Choose from 125 Fun Things to Do in Netherlands
Venustempel Sex Museum
- Plan around an hour for your visit—that’s plenty of time to take in all the exhibitions.
- Visitors under 16 years old are not permitted to enter the museum; identification may be required.
- The museum is not accessible for wheelchair users or strollers.
Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis)
Designed by Jacob van Campen, the impressive Romanesque construction is fashioned around over 13,500 woolen piles sunk into the ground and is best known for its iconic rooftop statue of Greek titan Atlas, straining beneath the weight of the world on his back. First built as a city hall, the building was transformed into a Royal Palace back in 1808, under reign of Louis I, King of Holland and is still used frequently for state visits by today’s monarchs.
Famously described as ‘the eighth world wonder’ by local poet Contantijn Huygens, the Royal Palace does its best to live up to its opulent reputation with glistening marble floors, lavish décor and a slightly ostentatious theme of Amsterdam’s power and prestige. The grand interiors, open to the public, provide the principal attractions, furnished with a spectacular collection of antiques and decorated with ornate carvings and Rembrandt-inspired paintings. Most impressive are the vast marble and bronze carvings adorning the baroque Citizen’s Hall, where the embellishments show a stylistic interpretation of the universe centered around Amsterdam.
Rotterdam Central Station
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Volendam
- Don’t miss the local seafood; for a signature meal, order salmon with dill or a bouillabaisse-style seafood stew.
- Much of Volendam are wheelchair accessible.
- There is a tourist office on the corner of Juliana-Weg and Populierenlaan, and a tourist information stand near the waterfront.
Waterlooplein Market
Browsing the stalls offers a snapshot of the city’s cosmopolitan culture with alternative and vintage clothing, music posters and memorabilia and DVDs all on sale, along with hair braiding artists and tattoo booths. Today, the market encompasses around 300 stalls, selling everything from quirky antiques and second hand goods to cheap and cheerful souvenirs and general bric-a-brac. Even if you’re not buying, shimmying your way through the crowds of locals and tourists provides the perfect opportunity to soak up Amsterdam’s eclectic vibe.
Square 1813 (Plein 1813)
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West Church (Westerkerk)
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Rotterdam City Hall
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Vondelpark
As vital to Amsterdam as Rembrandt, canals, and coffee shops, on a sunny day there’s not place better than Vondelpark. As people from all walks of life descend on this sprawling English-style park - beautifully appointed with ponds, lawns, thickets, and winding footpaths - a party atmosphere ensues.
Some kick back by reading a book, others hook up with friends to cradle a beer at one of the cafes, while others trade songs on beat-up guitars. Still others jog, cruise on inline skates, ride bikes, and fly kites. Let us not forget families with prams, couples in love, teenagers playing soccer, and children chasing ducks - Vondelpark encourages visitors to enjoy and explore its bucolic surroundings.
On a summer day, a great place to follow the action is the upper terrace of Café Vertigo. Also check out the open-air theater and the lovely ponds and rose gardens.
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Vondelpark is easily accessible by tram and bus. You’ll find bicycle rentals near the park’s main entrance and the Amstelveenseweg entrance, at the southwestern end of the park. Restaurants and shops populate the blocks northeast of the park. A few blocks southeast of the park is the Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum.
St Lauren's Church (Sint Laurenskerk)
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Museum Gouda
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Willet-Holthuysen Museum
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Science Center NEMO
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Stedelijk Museum
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Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp)
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Teylers Museum
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Van Gogh Museum
- Lines at the museum can be very long, especially in summer, so consider a skip-the-line ticket for fast-track entry.
- Only small backpacks are allowed in the luggage room—no large bags, strollers, etc.
- Strollers are permitted in the museum.
- Photography of artworks in the museum galleries and exhibition spaces is prohibited.
- Photography (without a flash or tripod) is permitted only in certain designated areas, such as in the entrance hall and by the so-called “selfie walls.”