We fly into Amsterdam airport early on Friday and fly out on Easter Sunday very early. We would love to spend the day and a half exploring the Netherlands (not Amsterdam) . We realize it will be busy but wondering if it would be better to stay and explore Haarlem/Delft or try to stay in Zaandam and explore Edam/Volendam area.
We are more into cobbled streets , bridges and old churches rather than flower fields and windmills Also planning on taking trains/busses but we could rent a car as we end up back at the airport. I should also say we are a family of four (two well traveled teen boys).
Posted by
The Netherlands
1596 posts
I always find these “what is best/better” questions very difficult to answer. I don’t know you, so I have no idea what’s best for you.
Also you will be here at a very busy time, so the best option might be to first check where you can still find an accommodation for 4 people during the Easter holidays.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
I appreciate that. Delft has more options for places to stay so I’m assuming it’s less touristy over Easter weekend. It’s the end of our trip so we will be pretty touristed out. I love Amsterdam but wanted to spend a day outside the city. I guess we are just looking to feel like we are in a pretty Dutch town where we can wander a bit over bridges, grab lunch and peek in churches or shops, then move on to the next town. I just assumed given the time it was an either one direction- towards Delft/Haarlem or the other way north. I’d love to find a Saturday market or any sort of Easter festivities.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1596 posts
I honestly wouldn’t count on any of the places that you listed to not be busy during the Easter holidays. Due to our proximity, The Netherlands is a very popular destination for tourists from Belgium and especially Germany during the Easter break. But on the other hand, you yourself will be tourists too :-)
Haarlem has a large market on Saturday and so does the lovely city of Leiden. Leiden ticks all your boxes in terms of bridges, shops and churches, but so do Delft, Haarlem, Utrecht, Amersfoort and many other cities in the Netherlands.