Every year on January 1, the Dutch welcome the new year with a plunge into the North Sea. The New Year’s Dive (Nieuwjaarsduik) is a yearly tradition that has taken place on the expansive sandy beach at Scheveningen, close to The Hague, since the 1960s. This event marks the start of a new year in the heart of winter, showcasing a truly Dutch celebration. Meanwhile, there are many other activities you can enjoy across the Netherlands, such as the following:
1. Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a charming Dutch village park located along the Zaan River, about 15 kilometers north of Amsterdam. It’s famous for its stunning windmills and classic houses. Established in 1963 as an open-air museum, Zaanse Schans is free to explore. The area features several windmill museums and traditional workshops, each with a small entry fee.
To dive deeper into the local history, make sure to check out the main Zaans Museum right there on-site. You’ll notice that many of the buildings are painted in a unique dark green shade—this copper-based paint was believed to offer excellent protection against the tough Dutch weather.
2. Madurodam
Madurodam is a cool miniature park located in The Hague that features some of the Netherlands’ most iconic landmarks and buildings. In just a few steps, you can check out Amsterdam’s Dam Square, Utrecht’s Dom Tower, Rotterdam’s harbor, and even Schiphol Airport. With playgrounds for kids, various indoor attractions like The Dutch Masters, and lots of interactive activities, it’s a great outing for the whole family.
Consider joining the Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Guided Tour from Amsterdam (9 hours 30 mins). It includes bus transport and entry to Madurodam, the Royal Delft Experience, and the Euromast Tower in Rotterdam, making it easy to pack a lot of fun into one day!
3. Mauritshuis Museum
The Mauritshuis is a famous art museum right in the heart of The Hague. This stunning 17th-century building is named after Johan Maurits, who was the governor of the Dutch-Brazil colony and had the house built.
Officially, it’s called the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis because in 1816, King William I handed over his father’s collection of paintings to the Dutch state. Inside, you can explore an amazing array of Dutch and Flemish art from 1400 to 1800. A standout piece in the collection is definitely Johannes Vermeer’s captivating Girl With A Pearl Earring (1665-1667).
After the record-setting Vermeer exhibition at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum in 2023, there’s been a huge spike in interest in Vermeer’s life and artwork. Alongside Vermeer, you’ll also discover masterpieces by the renowned Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals.
4. Efteling
Nestled in Kaatsheuvel, close to Tilburg, Efteling is a charming theme park that brings fairytales to life. Since its opening in 1952, the magical Fairytale Forest (Sprookjesbos) has welcomed guests, featuring the beloved Long Neck (Langnek) character.
The park offers a mix of attractions, from relaxing options like the steam train and gondoletta boat ride to thrilling roller coasters such as the Python corkscrew and the diving Baron 1898. If you visit in winter, don’t miss the stunning light displays that illuminate the park at night.
Download the Efteling app to make your visit easier. It has an interactive map that shows real-time wait times for all the rides.
5. Remastered in Rotterdam
Are you interested in innovative digital art and immersive audio-visual experiences?
“Remastered in Rotterdam” offers a one-of-a-kind 60-minute adventure through six themed rooms. In the Playground room, you can unleash your creativity by making your own digital art, which will be displayed on Europe’s largest LED screen. After that, embark on a captivating journey that takes you from underwater scenes to soaring above the clouds and even further. The experience culminates in the main Remastered show, where you can enjoy stunning projections of Dutch Masters alongside digital interpretations of works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jeroen Bosch, Mondrian, and Van Gogh.
6. Muiderslot Castle
Muiderslot is a charming little medieval castle perched at the mouth of the Vecht River in Muiden, which is roughly 13 kilometers east of Amsterdam. This historic site dates back to the 13th century and has served as a residence for various noble families over the years.
By the late 1700s, the castle had fallen into a state of neglect. Fortunately, King William I stepped in to rescue it, initiating a restoration project that led to its reopening as a national museum in 1878, thanks to the redesign by the famous architect Pierre Cuypers, known for his work on the Rijksmuseum.
The castle features a classic square design with four corner towers, an inner courtyard, and a surrounding moat complete with a drawbridge. Inside, the two residential wings are decorated with 17th-century furnishings, including unique canopy beds that were used for sleeping in an upright position. You can explore the castle through various audio tours that highlight key areas like the impressive Knights Hall, the exquisite art collection, and the lovely gardens.
To visit, take a train to Weesp and then catch bus 110 to Muiden Centrum, followed by a short 10-minute walk. The castle is open every day, except for Mondays during the winter months.
7. Space Expo
Space Expo is a cool museum all about space, situated in Noordwijk, a charming beach town close to Leiden. Since its opening in 1990, it has been located right at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), which is the main hub for the European Space Agency (ESA).
Inside, you’ll discover a range of exhibits focused on space exploration, including a replica of the International Space Station (ISS). You can also check out the actual Soyuz TMA-3 capsule that Dutch ESA astronaut André Kuipers used during his 11-day mission in space. Plus, there are tons of interactive activities for kids, making it a perfect spot for a fun and educational outing.
8. Kinderdijk
If you’re still craving more windmill action after Zaanse Schans, then the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinderdijk is a must-visit. This place gives you a fascinating look at how the Dutch have battled water for centuries.
Kinderdijk is home to 19 windmills nestled in the picturesque polder landscape of Alblasserwaard. Situated in South Holland, it’s where the Lek and Noord rivers meet. Locals have come up with clever methods to drain water from the polders back into the rivers during low tide. There’s an interesting legend tied to the area, too: after a devastating flood in 1421 that destroyed the dyke, a floating cradle with a crying baby was discovered, kept afloat by a leaping cat. This story is why it’s known in Dutch as the “Children’s Dyke.”
All 19 windmills are still operational and can pump water in case of power failures or emergencies. When you visit Kinderdijk, you can enjoy a boat tour around the mills, explore two museum mills (Nederwaard and Blokweer), and check out the engine room at the Wisboom pumping station. Don’t miss the Bird Theater, which showcases the unique bird species that call this protected area home.
For a unique experience, hop on the Waterbus from Rotterdam or Dordrecht to reach Kinderdijk.
9. Skyview De Pier
A trip to The Hague is incomplete without a tram ride to Scheveningen beach. Among the premier attractions in Scheveningen is the Skyview De Pier, a substantial ferris wheel situated on the pier, featuring 36 gondolas.
Reaching a height of 50 meters above the North Sea, this ferris wheel provides breathtaking views of the beach and the magnificent Kurhaus hotel along the coastline. Additionally, visitors can enjoy scenic vistas of the dunes and the cityscape in the background.
If you crave for food, the Foodhall Scheveningen located on Noordboulevard offers a wide variety of international food stalls within a central hall, making it an excellent dining option.
10. Utrecht Canal Cruises
The historic city of Utrecht is conveniently located a brief train journey from Amsterdam. Departing from the contemporary surroundings of Utrecht Central Station, one can explore a delightful historic city center characterized by its scenic canals and the striking Dom Cathedral tower.
A leisurely method to explore the city is by embarking on a one-hour canal cruise. In contrast to Amsterdam, the canals of Utrecht offer a more tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, making for a relaxing experience.
As you navigate along the Oudegracht canal, you will encounter a distinctive feature of Utrecht’s primary waterway—its wharf cellars, which have been transformed into a vibrant array of restaurants, yoga studios, and workshops.
