If the Netherlands is on your list of destinations to visit this year, these five cities deserve your attention.
With distinctive architecture, great museums, wonderful parks, rich markets and a vibrant nightlife, Amsterdam is no coincidence one of the top European destinations. The Dutch capital is a city you "owe" it to yourself to visit at least once in your lifetime. Many tourists, however, stop there, missing out on the thrilling experiences that many beautiful Dutch cities have to offer. If you have theNetherlandson the list of destinations you want to visit this year, the following cities are worth your attention.
Rotterdam
You may visit Amsterdam for its history, but Rotterdam - the second most populous city in the Netherlands - is the ideal destination for lovers of contemporary architecture. A large part of the city was flattened during World War II and rebuilt from scratch with an eye to the future. Post-war architecture and modern skyscrapers make Rotterdam a gem for design lovers. The Cube Houses, the Nieuwe Luxor Theatre and the Van Nelle Factory are among the stops you should make. For more information about the artistic movements that inspired these buildings, make a stop at the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum.
Rotterdam is also the largest port in Europe, from which Dutch families once emigrated to New York. You can learn more about the maritime past of Rotterdam at the Maritime Museum of the city. Rotterdam is known for its thriving arts scene, and thanks to bustling food markets like the Markthal and the Fenix Food Factory, it is a paradise for food lovers.
The Hague
The third largest city in the Netherlands is an ideal destination to immerse yourself in Dutch culture without excessive crowds. The Dutch royal family lives here, and the city is home to the Dutch parliament and all foreign embassies and government ministries, as well as the Supreme Court and many organizations. In The Hague there are almost no canals, yet the city is full of grand, beautiful mansions, parks and leafy streets.
While the central areas, such as the Grote Markt and Het Plein, are full of bars and restaurants, no trip to The Hague is complete without a visit to Scheveningen, the citys charming seaside district. For art lovers, a visit to one of the citys many museums is a must, such as the Mauritshuis where you will see Vermeers masterpiece Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Utrecht
If you have already visited Amsterdam, why not also see Little Amsterdam? With cute houses built along the canals, the city ofUtrechtfeels like a mini version of the Dutch capital without the tourist crowds. The best way to explore the city is, of course, by taking a boat ride along the canals. On the central canal, the Oudegracht, you will notice the quays almost at water level. There, in the 13th century, ships unloaded goods from around the world to be stored on the wharves. Today, those warehouses operate as shops, restaurants and bars.
Utrecht has many parks, canals, museums and historic buildings - among them, St. Martins Cathedral, the Museum Speelklok, the Railway Museum and the Centraal Museum. All of these are connected by cycle paths, as Utrecht is one of the most bike friendly cities in the world. Finally, do not miss the best view of the city from the top of the Dom Tower, the tallest bell tower in the Netherlands. It has 465 steps, but it is worth the effort!
Leiden
Between Amsterdam and The Hague lies the beautiful medieval city that is the birthplace of the famous painter Rembrandt and founded the oldest university in the Netherlands, the picturesque Leiden. It is a city with a rich history and a beautiful historic center. The first sight you will notice in the old center is a large windmill, which is considered a landmark of the city. Like many Dutch cities, Leiden is built on water and has picturesque canals that you can explore by boat.
You will also discover wonderful green spaces in the city, such as the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, where the first famous Dutch tulips were planted in 1593. The enormous Church of St. Peter (De Pieterskerk), the National Museum of Antiquities and the Museum of Ethnology are also important attractions.
Maastricht
No list like this would be complete without a trip south, to one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Maastricht, with its Gothic bell towers and cobbled lanes, looks as if it has come out of the pages of a fairy tale. Bordering Belgium, the city offers a unique blend of Dutch and Belgian culture and architecture. In Maastricht you will see many beautiful historic buildings including the Church of St. John the Baptist (Sint Janskerk), the Cathedral of St. Servatius (6th century), the oldest in the Netherlands, the archaeological museum, the town hall and more.
To the south of the city lies St. Pietersberg hill, which has an old fort and a network of caves, a real labyrinth whose stalactites attract thousands of visitors. Do not miss the chance to visit Boekhandel Dominicanen, an old church that has been turned into a bookstore and cafe.
