point for Amsterdam and its surroundings. If you want to add the southern line, plan for 5 to 6 days. If you're combining the Netherlands with Belgium, add a few more days.

A rule: don't visit more than three cities in the same day. Even though trains are frequent, museum queues, walking and meal breaks take time. Choose the must-sees first, and fit secondary stops into the remaining time.

Amsterdam: the first and longest stop

Amsterdam is a city whose canal rings make the historic center walkable. This section lists what to prioritize on a first visit.

Museums

There are three main stops for art: the Rijksmuseum (the Dutch Golden Age and Rembrandt), the Van Gogh Museum, and the Stedelijk for contemporary art. Don't squeeze all three into the same day; the Rijksmuseum alone takes half a day. Get ticket and time information from the museum's official website before your visit, as timed entries are common.

History and canals

Tickets for the Anne Frank House must be booked in advance; don't count on finding tickets on-site. Schedule your canal tour for the evening of the first day: it's the fastest way to understand the city's layout. For walking, choose the Jordaan neighborhood and the nine streets area; small shops and cafés are concentrated here.

Transportation

Walking and trams are sufficient in the center. Renting a bicycle may seem appealing, but heavy bicycle traffic can be risky for those unaccustomed to it; start on foot on the first day, and switch to cycling later if you feel comfortable.

For accommodation, choose a hotel in the center or near the train station. Most day trips depart from Amsterdam Centraal; walking distance saves you time on early morning departures.

Around Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Haarlem, Utrecht

The most convenient day trips from Amsterdam are concentrated in these three stops. All are easily reached from the center and don't require separate accommodation.

Zaanse Schans

With windmills, wooden houses and craft workshops, it offers the classic image of the Netherlands in one place. Half a day is enough. The cheese and clog-making demonstrations are touristy but brief; choose early morning hours for photos.

Haarlem

A calmer, smaller-scale city compared to Amsterdam. The square around the great church, boutique shops and canal-side cafés are suitable for an afternoon walk. We recommend it for those wanting to escape the crowds.

Utrecht

Its two-level canal structure (wharves right at the water's edge, with a separate upper road level) sets this city apart. The Dom Tower is the city's icon; since it's a university town, café and dining options are extensive. Set aside a full day.

My suggestion: combine Zaanse Schans with Haarlem on one day, and go to Utrecht on a separate day. Fitting all three into a single day is tiring. In spring, during tulip season, you can also combine a visit to the Keukenhof gardens with the Haarlem route; check opening dates on the official website before your visit.

The southern line: The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam

These three cities are connected by a train line, and it makes sense to visit them in order. It is possible to leave in the morning from Amsterdam and return in the evening; but for a comfortable pace, set aside 2 days.

The Hague

This is the Netherlands' center of government and international law. The Mauritshuis museum houses Vermeer's famous works and is a small, easy-to-visit museum. The Binnenhof area and the seaside resort of Scheveningen complete the city in a single day.

Delft

A small canal town known for its blue-and-white porcelain. The central square and old church are easy to visit on foot. This is the most suitable stop to combine with The Hague on the same day; leave the afternoon for Delft.

Rotterdam

Having been rebuilt after World War II, it is the exact opposite of Amsterdam with its modern architecture. The Cube Houses, Markthal and the harbor area are the main sights. If you love architecture and photography, give it its own day; if you're looking for a classic canal view, skip Rotterdam and stay in Delft.

Suggested order: go from Amsterdam to The Hague, move on to Delft, finish the evening in Rotterdam, and return to Amsterdam from there. Verify train and card information on the official railway website before setting off.

Giethoorn and nature: when, and for whom?

Giethoorn is a wooden-house village with canals instead of roads. Main transportation is provided by small boats and walking bridges. It's suitable for those seeking photography and tranquility; if you're looking for museums and city bustle, don't include it in your route.

Giethoorn is far from city centers and public transport connections require transfers. For this reason, if you're setting out on your own, allocate a full day and check return times in advance. An organized tour or car rental makes sense for this stop; touring the rest of the Netherlands by train is sufficient.

Which season?

The Netherlands' weather is variable; carry a waterproof jacket in every season in case of rain. You can choose as follows:

• Spring: tulip gardens and lengthening days. The best period for Keukenhof and flower fields.
• Summer: canal tours, outdoor terraces and long daylight hours; but the season with the highest hotel and museum crowds.
• Autumn: calmer cities, ideal for a museum-focused route.
• Winter: short days, light festivals and indoor touring; the canal area is atmospheric but cold.

For a first trip, we recommend spring or autumn: both the city and its surroundings can be toured comfortably. Check departure dates in advance during holiday or official holiday periods.

Tour or independent travel?

Independent travel is easy in the Netherlands: trains are frequent, signage is clear, and English is widely spoken. Still, there are good reasons to choose a tour: handing off transportation and hotel arrangements, guided museum entry, and adding neighboring countries like Belgium or Germany to a single itinerary.

From the tours on sale, here's what to choose:

• If you just want Amsterdam: the Full Amsterdam Tour Route lasts 4 days, with its first departure on October 28, 2026. Suitable for a short holiday.
• The Netherlands and Belgium together: the Full Amsterdam & Bruges & Brussels Tour Route lasts 5 days, also with its first departure on October 28, 2026. Suitable for those who want to see three cities in a single route.
• If you want a direct flight from Ankara: a 3-night Amsterdam tour departing directly from Ankara with SunExpress has its first departure on October 29, 2026.
• For river cruise lovers: there are two options for a luxury river cruise tour along the Rhine and Moselle. The version with hotel stays in Brussels and Amsterdam lasts 8 days; the version with a 2-night Amsterdam hotel stay includes a shorter Amsterdam segment. First departures are on October 28, 2026.

You can compare all Netherlands programs on the Netherlands tours page. For short routes coinciding with the October 29 holiday, you can also check our October 29 international route suggestions.

Visa and preparation: what to do, in order?

Entry to the Netherlands for Turkish citizens requires a Schengen visa; this information was verified from the official source as of August 1, 2026. The permitted stay is 90 days within a 180-day period. Application processing time is listed as 15-21 business days, and the visa fee as €90. For up-to-date requirements, the document list and application steps, see the Netherlands visa page.

Know the application rule: applications are made to the consulate of your route's main destination country, meaning the country where you will stay longest. The first country of entry is used as the basis only if the length of stay is equal.

Do your preparation in this order:

1. First, the date: Plan backward from your departure date, subtracting visa processing time. Don't leave it to the last week.
2. Then, the route: Accommodation and flight information are required in the application documents. If you're going with a tour, request the program documents.
3. Then, insurance and budget: Prepare travel health insurance meeting Schengen requirements and a document proving sufficient budget.
4. Lastly, ticket and check-in: Before your flight, review the online check-in steps.

If you travel frequently within Schengen, our Schengen trusted traveler formula article explains which traveler profiles can be granted long-term visas. If you'll be adding another country in Europe, take a look at the Germany route guide.

Sample routes: 3, 5 and 7 days

The plans below are editorial suggestions; adjust them according to your own pace and budget.

3 days: Amsterdam-focused

• Day 1: Walk through the center, canal tour, evening in Jordaan.
• Day 2: Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House (book tickets in advance).
• Day 3: Half a day at Zaanse Schans, free afternoon.

Suitable for a short holiday and a first visit.

5 days: Amsterdam and the southern line

• Days 1-2: Amsterdam; museums and canals.
• Day 3: Haarlem and Zaanse Schans, or Utrecht.
• Day 4: The Hague and Delft.
• Day 5: Rotterdam, return in the evening.

A balanced choice for those who want to see the Netherlands without rushing.

7 days: full country coverage

• Days 1-3: Amsterdam and day trips.
• Days 4-5: The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam.
• Day 6: Utrecht.
• Day 7: Giethoorn and return preparations.

This plan is for those visiting for a second time or who want to add nature and village stops.

Leave a free half-day in every plan. You'll need it in case of a closed museum, rain, or fatigue. If you're choosing a tour, check which cities and how many nights the program covers from the product page; compare it with the plans above to pick the one that suits you.

Frequently asked questions

How many days are enough in the Netherlands?

For a first visit, Amsterdam and its nearby surroundings can be toured in 4 days. If you want to add The Hague, Delft and Rotterdam, plan for 5 to 6 days. For a broader view of the country, 7 days is a comfortable duration.

Do Turkish citizens need a visa for the Netherlands?

Yes, a Schengen visa is required for Turkish citizens. The permitted stay is 90 days within 180 days. Processing time is stated as 15-21 business days, and the fee as €90; see our Netherlands visa page for current requirements.

Where else can you visit in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam?

Zaanse Schans, Haarlem, Utrecht, The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam and Giethoorn are the main standout stops. Most can be reached from Amsterdam by train for a day trip and back. Giethoorn is a bit farther, so a full day should be set aside.

Which month should you go to the Netherlands?

Spring is a good choice for tulip gardens, and autumn for calmer cities. Summer is crowded but days are long; in winter days are short and a museum-focused route is more suitable. Be prepared for rain in every season.

Is a tour or independent travel better for a Netherlands trip?

Since public transport is easy in the Netherlands, independent travel is possible. If you don't want to deal with transportation and hotel planning, or if you want to add neighboring countries like Belgium, a tour is more practical. You can compare the programs on sale on the Netherlands tours page.

Can the Netherlands and Belgium be visited with the same visa?

Since both are in the Schengen area, a single Schengen visa is valid in both countries. Applications are made to the consulate of the main destination country, meaning the one where you will stay longest; if the lengths of stay are equal, the first country of entry is used as the basis. You have no choice in this matter, so clarify your route before applying.

Should museum tickets in Amsterdam be booked in advance?

Yes, especially for the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, booking tickets in advance is the safest approach. Entry is mostly time-slotted. Check current ticketing conditions on the museums' official websites.