The 7 Most Beautiful Villages in the Netherlands

Travelling to the Netherlands from the UK? Our ferries to Holland offer maximum comfort, modern cabins and excellent facilities, including daily entertainment and duty free shopping.

Our overnight Newcastle to Amsterdam route takes you to the Netherlands in no time. You can bring your vehicle and as much luggage as you like, making the journey extra pleasant.

Our ferries to France provide a great alternative if you fancy a road trip around Europe. Sail on our Dover to Dunkirk, Dover to Calais or Newhaven to Dieppe crossing and explore France and Belgium before reaching Holland.

Discover our mini cruises for an unforgettable experience. If you’re staying in Amsterdam, our mini cruise to Amsterdam is the best way to make the most of the wonderful scenery.

Looking for inspiration for your day trips from Amsterdam? Below are some of the best villages in and around the Dutch capital.

Considered the ‘Venice of the North’, Giethoorn looks and feels like a fairy tale. Located in the province of Overijssel, it became famous after Dutch filmmaker Bert Haanstra made it the setting of his comedy Fanfare. There are no roads in the old part of the village, meaning everything is transported along the canals. Check out the quaint thatched-roofed cottages and idyllic gardens to soak up the peaceful atmosphere.

Giethoorn’s main attractions include the following:

• Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus
• De Weerribben-Wieden National Park
• Museum De Oude Aarde

Zaanse Schans is a neighbourhood of Zaandam in North Holland that is famous for its windmills. These, along with its wooden houses, were relocated here from Amsterdam for preservation purposes. Five of the windmills are open to the public, so climb to the top for sweeping views of the Dutch countryside. The Zaans Museum is a must-visit attraction, as it pays homage to the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Other unmissable attractions include:

• Zaandam Time Museum
• Museumwinkel Albert Heijn
• The Zaansche Mill

Sitting along the coast of the Markermeer, Monnickendam is part of the Waterland municipality. This quaint fishing village was founded by monks and was an important port during the 17th century, bringing in trade from the Baltic Sea. It’s home to the Royal Hakvoort Shipyards, which first specialised in building vessels for the local fishing industry and later luxury motor yachts.

Some of the best things to do here include the following:

• Museum de Speeltoren
• The Great Church
• Monnickendammer Visdagen

Next door to Amsterdam, Broek in Waterland represents Holland at its finest. Found in the Waterland municipality, it was popular among merchants and seafarers during the 17th and 18th centuries. The village’s centrepiece is St Nicolas Church, built before 1400 and dedicated to Saint Nicolas. Its idyllic setting and pastel-coloured cottages make Broek in Waterland a must-visit year-round.

Some of the best things to do in and around this Dutch village include:

• Rijksmuseum
• Holyboot
• Basilica of Saint Nicholas

Built between 1580 and 1593 during the Eighty Years’ War, Bourtange is among the best Dutch villages to visit. It’s located in the Groningen province and is famous for its 16th-century star fort. William I Of Orange founded it to control the main road between Germany and the city of Groningen. The fort was abandoned in 1851 and is today an open-air museum.

Bourtange’s best attractions include:

• Bourtange Fort
• Riesenlinde zu Heede
• St. Antonius

De Rijp is another beautiful Dutch village and the birthplace of Jan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater. He was a millwright and hydraulic engineer who contributed to creating the world’s first-ever polder. This picturesque village was founded at the end of the 13th century and became famous for its herring industry. It’s known for its iconic wooden houses, some of the country’s oldest.

Must-see attractions in De Rijp include:

• Museum In 't Houten Huis
• Rondvaart De Rijp
• St. Bonifatius De Rijp

Marken was an island in the former Zuiderzee until 1957. Because it’s separated from the mainland, the houses are built on stilts, making them a popular tourist attraction. The village was the focus of attention for ethnographers between the 19th and 20th centuries, who considered it a relic of the Dutch native culture.

Some of Marken’s best things to do include:

• Marken Museum
• Original House of Marken

Road trips let you be in control of the agenda and visit each site at your own pace. Below are our top picks for the best itineraries in the Netherlands.

• Zeeland Delta Route – This 310-kilometre route links the site of Holland’s 13 Delta Works, the country’s largest flood defence scheme. It passes through Rotterdam, Oesterdam and Hartelbrug, offering sweeping coastline views.

• Den Helder to The Hague – This 102-kilometre route starts in Den Helder, the home of Holland’s naval base, and continues through Julianadorp’s beautiful scenery. You’ll pass by the old capital of Haarlem and reach The Hague, a quintessentially Dutch city.

• Veluwe National Park Route – Considered the ‘Netherlands’s finest area of scenic beauty’, this round trip begins in Arnhem and finishes in Apeldoorn. Visit historic sites like Rosendael Castle and Het Loo Palace and wander through thick forests and swathes of lush countryside.

Learn more about driving in Holland in our handy guide.