Netherlands travel guide
The Netherlands is small, flat and easy to enjoy. Cycle beside canals lined with gabled houses, wander past windmills, see Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh in their home country and visit the tulip fields when they bloom. Distances are short, and trains link almost everywhere. Amsterdam is the obvious base, with its canal ring and great museums. Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Utrecht are small, atmospheric cities within an easy ride, The Hague mixes royal Netherlands with a seaside beach at Scheveningen, and Maastricht in the far south offers a different, more Burgundian character. The best time to visit the Netherlands is April to September, with spring for flowers and summer for long, mild days; winter is damp but cosy. It suits cyclists, art lovers, families, food-minded travellers and city-breakers alike, since a single base can cover several cities. Plan your trip city by city with Zippy Trips.
Capital: Amsterdam.
Before you go to Netherlands
- Currency
- EUR €
- Emergency number
- 112 / 0900-8844
- Plug type
- Type C, F
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Not expected
- eSIM
- Available
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard, Maestro
- ATM fees
- Usually free at Geldmaat bank ATMs
Cities in Netherlands
- Amsterdam The Venice of the North and the Netherlands' most celebrated city — a compact marvel of 165 interlocking canals, 1,500 bridges and…
- Rotterdam Europe's largest port and the Netherlands' architectural showpiece — a city rebuilt from near-total WWII destruction into the continent's…
- Utrecht The Netherlands' fourth-largest city and one of its most atmospheric — a compact, canal-ringed medieval core built around the Dom Tower,…
- The Hague The seat of the Dutch government and parliament, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court — The Hague (Den…
- Maastricht The Netherlands' southernmost and most distinctly un-Dutch city — a Roman-founded settlement on the Maas river that draws as much from…
- Leiden One of the Netherlands' great university cities, founded in 1575 — the oldest university in the country, established by William the Silent…
- Delft A perfectly preserved canal city that looks almost unchanged from the scenes painted by Johannes Vermeer, who was born and died here.…
- Haarlem The elegant capital of Noord-Holland province and Amsterdam's most sophisticated day-trip neighbour — just 20 minutes by direct train.…
Frequently asked questions about Netherlands
- What currency is used in Netherlands?
- The currency in Netherlands is the Euro (€). €1 is about ₹107.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Netherlands?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro. Typical ATM fees: Usually free at Geldmaat bank ATMs. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Netherlands?
- Tipping in Netherlands: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Netherlands?
- Tap water is safe.
- What plug type does Netherlands use?
- Netherlands uses Type C, F plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Netherlands?
- Emergency: 112. Police: 0900-8844. Ambulance: 112. Tourist helpline: +31 70 370 5705.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Netherlands?
- SIM and eSIM available in Netherlands.
- What is the capital of Netherlands?
- The capital of Netherlands is Amsterdam. Time there: IST - 3 h 30 min.