- Amsterdam is the headline, but Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague are easy day trips
- Tulip season peaks from mid-April to early May
- Eurostar runs direct from London in about four hours
- Book the Anne Frank House online well in advance
- Airports
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Rotterdam The Hague (RTM), Eindhoven (EIN)
- Flight time
- about 1h15 from London to Amsterdam; Eurostar about 4h
- Best time to go
- April-May for tulips; June-September for cycling and canals
- Currency
- Euro (€)
The Netherlands is the perfect short-haul escape. It's close enough for a long weekend, flat enough to explore by bike and packed with art, history and easy-going charm. Most visitors start in Amsterdam, but the trains are so good that it's easy to add windmills, tulip fields and other lively cities to your trip.
Here's where to go, when to time your visit and how to get there from the UK.
Where to go in the Netherlands
Amsterdam
The capital's 17th-century canal ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the heart of any visit. See Rembrandt's The Night Watch and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, book ahead for the Anne Frank House, and spend time in the Jordaan's cafés and boutiques. Our Amsterdam guide covers where to stay and how to avoid the busiest areas.
Beyond the capital
- Utrecht: a smaller, quieter canal city with wharf-level cafés, under 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train.
- Rotterdam: bold modern architecture, the Markthal and a buzzing food scene.
- The Hague and Delft: the Mauritshuis gallery, home of Girl with a Pearl Earring, plus the beach at Scheveningen and Delft's pretty old centre.
- Haarlem: a relaxed historic town just 15 minutes from Amsterdam, close to the dunes and the coast.
Windmills and tulips
The 19 windmills of Kinderdijk, near Rotterdam, are a UNESCO site best reached by water bus. Zaanse Schans, north of Amsterdam, is closer but busier. In spring, the Keukenhof gardens near Lisse open for around eight weeks, with millions of bulbs in bloom, and the surrounding bulb fields turn into stripes of colour.
Best time to visit the Netherlands
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) | Tulip season, King's Day on 27 April, mild but changeable weather |
| Summer (June-August) | Warmest and busiest; long evenings, outdoor festivals, beach days |
| Autumn (September-November) | Quieter, good hotel deals, museums at their best |
| Winter (December-February) | Cold and grey but cosy; Amsterdam Light Festival brightens the canals |
The tulip fields usually peak from mid-April to early May, depending on the weather. King's Day turns Amsterdam into a giant orange street party; it's great fun but hotels book up early.
Hotel prices in Amsterdam are high, especially at weekends. Staying in Haarlem, Utrecht or Leiden and commuting by train can save a lot.
Getting to the Netherlands from the UK
- Eurostar: direct trains from London St Pancras to Amsterdam take about 4h, with stops in Brussels and Rotterdam.
- Flights: around 1h15 from London, with frequent flights from almost every UK airport to Schiphol, plus routes to Rotterdam and Eindhoven.
- Ferries: Stena Line sails from Harwich to Hook of Holland, P&O Ferries from Hull to Rotterdam, and DFDS from Newcastle to IJmuiden near Amsterdam, all useful if you want to take your car or bike.
The Netherlands is in the Schengen area, so UK passport holders can stay up to 90 days in any 180. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on entry and valid for three months beyond your departure date. You'll be registered under the EU's Entry/Exit System on your first visit.
Getting around
Dutch trains are frequent and connect all the main cities; Schiphol airport has its own station with trains to Amsterdam Centraal in around 15-20 minutes. You can tap in and out with a contactless bank card on trains, trams, buses and metros (the OVpay system), which avoids buying paper tickets. Cycling is the local way to get around: rent a bike, but stay alert, keep to the red cycle lanes and always lock it securely.
Money and costs
The Netherlands uses the euro. Amsterdam is one of Europe's priciest cities for accommodation, and its tourist tax, charged as a percentage of the room rate, is among the highest in Europe. Eating out is similar to London prices. Some places, including many supermarkets and cafés, prefer card payments and may not take cash. Tipping is optional; rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated.
Top attractions in Netherlands
MuseumAnne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank hid for two years and wrote her diary, now a moving museum on the Prinsengracht.
MuseumRijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and 800 years of Dutch…
Netherlands on the map
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the tulips?
Usually from mid-April to early May. Keukenhof is open for about eight weeks each spring, roughly from mid-March to mid-May, but the fields themselves peak a little later.
Is Eurostar or flying better for Amsterdam?
From London, Eurostar takes about four hours city centre to city centre with no airport security queues. From the rest of the UK, a short flight to Schiphol is usually quicker.
How do I get Anne Frank House tickets?
Tickets are sold only online on the official website, usually released several weeks in advance. Popular slots go quickly, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Do I need cash in the Netherlands?
Rarely. Cards, including contactless, are accepted almost everywhere, and some shops and cafés are card-only.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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