Are you an international student who would like to travel around the Netherlands, and are you looking for something more unique and fascinating than the big touristic cities? Congratulations, you are on the right page! We have prepared the list of top 10 best villages to visit in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands has many beautiful villages, which can offer unique experiences and sights for you. From the cobbled streets and thatched houses to the waterways and secret gardens, there is so much to enjoy. Visiting these places provides you with an excellent opportunity to walk through some of the most fascinating Dutch history and culture. Most of the villages have preserved their architecture, culture, and languages, which they cherish to this day.
1. Edam
Edam is a tiny settlement and is one of the major attractions around Amsterdam. It is known for its world-famous cheese market, which is held every Wednesday. This village is located just outside the capital Amsterdam, and it will take you just 30 minutes to get there by bus.
Edam has monumental structures such as warehouses, churches, houses, and bridges. Most of them are over 500 years old, and will certainly make your trip worthwhile.
This village was an active trading center during the 17th century, meaning that it is rich in Dutch history. Traders from all over the Netherlands and beyond came here to trade in Edam cheese in exchange for spices and other goods.
Edam is without a doubt one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands.
2. Urk
Urk is a fishing village that was formerly an island. It is located in Flevoland, which is the youngest province of the Netherlands.
This village is not just one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands. It is also rich in Dutch history and culture and people living here even have their own dialect – Urkers.
In this village you can visit the famous fish market to sample some smoked eel from the local lakes or take a bite of freshly fried fish. The other sites you can visit include the lighthouse and the local museum.
You can also ride a 'botter' (old fishing boat) or ferry towards Enkhuizen across the Ijsselmeer.
If the weather allows, you can swim or sand-bathe around the lake. This lake is also a popular place for watersports like kayaking and flying kites.
However, be aware that most locals here take religion quite seriously, and they do not work on Sundays. Plan your itinerary around the other days of the week if you want the full experience.
3. Bourtange
In the north of the Netherlands, near the German border, lies the fortress Bourtange. This perfectly restored small fortress town east of the city of Groningen dates back to 1580. Bourtange is built up in a star shape which was typical for these fortress towns.
Bourtange has hundreds of pretty houses around its iconic central square. There are several shops and restaurants with terrace seating for the warm weather. Here you can go back in time and see the medieval architecture, canals and dykes. The town has four museums, several restaurants, historical shops and a hotel in the former soldier barracks. Be sure not to miss out the re-enactments of battles that took place in the Eighty Years War against Spain.
There are also some smaller museums dotted around the village where you can learn more about Bourtange and the wider province of Groningen.
4. Veere
Veere is a village in the Netherlands, situated in the province of Zeeland. In the 13th century, there used to be a direct route from Veere to the North Sea making it a busy center of the shipping trade.
This village has a strong connection to Scotland as it was a center of the wool trade between the Dutch and Scots. As a result, many Scots emigrated to Veere in the 16th and 17th centuries.
It has picturesque medieval buildings that have an incredibly rich history. At the center of the village you can visit a massive church that was built in the 14th century, Scottish Kirk on foreign soil.
You can also visit the Schotse Huizen museum to learn more about the Scottish legacy in Veere.
5. Broek in Waterland
Broek in Waterland also fits perfectly among the most beautiful and popular villages in the Netherlands. It offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Dutch culture without having to travel too far away from Amsterdam.
The surrounding area of this village consists of expansive grass plains with countless rivers, canals, and dykes running across the plains. It is therefore the ideal destination if you are looking for a blend of natural beauty and tranquility. Here you can visit a charming old church at the center of the village, which was built in the 17th century or take a walk with the picturesque view around you.
6. Marken
Marken is a remote village found on a cape in North Holland and is located about 17 kilometers from Amsterdam. In the 13th century, a strong storm swept across the countryside separating Marken from the mainland. However, in 1957, an embankment was built to reconnect Marken with the mainland.
Marken is a small island that can be explored on foot. Its remote location gives it a distinct culture and character that is cherished by locals to this day.
Some of the top attractions in the village include the Paard van Marken. This is a lighthouse located on the most easterly point of the village and is still functional. You can also visit the Marken Museum to learn the fascinating history of the island and the Grote Kerk, a neo-Renaissance church located in the center of this island.
The Kijkhuisje Sijtje Boes is another interesting place to visit. Here you can see the ancient furniture and décor of Marken.
Besides that, if the weather allows, you can also enjoy your drink or meal on the terrace with picturesque view in one of the local cafés.
7. Giethoorn
This is one of the few villages in the Netherlands with no roads. It is nicknamed the ‘Venice’ of the Netherlands because of its many canals and bridges. You can only access it on foot or by boat.
Without roads and motor transport, it’s evident that the residents of Giethoorn village in the Netherlands enjoy unparalleled tranquility. The village is an amalgamation of small islands with traditional wooden houses and farms. These islands are interconnected by wooden bridges.
The perfect way to explore Giethoorn is to take canal cruise either with a tour or on a self-navigated motorboat. However, you can also enjoy a cycling tour in this village. If you want to make a day of it, the 41.5-kilometre Giethoorn de Wieden fietsroute shows you the best of Giethoorn and its thatched farmhouses and bridges before heading out into that unspoiled wetland environment via the Beulakerwijde and Belterwijde lakes.
Here you can also visit Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus, a museum which opens a window on different aspects of Giethoorn’s past like fishing, agriculture and peat-cutting.
Besides the village itself you can also visit nearby located De Weerribben-Wieden National Park, which is a home to a wide array of wildlife.
8. Durgerdam
Durgerdam is a village built on a long, wide dyke. Over the years, the residents have been forced to learn how to manage the massive water bodies.
During one of the worst floods to hit the village in the 15th century, Durgerdam was completely washed away.
This necessitated the move to build a long dike on which people could build their homes. Most of the old wooden buildings are now protected, meaning that you can pop in and admire some rich Dutch history.
Before its reconstruction, it was a major harbor on the Zuiderzee. But when the dykes were erected, the village was cut off from the sea. This led to the decline of shipping in the area and residents turned to fishing.
Some of the main attractions in Durgerdam include the white ‘Kapel’ chapel, the Reformed Church, and the Hemony clock in the tower.
You can explore the village on foot, although cycling paths are also available so you can hop onto a bicycle to make your tour even more enjoyable.
9. Kinderdijk
Kinderdijk is a UNESCO recognized village with 19 windmills, which were built across the water in the 18th century to protect the village against the rising seas. It is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the Netherlands.
Kinderdijk gives a unique insight into the traditional culture and character of the Dutch. This village is located just 15 km away from the city of Rotterdam, meaning that it’s easily accessible by ferry from Rotterdam. Do bear in mind that the last ferry runs at 5 p.m.
Here you can visit museums, windmills and museums located in the windmills as well as take a walk through the village while watching beautiful sunset.
10. Volendam
Volendam is one of the most well-preserved and best-known fishing villages in the Netherlands. It is located near the North Sea, on a harbor by Lake Markermeer.
Today, the harbor is lined with brightly colored traditional wooden houses. You will also find here traditional fishing boats lining the docks. Apart from the historic buildings, the culture and language of Volendams are still cherished to this day.
In this village you can find a harbor strip called De Dijk, which has many historic houses, waterfront shops, restaurants, and cafés. You can also try sumptuous seafood in these restaurants and catch a glimpse of residents dressed in traditional Dutch attires.
Another main attraction is the Volendam art Museum, where you can find pieces by masters like Renoir. Here, you will get a deeper insight into the history of Volendam. Also, if you wish you can try on traditional Volendam clothes in the museum and have your picture taken for the memory about this trip.
We hope these suggestions for travelling will be useful for you. Regardless your chosen destination, we wish you to have a fun and memorable trip to one of these beautiful villages!
