Best Day Trips From Amsterdam

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
cube housing

Greed. Gordon Gecko said it was good. We'd argue he was right, but not for the same reasons. See, sometimes it's good to be greedy for more. But not money. No, we're talking about the greed and need for experiences. Prepare for the segue, because we're talking about journeying outside of Amsterdam and discovering the wonders that lie beyond. Did that make sense? Not really. Will our guide to the best day trips from Amsterdam open your mind and blow your socks off? Quite possibly. Read on, and discover the hidden - and not so hidden - gems that lie a short trip from Amsterdam's shores!

Including:

  • Zaanse Shans
  • Edam
  • Keukenhof Gardens
  • Brussels
  • Rotterdam
  • and more!
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Windmills, glorious windmills

Let's kick things off with a blast from the past. Zaanse Shans is a village stuck in time, transporting visitors back to the pre-industrial days. Simpler times, for sure, but certainly more arduous. While it may appear that Zaanse Shans is a giant, open-air museum, it is, in fact, a community. So don't go prodding any life-like statues; those are people.

Just a fifteen-minute train from Centraal Station, this charming village is full of explorable windmills, museums, and shops where you can pick up authentic cheeses, grains, and condiments milled on-site. On top of that, Zaanse Shans is simply a beautiful travel destination brimming with photo opportunities. Do yourself a favor and pick up a Zaanse Schans Card, which gives you access to all the good stuff for one low price.

Plus, you can see everything in about half a day, giving you more time to make the most of your Amsterdam vacation!

Alternatively, take a bus tour of Zaanse Schans and the surrounding towns to sate your rustic fix in a single day! So, if you're looking to take your foot of the gas and relax, it's one of the best day trips from Amsterdam!

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A bit cheesy

Next on our tour of fun beyond Amsterdam's walls is a town famous for its biggest export - Edam. Yes, Edam isn't just a cheese; it's a cheese named after the town that birthed it!

Just a 30-minute drive, or a 40-minute train trip north of the city, you'll find this delightfully rustic town, cloaked in medieval brick and mortar. You'll only need a short stay to see everything, as it isn't exactly a tourist hotspot. However, the cobbled streets, centuries-old bridges, and aforementioned medieval decor do make it a breath of fresh air after staying in the Netherlands' biggest city.

On every Wednesday over the summer, Edam holds a cheese market that attracts connoisseurs from far and wide, so plan your trip appropriately and go sample the town's crumbly delights!

If you want a more curated experience, why not take a bus tour from the city that will let you hit up all the rustic glory of Amsterdam's satellite towns in a single day?

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Tulip Town

If you want some of the most romantic sights in the country, head to Keukenhof. Famous for its rolling fields of colorful tulips, it welcomes nearly one million people every year.

A 30-minute drive, or bus tour from the city, Keukenhof boasts the biggest flower garden on the planet. Comprising over a million bulbs, you'll see all sorts of beautiful flowers alongside tulips, such as hyacinths, daffodils, and other spring flowers.

If you take the bus tour, you'll have the chance to explore the fields on foot as you wander along 15km of footpaths. Many gardens make up Keukenhof, with each representing different landscapes across the globe. English, Japanese, and Dutch are just some of the many on display.

Keukenhof is well worth a visit if you want to squeeze a bit more beauty out of your vacation!

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Brussels

Now, you may be wondering why Brussels is on this list. Isn't it in Belgium, after all? Well, yes, it is. But the beauty of Amsterdam is that you're a stone's throw from the border!

Brussels is a beautiful city, with its mix of medieval and modern, the abundance of cafes, bars, and museums, and plenty of other things to do too. It is a 2-hour train ride from Centraal Station, so you'll want to make the most of it. However, if you want to cram your vacation full of as many sights and sounds as possible, why not make the trip?

While English isn't as ubiquitous in Brussels as it is in Amsterdam, you'll still be able to fumble your way through food and drink orders if necessary. Just point at the menu and give a thumbs up. Or don't do that, and maybe learn the basics you need to get about and try your best. It's entirely up to you.

As it's a long trip, plan ahead and make sure you know what to do when you get there. The last thing you want is to waste your precious time coming up with an itinerary on the fly!

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Rotterdam is anywhere?

Amsterdam's growing sibling, Rotterdam is well worth a trip if you want to see something new. A mix of old and new like much of the Netherlands, it's a picturesque place with plenty to do and see.

Rotterdam is home to the largest harbor in Europe, so why not take a tour by sea and see it from a different perspective? You'll also find a bunch of places to eat, drink, and shop, and a heap of museums if you want to learn more about the city's history.

For the architecturally-minded, you'll be fascinated by the Cube Houses (or Kubuswoningen). These lob-sided square houses need to be seen to be believed. And, if you're looking for tasty food in an awe-inspiring setting, head to Market Hall (or Makthal) and pick up something delicious.

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Hague. No, not William

And finally, we end our list of the best day trips from Amsterdam with a journey to the center of the Dutch government. But don't worry, it's not all politics. The Hague has plenty for budding adventurers to explore. Take a 45-minute train from Amsterdam, or hop on a bus to tour the surroundings.

See the famous Girl With the Pearl Earring up close at The Mauritshuis, stroll past the Peace Palace - where international law is presided over, and enter the topsy-turvy world of M.C Escher.

Oh, and did we also mention there's a beach there? The Hague is also a stunning seaside town, so if the weather's good, go get your tan on!

And that wraps up our list of the best day trips from Amsterdam!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Win a VIP tour with Private Dining at Heineken Experience this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. WIN a VIP Tour for up to Four People with Exclusive Beer Tasting and Private Dining at the Heineken Experience Go behind the scenes with a VIP tour in the home of Heineken. You’ll get all the fun of a regular tour and loads more as your personal guide will take you on an even deeper dive into the story of Heineken. As well as all the secrets behind the Star, you’ll get a personalized Heineken gift and discover one of their hidden bars – Freddy’s or Henry’s. Styled entirely around people at the heart of Heineken these bars bring a splash of luxury to the lager. It’s here that you’ll get to try five premium beers from the Heineken selection. All of which will be decadently paired with carefully selected delicious accompaniments. Room for more? After your VIP Tour you’ll remain in the hidden bar for an evening of elegance as a private chef will prepare dinner just for you. There’ll be no cap un-flipped in this VIP Heineken Experience. Proost! How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Amsterdam passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
Alice Padfield
Alice Padfield
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Best Brunches in Amsterdam - Public Transport

If you're one of those lost souls who think breakfast's too early, but lunch is too late, you'll probably be more than familiar with brunch. It's a craze that's taken over the world in the last decade or two, with brunchers heading out weekly to get their fix. So, what about Amsterdam? Does the city brunch like the rest? Well, yes. So let's talk about it. This is our guide to the best brunches in Amsterdam, and how to reach them by public transport! Including: G's Brunch Boat Little Collins Dignita Coffee & Coconuts Omelegg Getting around Amsterdam by public transport Before we talk about the best brunches in Amsterdam, let's start with a quick guide to public transport in the city. You have several options available, which we talk about here. Here's the abridged version of that guide. For trams, buses, and the metro, you can buy 1-hour, 24-hour, and 48-hour travel tickets at every Metro station, on the tram when you board, or at one of the many ticket machines you'll find at bus stops, tram stops, or at Centraal Station. Alternatively, if you're going to be traveling for longer than 48 hours, you might want to pick up an OV Chipcard. This travel card lets you any amount of money you want, and then you simply swipe when you board and alight, and top it up when you're running low. Now, on with the brunch! Brunch on a boat All aboard, hungry souls! If you've never brunched on the high seas, then you've never brunched at all. But we can fix that. Just head down to G's Brunch Boat and try the seafaring life for yourself. You've two choices, should you rightly choose to board this delightful vessel. Firstly, get a boozy drink and your choice of the wonderful menu. Pair your wine, bloody mary, mimosa, or beer with eggs benny, a breakfast burrito, or, our pick, the chicken and waffles. Your second choice? Go bottomless, and have as many drinks as you can during the 75-minute brunch extravaganza. Easily one of the best brunches in Amsterdam. How to get there on public transport Once you've booked your ticket, head to the pickup point near the Anne Frank House. It's a 5-minute walk from the Westermarkt tram and bus stops. An Easy Bruncher Named after the bougie Melbourne road that marries designer shopping with brilliant cafes, Little Collins does things a little differently. Forgoing the Australian menu for something more traveled, you'll find plenty of interesting and exotic dishes at their two Amsterdam locations. If you're brunching before 12, their morning menu will fill your belly. Try the eggs benny on a hash brown, and thank us later. Heading there after midday? Try their share plates and keep them all to yourself. It's brunch, but with an added touch of class. How to get there on public transport You'll find two Little Collins locations in Amsterdam. The West spot is a 1-minute walk from the Bilderdijkstraat and Kinkerstraat tram and bus stops. The De Pijp spot is a short walk from Sarphatpark, and an 8-minute walk from the De Pijp Metro station. Have a little dignity Looking for a scenic brunch experience? Why not give Dignita a go? With two of their three locations nestled in some of Amsterdam's best green spaces, it's the perfect excuse to escape the city life, if only for a moment. With all-day brunch on the cards, you can head there any time of the day to get your fix (until 4pm, at least, when they close). And what a fix it is, with all the usual brunchy offerings on offer. Eggs, bowls, pancakes, and even toasted sandwiches. Their signature dish is the Chook Norris; buttermilk chicken, black beans, avo, chipotle mayo, with some corn chips and sour jalapeno on the side. That ought to wake you up! How to get there on public transport You'll find three Dignita locations in Amsterdam. Their Hoftuin spot is a 5-minute walk from Waterlooplein metro, bus, and tram stations. Their Vondelpark spot is right by the Amstelveenseweg tram stop. And their Westerpark spot is opposite the Assendelftstraat tram stop. Some coconuts with your coffee? If you're looking for one of the city's coolest spots to be your brunch backdrop, start your day at Coffee & Coconuts. With a wealth of coffees, teas, juices, and even stronger drinks on offer, you can have your beverage your way. They roast and squeeze everything on-site, so you can be sure you're getting nothing but the freshest morning brew. As for food, they offer breakfast all day, with burritos, pancakes, french toast, coconut bowls, and scambled eggs just some of the things available. Or, from midday, you can dip into their fantastic Deli menu and chomp on some unique sandwich combinations. How to get there on public transport C&C's only spot is located in De Pijp. It's right across the street from the De Pijp Metro stop and a minute's walk from the De Pijp tram stop. Omelets that will make you weak at the knees If you like your eggs folded over a host of delicious fillings and toppings, then you'll love Omelegg; they specialize in the stuff. They offer quality omelets from 7AM on weekdays and 8AM on weekends, so you can definitely get your belly filled before your day truly begins. You'll discover their menu is filled with choices inspired by cuisines from all over the world. From meaty sorts to fishy sorts, and even some sweet ones to boot! Ideal for all your brunch sensibilities. How to get there on public transport You'll find two Omelegg locations in the city. Their De Pijp spot is just down the street from the De Pijp Metro station, as well as the De Pijp and Amsterdam, 2e v.d.Helststraat tram stops . And their City Center spot is a five-minute walk from Centraal Station. So now you know about all the best brunch spots in Amsterdam and how to reach them on the city's brilliant public transport system! Looking for more fun things to do in Amsterdam? Why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Amsterdam's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley
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Getting Around Amsterdam and Info on Kings Day

Visiting Amsterdam and looking for more info about this "Kings Day" you keep reading about? You've come to the right place. Here, we'll give you all info about Kings Day you'll ever need, as well as a quick guide to getting around Amsterdam on this most celebrated of days. Read on, learn things, and be merry. Getting Around Amsterdam So, let's look at the most common ways people get around Amsterdam. Cars are out of the question, because many of the streets become car-free party zones. Bikes Bicycles are a huge part of Dutch culture, with much of the country's travel infrastructure designed around our two-wheeled friends. This is precisely true for Amsterdam, too, with countless cycle lanes and cycle-friendly zones prevalent across the city. While bringing or buying one might be out of the question for a short stay, why not rent a bike? That way, you get all the benefits without any of the hassle! Just make sure you lock it up securely, as Amsterdam has prevalent bike theft problems. Plus, if you haven't ridden in a while, maybe take it for a practice spin before braving the cycle lanes. Riders won't appreciate the proverbial training wheels - they've got places to be! Trams Many overground tram and bus routes are also closed off during the celebrations. A few routes tend to be available from Centraal Station, but do check before you plan your trip. If you do luck out and find a route that suits you, you can buy a one-hour, 24-hour, or 48-hour ticket on any tram, and they work on buses and the subway too. Or pick up an OV Chipcard. These travel cards can be picked up from Centraal Station, let you swipe in and out of stations, trams, and buses, and can be topped up at machines at many pickup spots or stations. Buses Similar to trams, Amsterdam's great bus coverage is heavily diminished on Kings Day. So plan your route and see what's available before you head out. You can't buy tickets on the bus itself, but many stops have ticket machines near them. You can also use your 1, 24, or 48-hour ticket one them, as well as your OV Chipcard. Air-conditioned with plenty of space and tinted windows to block the sun, they're a great way to get around the city. Metro Given Amsterdam's size, the subway doesn't operate in a similar vein to larger cities. There are only a handful of stations in the city center, so unless you want to travel further or somewhere specific like the trendy De Pijp district, you may not need them. You can use a 1, 24, or 48-hour ticket one them, as well as your OV Chipcard top tap in and out of the station gates. Boats Yep, you can even use boats to get about the city. Amsterdam's many waterways emanate from Centraal Station, and you can hire a boat to take you around the scenic canals. And, if you want to visit the urban-industrial paradise in Amsterdam Noord, you can hop on a free ferry at the back of Centraal Station to cross the river. Legs Walking is definitely one of the best ways to get around Amsterdam on Kings Day. Most people will be walking or cycling, so why not join them on their two-footed adventure? So, now you're all caught up with traveling in Amsterdam! So, let's provide you with some info on Kings Day. What is Kings Day? Kings Day is a public holiday celebrating a very special birthday. Who's, you ask? Why, the King of The Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, of course! Yes, the Dutch have a national holiday to celebrate a king's birthday. And yes, it's awesome. When is Kings Day? King Willem-Alexander was born on April 27th, so that's when Kings Day is every year. And yes, that means it can end up right in the middle of the week. And yes, when the monarch is a woman, the name changes to Queens Day, and will fall on her birthday. What happens on Kings Day? As a public holiday, you can expect a lot of activity on Kings Day. It's customary to wear orange when you leave the house, and this could be a hat, a t-shirt, or even a bandana. But why not go one step further and buy an all-orange outfit to really show your appreciation? Then, you're wearing the appropriate attire, go and find where the fun's at. Kings Day markets Markets are big in the Netherlands, so it's no surprise that they make an appearance on Kings Day too. In fact, people take it upon themselves to put up their own markets outside their front doors! It's called the 'Free Market', and it tends to be rather lighthearted. Don't expect to find any gems, because you're more likely to find jokey offerings. On top of that, you'll find a huge market across three streets in South Amsterdam around Beethovenstraat, Stadionweg, and Apollolaan. This is a more traditional market, where you can buy things you might actually need! Kings Day parades, parties, and other festivities While the whole city is akin to one big party, you will find other fun things in the city on Kings Day. The night before the big day is called Kings Night, when the heaviest partying takes place - followed by a chilled, recovery-filled Kings Day. You'll also find a massive Kings Day Boat Parade that makes its way along the Prinsengracht canals in the afternoon. Alongside the accompanying boats, you'll find groups gathered on the bridges above celebrating alongside them. You'll even find live music all over the place. Museumplein is well known for impromptu concerts and the like on days like this. So now you know everything you need about getting around Amsterdam on Kings Day and info on the day too! If you're spending a few days in the city either side of Kings Day and you want to see everything the city has to offer, why not check out Go City? With our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass, you can see all of Amsterdam's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley

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