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Where to go other than Amsterdam?

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Hello! We are planning a visit to the Netherlands next May. We’ve been to Amsterdam — and loved it — so would like to see some other areas. We would probably still do a night or two in Amsterdam, but looking for somewhere else that would make for a nice stay for ~ 3 nights or so.

As a contrast to Amsterdam looking for smaller quainter areas,. We also enjoy outdoor activities. Am I correct that mid May will be too late for tulips?

It seems that Leiden or Utrecht would be the obvious considerations. Is it better to base in one (Leiden?) and day trip elsewhere? Or split the time. We are also interested in Haarlem. Less so the Hague or Rotterdam.

Appreciate any ideas, and thank you in advance.

Posted by
2249 posts

Enkhuizen was fun.

Did you see this thread already? https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/netherlands/amsterdam-side-trips-c7acff08-5c1a-47ae-ba25-28ed126e030a

Visiting Aalsmeer (at 7am) is not for the auction (which people here say is not as interesting as it used to be), but to see the whole gigantic operation. My husband and I loved it and we were there for hours. Some people on the forum say it's just carts of flowers driving around, proving once again that people are different.

Posted by
15 posts

I spent 2 nights in Delft, one to see the beautiful town, and then took a day trip to Leiden. I then spent two nights in Haarlem, with the same format. First day seeing the town, and the next taking a day trip to Amsterdam where I had been several times before, but wanted to spend my time in just The Jordaan, which turned out great. Using Leiden as a longer term base and taking day trips to Delft, Haarlem, and possibly Ultrecht, might be something to consider without having to change hotels. BTW, I also spent one night in Rotterdam, which was fine, but just didn't have the charm of the smaller towns.

Posted by
37020 posts

Am I correct that mid May will be too late for tulips?

Yes. Unless you are very early in May and make a trip to Keukenhof gardens in the first days.

Keukenhof is the big tulip show south of Haarlem and northwest of Leiden.

Keukenhof will be open from 18 March 2027 to 9 May 2027.

Posted by
2662 posts

This last spring I stayed in Utrecht and Haarlem. I had previously stayed in Leiden. To me, Utrecht is not smaller/quainter, though maybe it is compared to Amsterdam. I preferred Leiden to Haarlem, so I would choose Leiden as my base.

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