Texel, The Hague, Haarlem: Locals wish to swap Amsterdam for these quieter Dutch destinations

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Amsterdam is a notorious tourist hotspot. Every yr, hundreds of thousands come to town for its photogenic canals, world-class museums, and “coffee shops.

But like many other major European cities, it’s becoming oversaturated with tourists, a lot in order that it recently prompted residents to sue town. The overtourism has spilt out to surrounding areas which might be also popular tourist destinations. In the course of the spring, the encompassing tulip fields are trampled by tourists. Zaanse Schans, a close-by village famed for its windmills, is introducing an entrance fee of €17.50 in 2026 to curb tourism.

The excellent news is there’s so far more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam. Listed here are a couple of other worthwhile Dutch travel destinations so as to add to your list. 

Go to Utrecht for a more chilled alternative

Only a 20-minute train ride west from Amsterdam is the stunning Utrecht. The fourth largest city within the Netherlands, it has a sizeable student population. But there’s plenty for tourists to explore and appreciate. And with the biggest train station within the country, it’s incredibly well-connected.

Like Amsterdam, Utrecht is crammed with canals. Nevertheless, many have two levels, and you possibly can sit right next to the water on the Oudegracht. 

Town is known for the Dom Tower, the tallest church within the country, at 112 metres. One other often-visited attraction is the Nijntje Museum, dedicated to the fictional rabbit Miffy.

Utrecht can be where the beloved fish doorbell is stationed. The camera, installed in one among town’s locks, helps fish migration. 

Hoge Veluwe National Park is a hidden slice of nature

The Hoge Veluwe National Park is a terrific place for a nature-based day trip. The park is a singular mixture of heathlands, sand dunes, and woodlands. The doorway fee is €13.40 per person for adults (12+) and €6.70 for youngsters. Once contained in the park, you need to use one among the free white bicycles, and explore 40 kilometres of biking paths.

The park also houses the Kröller-Müller Museum, which features a powerful collection of Van Gogh artwork, second only to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

It’s most accessible by automotive, but you can too take a bus from either the Ede or Apeldoorn train stations.

Rotterdam hides a quick food secret

The second-largest city within the Netherlands provides a really different experience from that of other cities. 

As a port city, Rotterdam was heavily bombed through the Second World War.  Much of town needed to be rebuilt, so its buildings are very modern and modern. It has many skyscrapers and bridges that make for a definite skyline. 

Rotterdam’s attractions include the horseshoe-shaped grocery store Markthal, cube-shaped houses designed by architect Piet Blom, and the Erasmus Bridge, which overlooks the most important and one among the busiest harbours in Europe.

Town can be where a singular Dutch fast food originated. Kapsalon, because it is named, is a smorgasbord of doner meat, fries, Gouda, lettuce, tomato, garlic sauce, and sambal hot sauce. It was invented in Rotterdam in 2003 by a Cape Verdean hairdresser (Kapsalon is Dutch for hairdressing salon). 

Texel is great for a beach holiday

Within the north of the Netherlands are a series of islands, and the biggest of all of them is Texel. A part of the Dutch Wadden Islands, Texel is a perfect spot for those seeking to escape the large cities. It has a various landscape: beaches, dunes, and forests, and is described as a “bird watcher’s paradise”. 

While the coast attracts many visitors through the summer, it’s open all yr round. The island will be reached by ferry: boats leave from Den Helder multiple times a day, every single day.

The Hague is greater than just government

Den Haag is the de facto capital of the Netherlands. It’s the country’s administrative centre, seat of presidency, and likewise the positioning of the International Criminal Court. 

But town can be wealthy with museums, parks, and a coastline. Yow will discover Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” on display on the Mauritshuis.  And the Kunstmuseum and Escher museum are also great places to go to for art lovers. 

The Hague’s 11 kilometres of beaches are great to go to through the summer, especially the Scheveningen pier. Scheveningen district also hosts “Vlaggetjesdag” day each summer: a festival dedicated to the Dutch delicacy of herring. 

Go to Maastricht for a taste of the south

For those who fancy a visit to the opposite end of the Netherlands, it’s best to pay a visit to Maastricht. Positioned within the Dutch province of Limburg – only a stone’s throw away from the Belgian border –  Maastricht is understood for its medieval-era architecture and vibrant student life. 

One thing you’ll want to examine out is the Boekhandel Dominicanen, a bookstore situated inside a former church. 

Town also comes alive for Carnaval: a three-day public street festival six weeks before Easter Sunday. The festival is generally only celebrated in Dutch cities south of the river. 

Haarlem and Leiden have an Amsterdam aesthetic without all of the hustle

These cities are similar but underrated alternatives to the capital city. Each have classic Dutch buildings, canals, central market squares, and windmills. And while you possibly can rent a motorbike in either city, each are quite walkable. 

In Leiden, you possibly can pay a visit to the Hortus Botanicus Leiden. It’s the oldest botanical garden within the Netherlands, and likewise home to the smelly Amorphophallus gigas – which accurately translates as ‘giant shapeless penis’. 

Haarlem is the positioning of the primary and oldest museum within the Netherlands, the Teylers Museum. It’s an art, science, and natural history museum multi functional, and throughout the years has welcomed guests like Napoleon, Tsar Alexander, and Albert Einstein.