Amsterdam is an incredible place, but the surrounding region has much more to offer.
If you're visiting Amsterdam, I'd like to introduce you to some fantastic places close to the bustling capital.
Here we go!
Amsterdam region: article summary
Amsterdam region: Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a beautiful riverside town with historic wooden houses and 18th-century windmills. Some of these windmills are still in operation, and you can visit them to see how they work.
They were and still are used for grind spices, produce paint, saw wood and make oil.
As well as the windmills, you can see how the iconic Dutch shoes, the Clogs, are made. There's a wooden sabotage workshop to show you the manufacturing process!
It's also an ideal place for buy souvenirs to take home.
How do I get to Zaanse Schans?
Taking public transport is the easiest way to get to your destination. Take the bus 391 Zaandam, Zaanse Schans from the main station Amsterdam and get off at Zaandam, Zaanse Schans.
The journey takes 40 to 45 minutes. which takes you directly to the center of Zaanse Schans.
Volendam
Volendam is famous for its magnificent old port, fish and seafood trade, colorful wooden houses and traditional clothing.
It's a great place to try Poffertjes, the traditional Dutch delicacy that resembles fluffy little pancakes. They have a light, spongy texture and are are usually served with custard. You'll find many street vendors lined up in the harbor ready to sell you this sweetness.
How to get to Volendam
To get there, take bus 316 Volendam-Edam from Amsterdam Central Station and get off at Katwoude, Hotel Volendam. Volendam is 25 to 30 minutes away by bus.
Amsterdam region: De Haar Castle
De Haar Castle is one of the largest castles in the Netherlands. It is just a 30-minute drive from the center of Amsterdam. De Haar Castle has everything you'd expect from a castle: towers, turrets, moats, gates and suspension bridges.
There's a magnificent park and garden that you can also visit. Admission to the château costs €18including the park. However, if you'd rather just explore its grounds, the entrance fee is €7.
How do I get to De Haar Castle?
You can get there by public transport. Simply take the Sprinter 4023 Rotterdam Centraal from Amsterdam Centraal and get off at Breukelen.
Once in Breukelen, take bus 524 Woerden from Breukelen and get off at Kockengen, Dreef.
Once in Kockengen, Dreef, take the 127 Vleuten Station bus from Kockengen, Dreef and get off at Haarzuilens, Eikslaan/Kasteel.
Two buses, a sprinter and 1 h 40 later you'll arrive at the castle, but I can assure you it's well worth it.
Kinderdijk
The windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the best-known tourist sites in the Netherlands, and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The name Kinderdijk means "child's dike" in Dutch.
The story goes that during the Saint Elizabeth storm of 1421, one neighboring area suffered major flooding while another remained unscathed. The story goes that when a villager went to inspect the dike between the two areas, he spotted a wooden cradle on the water in the distance.
As he got closer, he realized that a cat was inside, trying to keep the cradle afloat by jumping back and forth. Finally, the cradle came to his feet and the villager could see that there was a baby sleeping inside, kept dry by the cat who was keeping his cradle balanced.
If you only have a free day outside Amsterdam, I'd recommend Kinderdijk over any other day trip. Waterways, walking trails and bike paths criss-cross the region, leading to the main visitor center and museums housed in working windmills.
How do I get to Kinderdijk?
You can get there by taking the Sprinter 4037 Rotterdam Centraal from Amsterdam Centraal and getting off at Rotterdam Alexander.
Once you've got off at Rotterdam Alexander, take the 36 Kralingse Zoom bus from Alexander station and get off at Rotterdam, Kralingse Zoom.
Once in Rotterdam, Kralingse Zoom, take RET Metro bus C 489 Nieuw-Lekkerland via Kinderdijk (red line) from Rotterdam, Kralingse Zoom and get off at Kinderdijk, De Klok.
All in all, it will take you 2 hours 21 minutes. If you don't have a rental car and don't want to take public transport, various companies offer day trips to Kinderdijk.
Amsterdam region: Delft
Delft is this pretty little canal town near Amsterdam. There's much more to this town than its small-town ambience. Delft is a popular tourist destination in the Netherlands, famous for its blue pottery and the final resting place of painter Jan Vermeer.
The town has a central market square with a variety of street vendors. On the square is an old church opposite the town hall, well worth a visit. If you have a little time, climb to the top of the church tower to enjoy the view over Delft.
How to get to Delft
There's a direct train from Amsterdam Centraal to Delft, and the journey takes just one hour. Just take Intercity 2274 Vlissingen from Amsterdam Centraal and get off in Delft.
The Amsterdam region is full of beautiful villages to discover. During your trip, I recommend that you escape the city for a while and discover its unique landscapes.
What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
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