Netherlands Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions 
Known famously for canals, windmills, enchanting vegetation, visitors surely will find these and much more attractions in The Netherlands.
But together with the country's several marvelous villages and picturesque gardens, those venturing out here will not be disappointed as they run into lively cities such as Amsterdam packed with varying museums displaying a wealth of brilliant artists, including the Old Masters. Other sites to tour include many cityscapes and medieval castles, the mega national park and even the ingenious tide control system that received the designation as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Considering The Netherlands' rather small size, all of such attractions and exciting activities to engage in are within a rather compact area, plus the landscape is rather flat.
As a result, it's exceedingly easy to conduct some of your tours in the Dutch Way, by cycling. Several of the best traveling destinations, including The Netherlands' major cities, highly recommend cycling and provide free bicycles for exploring the hottest sites. Whichever course you decide to use to experience The Netherlands, you are guaranteed a sensational time in one of Europe's most liberal and friendliest cultures.
Be certain to plan your itinerary using our Netherlands travel guide to find the top tourist attractions in The Netherlands.
1) Amsterdam's Canals in Jordaan. Know that the canals are as vital a component of Amsterdam's cityscape as they are unmistakably to the city of Venice, and a few of the foremost lasting memories for any tourist are the time invested wisely in exploring Amsterdam's amazing waterways.
Though you can easily access many of the top attractions in Amsterdam by water taxi or boat tour, nothing is better than walking along the quieter, smaller streets which line the waterways.
In particular, Jordaan is charming, a neighborhood constructed in the 1600s to provide homes for immigrants and workers drawn here because of the city's religious toleration. Together with its little canal-side homes, search for Jordaan's many hofjes, which are quaint-looking inner courtyards concealed behind the buildings.
Another beautiful neighborhood is Grachtengordel that has several little bridges and old 17th-century houses. You'll be generously rewarded while you explore the 400-year-old streets, seeing excellent examples of lovely architecture, gardens, small boutique shops, and cafes. Do not forget to search for the several houseboats mooring along the canals.
Only a ten-minute walk away sits Dam Square, a top tourist attraction in Amsterdam. Besides its many shops, cafes, and restaurants, this enormous public square offers a lot of the city's most-visited attractions. These include the magnificent Royal Palace; the enchanting New Church; and The Netherlands' most prized war memorial: the National Memorial Statue.
2) Keukenhof. Chances are that when you think of The Netherlands, you'll eventually think of tulips, which is the country's favorite flower. Plus, it's one of the foremost prettiest places to tour in the country, displaying them and other beauties in stunning abundance. Given its practical place relative to Amsterdam, under one hour through public transit, or only a 45-minute drive away, it makes an easy, fun day trip from the biggest city.
Regarded as the "Garden of Europe," Keukenhof is situated on the edges of the town of Lisse, and broadly considered The Netherlands' "bulb belt." As the world's largest public garden, boasting over 70 acres that used to be the kitchen garden of a big country property, Keukenhof now showcases over 700 types of tulips which reach their peak between April and May.
However, because of its enormous commercial hot houses, the showcase continues nearly year-round. Here, you'll spot ceaseless rows of blooming tulips, together with thousands of daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses.
3) Rijksmuseum. The magnificent Rijksmuseum, the National Museum, located in Amsterdam's Musemplein, Museum Square, has been amassing rare antiquities and art since 1809. So, it's no shocking surprise that its voluminous collection now amounts to almost seven million pieces of art, which include 5,000 paintings arranged in display in over 250 rooms, and a huge library containing 35,000 books.
Besides its special collection of the Old Masters, the museum provides a thoroughly detailed account of the growth of culture and art in The Netherlands, plus is particularly rich in conventional Dutch handicrafts, even medieval sculpture, and of course, modern art. Prepare yourself to exhaust a whole day or two in exploring this museum's countless gems.
If you still have time to get additional Rembrandt squeezed into your itinerary of Amsterdam, here's a nice treat: the Rembrandt House Museum, which stands in the city's old Jewish Quarter. The great artist painted several of his better-known works during the twenty-year period that he spent here, along with yet recognizable scenes originating from the neighborhood.
The home remains largely the same as it did during the artist's life. Guided tours are now available. You could brighten your overall experience by choosing to stay nearby at Luxury Suites Amsterdam, situated only a few steps from the museum.
4) The Hague. Considered worldwide as the place of the International Court of Justice, The Hague in addition is The Netherlands' political center. The nation's government conducts their official work here, and where the Dutch Royal Family calls home in Noordeinde Palace.
The Hague also offers tourists a superb travel destination and for visitors wanting a sample of the small country's rich history. Whatever is your "staying status" in these parts, begin your exploration in the historical Binnenhof district. Its name translating as the "Inner Court," Binnenhof goes as far back as 1250 CE. It's in fact the city's oldest part and fun to explore by foot.
Located around a major courtyard, the charming older structures here, once housing no other than the ruling classes, have been wonderfully well-preserved. The Knights' Hall which is the crown jewel here, constructed in the 13th-century, the imposing castle-looking building that has twin towers, still operates for government functions such as the parliament opening each September. Attractions worth seeing include the Gothic hall that shows off its wood-beamed ceiling and stained-glass windows.
5) Anne Frank House. This is another must-see attraction in Amsterdam. Anne's family hid most of WWll in this home, located on Prinsengracht, as Jewish refugees, and is where she ended up writing her famed diary. Despite dying only two months prior to the war terminating, her legacy continues through her words, having been now translated into at least 51 languages.
The rear of the completely restored home where the family hid has been preserved as close as to the original condition as possible, a meaningful monument to a dark piece of world history, and a courageous young lady who still continues to inspire readers around the globe.
Warning: tickets for this attraction often sell out. So be certain to book your online well in advance. Also, make time to tour the surrounding area such as the striking old canals by foot.
