15 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam

Amsterdam is an amazing city, and you could easily spend days exploring without running out of things to do. But if you have a little more time, it’s definitely worth seeing some of the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam as well.

Luckily, that’s incredibly easy to do. The Netherlands is a small country with excellent public transport, and some of the best day trips from Amsterdam are less than 30 minutes away by train.

You could see the windmills at Zaanse Schans, wander along the canals in Utrecht, spend the day at the beach in Zandvoort or experience the completely different architecture of Rotterdam – all without needing to stay overnight.

I’ve been living in the Netherlands for more than 10 years and have visited all of the places in this guide. So below, I’ve put together 15 of my favourite day trips from Amsterdam, starting with places less than an hour away and working up to destinations that take a little longer to reach.

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Day trips from Amsterdam – less than 1 hour away

1.  Zaanse Schans

If you want to see one of the most stereotypically Dutch landscapes near Amsterdam – windmills, traditional green wooden houses and old workshops – Zaanse Schans is one of the easiest day trips you can take.

It’s incredibly close to Amsterdam, so you don’t even need to dedicate an entire day to it. I think half a day is enough for most visitors, although you could stay longer if you want to visit several of the museums and go inside the windmills.

Walking around Zaanse Schans itself is free. You’ll find the famous windmills as well as traditional craft shops, museums and places where you can learn more about the history of the Zaan region. If you want to visit the museums and enter some of the windmills, you can also buy a Zaanse Schans ticket.

Getting there independently is easy, so you definitely don’t need to book a tour just for the transport. However, if you prefer to have everything organised for you, there are also Zaanse Schans tours from Amsterdam that include two other Dutch towns.

Also check out how to get there in my Zaanse Schans day trip from Amsterdam guide.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 35 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal by train and on foot.

 

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2. Haarlem

If you like Amsterdam but want somewhere a little smaller and less busy, Haarlem is one of the easiest day trips from Amsterdam.

The historic centre has canals, traditional Dutch houses and plenty of cafés, but it’s compact enough to explore in a few hours. Start around the Grote Markt, where you’ll find the impressive Grote Kerk, before wandering through the surrounding streets and along the canals.

Haarlem is also easy to combine with Zandvoort or Bloemendaal aan Zee, so it’s a particularly good option if you want to see a Dutch city and the coast on the same day.

You don’t need a car or organised tour to visit Haarlem. Direct trains run from Amsterdam Centraal, and once you arrive, you can explore most of the centre on foot.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 15–20 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.

3. Amersfoort

Amersfoort is a great option if you want to visit a smaller Dutch city with a beautiful historic centre. It’s not as well known internationally as places like Utrecht or Haarlem, which is part of why I think it’s such a nice place to explore for a few hours.

One of the main landmarks is the Koppelpoort, a medieval city gate that combines both a land and water gate. From there, you can wander through the historic centre, stop at the cafés around the squares and see the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren, the huge tower that dominates the city skyline.

I think Amersfoort is best enjoyed by just walking around the old centre and along the canals.

You can easily spend half a day here, although there’s enough to combine it with a longer day out if you want. Amersfoort is also one of the places I recommend in my guide to the best day trips from Utrecht.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 48 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.

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4. Alkmaar

If you like cheese, Alkmaar is probably one of the most obvious day trips from Amsterdam.

The city is famous for its traditional cheese market, which takes place on the Waagplein every Friday from the end of March until the end of September. In July and August, there are also cheese markets on Tuesday evenings.

And believe me, it gets busy! I would definitely arrive with some time to spare if seeing the cheese market is the main reason for your visit.

Even outside of the cheese market, Alkmaar is a really pretty Dutch city to walk around. You’ll find canals, traditional houses, plenty of cafés and – unsurprisingly – lots of opportunities to buy and eat cheese. There is also a Dutch Cheese Museum right on the Waagplein.

I think Alkmaar is particularly worth choosing over some of the other day trips on this list if you can time your visit with the cheese market. It gives you something a little different from just visiting another Dutch city centre.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 40 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.

 

5. Utrecht

Okay, I might be a little biased because I live here, but Utrecht is easily one of my favourite day trips from Amsterdam.

It’s only a short train ride away, but I don’t think Utrecht feels like a smaller version of Amsterdam. Yes, there are beautiful canals and traditional Dutch houses, but the Oudegracht has its own unique wharves below street level. Today, many of the old wharf cellars have been turned into restaurants and cafés, so you can actually sit right beside the canal for lunch or drinks.

The other big landmark is the Dom Tower, which you can see from all over the city. You can climb the tower if you want a view over Utrecht, or just spend your day wandering around the Oudegracht, Domplein and the smaller streets in the city centre.

And definitely come hungry! I have separate guides to the best restaurants in Utrecht and my favourite lunch spots in Utrecht if you need somewhere to eat while you’re here.

If you have longer in the Netherlands, Utrecht also makes a great base for exploring more of the country. I have a whole guide to the best day trips from Utrecht as well.

One of the nicest ways to see the canals is from the water, and you can book a Utrecht canal cruise here.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 25–30 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.

6. Rotterdam

If you’re starting to feel like all Dutch cities look a little similar, Rotterdam will definitely change that.

A lot of the city centre was destroyed during the Second World War and rebuilt afterwards, so instead of the traditional houses you see in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Haarlem, Rotterdam is known for its modern architecture and skyline.

One of my favourite places to visit is the Markthal, where you can grab something to eat while also checking out the massive artwork covering the ceiling. Right outside, you’ll find the famous yellow Cube Houses, which are probably some of the strangest houses you’ll see in the Netherlands.

I’d also walk towards the Erasmus Bridge and spend some time around the waterfront. Rotterdam is home to Europe’s largest port, so if you want to do something a little different, you can also take a Rotterdam harbour cruise and see more of the city and port from the water.

Rotterdam is a really good choice if you’ve already seen some of the more traditional Dutch cities and want your day trip from Amsterdam to feel completely different.

And if you’re spending longer in the area, check out my guide to the best day trips from Rotterdam by train.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 40–45 minutes on the fastest trains, depending on the service you take.

7. Zandvoort

If the weather is nice and you want to swap Amsterdam’s canals for the actual sea, Zandvoort is probably the easiest beach day trip from Amsterdam.

There is a direct train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zandvoort aan Zee, and the best part is that the station is basically right next to the beach. Within a few minutes of getting off the train, you can be walking along the North Sea.

There are plenty of beach clubs where you can stop for food or drinks, or you can just spend a few hours relaxing on the beach. Zandvoort is also surrounded by dunes, so there are some nice walking routes if you want to do more than just sit on the sand.

You could also combine Zandvoort with Haarlem. They’re only around 10 minutes apart by train, so this works really well if you want to explore a city in the morning and head to the beach afterwards.

Obviously, this is one I would mostly recommend when the Dutch weather decides to cooperate!

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 30 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.

9. Muiden

If you want to visit an actual medieval castle near Amsterdam, Muiden is the day trip I would choose.

The main reason to come here is Muiderslot, a beautiful castle dating back to 1285. You can explore the rooms and towers inside the castle, walk around the gardens and learn more about its history with the included audio tour.

I really liked the castle, but Muiden itself is also worth walking around while you’re here. It’s a small historic town with a pretty harbour, boats, restaurants and plenty of water around it, so you can easily combine the castle with a wander through the centre.

Muiden doesn’t have its own train station, but it’s still fairly easy to reach without a car. Take the train from Amsterdam to Weesp, followed by bus 110 to Muiden Centrum. From there, it’s around a 10-minute walk to Muiderslot.

If you want to visit the castle, I would book your Muiderslot ticket in advance here, particularly if you’re visiting during a busy period.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 58 minutes by taking a train to Weesp and then a bus to Muiden.

Day trips from Amsterdam – less than 1.5 hours away

10. Delft

Delft is probably one of my favourite cities in the Netherlands, and I think it’s definitely worth travelling a little further from Amsterdam for.

The city is best known for its famous blue and white Delft Blue pottery, which you’ll see everywhere once you start walking around. If you’re particularly interested in it, you can also visit the Royal Delft Museum, where Delft Blue pottery is still made today.

But honestly, I mostly love Delft because it’s just such a pretty city. There are canals, little streets, cute cafés and a beautiful main square surrounded by historic buildings. On the Markt, you’ll also find the Nieuwe Kerk, where you can climb the tower for views over the city.

Delft isn’t huge, so you can easily explore a lot of it in one day without rushing around. I would definitely choose it if you’re looking for a day trip with that classic Dutch feel but want to go somewhere a little further away from Amsterdam.

If you want to learn more about Delft Blue while you’re here, you can book a ticket to the Royal Delft Museum here.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 1 hour and two minutes by direct train from Amsterdam Centraal.

11. Den Helder

Den Helder is a bit of a different day trip from Amsterdam, and I would mainly recommend it if you’re interested in ships, the navy or maritime history.

The city is home to the Dutch Naval Museum, which was definitely the most interesting part for me. There are historic ships throughout the museum and you can even go inside a real submarine, which is pretty impressive!

The museum is located at Willemsoord, the city’s former naval shipyard. There are more historic ships around the harbour here, as well as restaurants and the National Lifeboat Museum, so you can easily spend a few hours exploring this part of Den Helder.

And, of course, you’re right by the sea. If you have more time, Den Helder is also the departure point for the ferry to Texel, although I would personally save Texel for a separate day rather than trying to squeeze both into one day trip from Amsterdam.

I wouldn’t choose Den Helder over Utrecht, Haarlem or Delft if this is your first trip to the Netherlands, but if you’ve already seen some of the more popular cities and want to visit somewhere completely different, it’s an interesting option.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 1 hour and 15–20 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal.

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12. Harlingen

Harlingen is probably my favourite place on this entire list. It’s a small harbour city in Friesland, right by the Wadden Sea, and definitely one of the most charming places in the Netherlands.

There are canals running through the centre, but what really stood out to me were all the boats and ships. Compared to the little boats you usually see along the canals in Amsterdam, some of the boats here are huge!

Harlingen is also one of the departure points for ferries to the Wadden Islands, including Terschelling and Vlieland, so there is always quite a lot happening around the harbour.

The downside is that Harlingen isn’t nearly as convenient to reach from Amsterdam as somewhere like Utrecht or Haarlem. If you have a car, the drive takes you across the Afsluitdijk, which is quite an experience in itself. There are also viewpoints where you can stop along the way.

It takes longer by public transport, so I would mainly choose Harlingen if you have a full day available and really want to see a different part of the Netherlands. Personally, though, I think it’s worth the extra journey.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 1 hour and 20 minutes by car; allow longer if travelling by public transport.

13. Scheveningen

If you’re looking for a beach day with a little more going on than just lying on the sand, Scheveningen is another good option from Amsterdam.

Scheveningen is probably the most famous beach in the Netherlands, and it’s definitely a lot busier and more built-up than somewhere like Zandvoort. Along the beachfront you’ll find loads of restaurants and beach bars, as well as the Scheveningen Pier.

You can walk along the pier for views over the North Sea, ride the Ferris wheel or, if you’re feeling a little more adventurous, even go bungee jumping.

Personally, I would choose Zandvoort if you mainly want an easy beach day, because the direct train from Amsterdam makes it incredibly convenient. But if you want a beach with more restaurants, attractions and things to do, I think Scheveningen is the more interesting option.

Scheveningen doesn’t have its own train station. From Amsterdam, take the train to Den Haag Centraal and then continue by tram or bus to the beach.

If you want to do more than just visit the beach, you can book activities in Scheveningen here.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Allow around 1 hour and 15–30 minutes by train and tram, depending on your connection.

Day trips from Amsterdam – less than 2 hours away

14. De Hoge Veluwe National Park

If you want to get out of the cities completely, De Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of my favourite places in the Netherlands.

The park is huge and has a mix of forests, heathlands and open landscapes, so it feels completely different from spending the day exploring another Dutch city.

My favourite way to explore the park is by bike. There are free White Bikes available at the entrances and at several places throughout the park, which you can just pick up and use. I think cycling is definitely the best way to see more of the park without spending the entire day walking.

There are also plenty of walking trails, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some wildlife along the way.

Getting here from Amsterdam by public transport takes a little more effort than most of the other day trips on this list, but it is possible. You can travel by train towards Apeldoorn and continue by bus towards the Hoenderloo entrance.

I would mainly recommend De Hoge Veluwe if you have a full day available and want some actual nature rather than visiting another city.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Allow around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours by public transport, depending on your connection.

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15. Nijmegen

Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands, so if you’re interested in history, this is a good option for a slightly longer day trip from Amsterdam.

The historic centre is really nice to walk around. Head to the Grote Markt, wander through the surrounding streets and have a look at the Stevenskerk, the impressive church overlooking the city.

For a bit more greenery, you can walk through Kronenburgerpark or Valkhof Park. I particularly like that Nijmegen sits right on the Waal River, so you can combine exploring the city centre with a walk along the river as well.

There are also several museums if you want to spend longer here, but honestly, I think Nijmegen is just a nice city to wander around without needing a huge sightseeing itinerary.

It’s quite a bit further from Amsterdam than Utrecht or Haarlem, so I wouldn’t necessarily choose Nijmegen for your first day trip from Amsterdam. But if you have more time in the Netherlands or have already visited some of the more obvious places, it’s definitely worth considering.

Travel time from Amsterdam: Around 1 hour and 30–40 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal.

Getting Around on Day Trips From Amsterdam

One of the best things about taking day trips from Amsterdam is that you really don’t need a car for most of them.

The Dutch train network is really easy to use, and places like Utrecht, Haarlem, Rotterdam, Alkmaar, Zandvoort, Leiden and Delft can all be reached by train. For some of the other destinations, you’ll need to combine the train with a bus or tram.

You can plan your journey using NS for trains or 9292 if your journey also includes buses, trams or metros.

You also don’t necessarily need to buy individual train tickets in advance. You can check in and out of public transport using a contactless debit or credit card with OVpay, which makes spontaneous day trips really easy.

If you’re planning several day trips during your stay, it’s worth comparing the cost of individual journeys with any regional or multi-day transport passes available for your trip.

The only places on this list where I think having a car can be particularly useful are some of the destinations further away. But even without one, you still have plenty of easy day-trip options from Amsterdam.

Final Thoughts on the Best Day Trips From Amsterdam

There are so many places you can visit from Amsterdam that choosing just one day trip can honestly be difficult.

If it’s your first time in the Netherlands, I would probably start with Utrecht, Haarlem or Zaanse Schans. They’re all easy to reach and don’t require spending hours travelling.

For something completely different from Amsterdam, I’d choose Rotterdam, while Zandvoort is my pick for an easy beach day and De Hoge Veluwe National Park if you want to get out into nature.

And if you don’t mind travelling a little further, Harlingen and Delft are two of my personal favourites on this list.

Whichever one you choose, don’t feel like you need to rent a car just to see more of the Netherlands. Some of my favourite places on this list are less than an hour from Amsterdam by public transport.

If you’re still planning the Amsterdam part of your trip, check out my guide to the 35 best things to do in Amsterdam as well.

Have you taken any of these day trips from Amsterdam? Let me know which one was your favourite!

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