Skip Amsterdam! These 5 Alternative Dutch Cities Have Prettier Canals & Less Crowds

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Picturesque canals operating alongside slender, muted-toned buildings, winding bike lanes, and stroopwafels straight from the market: for the informal traveler, that is Amsterdam summarized, however what if I instructed you an identical factor applies to (just about) each different Dutch metropolis?

Unlike nations resembling France, Italy or Spain, the place you get extra variation, distinction, and architectural range from area to area, the Netherlands are fairly… monocultural.

That’s to not say there are minor regional varieties hither and thither, however total, the operating theme is low-rise buildings organized evenly alongside navigable waterways. Add to that the odd picturesque mill, and the occasional, cannabis-infested no-go zone, and also you get your common Dutch hub.

The factor is, folks hold going to Amsterdam for that quintessential Dutch expertise once they can get it for less expensive, and fairly actually anyplace else. Also, let’s be actual for a sec: as a lot as I like the Netherlands, are you able to even inform these cities aside with out checking the signposts?

Here are 5 Amsterdam look-alikes with smaller crowds, and if I could add, arguably-prettier canals:

Ameesfort

A small metropolis that feels remarkably actual nonetheless, not overrun with vacationers, Ameesfort packs well-preserved medieval monuments, charming coffeeshops, and neglected museums in a walkable, canal-traversed medieval middle.

It’s additionally the house of what is maybe the Netherland’s coolest metropolis gate, the Koppelport, which served each for land and water protection, and as you stroll alongside the Muurhuizen, a cobbled road operating parallel to the previous partitions, it is nearly such as you’ve traveled again in time to the Middle Ages.

Don’t miss out on Our Lady’s Tower, within the coronary heart of the Old Town, is without doubt one of the tallest medieval church buildings within the nation, and should you love artwork, the Mondriaan House is each the birthplace of, and a museum devoted to Piet Mondriaan, a key determine within the De Stijl motion.

You know, the summary colourful blocks damaged up by vertical and horizontal traces. You’ve in all probability seen a number of replicas hanging in your psychologist’s low-light workplace.

🚄 Amsterdam → Amersfoort: 35m

🚄 The Hague → Amersfoort: 55m

🚄 Rotterdam → Amersfoort: 50m

Groningen

Middle finger as much as Amsterdam, Groningen’s the correct thrilling pupil metropolis, with a robust sense of northerly independence, a surprisingly nice nightlife for its dimension, and a artistic vibe that’s really laborious to beat.

This remains to be the overly-liberal Netherlands, so rein within the expectations, however in a means, it is a bit just like the ‘dam earlier than it began catering to individuals who suppose consuming matcha and caring for each world trigger however their very own nationwide affairs is a persona.

You can nonetheless get down and soiled at a riotous, bar-packed Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat, the centre of motion, and whereas Simplon, OOST, and Paradigm are the massive names round, The End Karaoke is the place the actual unfiltered enjoyable’s at.

Down a number of pints of Grolsch, what I wish to name liquid braveness, seize the mic, and cry your coronary heart out.

Oh, after all, possibly you are right here for the sightseeing. What if I instructed you Oosterhaven (the principle canal lined with Dutch townhouses) is simply Insta-perfect at golden hour, or that you may marvel at Martinitoren, a placing fifteenth century church tower, from just about any level alongside the waterfront?

🚄 Amsterdam → Amersfoort: 2h05m

🚄 The Hague → Amersfoort: 2h45m (1 switch in Utrecht)

🚄 Rotterdam → Amersfoort: 2h40m (1 switch in Utrecht)

Kampen

A correct hidden gem on the banks of the scenic IJssel River, Kampen is laid-back, sliced with canals, and dotted with these unmistakably Dutch warehouses and stepped gables, besides right here, you received’t be elbowing your well past hoards of Chinese vacationers.

Its medieval middle is storybook materials, with the same old cobble-paved streets, timber-framed homes, and monumental metropolis gates, and most factors of curiosity are inside a brief 5–⁠10 minute stroll from one another. No have to hire a motorcycle and dodge trams like loopy.

Right on the riverbank, Koornmarktspoort is a large metropolis gate, and your ‘I’ve been to Kampen’ selfie spot. Not removed from there, chances are high you will discover the hovering Bovenkerk, a Gothic church housing a formidable show of stained glass.

If you are asking me, nonetheless, there’s nowhere higher to absorb Kampen’s relaxed environment than people-watching at De Stadsherberg Kampen‘s canalside terrace as you savor your tomato soup, possibly adopted by some slibtong (a fried skinny fish), and downing an entire jug of beer whilst you’re at it.

Peak Dutch habits.

🚄 Amsterdam → Kampen: 1h15m (1 switch in Zwolle)

🚄 The Hague → Kampen: 2h30m (1 switch, both in Utrecht or Zwolle)

🚄 Rotterdam → Kampen: 2h20m (1 switch, both in Utrecht or Zwolle)

Volendam

Right, I in all probability wasn’t fully truthful on the Netherlands earlier by stating each Dutch metropolis is successfully the identical. While there’s some reality to that, so far as city-building goes, there’s the odd few exception that stands out. One of these is Volendam:

The quintessential fishing village frozen in time, it merely oozes Dutch character, and I’m not even speaking concerning the wood docks, waterfront cafés with views onto canals, and the standard Northern Mannerist homes.

Don’t be stunned should you discover locals nonetheless sporting their signature ‘Volendam hats’ on competition days—like King’s Day—or if the 70-year previous oma behind the bakery counter does not communicate excellent English like your common Dutch particular person.

Volendam is the Netherlands earlier than the worldwide crowds turned up. It’s nonetheless touristy, certain, however guests are primarily fellow Dutch, and the small-village really feel retains issues chill and cosy. And no matter you do, don’t neglect to attempt the smoked eel from one of many many fish stalls across the harbor!

🚌 Amsterdam → Volendam: 35m (Bus 316 to Volendam)

🚄+🚌 The Hague → Volendam: 2h15m (prepare to Amsterdam, then Bus 316 to Volendam)

🚄+🚌 Rotterdam → Volendam: 1h50m (prepare to Amsterdam, then Bus 316 to Volendam)

Leiden

A mini Amsterdam of types, Leiden has the canals, picturesque bridges, and skinny waterside houses, however not one of the capital’s vacationer hordes and hectic vibe. In quick, it’s the place I’m going after I need an AMS-like environment, minus the added chaos.

It’s house to the oldest college in all the Netherlands: Leiden University was based as early as 1575, and equally to Oxford in England, or Coimbra in Portugal, the historic Rapenburg district has that student-town power, on high of centuries of a scholarly aura.

Burcht van leiden is Leiden’s spectacular medieval fortress, constructed even earlier within the Eleventh-century, and what’s particular about it’s the truth that it’s one in every of a handful of castles within the Netherlands to truly sit on a hilltop.

This remains to be the Netherlands, thoughts you, so it is extra like a mound, however the metropolis views atop the fortress, with the winding canals and Pieterskerk, the Gothic church tower that dominates the skyline, remains to be downright beautiful.

At the tip of the day, the greatest strategy to discover Leiden is just by wandering! That’s how you discover the hidden courtyards and cobbled alleys, and the backstreets off the principle path stuffed with medieval attraction.

🚄 Amsterdam → Leiden: 35m

🚄 The Hague → Leiden: 15min

🚄 Rotterdam → Leiden: 25m

This Is The Easiest Way To Explore The Netherlands This Spring

If you propose on touring across the Netherlands and utilizing public transport, contemplate getting a Holland Travel Ticket for a day or two.

It permits you to journey all around the national territory from solely €54 | $64 off-peak for the day. With a Holland Travel Ticket, you’ll be able to board a vast variety of trains, buses, ferries, and even trams, metros, and different municipal traces throughout the Netherlands throughout its validity.

Exceptions do apply, however these principally concern high-speed worldwide traces, just like the Eurostar from Amsterdam to Brussels (Belgium), or Amsterdam to Cologne (Germany), so be sure to test the protection of your ticket earlier than boarding the following prepare out.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ nations below his belt (and at the moment weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that can have you ever packing your luggage.