My husband and I (both in our early 30s) are planning a trip to Amsterdam this June. I spent time in Amsterdam in college, but my husband has never been. Our trip is 8 days in total. What are some day trips/locations in the Netherlands that are worth checking out? He is not really a museum person but loves the outdoors and we plan on biking a lot. Also, any Amsterdam suggestions are welcome that are off the beaten path as I've done most of the tourist things and he has no interest. We enjoy ballet and theatre if there are any suggestions there as well. Thank you!
Posted by
🌲🌲 Minnesota🌲🌲
13422 posts
I love the city of Leiden, and would definitely recommend a day trip there. I really enjoyed this beautiful university town. It is the home of Leiden University, which is one of the oldest universities in the country, and is quite lovely with charming cobblestone streets and 17th century gabled houses. It has many historic buildings but does not have the "touristy" feel of many other places. It's a much more livable city with a wonderful atmosphere. The city has many picturesque canals and waterways, which are lovely to walk along and there are boat tours you can take. And there are lots of parks, gardens, and green spaces in Leiden.
There are several museums, including the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities), which has an wonderful collection of Egyptian artifacts. There is the Museum De Lakenhal (Municipal Museum), and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center. The Hortus Botanicus (botanical garden), which was established in 1590, was the site of the planting of Holland’s first tulip bulbs in 1593.
Rembrandt was born in Leiden, and Albert Einstein taught at Leiden University. St. Pieterskerk is quite historic and worth seeing, even if you just check out the outside of it. Rembrandt's parents were married and buried there.
In terms of transportation, Leiden has very easy access by train to other cities in the Netherlands, and is a very quick train ride from Amsterdam. I really cannot recommend Leiden enough.
Posted by
Haarlem, Netherlands
258 posts
Check out the National Opera and Ballet: https://www.operaballet.nl/en!
Plenty of bike options north of Amsterdam or go to Haarlem and rent a bike to cycle through the dunes to the sandy beach in Bloemendaal aan Zee. Some nice beach clubs there as well to explore.
Posted by
San Diego, California
7350 posts
Do the eight days include flying in/out? And you won't have been anywhere else in Europe?
We love staying in Haarlem, but Leiden is a close tie. If in Haarlem, order the free Corrie ten Boom Haus tickets now. In Leiden, there are the Botanical Gardens, which I believe are home to the tulip bulbs.
Day tripping (or overnight) to Rotterdam-and nearby Kinderdijk- is always a favorite , and different because of the history and architecture. Rotterdam surprises allot of folks with its vitality and uniqueness.
There are many opportunities to bike to the coast, but I wouldn't bike in Amsterdam, it's way too hectic. Wait until you're in a smaller town.
Enjoy one of my favorite countries! Safe travels!
PS
My recent Trip Report- maybe there's a few useful bits.
Posted by
Chicago
4633 posts
My trip report from a few years ago might give you some ideas:
There is also info. in there about how easy it is to use public transportation.
I’m returning to the Netherlands next year and will be staying in Delft and Leiden.
Dennis Callan has some great videos on the different cities. Here are a just a few:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18U00uy4Ok&t=7s
Posted by
San Diego, California
7350 posts
Carrie, when are you going? I'm so happy for you. Where are you staying in Leiden?
Your tips on the world-class public transportation system helped me a lot.
Oh, there's always Hoorn for a delightful day trip!
Posted by
640 posts
About 20 minutes train ride from Amsterdam, you can visit the Zaanse Schans windmills. I believe it's about an hour's bike ride away. Very picturesque. The town of Wormerveer is on the same route. Nice riverfront with houseboats and old industrial buildings.
Posted by
🌲🌲 Minnesota🌲🌲
13422 posts
Pat made an excellent suggestion about Hoorn. That's a really lovely town and sits on the coast north of Amsterdam. I went there on a day trip when I was staying in Amsterdam and really had a lovely time. It has all the characteristics of a fishing village but has some wonderful restaurants and beautiful scenery and is just a really nice place to visit. There's the Westfries museum there too that has some very interesting art from that region.
Posted by
Chicago
4633 posts
Carrie, when are you going? I'm so happy for you. Where are you
staying in Leiden?
Hi Pat! I'll be there in June before and after my Holland America cruise to Norway.
I'll be staying at the Boutique Hotel d'Oude Morsch in Leiden.