Best 1-day trips and excursions from Amsterdam

Tired of the city? Don’t worry! Our guide to the best day trips from Amsterdam will let you explore more of the Netherlands. With its excellent train connections, Amsterdam is the perfect place to make your base as you venture further afield. These trips near Amsterdam are sure to wow you.

Voldendam and Marken

Just 12 miles (20 km) north of Amsterdam, Voldendam is a traditional Dutch fishing village. It’s known for its beautiful harbour, packed with colourful old buildings, and its traditional vessels. Some locals wander around in traditional clothing, to the delight of visitors. From Volendam, you can also take a boat trip to the tiny, picturesque island of Marken, home to an isolated fishing community.

Keukenhof Gardens

There’s no direct public transport to Keukenhof Gardens, but if you have access to a car and you’re visiting in the springtime, it’s definitely worth a trip. This enormous flower garden, located 24 miles (40 km) from the city, is only open from mid-March until mid-May when its seven million flowers burst into life. This is the absolute best place to see the Netherlands’ famous tulips, showcased here in all their glory, in every colour you could imagine. The spectacular floral displays at Keukenhof must be seen to be believed. It’s possible to take a guided bus tour to Keukenhof if you don’t mind visiting as part of a larger group.

Zannse Shans

Amsterdam is a bustling modern city — but just 20 minutes away, you’ll find yourself transported back in time to a traditional Dutch village. Zaanse Shans, 12 miles (20 km) from the city, feels like an open-air museum, but it is, in fact, still a living and breathing village. It has operational windmills, a clog maker, a cheese shop, and a lumber mill. Explore traditional Dutch crafts and learn more about the country’s remarkable culture.

Broek in Waterland

The tiny village of Broek in Waterland is just 7 miles (11 km) from Amsterdam and can easily be explored in half a day. It’s best known for its traditional wooden houses, many of which have been named National Heritage Sites. Take a boat trip around the town or visit the charming waterfront church. There are also some traditional craft displays. For an easy, fun trip, you can rent a bike in Amsterdam and cycle to Broek in Waterland, exploring this quaint village at your leisure.

Muiderslot Castle

There isn’t a lot of public transport that will get you to Muiderslot Castle, 11 miles (18 km) from Amsterdam. However, you can rent a bike in the city and cycle there or, if you’re not feeling so athletic, join a guided tour. This 12th-century castle is incredibly well-preserved and even has its own moat. It’s a particularly good spot if you’re travelling with your family: there are interactive games and exhibits for the kids to enjoy, traditional costumes for fancy dress and displays of falconry at the weekends.

Edam

You can buy the ubiquitous edam cheese in any supermarket in the Netherlands — or around the world, for that matter — but here is where it all started. The town of Edam, 13 miles (22 km) from Amsterdam, has a pleasant medieval atmosphere. Like Amsterdam, it is built on canals, and there are boat tours available. Cheese lovers should try to visit in the summer months when a traditional cheese market takes place on Wednesday mornings. Don’t worry if you’re coming at another time of year, though — there’s always plenty of cheese to go around!

The Hague

It takes less than an hour to travel to the Hague, 40 miles (65 km) from Amsterdam. Famous for its role in international politics and law, the Hague has a number of architecturally impressive buildings to admire. It’s also got some real treats for art lovers. Het Paleis features a permanent exhibition of MC Escher’s works, while the Mauritshuis Museum is one of Europe’s finest art galleries, home to The Girl with the Pearl Earring. If you visit in summer, you might want to stay overnight to experience one of the city’s wild beach parties.

Delft

Close to the Hague, 41 miles (67 km) from Amsterdam, Delft is a charming old-style Dutch town. It’s best known for its distinctive pottery, which is always made in blue and white colours. In fact, it gives its name to the unique Delft Blue shade. Small and easily walkable, Delft has charming churches, picturesque canals and delightful old bridges. Climb the tower of the New Church to enjoy a glorious view of traditional Dutch architecture and winding canals — the sort of sight you’ll only find in the Netherlands!

Haarlem

Haarlem is extremely close to Amsterdam, just 20 miles (33 km) to the west. Quieter and more laid-back than its big sister, this charming town is built around the market square. It’s best visited on a Saturday when the Grote Markt takes place. Here you can buy artisan food, plants and flowers, clothes, souvenirs, and so much more. Haarlem also has the country’s oldest museum, the eclectic Teyler’s Museum, and the usual blend of charming squares and rolling canals that characterise small towns in the Netherlands. Haarlem extends as far as the coast, so if you’re visiting in good weather, be sure to head out to the white sand beaches.

Alkmaar

The Netherlands is known for its cheese, and Alkmaar — 25 miles (41 km) from Amsterdam — is a town dedicated to that marvellous food. The traditional cheese market, which takes place every Friday morning from April to September, features cheesemongers in traditional dresses selling enormous bright orange wheels. There’s also a Cheese Museum to enjoy, as well as plenty of charming old buildings. Don’t miss the “Kissing Cheesegirl” statue of a Dutch milkmaid puckering up for a kiss — it’s a great spot for a photo op!

Gouda

Another top option for cheese lovers is the town of Gouda, 35 miles (56 km) from the capital. In addition to its famous cheese, Gouda has a glorious old Town Hall and is home to the tallest church in the Netherlands. Naturally, it boasts plenty of cheese shops and its own cheese market (Thursday mornings from April to August), but there are more local delicacies here. Enjoy a freshly baked stroopwafel — Dutch syrup waffle — or head to the brewery to sample the local beer in picturesque surroundings.

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk is a little further afield, 65 miles (105 km) from Amsterdam, but it’s definitely worth visiting. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s the best place to see the country’s famous windmills in action. Kinderdijk is home to 19 windmills, built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Here you can explore Dutch traditions and admire picture-perfect views of the windmills. To make your day trip even more memorable, you can travel by waterbus along the Netherlands’ winding waterways, all the way from Amsterdam to Kinderdijk.