Netherlands tours & holidays
With a robust economy, formidable football team, rich artistic heritage and ever-progressive attitudes on… well, pretty much everything, The Netherlands punches well above its weight, even by European standards
Idealistic and industrious, cosmopolitan and tolerant, it’s a country whose cities continue to set the world pace for all things innovative. In classic Dutch liberal-mindedness, Amsterdam’s colourful cafe culture exists right alongside The Hague’s International Criminal Court, while psychedelic poppy plantations, glistening lakes and the occasional windmill still adorn the countryside. Distinguished, distinctive and a damn good fun holiday destination, The Netherlands is about as impressive and irrepressible as countries come – all the more so given that it was practically built on a swamp.
Our Netherlands trips
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Explore tailor-made tripsNetherlands at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Amsterdam (population 820,000)
POPULATION
16.7 million
CURRENCY
EUR
LANGUAGE
Dutch, Frisian
TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna
CALLING CODE
+31
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type F (German 2-pin, side clip earth)
Learn more about Netherlands
Best time to visit the Netherlands
The Dutch weather can be somewhat unpredictable throughout the year so be prepared whenever you decide to visit. Most people visit on holidays between April and September when the weather is warm and the days are long, though showers are always a possibility and it's also a good idea to have a light jacket handy.
You'll find smaller crowds during autumn and winter when conditions can be quite cold and wet, though temperatures rarely drop below freezing. The bulb fields near Amsterdam come into bloom from April to mid-May.
Top 5 museums in the Netherlands
1. Rijksmuseum
Recently reopened after a major renovation, this national museum boasts one of the most important art collections in the world, featuring Rembrant's 'The Night Watch' plus works by Jan Vermeer and other masters of the Dutch Golden Age.
2. Anne Frank's House
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam, the house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the city's Nazi occupiers is preserved as a museum dedicated to those who hid here and those who helped them.
3. Van Gogh Museum
Home to a collection comprising nearly every painting, sketch, print, etching, and piece of correspondence that Vincent van Gogh ever produced, including his most famous work, 'Sunflowers'.
4. Stedelijk Museum
Focusing on various disciplines of modern and contemporary art, Stedelijk aims to represent all significant art and design movements of the 20th and 21st centuries through its world-class collection.
5. Zaanse Schans
An open-air conservation area and museum not far from Amsterdam, Zaanse Schans provides a unique insight into Dutch industry during the 17th and 18th centuries with its traditional windmills and craft workshops.
Geography and environment
Known for its low-lying topography, large areas of The Netherlands were reclaimed from the sea and protected by dikes and seawalls, which means that 20 per cent of its land area is below sea level and more than half is no more than 1 metre high. There are slightly higher areas to the east and south in the foothills of the Ardennes. The Netherlands borders Belgium to the south, Germany to the east and has the North Sea to its north and west.
Netherlands travel FAQs
Tipping is done on a voluntary basis in The Netherlands and is generally left up to the discretion of the customer. If the service in a cafe or restaurant is good, feel free to leave spare change or round up the bill.
Internet access is excellent in The Netherlands - internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots are easily found in most cities and major towns.
Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in The Netherlands. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone while on holidays.
Western-style, flushable toilets are the standard in The Netherlands.
The Netherlands has some of the best 'tap water' in the world. For environmental reasons, try to use a refillable water bottle rather than buying bottled water.
Major credit cards are accepted by most large shops and hotels in The Netherlands. Smaller vendors may not accept credit cards, so carry enough cash to cover small purchases.
ATMs are commonly found in Dutch cities and urban areas. Remote regions will have less ATM availability, so prepare accordingly before travelling away from cities.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.
We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.
Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:
From Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
Find out more or make a donation