5 Days in the Netherlands - 5 Unique Itineraries

Itinerary #1: Flower Tour of Holland

Cycle through tulip fields, spend time at a floating flower market, and visit the largest flower park in the world on this colorful trip that's perfect for flower fans.

Welcome to the Netherlands! Begin the adventure with a cruise along Amsterdam's canals in a private boat. You'll stop along the journey to admire colorful blooms at the floating flower market on Singel Canal. Then you'll explore Amsterdam Tulip Museum, where you'll learn about the so-called "Tulip Mania" that captivated the city in the 17th century. 

On day two, you'll head to de Bollenstreek, meaning "Flower Bulb Region," to see fields of colorful flowers. Then ride an e-bike to the Flower Art Museum and have lunch at a lakefront restaurant on the lake. You'll cycle more the next day, this time to a live flower auction and onward to the beautiful flower gardens of Keukenhof, featuring seven million flowers in springtime. Continue pedaling to the seaside town of Noordwijk aan Zee, where you'll sleep near the beach. Go for a morning stroll on the beach and enjoy the gorgeous coastal scenery, traditionally a flower-growing region, on day four. Dine on seafood in one of many beachfront cafés and restaurants before heading back to Amsterdam, where the trip comes to an end. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cycle Tour of North Holland

On this active itinerary around northern Holland, you'll explore historic villages and country roads on two wheels, stopping to admire flowers and sample locally made cheeses along the way.

After arrival in Amsterdam, you'll hop on a bike and get the cycling trip started right away. Pedal to the town of Marken and then onto the fishing village of Volendam, later stopping in Edam, famous for its centuries-old cheese market. Rest for the evening in the historic town of Hoorn, once a hub of trade for the Dutch East India Company. On day two, continue to Enkhuizen, known for its grand mansions and pretty harbor. Then it's onto Medemblik, home to the large castle known as Kasteel Radboud. Tour the castle, then have dinner in a local restaurant.

The next day's bike ride leads to historic Zuiderzee Works, where you can ride along a dike that's partly surrounded by water. The following stop is Den Helder, a defense complex that was built in the time of Napoleon. Stop to tour the antique submarine at the fascinating Navy Museum before checking in for an overnight stay at Hotelboat Antje, a hotel housed inside an old sailing cargo ship. 

On day four, you'll pedal through the largest flower-growing area in Europe, then continue onto Bergen. From here, you can side-trip to the seaside or to a local cheese farm to sample artisanal cheeses. On the last day, on your way back to Amsterdam, you'll spot some windmills at Zaanse Schans — a lovely way to end the trip. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Discover the Dutch Masters

Ideal for art history enthusiasts, this art tour offers an overview of the Dutch Masters, taking you to see the original works of Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Johannes Vermeer.

You won't waste any time delving into the Netherlands' art scene: on day one, the itinerary features a visit to Rijksmuseum, home to The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn and The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer. Continue to the Van Gogh Museum to see Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and other original works by one of the most famous artists in the world. You'll learn more about Rembrandt on day two when you tour the Rembrandt Huis, located in the house where the artist lived and worked for almost two decades. Continue by train to Delft and the Vermeer Center, where you can visit the painter's onetime studio.

You'll view Girl with a Pearl Earring, on display in the government collection at The Mauritshuis, the following day while visiting The Hague. Spend the afternoon exploring the museums of Leiden, home to the oldest university in the country. Your Dutch art history itinerary continues on day four with a train ride to the city of Haarlem. Here, you'll tour Frans Hals Museum and learn about one of the greatest painters of the Dutch Golden Age. The city is also home to the Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands, featuring an extensive art collection. Circle back to Amsterdam on day five, where the trip comes to an end. Learn more

Itinerary #4: World War II in the Netherlands

Learn about the war years in the Netherlands on this wide-ranging itinerary that includes stops at Anne Frank House, Camp Westerbork detention camp, military cemeteries and memorials, and a refugee hideaway in the woods.

The trip begins in Amsterdam with a visit to the Anne Frank House. The museum is built around the secret annex where she and her family hid for over two years. Afterward, walk over to the Dutch Resistance Museum to learn about the resistance movement in Amsterdam during the war years. The next day, you'll go on a two-hour drive to the remains of Camp Westerbork, once a detention camp where over 100,000 Dutch, Jews, and Roma were assembled for transport to concentration camps. In the afternoon, stop at Het Verscholen Dorp (the Secret Village), built to provide shelter to more than 80 refugees, including Jews, Brits, and Germans. Take a break from war history with a relaxing overnight on the edge of Hoge Veluwe National Park. 

On day three, you'll visit the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek and Airborne at the Bridge, a monument paying homage to British, German, and Dutch officers who fought and died here during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Continue on to the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the Netherlands. Finish the day on a sunset walk across Oversteek Brug in honor of the 48 American soldiers who died here. On the last full day of the trip, explore Nijmegen's wartime history with a local guide, then check into the Hotel de Wereld (Hotel The World) where the Nazi German Army famously capitulated. See the National Monument in Amsterdam before the trip ends. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Family Tour of The Netherlands

This lively trip plan around the Netherlands is fun for the whole family, featuring a private boat ride through the canals of Amsterdam, a steam train ride to Medemblik, and a bicycle trip to the North Sea.

Kick off the trip with a line-up of kid-friendly activities in Amsterdam, including a boat tour of the canals, a stop at interactive NEMO Science Museum, a picnic at Vondelpark, and a ride up to sky-high A’DAM Tower. It's home to a panoramic observation deck and Europe’s highest swing. The oldest zoo in the Netherlands awaits on day two with an aquarium and a planetarium. Then zip over to the harbor town of Hoorn on the train, where you'll go for a cruise on a private boat and relax in the evening. 

Board a steam engine in Hoorn, passing colorful fields of tulips if it happens to be spring, on your way to Medemblik on day three. From there, you'll get to ride on a naval destroyer ship across Lake IJssel, the largest lake in Holland. Go sailing, waterskiing, or canoeing on the lake, or detour to the theme park Sprookjeswonderland. You'll enjoy a Dutch-style bicycle adventure on day four, pedaling through a landscape of sand dunes to the beach resort town of Bergen aan Zee. Relax on the beach or visit the Sea Aquarium. On day five, you'll spot windmills on your way back to Amsterdam, where the trip comes to a close. Learn more 

More Great Itineraries of the Netherlands

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to the Netherlands? If you have a few more days to spend experiencing the culture and landscapes of Holland, check out these 7-day itineraries.