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Do you want to take some day trips from Amsterdam? Find out here about amazing destinations that you can visit in the Netherlands just a few kilometers from Amsterdam.
VISIT UTRECHT FROM AMSTERDAM.
Getting to Utrecht from Amsterdam is very easy. You just have to take a train from Amsterdam Centraal Station and in about half an hour you’ll be in Utrecht.
Click here to buy your train tickets.
In Utrecht you’ll have the feeling that somebody moved a mini version of Amsterdam there. Even though the shape of the city is unique. The Oudegracht canal forms two levels of the streets: on the upper level you will see houses while on the lower level you will find tables of bars and restaurants.
The best way to explore Utrecht is by taking a cruise on the river. On a boat you have a very suggestive view of the canals and the highlights of the city.
Once you’re off the boat, visit the Dome and climb the Domtoren, the Tower of the Dome. It’s 465 steps to reach the top but I guarantee you that once you are up the amazing view of the city will pay you back.
To climb the Domtoren you have to book a private tour. You can do it online here or at the Tourist Info Office in Domplein 9-10.
Domtoren Opening Hours:
- Every Day: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Monday and Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
VISIT ROTTERDAM FROM AMSTERDAM.
Another day trip that you can take from Amsterdam is Rotterdam, a city that you can reach by train in half an hour.
Click here to buy your train tickets.
In Rotterdam you won’t feel that magic vibe that you feel in Amsterdam and Utrecht, but you can’t miss a visit to the city that hosts the biggest port in Europe.
Unfortunately the old town was completely destroyed by the bombs dropped during the Second World War. The Monument to the Destroyed City of Rotterdam represents this dramatic event. The statue, located in the pier area, has a giant hole in its heart to symbolize the destruction of the historic heart of the city.
The city of Rotterdam is pretty modern. The most peculiar area of the city is the Blaak district which is located near the old port. Here you will see little cubic houses in yellow carried out by the architect Piet Blom.
A very interesting museum that you can visit in Rotterdam is the Netherlands Photo Museum. It has a great exhibition of historical and contemporary photographers’ collections.
Netherlands Photo Museum Opening Hours:
- Every Day: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
- December 5, December 24, December 31: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Closing Days: Every Monday; December 25; January 1; April 27
Netherlands Photo Museum Tickets Fare:
- Full Price: €12
- Reduced Price: €9 (visitors 18 – 25 years old)
- Free Entrance: Visitors under the age of 18
Click here to buy the tickets online.
Finally, to complete your visit, don’t forget to check the large port of Rotterdam and the famous Erasmus Bridge.
SEE THE TULIPS OF KEUKENHOF.
If you have the chance to visit the Netherlands in the springtime, you can’t miss the wonderful tulip fields in bloom.
The best place to see the tulips is the Keukenhof Park.
This amazing flower garden is located in the town of Lisse, just 40 kilometers from Amsterdam. I suggest renting a car and visit also the near towns of Leida and Delft and the Northern Sea.
In Keukenhof you can admire more than 4 million and a half of tulip bulbs and 2 million and a half of other flowers bulbs. The garden is 32 hectares large and forms a beautiful and unique carpet of color.
The Keukenhof Park is open from the beginning of spring until mid-May.
Keukenhof Opening Hours:
- Every Day: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm (the ticket office closes at 6:00 pm)
Keukenhof Tickets Fare:
- Full Price: €18 (€17 if you buy the ticket online)
- Reduced Price: €8 (visitors 4 – 17 years old)
- Free Entrance: Visitors under the age of 4
Please note: additional cost for car parking: €6
Click here to buy the ticket online.
VISIT DELFT AND LEIDEN FROM AMSTERDAM.
Two gorgeous towns that you can visit from Amsterdam are Delft and Leiden, which both host two important universities.
Delft is 65 kilometers from Amsterdam and it’s famous for its typical blue pottery and for being the birth town of Vermeer.
You can get to Delft by car or by train.
Click here to buy your train tickets.
Delft is a small medieval town around the old canal Oude Delft. Walk around the canals and the bridges of the city and visit the Old Church and the New Church.
If you are interested in the history of the Delft pottery, visit the Royal Delft Pottery Factory to watch the firing process and take part in the painting laboratories.
On your way back to Amsterdam, pass by Leiden.
Leiden is a lively university town located 45 kilometers from Amsterdam. Leiden is the place of birth of Rembrandt.
To see this lovely town from above, go to the Burcht, the fortress, where you have an amazing view over the city.
After this amazing view, get down and walk around the little streets, visit Saint Peter Church and look for the Monlemuseum de Valk, the last typical Dutch windmill that is still standing in the city.
DISCOVER THE NORTHERN SEA IN THE NETHERLANDS.
The Northern Sea has always had a key role in Dutch history. The Dutch navigators sailed off from its ports to overseas lands and nowadays it still plays an essential role for the country’s economy.
If you are renting a car to explore the surroundings of Amsterdam, take some time to explore one of the coastal towns on the Nothern Sea. Zandvoort aan Zee is one of them.
If you prefer to get there by train, it will take you less than half an hour.
Click here to buy your train tickets.
The beach in Zandvoort aan Zee is a long expanse of sand and dunes where you can take a nice walk by the water.
Don’t expect though a classic beach day when you sunbath and swim all day. As you can imagine, the water is freezing! But you’ll still see some brave Dutch swimming in the cold water. Anyway I’m pretty sure that for us just a quick touch will be more than enough! You know just to say to your friends on your way back “I touched the Northern Sea”.
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