Having visited a number of cities in the Netherlands, I've discovered that many of them are very beautiful. These cities are the perfect place to relax and unwind and to take a break from the daily grind. They are located in various parts of the country and offer many different sights and attractions. This list is not an exhaustive list of the best cities in the Netherlands, but it's a great starting point.
Alkmaar
Located between Den Helder and Amsterdam, Alkmaar is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. This little town is full of historic buildings, canals and canal houses. There are hundreds of municipal monuments and national heritage sites.
One of the best things to do in Alkmaar is to take a canal cruise. The city has an intricate canal system, similar to the Capital Beltway in the UK. Cruises allow you to see iconic mills and churches.
Another great attraction is the Alkmaar cheese market. This market takes place every Friday from March through September. It is a recreation of a historical event and preserves Dutch culture.
The city's main pedestrian street, Langestraat, is quiet at 9:30 in the morning but is very lively by night. It's also a great place to find shops and restaurants.
The old weighing house where cheese was sold is now the Cheese Museum. The building's roof received a certificate from GreenCalc for being carbon neutral.
Another popular attraction is the Medieval Garden. This park is filled with information on plants and flowers from all over Europe.
Haarlem
Despite its proximity to Amsterdam, Haarlem is often overlooked by tourists. That's a shame, because this beautiful city offers a quaint and medieval Dutch vibe. If you have a day to spend in Haarlem, there are plenty of things to see and do.
The main square, Grote Markt, is where you'll find several monumental buildings. Several shops and restaurants offer a range of food and drinks. In addition, the square also hosts events and concerts.
In the city centre, you'll also find the tulip market. The annual Flower Parade in the Bulb region features hundreds of different tulips. There's also a flower festival held on Grote Markt, which includes a colorful parade.
The city has a wide range of museums. The Teylers Museum is the oldest, and is also dedicated to one of the greatest Dutch painters of the 17th century. The museum is also the oldest scientific museum in the Netherlands. It specializes in natural history and science.
The Barrel Organ Museum is also worth a visit. You can also visit the Ten Boom Museum, which is a museum that hid Jews during World War II.
Zutphen
Located on the river banks of the Berkel and IJssel rivers, Zutphen, The Netherlands is one of the oldest cities in northwestern Europe. Its historic city centre has preserved the medieval ambience of its past. It also attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Zutphen has a lot of places to explore and activities to do. It's a great day trip from Amsterdam or other Dutch cities. You can take a guided walking tour or simply walk around and explore the beautiful medieval city centre.
One of the best things to do in Zutphen is to take a canal cruise on the IJssel river. The cruise lasts about an hour and takes you around some of the surrounding locations.
Another great thing to do in Zutphen is to visit the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen, which features a collection of historic items and artefacts. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 17:00. It offers free audio tours in English and Dutch.
You can also take a walk along the IJssel river promenade, located near Zutphen's marina. You can also take a guided walking tour around the historic fortifications.
Delft
Located between The Hague and Rotterdam on the River Schie, Delft is a historic Dutch city with excellent preservation of its historic buildings. Delft has a rich culture, charming scenery, and many outdoor activities.
Delft is a compact city with a charming historic Old Town, numerous churches, and a market square. Delft also has a large pedestrian zone, making it easy to walk around.
Delft's Market Square, also known as the Delft Markt, is the city's central gathering place. It is where people meet, shop, and dine. It is also the location of Delft's City Hall.
The Delft City Hall is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It is located on the west side of the Market Square. The Renaissance style building includes many notable features, such as a small gable with a figure of Justice. It also retains the 15th-century stone tower known as Het Steen.
Delft's oldest church, the Oude Kerk, dates from 1246. Its tower was once leaning over a canal. The tower was rebuilt in 1875 and is now 109 meters tall.
Willemstad
Located on the Caribbean Sea, Willemstad is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. The city's downtown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and features colorful buildings that were built in the Dutch colonial period. A visit to Willemstad will allow you to experience some of the oldest colonial architecture in the Western Hemisphere.
The city is divided into four historic districts. The first is Pietermaai, which is nicknamed the coolest new avenue for nightlife. Pietermaai is located on a street with a bright pink and purple color scheme. It is also home to many of Willemstad's most historic buildings, which have been restored and converted into restaurants and boutique hotels.
Willemstad's history includes the Dutch colonial period, which began in the first half of the 17th century. After that, the city became known as the trade hub of the Atlantic slave trade, and later for petroleum storage and banking. This made it a popular port for cruise ships. The city's historic core was damaged during a revolt in May 1969, which left several parts of the city in disrepair for two decades.
Hoge Veluwe National Park
Located in the Netherlands, Hoge Veluwe National Park is the most famous nature reserve in the country. It is home to roe deer, wild boar and other mammals. It also contains sand dunes, dense forests and heaths.
The park was created in the mid-19th century when Anton Kruller bought an estate. The land was cleared of forests, and sand dunes were formed. The park is now home to over 500 species of flora and fauna.
The park is located near the province of Gelderland. It is the largest actively managed nature reserve in private ownership in the Netherlands. It has over 5,500 hectares of pristine nature. The park features a variety of original Veluwe landscapes.
The park is a popular destination for birdwatchers. There are a number of observation points in the northwest and center sections. Visitors can also observe species of wild sheep and roe deer.
Visitors can also explore the park by foot. There are designated hiking paths in the park. Visitors can follow small destination boards that direct them to different parts of the park. The trails are peaceful and easy to navigate.
Middelburg
Located in the province of Zeeland, Middelburg is a city that is surrounded by canals and historic buildings. The town is a popular tourist destination. Its buildings and streets are beautiful and have a unique feel. There are many attractions to see in Middelburg, so visit and you will be surprised by the charm of this city.
The town was founded as a fortified town in the 9th century. In 1217, it received a municipal charter. Before the Reformation, Middelburg was the most important city in the lowlands. In the Middle Ages, the town became a trading center. In the 16th century, ships would anchor in Middelburg for trade in spices and textiles. It was also the center of rifle civic service. In the 19th century, the town was the seat of the VOC (Dutch East India Company).
It was destroyed in World War II, but was rebuilt afterward. Today, Middelburg is one of the most attractive cities in the Netherlands. It has over 1100 buildings that are landmarked. You can find museums and galleries in Middelburg. There are also numerous cafes and restaurants.
Groningen
Located in the north of the Netherlands, Groningen is one of the largest cities in the country. It is a lively student city that is also home to tens of thousands of residents. Groningen is famous for its museums and vibrant arts and culture scene. It is a great place to visit year-round.
Groningen has a temperate climate. During the summer, the average daytime temperatures are around 22degC. During the winter, temperatures are lower. Snow can also be expected in the winter. This makes Groningen a good city to visit for a long staycation.
Groningen is home to an excellent Groninger Museum, which has a wide collection of objects from Groningen and other regions. The collection includes art, ceramics, silver, archaeological finds, and Japanese porcelain. The museum also has English-speaking tour guides.
The Groninger Museum also features an innovative temporary exhibition program. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also has an astronomy section, an Egyptian mummy, and an ethnology section. The museum is located in a building designed by Italian architect Alessandro Mendini.
