Planning day trips from Amsterdam? The beautiful, Dutch countryside, villages, and cities will have you covered for days of exploration.
I personally visited each of the places on this list in 2024 and can’t wait to share my first-hand experience with you!
I highly recommend at least one day of exploring outside of Amsterdam on your Amsterdam trip. Each local city has its own unique culture and character, and most are less touristy and crowded than Amsterdam Centrum.
As much as I love Amsterdam, it’s important to experience the character of a country outside of its main hub! Think Dutch windmills on green countryside, towering European architecture, calm canals, and blue and white ceramic art.
These are just some of the things you will experience on a day trip from Amsterdam.
Some of my favorite day trips from Amsterdam include The Hague, Delft, Utrecht, Leiden, Zandaam and Zanshaans, and Volednam and Marken Island.
Let’s dive in!
1. The Hague
Distance from Amsterdam: 40 Minutes
Best for: Spacious City
The Hague is absolutely gorgeous! And it is known for so many things. Hague is the third largest city in Holland, the country’s political center, and its Royal home.
Go shopping in its bustling streets filled with shops, enjoy dinner or nightlife at a local patio on the cobblestone streets or in the town’s main square, and even head to the beach.
Hague’s prime location on the coast makes it a popular destination for shopping and history, but also the beach!
Tip: Hague is 10 minutes from Leiden and 20 minutes from Delft. If you are spending the night in Hague, I recommend taking a day trip to these destinations from here!
Strolling the fancy, modern town center on a clear day makes for luxurious photos.
Best things to do in Hague:
- Downtown Hague
- Hofvijver
- Hague Tower
🏨Hotel Recommendation: Boutique Hotel de Salon
2. Delft
Distance from Amsterdam: 1 Hour
Best for: Small Town Charm
Delft was one of my favorite day trips in Holland. It struck me as slightly different than all of the other towns I visited for a couple of reasons.
First is the ginormous windmill you see as soon as you get off the trolley. My inner tourist was leaping for joy because this is just the quintessential Dutch architecture I was craving!
Sometimes, windmills are so touristy in modern-day Holland that you end up in a super touristy town. But Delft is so very local.
Of course, there are tourist activities like taking a canal tour and visiting its Markt Square, but there are also tons of apartments for rent and neighborhood activities going on all around you. It is truly a small, local gem.
Best things to do in Delft:
- Windmill
- Markt Square
- Click here for more of the best things to do in Delft
Hotel Recommendation: Bed en Broodje Bloem
3. Utrecht
Distance from Amsterdam: 25 minutes
Best for: Medieval – Modern
Utrecht is a trendy, urban neighbor of Rotterdam and Amsterdam. It features traditional Dutch canals but has a revitalized city center full of urban restaurants and nightlife.
It’s especially great for history lovers. The town center has a grim past due to its destruction from a tornado in the 1600s.
We took a small tour called “Dom Under” to wander the small cave filled with historical artifact before the storm. Other tours online appear to offer a more immersive cave experience.
I recommend reading about the tours on Viator and purchasing from local businesses if you are interested.
My favorite experience was climbing the Dom Tower. The views are spectacular!
You cannot climb to the top on your own, as a guided tour is required in 2024. You can purchase your tickets at the Tourism Office in the center of town.
My next favorite experience was wandering the quaint, gardens of Pandhof van de Dom.
Lined with pristine medieval architecture, this garden was a relaxing oasis right in the middle of Utrecht’s history. (And they’re free!)
Best things to do in Utrecht:
- Dom Tower
- Old City
- Pandhof van de Dom
Hotel Recommendation: Slapen Onder de Dom
4. Leiden
Distance from Amsterdam: 35 minutes
Best for: Laidback
Leiden balances historic with modern in this more casual town. It’s got the quintessential canals of Amsterdam but in a more spacious atmosphere with fewer crowds.
With 13 museums, the oldest botanic gardens in the country, and an operating windmill, you can have a great day of exploring.
If you’re in town over the weekend, there is a free Saturday market from 8:00-5:00 featuring food and souvenirs from local vendors.
Best things to do in Leiden:
- Botanic Garden
- Windmill
- Canals
Hotel Recommendation: B&B Hart Van Leiden
5. Zaandam and Zaanse Schans
Distance from Amsterdam: 15 minutes
Best for: Windmills
Zaandam
Zaandam is so ridiculously close to Amsterdam, I had to make the trip. Seriously, I almost wasn’t go to go, but it was practically too convenient not to!
Zaandam is a business district known for its vibrant, green architecture. Most iconic, is the Inntel Hotel. You can see it as soon as you exit the train train station!
Past the hotel is a shopping district with restaurants, of course alongside a canal.
You don’t need too long in Zaandam itself, depending on how long you would like to explore, or your preference for walking around and shopping.
As soon as you are done, you can zip on a bus directly to Zaanse Schans.
Zaanse Schans
With its rows of windmills, Zaanse Schans practically screams Holland. At least what I imagined when reading guidebooks and seeing pictures of the country online! Of course, Holland is so much more, but Zaanse Schans takes you on a trip to the country’s traditional past.
Visit historical museums like the Wooden Clog Museum (how adorable) or grab a bite to eat at one of the money shops (but overpriced).
Entering Zaanse Schans is free but certain attractions like going inside of the windmills require a paid entry ticket. These can be purchased at the ticket office upon entering Zaanse Schans.
Budget Tip: Save money on entering a windmill here, and go inside the free windmill in Delft.
It’s easy to combine a day trip to Zaandam and Zaanse Schans, and I recommend it. Simply take the bus or train from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, and catch a 20-minute bus ride directly from the center of Zaandam all the way to Zaanse Schans.
Return buses bring you back to the center of Zaanse Schans, or all the way to Amsterdam (which really isn’t that far!)
Budget Tip: Purchase lunch or snacks in Zaandam in order to save money, because the shops in Zaanse Schans are touristy and expensive.
Hotel Recommendation: Inntel Hotel
6. Volendam and Marken Island
Distance from Amsterdam: 35 minutes
Best for: Local Village
Volendam is famous for being a traditional, Dutch village. The town has a population of nearly 30,000 people, so tons of locals still live there today.
Its historic center is probably one of my favorite historic centers in the world. It’s pretty small, so thankfully it’s easy to hop on a ferry at the Volendam Harbor to Marken Island!
Ferries to Marken Island run every 45 minutes and cost 10 euros on the Marken Express. Marken Island is even smaller and has a similar feel to Volendam.
While it is its own distinct, Dutch village, it features similar things to do like strolling the town, and harbor, grabbing a bite to eat, or stopping in some local shops.
Tip: Explore early in the morning or early in the evening to avoid the hoards of crowds arriving from tourist buses.
If taking a tour bus is the only way you can visit, that is of course OK! But I recommend taking a 35-minute train ride from Amsterdam to experience the day at your own pace.
Hotel Recommendation: Hotel Old Dutch
Conclusion
Holland is a beautiful country, and I highly recommend spending time outside of Amsterdam! I love Amsterdam (a lot!) but you would be missing out by not giving yourself time to explore at least one of the many day trips nearby.
If you have extra time, consider making any of these day trips into a weekend trip from Amsterdam to extend your exploring or take your day at a more leisurely pace.
Have you taken an amazing day trip from Amsterdam not featured on this list? I would love to hear from you and about your experience!
