Day trips from Amsterdam

6 Unique Day Trips from Amsterdam

Day Trips from Amsterdam are a great way to discover the Netherlands! Amsterdam is a enticing city, but don’t forget to take Day Trips from Amsterdam as the Netherlands is a small versatile country. Due to its compact size it is easy to explore, you never have to travel far. Don’t like to join a tour group on a large coach? No problem. Many of these places can be conveniently reached by train, or hired car.

A common question for travelers is: ‘Where should I go outside of Amsterdam?’
Here are some tips. Let’s take a look at these 6 Unique Day Trips from Amsterdam.

  1. Walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh.
  2. Fall in love with Dutch wines.
  3. Discover Roman history in Utrecht.
  4. In ‘Den Bosch‘ you taste the good life.
  5. Explore Castles, Fortresses and Water Defence Lines.
  6. Enjoy the cities of the Hanseatic League.

With a Private Tour, you’ll even get the benefit of inside information. There is no excuses to not get out and experience the country side of the Netherlands.

Contact us for a Custom Day Trips from Amsterdam into the Netherlands.

#1 Walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), born in the province of Brabant, is one of the most famous artists who ever existed. Besides the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, you can admire Van Gogh’s works in the Kröller-Müller Museum. It lies in the beautiful National Park De Hoge Veluwe lies and has the second largest Van Gogh collection in the world! And in Brabant, the region where he was born, you can still visit unique locations that were instrumental in shaping his life and work. These are highlights you simply cannot afford to miss if you are a Van Gogh lover!

Visiting any of these towns is an off the beaten path day trips from Amsterdam. It is only about a 1,5 hour drive to get to either of these places form Amsterdam. You will immerse in the Dutch countryside Vincent loved so much.

Day trips from Amsterdam

#2 Fall in love with Dutch wines

Wines have been cultivated in Holland since Roman times. The early wine growers were based mainly in the more southerly red loam soil in Limburg. Today our country boasts over 150 commercial vineyards. Follow wine routes to ‘taste’ the Dutch country side and the wines from 5 different appellations.

  • Wine Walk Groesbeek, hike 13 kilometers and visit 2 wineries.
  • Wine and Oysters from Zeeland, sea and salt match these 2 delicacies perfectly.
  • Sint-Catharinadal, the Bible says: ‘I’m a vine, my Father the winemaker.’ and the nuns started a vineyard.
  • Thorn, vineyard from appellation Maasvallei Limburg and white village.
  • Route de Vin, 10km walk from Wahlwiller, Zuid-Limburg

There are some vineyard within a 1-hour drive from Amsterdam, but he best way to enjoy the countryside and a glass of Dutch wine is by a weekend trip from Amsterdam.

Day trips from Amsterdam - vineyard

#3 Discover Roman history in Utrecht.

Utrecht is an easy day trips from Amsterdam and the lively, beating heart of Holland. It was built around the Dom tower, which you can see from any point in the city, so there is no way you can get lost in the attractive, car-free city center. Go underground to see the Roman fort, or climb the Dom tower and overlook the city from above. There are many things to do and see! Or as little as possible enjoying a drink from the terrace along the canals.

From Amsterdam it is about a 45-minute drive to Utrecht. But only 30-minute by train, making Utrecht one of the best day trips from Amsterdam by train.

Day trips from Amsterdam - cities

#4 In ‘Den Bosch’ you taste the good life.

‘s-Hertogenbosch, which the locals call Den Bosch these days, is an enchanting medieval city. Go for a stroll and discover the medieval architecture of Saint John Cathedral, take a boat tour over -and under!- the semi-covered canals, taste the Bossche bol a chocolate delicacy. Den Bosch natives definitely know how to enjoy the good life and the city offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

‘s-Hertogenbosch (or Den Bosch) is also in the top #5 for ‘Best day trips from Amsterdam by train’. Both by car and train the journey is about 1-hour. The train is very comfortable and a relax way to enjoy the Dutch countryside and you’ll avoid the daily traffic jams.

Day trip from Amsterdam - Den Bosch

#5 Explore Castles, Fortresses and Water Defence Lines.

The New Dutch Water Line is a defense line with a circumference of 135 kilometer around which the cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht are situated. The massive fortification is formed by at least 35 fortresses and 2 castles.

  • Muiderslot Castle, feel like a prince or princess inside this 600-year old castle.
  • Castle Loevestein, find out how a prisoner escaped the castle in a book chest.
  • Naarden, fortified town, an amazing defense work with fortified walls and moats.
  • Waterline Museum at Fort Vechten, see how water was used as a defense mechanism.

These are all great answers to your question: ‘What Day Trips in Amsterdam are 1 hour or less?’. Most of the fortresses are within a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam.

Day trip from Amsterdam - Naarden

#6 Enjoy the cities of the Hanseatic League.

The goal of the Hanseatic League, which was founded when Amsterdam was still a tiny settlement, was to expand commerce and spread knowledge. Dutch cities along the Ijssel river were members of this league, and this chapter in their history is still clearly visible in the many 14th and 15th-century monuments.

  • Hasselt – known as ‘little Amsterdam’.
  • Kampen – 500 monuments with a rich history.
  • Zwolle – medieval city with culinary treats.
  • Doesburg – One of the most important fortified towns.
Day trip from Amsterdam - Hansa Towns, Doesburg

Need any help to arrange Day Trips from Amsterdam? We are happy to assist. Do get in touch with us before your next trip to Amsterdam, The Netherlands.