20 BEST Day Trips From Amsterdam (Map + Hidden Gems)

This collection of best day trips from Amsterdam will give you plenty of ideas on where to visit if you’re in the city for an extended period.

The city is well connected to the rest of the Netherlands, which means you can go on some of the best day trips from Amsterdam and arrive at your destination in a short space of time!

There is a lot to see in the Netherlands. If you’re in Amsterdam for a while, using the city as a base to explore the country is a good idea, due to the excellent transport infrastructure in place.

There are plenty of lesser-known places to visit in the Netherlands such as Alkmaar, Delft and Zaanse Schans, that are easily accessible from Amsterdam.

If you want to know more about Amsterdam day trips and see what the rest of the Netherlands has to offer, keep on scrolling!

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Best Day Trips From Amsterdam

As you can see, some of these Amsterdam excursions are close to the city while others are further away. All of the destinations can be reached in under 3 hours, with Bruges and Ghent the furthest trips.

If you spend 3 days in Amsterdam or longer, you should be able to see some of these places before you depart!

To help you visualise distances and where the day tours are, I’ve included all these day trips from Amsterdam on a map.

• Green: City day trips
• Red: Small towns
• Blue:  Beach, historical day trips

Zaanse Schans

If you want to visit somewhere in the Netherlands that has lots and lots of windmills, Zaanse Schans is the place to go.

It’s a small, picturesque town in the Dutch countryside that’s almost an open air museum of the idyllic nature of the country and the perfect place to explore for the day.

As well as the numerous windmills, you will see lots of tulips in the summer and there is a clog workshop you can visit too!

The train takes around 35 minutes from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans, so it’s just a short trip to get there.

However, the train station is a good 1.5 km walk from the centre. You can take the 391 bus towards Amsterdam if you don’t want to walk that far!

One thing to bear in mind is that Zaanse Schans gets busy during the summer so it may be worth setting off early if you can to avoid the crowds!

Another option is to book a tour from Amsterdam if you don’t want to take public transport. The tour will also provide you with local knowledge and info that you otherwise might miss out on!

Haarlem

If you want to visit somewhere really close to Amsterdam, Haarlem is the place to go. It is only 26 minutes away by car and a mere 26 minutes on a direct Sprinter train!

Haarlem is a small Dutch town, but it has a lot of character. There is a beautiful medieval church and lots of canals to explore by boats that you can rent. There are a number of museums you can check out too.

As with most Dutch cities, there is a large square with lots of beautiful architecture and places to eat and drink outside. It’s a great place to go if you want to sample some local Dutch food and beer!

A bike tour is a great way to see the city and learn more about it as you go along!

Hoorn

Hoorn is a charming seaside town that you have to visit on one of your Amsterdam day trips. The architecture here is incredible, with most of it dating back to medieval times.

The city is home to a number of museums, the Westfriesmuseum is one, in particular, you should check out. It details the history of the Dutch East India Company, which used Hoorn as a base for its operations.

Hoorn is a lot quieter than most other places in the area, especially nearby Volendam. This makes it a bit cheaper due to the lack of tourists. Plus, you’re getting a more authentic experience too!

It’s only 32 minutes away from Amsterdam by car or train, and is an easy and underrated place to visit from the capital!

Keukenhof/Lisse

If you ask anyone to name an iconic image of the Netherlands, they will either say windmills or tulip fields.

If you want to visit some impressive tulip fields in the Netherlands, Lisse, home to the Keukenhof tulip fields, is the place to go.

When you’re in Lisse you can visit the Museum de Zwarte Tulp, which explores the region’s history and the development of the various tulip varieties that are in existence today.

If you’re visiting Lisse to visit Keukenhof, it’s worth noting that it is more of a garden. If you want to see the actual tulip fields they are in the surrounding towns. You can easily get there on foot, so it’s not much of an issue.

If you get the train to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, you can get a bus from there to Keukenhof, which will take you to the town in about 30 minutes.

Alkmaar

Alkmaar is known as the ‘cheese capital’ of the Netherlands, so it stands to figure you should try some of the cheese once you get there!

A visit to the cheese market is a must if you love cheese. It runs every Friday morning from March to September.

Like most cities in the Netherlands, Alkmaar has numerous canals and beautiful architecture. If you’re like me and enjoy walking around places while you travel, Alkmaar is one of the best cities in the Netherlands to do this!

You can also visit the Stedelijk Museum, which is home to numerous exhibitions of art and history. There is a museum about the Beatles too curiously! If you love beer, you can check out the National Beer Museum in Alkmaar too! 

It’s only a 30-minute trip from the centre of Amsterdam, so you enjoy a wonderful experience in Alkmaar and not need to rush to catch the train back to Amsterdam!

Leiden

Leiden is a historic city not far from Amsterdam, and one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands! This makes it one of the best day trips from Amsterdam in terms of convenience.

It may be a small city, but there are still lots of things to do in Leiden, such as admiring its picturesque canals.

You can visit the beautiful botanic gardens, check out the National Museum of Antiquities and visit Burcht van Leiden, a park with an intriguing medieval castle.

As well as these sights there are numerous cafes and bars you can visit too once you get a little peckish!

The train journey only takes around 36 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal, which makes Leiden a great place to take a day trip from Amsterdam.

Zandvoort

If you visit Amsterdam during the summer and fancy a trip to the beach, then you’re in luck! You can spend the day in Zandvoort, which is only a short train ride from the capital. 

There are a lot of activities you can do at Zandvoort once you get there. Surfing, paddle-boarding, kitesurfing and other water sports are all available to do.

Granted there isn’t much else to do in Zandvoort apart from visiting the beach, but if that’s all you want to do for the day, it’s the perfect place to go from Amsterdam.

It only takes 30 minutes to get to Zandvoort from Amsterdam by train, making it an ideal place for day trips from Amsterdam in the summer.

Utrecht

Utrecht is one of my favourite cities in the Netherlands. It’s easy to get from Amsterdam, taking around 26 minutes by direct train.

It’s one of the major Dutch cities and is like a mini Amsterdam in a few ways, minus the sheer volume of tourists. The famous canals snaking through the city make for a lovely backdrop, and are best appreciated by a boat ride.

One thing you have to do while you’re here is to visit St Martins’ Cathedral. it was once the largest church in the Netherlands, but the nave collapsed following a storm in 1674 and was never rebuilt.

This leaves the tower isolated and a short walk from the rest of the church. It’s an intriguing and visually striking building, which is one of many great things to do in Utrecht!

You can also check out the Pyramid of Austerlitz if you visit Utrecht. It’s one of the best-hidden gems in the Netherlands and has some incredible views from the top. It’s just outside the city and is a fantastic place to visit during the summer!

Due to the ease of reaching Utrecht, it is without doubt, one of the best Amsterdam day trips.

Amersfoort

Amersfoort is a small medieval town, which is an ideal place to visit if you’re looking to get away from the tourist crowds.

The town is home to numerous breweries and cafes, if you want to try some local Dutch beer, Amersfoort is the place to go!

It’s the ideal place to visit for a day if you want to relax in cafes in Central Square and stroll along the canals in the town.

It takes about 46 minutes to get to Amersfoort from Amsterdam Centraal. This makes Amersfoort an ideal day trip from Amsterdam if you want to go somewhere that is easy to get to.

Gouda

Gouda is one of the best places to visit in the Netherlands if you’re a fan of cheese. Most people head to Alkmaar to get their fix of cheese, but you can visit Gouda instead if you want a quieter place to go!

Gouda Cheese Market is the place to go to satisfy all your needs, and you’ll a huge range of cheeses to sample and buy! There are also plenty of cheese shops to check out if you want even more cheese!

It’s not the biggest place to go and there isn’t an awful lot to see in the city center. However, you can rent a bike and explore the surrounding countryside as well! 

Gouda is only a 52-minute train ride from Amsterdam Central Station. It’s a very easy place to get to! If you want to go on a day trip from Amsterdam to a lesser-known Dutch town, Gouda is a good place to visit!

Den Haag

Den Haag, also known as The Hague, is one of the most interesting places you can visit on a day tour from Amsterdam. It’s where the Dutch government operates, while the King also lives nearby in the Royal Palace.

Due to it being the third-biggest city in the Netherlands, there are plenty of things to do in The Hague. You can visit the Mauritshuis, which is one of the world class museums in the city, and looks at the Dutch Golden Age, and you can check out the Binnenhof, which is close to the Dutch parliament.

A visit to the Peace Palace, the city’s most photographed building, is another place you should visit on your trip. It’s where the International Criminal Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration are based. You can visit the centre, but you will need to book in advance!

A day trip to Den Haag from Amsterdam takes around 45 to one hour, making it an ideal place to visit if you’re in Amsterdam for a long period of time.

Delft

Delft is a charming little town about an hour away from Amsterdam. It’s famous for its pottery and is home to the Delftware factory.

If you’re a fan of pottery or want to know more about how the pottery is made, a trip to the factory is something you should do. If you don’t want to visit the factory, there are a lot of other things to do in Delft.

You can visit a number of cafes, check out the Grote Market Square and learn more about the history of the Royal Family and its connection to Delft.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and an interesting place to visit from Amsterdam. The city has a different feel to it from the capital, owing to its destruction in World War II and subsequent rebuild.

The main attractions in Rotterdam have a more futuristic feel to them which is reflected in the colorful houses and buildings. The majority of which are a mixture of classical design and modern architecture, as well as a few wacky designs. 

It only takes 39 minutes to reach by train, which makes it an ideal place for a day trip from Amsterdam.

The Blaak Houses, Erasmus Bridge and Cube Houses are places you must check out during your trip from Amsterdam.

Rotterdam is a very different city from Amsterdam and one you will thoroughly enjoy visiting when you visit Holland! If you get the chance, spending 3 days in Rotterdam is a good way to see all the city has to offer.

Dordrecht

Dordrecht is an interesting city an hour away from Amsterdam. It’s a beautiful city with numerous canals that’s a lot quieter than big cities such as Rotterdam or Utrecht.

The canals snake their way through the city and give it a similar feel to Venice, albeit without anywhere near the same number of tourists!

One of the things you have to do in Dordrecht is to visit Grote Kerk. It’s a medieval church that was first built in 1285. The church has a tower, which leans slightly, that you can climb and provides excellent views of the city.

Dordrecht is a lesser-known, but excellent place to visit on a day trip from Amsterdam!

Zwolle

Zwolle is an interesting little city over an hour and a half away from Amsterdam by train. Despite its small size, there are plenty of things you can do in Zwolle.

Sassenpoort Gate is one place you should definitely check out. These towering gates can’t be missed when you’re in the city and make for an impressive sight!

You should also check out the Waanders in het Broeren bookstore, which is set in an old Catholic Church. It’s one of the most beautiful and striking bookstores you can find in the Netherlands!

You can also eat at one of the best restaurants in the Netherlands, De Librije, which currently has three Michelin Stars.

You can normally get a table on most weeknights, but it’s trickier at the weekends. It may be worth booking ahead if you plan on eating there during your day trip to Zwolle.

Kinderdijk

If you’re looking to find somewhere that has a lot of windmills close to Amsterdam, Kinderdijk in South Holland, is the place to go for a touristy day trip!

The windmills at Kinderdijk are a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a good place to learn about the history of the Netherlands and the important role windmills play in the country.

It takes about 2 hours and a half to get to this beautiful town from Amsterdam. Kinderdijk is close to Rotterdam, so you could get a train there and get the bus to Kinderdijk.

Windmills are an iconic sight in the Netherlands, so if you want to see some up close, a trip to Kinderdijk from Amsterdam is a must.

Giethoorn

Giethoorn is one of the best day trips from Amsterdam due to the quirky nature of the town. Instead of roads, the town has canals which make getting there a little tricky!

Unless you have a car, it’s a difficult place to reach. You’ll need to take a few buses and trains. This makes it an almost 2-hour trip from Amsterdam, so you’ll need to be up early to make the most of a day in Giethoorn!

Once you arrive in Giethoorn, you’ll be presented with a small town that looks like something out of a fairytale. Thatched houses, cycle paths and canals make it a unique place to visit if you’re accustomed to roads everywhere!

Giethoorn is different from the other places on this list, but that’s all the more reason why you should pay it a visit! It’s a fascinating glimpse into a different side of the Netherlands!

Groningen

Groningen is a beautiful university town close to the North Sea. It may take a while to get there, at over 2 hours by train, but it’s well worth it!

There are lots of things to do in Groningen such as climbing the Martinitoren, where you can see a great view of the city and the countryside on a clear day. You can also check out the Groninger Museum, which has a lot of interesting exhibits.

Groningen has some beautiful botanic gardens that you can walk around. They are a great place to go for a little while and get some peace and quiet in the fresh air.

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Groningen too, so you won’t be short of places to eat during your day there!

Ghent

Ghent is one of the best day trips from Amsterdam and one that takes you across the border into Belgium. Much like Bruges, it takes just over 2 hours to reach from the Dutch capital.

A trip to Ghent is similar to visiting Bruges in a number of ways, with traditional houses, lots of medieval history and lots of great food and drink to try in one of the best places to see in Belgium.

The city is also home to some fantastic street art. Sleepstraat, Grawpoort and Rodelijvekensstraat are the places to go if you want to check it out!

Like Bruges, a good way to see the city is on a boat tour along the canals. You’ll get a unique perspective of the city and learn more about it too!

Ghent is further from Amsterdam than most of the other places on this list, but it’s somewhere you should visit if you get the chance.

Bruges

Bruges is in Belgium, not the Netherlands, but it’s still easy to reach from Amsterdam. There are frequent trains that leave from Amsterdam Centraal daily so you won’t have much difficulty getting there.

The trip takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours, which means a round trip is around 5 to 6 hours. I recommend you leave early to make the most of your half a day in the city, as there’s so much to see and do.

A weekend in Bruges is a good idea if you’re based in Amsterdam! This way you can get more out of the trip and get a nice break from the hustle and bustle too!

There are a lot of things to do in Bruges, the best of which is checking out the Belfry of Bruges. This observation tower is the landmark of the city and offers incredible views from the top.

You can also go on a canal tour of the city to learn more about its past and present. Bruges is also famous for its beer and chocolate, so you should definitely do some chocolate tasting and drink some while you’re in the city.

Day trips from Amsterdam to Bruges are common and it’s something you should consider if you’re visiting Amsterdam for a long period of time.

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