Netherlands
Enjoying the outdoors in the Netherlands offers a peaceful and scenic experience shaped by flat landscapes, charming waterways, and a deep connection to nature. With a vast network of well-maintained cycling paths, the country is best explored on two wheels, whether you're riding through tulip fields in spring, alongside dikes and canals, or past historic windmills in places like Kinderdijk. Walking and biking through the countryside reveals picturesque farms, quaint villages, and wide-open skies that reflect in the calm waters of the many rivers and lakes. Nature parks such as De Hoge Veluwe and Biesbosch National Park offer forested trails, birdwatching, and quiet spaces to relax and enjoy the Dutch landscape.
Along the coast, the Netherlands provides beautiful beaches and dune reserves perfect for walking, swimming, and kite flying. Popular spots like Scheveningen, Zandvoort, and the Wadden Islands offer a mix of sandy shorelines and nature reserves, where visitors can hike through dunes or even walk across the tidal flats at low tide. Urban parks and green spaces in cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Groningen make it easy to enjoy fresh air and scenic views without leaving town. Whether you're boating through historic canals, cycling along flower-lined roads, or birdwatching in quiet wetlands, the Dutch outdoors offer a tranquil, accessible, and beautifully organized way to connect with nature.
Things to do in Netherlands:
1. Cycling Through the Countryside and Cities
With more bikes than people and 35,000+ km of bike paths, cycling is the best way to explore. Ride through tulip fields near Keukenhof, historic windmills at Kinderdijk, or cobbled city streets in Amsterdam and Utrecht.
2. Walking and Hiking in National Parks
Explore diverse landscapes in parks like Hoge Veluwe (with forests, heathlands, and sand dunes), De Biesbosch (a freshwater tidal wetland), or Lauwersmeer for birdwatching and scenic trails.
3. Visiting Tulip Fields in Spring
In April and May, the fields around Lisse, Noordoostpolder, and Goeree-Overflakkee burst into color. Strolling, cycling, or taking a boat past the blooms is a classic Dutch experience.
4. Canoeing and Kayaking Through Canals and Wetlands
Paddle through the quiet waterways of Giethoorn, known as the “Venice of the North,” or explore the winding canals of Utrecht and Leiden by kayak or canoe.
5. Enjoying the Beaches and Dunes of the North Sea Coast
Relax or walk along sandy stretches at Zandvoort, Scheveningen, or the more remote Texel and Terschelling islands, part of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. Fishing and Boating on Lakes and Rivers
Fish or take small boats out on lakes like IJsselmeer, Markermeer, and Loosdrechtse Plassen, or cruise the Frisian Lakes during summer boating season.
7. Picnicking and Relaxing in City Parks
Urban green spaces like Vondelpark (Amsterdam), Sonsbeekpark (Arnhem), and Park Valkenberg (Breda) are perfect for a sunny afternoon with friends, a picnic, or outdoor concerts.
8. Climbing and Ziplining in Adventure Parks
Try forest adventure parks like Klimbos Garderen or Fun Forest Amsterdam, where you can enjoy treetop zip lines, climbing routes, and rope courses in a safe environment.
9. Exploring Cities by Boat Tour
See historic cities like Amsterdam, Delft, or Haarlem from the water. Canal cruises, pedal boats, or electric sloops are a relaxing way to enjoy architecture and history.
10. Birdwatching in Coastal and Wetland Reserves
Visit birding hotspots like Oostvaardersplassen, Texel Island, or the Lauwersmeer National Park to see migratory birds, wild horses, and waterfowl in peaceful natural habitats.
Get Outdoors in Netherlands
