5 Interesting Day trips from Amsterdam

There is a lot to do in Amsterdam, but there is so much more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam. So if you have seen the big museums and you’re tired of the full-time sport that is dodging bicycles, then these day trips from Amsterdam just may be for you.

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a look back in history for windmill lovers. It is an open-air museum devoted to maintaining windmills and keeping them operational so visitors can see how they work. Difference windmills had different functions, such as spices, oils, and wind power. There is also a small village for people to see how a 17th century community operated.

Cost: It costs 29.50 to see inside the windmills and other restored building. Looking from the canal is free.

How to get there: We rented bikes in Amsterdam and rode on bike paths there, but you can also arrive by train in less than 20 minutes.

Edam

Edam is a charming little town. It was once a whaling-port. Now one can followed the brick-lined streets until reaching the main canal connecting to the center of town – the perfect place for lunch.

There was once a major cheese market where producers would bring their cheese to have it weighed and readied for sale. The old cheese market and scales are now a museum and tourist site.

We initially looked into the area around Edam including Marken and Volendam, making up a collection of cities known as Waterland. We had a lofty plan of hitting all three of the towns in the historic area. I’m glad we were able to spend the day in Edam at a more relaxed pace than the more ambitious plans we had. But I hope to make it to the other towns soon.

How to get there: A bus from the train station in Amsterdam leaves frequently. The trip is relatively quick, about 20 minutes or so.  The bus stop is just outside the center of the town, so it is a quick walk down cute, narrow streets to reach the main square.

Gouda

Another cheese town, Gouda is small enough to explore as an easy day trip from Amsterdam.

The center of the main square of Gouda is where you’ll find the town hall. On Thursday mornings you can see the traditional cheese market take place. Or, you can visit the nearby cheese museum. Also, wander the side streets off the main square

There are also a number of small canals around town. You can see the locks opening and closing for small boats to come through. Its relaxed atmosphere and quaint sites make it an interesting day trip from Amsterdam.

How to get there: There are frequent trains from Amsterdam, and the trip takes about an hour

Delft

Delft’s claim to fame today is being the home to the lovely blue and white pottery and tiles. You can see some being hand-painted where the artists work or in one of the four factories around Delft.

Delft is a great day trip from Amsterdam as the town is walkable and beautiful. It is a quick walk to the center of town from the train station. To get your bearings, you can view the city from above by climbing the steps of the Nieuwe Kerk(New Church).

Delft is also the hometown of the artist Vermeer. His painting A View of Delft shows an old-world, picturesque vision of the town. He is also buried in the Nieuwe Kerk.

Then have lunch at one of the many cafes around the town.

How to get there: There are frequent trains from Amsterdam, and the trip takes about an hour.

The Hague

While The Hague is not a small quaint village like some of the other locations, it is an easy day trip from Amsterdam and worth a visit.

The Hague is home to the Mauritshaus museum. A relatively small museum filled with Dutch treasures including Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring. Nearby are shopping streets and cafes where you can enjoy lunch or a drink. The city deserves stroll as it is remarkably pretty with parks and tree-lined avenues.

How to get there: There are frequent trains from Amsterdam, and the trip takes less than an hour.

When you’re back in Amsterdam and looking for somewhere to have dinner, check out some of these options.

Happy Travels!