Are you planning a day trip from Amsterdam or looking for inspiration to find a perfect day out for the whole family?
We understand it can be difficult to decide where to go, since there are so many adventures around the Dutch capital.
After checking all the top attractions around the city, we’ve come up with a list of the best day trips from Amsterdam to ensure a fun day of experiences.
Read on to see what tours are available.
1. Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken & Volendam
If you are looking at escaping the bustle of Amsterdam for a few hours, this tour will offer a unique opportunity to explore the Dutch countryside.
This half-day trip will take you through magical villages like Zaanse Schans, famous for its traditional 17th and 18th-century buildings.
The charm of the Netherlands is all in the landscapes.
Look out for wooden houses, rolling hills, old windmills, and twisting canals.
Alternatively, if you are interested in the local crafts, visit the shoemaker that bring his shoes to life from wood.
Join a guided tour to explore the fishing village of Marken, Cheese Factory and the Old Dutch Bakery in Volendam.
Best of all, after getting enough delicious Dutch delicacies, you will head for a working wooden windmill and observe a demonstration!
While in summer or spring you will be able to make the best out of a sunny day here.
Although, the winter drive is just as captivating!
This tour is loved equally by kids and adults.
Boasting fresh products, authentic crafts, and charming landscapes, it really is perfect for a day trip from Amsterdam.
Details
- Departure point: Tours & Tickets Departure Point, De Ruijterkade 34, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Availability: All year round
2. Keukenhof Gardens & Tulip Fields
If you are visiting Amsterdam you can’t miss out on the opportunity to take a day trip to the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens!
The park boasts over 7 million tulips, typically blooming over spring.
With over 800 varieties of bulbs artistically placed across over 32 hectares, you can be sure to have something to see and do for many hours here!
The Tulip Mania exhibition at the Juliana Pavilion is one of the many flowers shows hosted in this charming park.
With treasure hunts, mazes, pet farms, and natural playgrounds, the Gardens are perfect for families, kids, and couples alike.
Located only 40km away, the park is easily reachable from Amsterdam by car or by public transport.
However, return trips with an included local guide and free boat tours are available.
Be aware that the Gardens are only open over spring, usually between March and May.
This is when the flowers bloom.
Visiting in April will give you the best chances to see the park at its best.
While in March and May, the blooming cycle of the flowers can be affected by weather conditions.
If you are aiming to capture the best shot of the park, head here before 10.30am or after 6pm.
At these times, the softer light and absence of crowds make for the perfect (and most photogenic) trip!
Alternatively, grab a bicycle and explore the tulip fields in bloom around Amsterdam in the Bollenstreek area.
Details
- Departure Point: Tours & Tickets Departure Point, De Ruijterkade 34, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Availability: 21st March – 10th May (2020)
3. Madurodam
Are yo only staying in Amsterdam for a short period but want to see the whole country?
Head to Madurodam!
This 1:25 scale of Dutch villages and landscapes will allow you to explore the furthest corners of the Netherlands without having to walk too much.
This famous attraction has been on the list of everybody traveling to Amsterdam for the past 60 years ago when it was first developed.
Here you will be able to visit windmills, cross the peaceful canals, and admire the local architecture, all in one day!
Have a walk down the tiny streets and learn about the Dutch culture.
Moreover, don’t forget to admire the miniature gardens that have real plants and fruits in 1:25 scale!
To see the mini-gardens boasted by the park in full bloom, head here between April and October.
Take crazy photos that will make you look like a giant!
Madurodam is easily reachable by car or public transport and it is situated only 63km outside Amsterdam.
Rentable buggies, free pet kennels, and lockers, and other facilities are at the park to ensure the best day out!
Details
- Address: Madurodam, George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ, The Hague The Netherlands
- Duration: 2 hours
- Availability: All year round (11 am to 5 pm)
4. Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague
Holland has a lot more to offer than just Amsterdam!
This full-day tour will give you the option to explore the highlights of the country in all comfort and in a limited timeframe!
Start off early from Amsterdam and head an hour south towards Rotterdam.
Famous for its modern architecture, this city will not fail to surprise you.
Here you will be guided along the banks of the river Maas and Embark on a 1-hour river cruise.
Sliding across the calm waters, you will then visit the famous food market.
Afterwards, the tour will continue towards Delft, a traditional-looking village near The Hague which is perfect for a lunch stop.
You’ll stop at the Royal Delft Manufactory, where you’ll see a Dutch ceramic and pottery factory built in the 17th century.
From here, the bus tour will continue through The Hague.
This will take you to the best attractions in the city including the Dutch government building, the Houses of Parliament, and the Peace Palace.
On the way back towards Amsterdam, take a slight detour towards the Madurodam park.
This park is situated just outside The Hague where you can explore this 1:25 scale mini-city and take some interesting photos!
Lastly, to end the day, jump on a 1-hour cruise across Amsterdam’s canals and take a look at the city from a different point of view.
This tour is led by a local guide who will share with you stories and anecdotes of the different attractions.
Details
- Departure Point: Tours & Tickets Departure Point, De Ruijterkade 34, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 9 / 9.30 hours
- Availability: All year round
5. Rotterdam Full-Day Tour by Train
This private full-day tour will take you through the modern architecture and charming streets of Rotterdam.
It is located 1 hour south of Amsterdam.
Including train tickets from Amsterdam and a 3 hours walking tour of the city, this day out is perfect for families and couples.
The three hours walking tour through the streets of Rotterdam can be completely personalized to your taste and interests.
Among the most common attractions, you will be able to explore the new Rotterdam Market Hall, the famous Cube Houses, and see the Town Hall.
This is the perfect way to learn about the city’s history while strolling around the streets of the Old garbo.
Timings and destinations can be tailored to your preferences, so you will have time to pick up a souvenir or take photos of Amsterdam’s unique attractions.
Details
- Departure Point: Amsterdam, Centraal Station, 1012 TM Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 5 to 7 hours
- Availability: All year round( departures at 11 am or 1 pm)
6. Giethoorn Day Trip
This 9 hour day trip to Giethoorn village will transport you in a different, magical era.
Also called the Venice of the Netherlands, the village has a peaceful and charming atmosphere.
Since there are no streets, you will be guided on a small cruise through the calm canals and “side streets” (smaller canals).
Admire the picturesque houses nestled among blooming flower bunches and wooden bridges.
Aside from the chirping of birds, you’ll hear the calm flowing water of the canals.
This tour will be guided by a local guide from Giethoorn who will share stories about the village lifestyle and history.
While this tour is not private, it is limited to 25 guests to ensure a more personal and relaxing experience.
A trip to the Giethoorn village is a perfect day out from Amsterdam for nature-loving families and kids.
Couples looking to escaping the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam will also find a perfect romantic retreat in this village.
Details
- Departure Point: Prins Hendrikkade, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 9 hours.
- Availability: All year round (10.30 departure time)
7. Bruges Full-Day Tour
If you have more time in Amsterdam, why not explore this charming Belgian city?
Bruges is a medieval town situated only 3 hours drive south of Amsterdam.
It is famous for its cobbled streets, charming buildings, and historical architecture.
Go on a bus ride from Amsterdam, as your guide will introduce you to the city and its history.
Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bruges is best experienced at a slow pace.
On arrival, your guide will supply a map of the city and give you 5 hours freedom to roam around!
While the city center is small and easily walkable, expect the tour to take longer as you will often stop to admire the skyline, buildings, and churches.
If you are visiting during Christmas celebrations, check out the famous Christmas Market.
At this time of the year, many stalls are framed by the lit-up buildings and Christmas trees.
Other popular attractions to see include Belfry of Bruges, the Church of Our Lady Bruges, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Lastly, don’t forget to pick up some famous Belgian Chocolate to try during the drive back!
Details
- Departure Point: Tours & Tickets Departure Point, De Ruijterkade 34, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 12 hours
- Availability: All year round (9.30 departure time)
8. Brussels Full-Day Tour
Departing early in the morning from Amsterdam, you will arrive in Belgium’s capital just in time for brunch.
You local guide will lead you through the streets of Brussels, allowing enough time for you to take the perfect shot of the Atomium.
This bustling city boasts enough arts, museums, and architecture to keep you entertained throughout the day.
If you need a break from walking during the tour, stop at one of the chocolate factories for the best pralines in the country!
Continue your walking tour towards the iconic statue of Manneken and the Grand Palace.
Allow yourself to get lost among the cobbled streets and try all the chocolate you see!
Details
- Departure Point: De Ruijterkade 34, 1012 AA Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 11.30 – 12 hours
- Availability: All year round (9.30 am departure time)
9. Kröller Müller Museum & The Hoge Veluwe National Park
If you want to learn about nature, the Kröller Müller Museum and The Hoge Veluwe National Park are ideal day trips from Amsterdam
The museum is situated within the park and represents the heritage left behind by Anton and Helene Kröller-Müller.
Today, the museum is home to the second-largest Van Gogh collection in the world.
It has just under 90 paintings and over 180 drawings by the artist.
Other paintings on display include those by Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and Piet Mondriaan.
If you are interested in sculptures, you’ll find 160 works of art around the garden.
The Kröller-Müller couple are also the founders of The Hoge Veluwe National Park.
In fact, the foundations were laid between 1909 and 1923.
They brought in park animals such as mouflons, red deers, and wild boars, making the area unique for wildlife viewing.
The park also boasts large and small mammals such as foxes, roe deers, European badgers, and pine marten.
Find your favorite animals hiding behind impressive oaks and birch trees, or relaxing in the shadow of Douglas firs.
The park and museum are situated only 1 hour away from Amsterdam, but you can easily spend the whole day here!
Details
- Departure Point: Heineken Experience, Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 9 hours
- Availability: All year round (9 am departure time)
Book Tour Kröller Müller Museum The Hoge Veluwe
10. Wine, Cheese & Bread in the Dutch Countryside
Let’s be honest, nobody goes to Amsterdam just for the architecture!
The food of the Dutch countryside is famous for the rustic but refined taste.
And really, what’s better than enjoying a nice glass of wine and tasting local cheese in the sunshine?
This 7 hour tour will take you to the heart of Amsterdam’s green surroundings, and you will explore the real “taste” of the country.
After leaving Amsterdam, you will head to Clara Maria Cheese & Clog Farm, a 160-year-old dairy farm.
On arrival, you’ll learn about the cheese factory, sample different types, as your guide shares insights on how they’re made.
You’ll then visit a charming village in the area to see their traditional windmill, used for grinding grain for bread.
After the demonstration, you’ll visit a local bakery where you can find the best bread to go with your cheese!
For the drinkers, a local vineyard is also part of the itinerary.
Try some of the wines produced here while relaxing in the charming gardens.
You’ll learn how to combine your wine, cheese, and bread to give your day the perfect ending!
Details
- Departure Point: Pick up from your hotel in Amsterdam or Rotterdam is possible.
- Duration: 7 hours
- Availability: All year round (9.30 am departure time)
11. Gouda or Alkmaar Cheese Market Tour
This is what makes the Netherlands a paradise for cheese lovers!
Booking this Friday tour is the perfect way to start the weekend.
You will be guided to the cheese market in Alkmaar, a town situated 40 km North of Amsterdam.
The tradition of this unique market dates back to 1365 when there was only one scale available in the town.
Since then, the number of scales available has increased, but cheese trading has always been a tradition in the Waagplein.
The routine starts with the delivery of the cheese early in the morning on Fridays.
Then traders check the delivery and stack up the over 30,000 kg of cheese in the square for customers.
Your visit will start with a guided walking tour of Alkmaar, which will give you an introduction to the history and lifestyle of the town.
See traders dressed in traditional clothing selling cheese like they did hundreds of years ago.
You’ll hear loud clapping hands during the day, which means someone has closed a sale
This is a unique opportunity to discover a picturesque and historical side of the Netherlands, and try some cheese of course!
Details
- Departure Point: This is Holland, Overhoeksplein 51, 1031 KS Amsterdam, Netherlands (hotel pick up possible)
- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Availability: All year round, only on Fridays. (9.30 am departure time)
12. Muiderslot Castle
A visit to one of the oldest castles of the Netherlands can be the perfect day out to spend with your family.
While the Muiderslot Castle endured many battles, today it is one of the best-preserved structures in the country.
The exhibitions and collections housed within the walls of the fort will take you through a journey from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.
Learn about the history, construction, and architecture of the castle.
You’ll find out what life was really like in medieval times!
If you are visiting over Christmas, you’ll see the fort lit-up and decorated in the snowy setting.
While the castle is easily accessible by public transport from Amsterdam, a guided tour will take care of your return trip.
Details
- Address: Muiderslot, Herengracht 1, 1398 AA Muiden The Netherlands
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Availability: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 Pm
13. Highlights of Haarlem
If you are looking at escaping the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for a day but you don’t want to go too far, head to Haarlem!
This private guided tour will slowly take you through the cobbled streets and twisting canals of this medieval town located only 20 minutes from Amsterdam.
The city used to be an important port on the North Sea.
Today, Haarlem sits in the center of some of the best tulip fields around Amsterdam.
It’s also the location of unique historic attractions including the Teylers Museum, the St. Bavo Church, and the characteristic Town Hall.
Alternatively, take a short stroll to the De Adriaan windmill, which was originally built during the 1700s.
Lastly, check out some of the oldest “hofje” (courtyard) in the Netherlands, with almshouses around it.
Some date back to the Middle Ages!
Meet you guide at Amsterdam Central Station, get your camera ready, and enjoy the tour!
Details
- Departure Point: Amsterdam Centraal, Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 5 hours
- Availability: All year round
14. Bloemendaal Guided Bike Tour
Bloemendaal is located only 20 minutes from Amsterdam, ideal for a bike tour.
If you love exploring little villages, this tour will allow you to see the historical buildings boasted by the town center.
There are also paths at National Park South Kennemerland if you prefer natural scenery.
If you are lucky, during your tour you will be able to spot Scottish Highland cattle and deers.
During summer, don’t miss the long white-sand beaches at Bloemendaal aan Zee (Bloemendaal at the Sea).
You won’t be short of entertainment here as there are many beach clubs in the area.
After the bike tour, you can enjoy a drink at one of the small bars nestled among the sand dunes overlooking the sea.
Details
- Departue Point: Bloemendaal
- Duration: 4 hours
- Availability: All year round (departures at 1.30 pm)
15. The Battle of Arnhem by Train & Bike
This tour will take you through the main locations of the Battle of Arnhem, one of the major events during the Second World War.
The Dutch towns of Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze, Driel, as well as the countryside around them were involved in the conflict.
This full-day trip is perfect for visitors who love history.
After the 1.5-hour train ride from Amsterdam to Arnhem, hop on a bike and explore the location and dynamics of the battle.
It’s a 20 to 40 km ride, depending on your interests and preferences.
Along the way, your guide will lead you to The John Frost Bridge and main drop zones.
You’ll also visit the Airborne Museum Hartenstein where you’ll learn more about the incredible history of this region.
Details
- Departure Point: Centraal Station, 1012 ZZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Duration: 8 hours
- Availability: All year round
16. Battle of Waterloo
One of the most famous battlegrounds in history, Waterloo is just under 3 hours drive from Amsterdam.
Fought between the French, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, and the British-Prussian forces, this conflict has become one of the main attractions in the area.
Your guide will be dressed in a historic uniform, sharing insights about Waterloo’s history.
Through this tour, you will be able to explore the battlegrounds, museums, and memorials that tell the story of this 1825 battle.
The visit will start with the Waterloo 1815 Memorial, the Waterloo Panorama and the Lion’s Hill, which mark the battleground’s skyline.
Afterward, your guide will take you through the chateau and its grounds, as well as through Napoleon headquarters.
Lastly, the dedicated exhibition will show you what life looked like at the time, showcasing rare items from the past.
Details
- Departure Point: Pick up from your hotel in Amsterdam is included.
- Duration: 10 hours
- Availability: All year round (departures at 8 am)
17. Follow Anne Frank to Camp Westerbork
This tour will retrace the history of Anne Frank through her journey to Camp Westerbork.
You’ll learn about the events during World War II and see what life looked like in the Netherlands.
See photographs, letters, and items that belonged to the many who were detained here.
This historical site makes for an important and thoughtful day out, which can be greatly educational for the whole family.
Exhibitions showcase stories of few survivors, their personal items, maps, and clothes.
On the way back to Amsterdam, your guide will give you the chance to admire the impressive Afsluitdijk, a dam overlooking the sea.
Details
- Departure Point: Victorieplein, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Pick up from your hotel in Amsterdam can be arranged)
- Duration: 9 hours
- Availability: All year round
18. Private Full-Day Customizable Tour of Holland
Couldn’t find a tour that fits your travel dates, budget or taste?
A private customizable journey to explore the highlights of the Netherlands can be arranged on request.
This is perfect if you are visiting the country for a special occasion or just want to get slightly off the beaten path.
This tour can include any of the destinations listed above and many more!
You can speak with your coordinator and the local guides to find the perfect itinerary for your stay.
Any tailored tour includes free pick up from the hotel and an 8 hours trip in the surroundings of Amsterdam.
Best of all, this is a great choice if you want to immerse yourself in the beauty of holland privately.
Your knowledgeable guide will take care of everything while you sit back and enjoy a glass of Dutch wine!
Private Full-Day Customizable Tour of Holland details
- Departure Point: Pick up from your hotel in Amsterdam is included
- Duration: 10 am
- Availability: All year round
There are many more attractions around Amsterdam than just 18!
However, these will be enough to make you fall in love with this beautiful country.
We hope you have enjoyed our selection!
Find more Day Trips from Amsterdam
