There’s nowhere quite like the Netherlands. This low-lying land has been wrestled from the sea, with wide green polders and checkerboard canals that stretch out beneath skies so big they feel cinematic. It’s one of the most densely populated countries on earth, yet you’re never far from a peaceful village, a windswept beach, or a bike path that leads into the quiet countryside.
Looking for the best places to visit in the Netherlands? Start with the cities: Amsterdam’s canals and cutting-edge art, Rotterdam’s bold architecture, and Utrecht’s medieval heart all tell their own story. But the rural towns deserve your time too — think gabled houses, sleepy church spires, and markets where time seems to stand still.
Each place feels different. Each has its own dialect, its own pace. Spring brings carpets of tulips in every color you can name, while the coastline delivers endless dunes and beaches that stretch for miles. Compact as it is, the Netherlands punches well above its weight — and always on its own terms.