Amsterdam Day Trips
Explore Haarlem, a short day trip from Amsterdam. Photo: Nicolas Vigier
Amsterdam is an obvious choice when visiting The Netherlands, with its blend of historic charm and numerous
affordable hotels.
After spending a few days in the vibrant city, consider taking a day trip to places like Rotterdam, the
Keukenhof flower garden, or The Hague.
However, staying in Amsterdam gives you a variety of other day trip options. Avoid the crowds and popular
attractions by exploring these five alternative destinations, accessible by bike or train.
Top Day Trips from Amsterdam
Haarlem
Haarlem, the original town from which New York City's Harlem takes its name, is a charming Dutch city. Spend a
day exploring its historic streets and canals dating back to the 1600s.
Enjoy a coffee at a terrace in Grote Kerk square. Visit the Corrie Ten Boom house, a site where hundreds of
Jews were hidden during World War II. Now a free museum, it preserves a crucial moment in history with fewer
queues than the Anne Frank House. Don't miss Jopenkerk, a popular microbrewery in an old church, or live
music at the Patronaat concert hall. Shopaholics and foodies will find a variety of boutiques and dining
options, ranging from organic vegetarian to Indian and Japanese cuisine.
Getting there: Trains from Amsterdam Centraal Station run several times an hour. The
20-minute trip costs around €5-€9 for a round trip.
Related: A guide to visiting Haarlem on a budget
Bicycle Trip to Volendam
Volendam is a quaint town along the coast of the IJsselmeer lake, featuring an attractive sailboat harbor.
Enjoy an hour-long bike ride through Dutch countryside, passing cheese farms and clog shops.
This small town features souvenir shops, fried fish stands, ice cream parlors, and traditional cafés.
Renowned artists like Picasso and Renoir once frequented this laid-back seaside spot. Local attire, such as
bonnets and striped vests, can still be seen, along with dress-up photo studios. A ferry service operates to
the Marken peninsula, a picturesque fishing village with wooden houses and a charming lighthouse.
Getting there: Take the Amsterdam Central ferry across the IJ River to Amsterdam Noord.
Follow bike path signs to Broek in Waterland, then head north to Monnickendam and northeast to Volendam. Use
green bike signs for a scenic route and red for quickest. It's about an hour each way. Alternatively, bus
route 316 from Amsterdam Centraal gets you to Katwoude, Hotel Volendam, in about 25 minutes for €6-€8
roundtrip.
Zaanse Schans is a quaint district of Zandaam with a museum and windmills. Photo: Bert
K
Zandaam and Zaanse Schans
Zandaam is known for its picturesque collection of historic windmills, cluster houses, and beautiful water
landscapes. The windmills at Zaanse Schans are remnants from its peak in the 17th century as a milling hub.
Many windmills remain open to the public and still sell their products.
The village offers a visit to an old Albert Heijn market, a clog factory, and a cheesemaker. Tourist buses
often stop here, but visiting independently avoids crowds. Consider a boat tour on the Zaan River, priced at
€12 from April to September, for a wonderful sightseeing experience.
Getting there: It's an hour-long bike ride each way, but a map is advisable for the turns.
Alternatively, take a local train () from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Koog-Zaandijk, about a
35-minute ride. From there, walk approximately 10 minutes towards the windmills along the "dijk". Roundtrip
train cost is about €19.50. You can also use an Amsterdam & Region Day Ticket.
The gorgeous Castle De Haar is straight out of a fairy tale. Photo: Ryan Beck
Dutch Castle: Den Haar
A delightful feature of visiting Europe is exploring its castles, and the Benelux region boasts many.
Situated just outside Utrecht, Castle De Haar is open for exploration and offers beautiful gardens. Its
foundations date back to the early 1500s, while most of the castle was constructed in the 1890s by the same
architect as Amsterdam Centraal Station and the Rijksmuseum. The exterior features lovely gardens between a
moat and small canals. Guided one-hour tours provide interior access. The owning Dutch family has hosted
celebrities like Brigitte Bardot and Roger Moore.
Castle details: The gardens are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and the castle from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. A ticket for adults is €20, or €8 for garden access only. Visit www.kasteeldehaar.nl for more
information.
Getting there: Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht Central Station, then transfer
to a Sprinter train to Vleuten on platform 18 (destination: Den Haag Centraal, not the intercity but the
sprinter). From Vleuten, take bus 127 to Kockengen, getting off at 'Brink' bus stop in Haarzuilens. Buses
leave hourly from Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays (from noon). It's a 15-minute walk to
the castle from the bus stop. Total travel time is around 60 minutes with a cost of about €20 roundtrip.
Only 30 minutes from Amsterdam, Utrecht is well worth the visit. Photo: Olivia Notter
Utrecht
As a lively student town with canals, cafes, and character, Utrecht offers a relaxed and breezy glimpse into
Dutch life. The transformed wharfs along the main Oudegracht canal are unique highlights, now featuring
waterside terraces and cafes. Visitors enjoy wandering the old city center and admiring the massive Dom
Church, partially destroyed by a 1600s storm. Utrecht also offers budget-friendly hotels for those extending
their stay beyond Amsterdam.
The town's cafes serve dinner with Dutch classics like fish and steak tartare. Check out Tivoli, a
five-room concert venue hosting popular acts across various genres.
Getting There: Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht Central Station. The
approximately 20-minute journey costs around €21 for a roundtrip ticket.
