9 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam

1. Zaanse Schans

Think of the Netherlands, and you immediately think of windmills, clogs, and traditional Dutch architecture. A typical day trip from Amsterdam is to Zaanse Schans, a stunning village close to Amsterdam, which centers around these typically Dutch symbols.

The village was created gradually by carefully moving buildings here from within the Zaan region. Because of this, the village perfectly represents the history of the 18th and 19th centuries, transporting visitors back in time. This makes Zaanse Schans feel like a huge open-air museum with preserved windmills, factories, and other historical exhibits.

Getting to Zaanse Schans on a day trip from Amsterdam

Getting to Zaanse Schans is super quick, making it easily one of the best day trips from Amsterdam! Take a train from Amsterdam in just 17 minutes or the bus in 30 minutes. If you prefer to have a guide, transport, and all activities included, opt for a half-day tour. This is one of the most popular ways of seeing the village.

2. Rotterdam – Perfect Day Trip From Amsterdam

Rotterdam is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the Netherlands! During the war, it was heavily bombed, and the majority of the city had to be rebuilt.

Because of this, although old parts of the city do exist, it has become more famous for its artistic atmosphere and daring design. Because Rotterdam is very different from other cities in the Netherlands, it’s one of the best day trips from Amsterdam.

Around every corner, there is modern, cutting-edge architecture, exciting restaurants and cafes, bustling markets, and colorful street art. All this and more have led to Rotterdam being named Europe’s new ‘capital of cool’. Fun fact: it is home to Europe’s first-ever skyscraper: Witte Huis (White House)!

Getting to Rotterdam

By direct train from Amsterdam in just 25 (fast train) or 45 minutes. Rotterdam also has an airport serving many other European destinations. For this reason, it can be an affordable alternative to staying in Amsterdam and a great base for the rest of your Netherlands travels.

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3. Kinderdijk Windmills

Close to Rotterdam lies Kinderdijk: 19 functioning windmills from the 18th century. Explore this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site, where some people still live in the windmills, working them in the old way to help prevent flooding along the river.

Visit the mill’s inside and climb up wooden ladders to the top! Additionally, join a boat tour and cruise along the river sandwiched between the traditional windmills that sit on both sides.

4. Haarlem

Haarlem is a charming medieval city that borders Amsterdam. It’s home to cobbled streets, beautiful brick houses, and colorful doors. Hop on the 15-minute train for a great day trip from Amsterdam.

Getting there

Direct train from Amsterdam to Haarlem in 15 minutes. The city is much cheaper and quieter than staying in Amsterdam, so it’s worth checking out hotels here and using Haarlem as a base to explore the capital city.

4. Volendam & Marken

The iconic Dutch fishing villages Volendam and Marken are some of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam. It’s famous for its beautiful setting on Lake Markermeer and the strong preservation of local traditions and buildings.

Volendam is famous for its local people, who honor their heritage by wearing traditional costumes. Secondly, it is famous for fish, particularly smoked eel and herring.

Don’t forget to also explore the maze-like area of the Doolhof. This is the oldest and most unique part of Volendam, where buildings are built totally at random! 

Marken

The quaint village of Marken lies just across the lake from Volendam. This beautiful village has a totally untouched feel, with its colorful wooden houses and fairytale-style drawbridges. A unique thing to see are the houses built on small wooden hills. Interestingly, this was originally designed to protect the houses from the rising tides.

Getting to Volendam and Marken on a day trip from Amsterdam

Reach Volendam in 30 minutes by bus number 316 from Amsterdam. Getting to Marken can be done by Ferry from Volendam or by hiring an electric bike and cycling all the way along the lake towards Marken (16 KM).

5. Broek in Waterland – Our favorite day trip from Amsterdam

Broek in Waterland is one of the best and easiest day trips from Amsterdam, as you can also cycle there from Amsterdam Central in under an hour!

Do not miss out on Teagarden Overleek for delicious coffee, tea, and cakes in a beautiful countryside setting! Even better, rent a whisper boat with them and cruise through the canals of Broek in Waterland! This stunning historical village is home to postcard scenery, with pastel-colored wooden houses that sit on the banks of the water.

Getting to Broek in Waterland on a day trip from Amsterdam

By bike (take the ferry from Amsterdam Centraal across to Amsterdam Noord, where you can then follow bike paths to Broek in Waterland). Alternatively, combine it with a trip to one of the other nine historical villages in the Waterland region, including Volendam and Marken.

8. Giethoorn

Giethoorn is one of the must-see villages in the Netherlands. This charming town has no roads and cars. Instead, it has canals and boats and is thought of as the small Venice of the Netherlands. Rent a traditional whisper boat (with an electric motor), or row along the tranquil canals by canoe. 

Getting to Giethoorn on a day trip from Amsterdam

The easiest way to make a day trip from Amsterdam to Giethoorn is via rental car, in just 1.5 hours driving. Other than that, the best option is to join an organized tour, although this means you will be visiting within the tourist hours. (Book a rental car here).

You can also get to the village using public transport via train from Amsterdam Zuid to the town of Steenwijk (1.5 hours). From here, take the 270 or 70 bus to Giethoorn in 12 minutes.

6. Utrecht

Amsterdam’s cute southern neighbor, and one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, is the beautiful city of Utrecht! Make a day trip from Amsterdam to explore its medieval streets and climb the Dom Tower, which is the tallest church tower in the country!

Not only is Utrecht an exciting student city, but it is nowhere near as touristy as Amsterdam. There’s plenty to do in Utrecht, with its endless calm canals, cute boutique shops and flower stalls, and stunning architecture from corner to corner.

Getting there

Visitors can easily reach Utrecht from Amsterdam in under 30 minutes by train, making it a super easy day trip.

9. Paris

Cross the border to the city of love: Paris! Jump on the high-speed train first thing in the morning to France to explore one of the most charming cities on the planet.

Wander the romantic avenues, try the croissants, baguettes, and cheese, and visit the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum.

Getting there

Take the high-speed Thalys train from either Amsterdam (in 3.5 hours) or Rotterdam (in 2.5 hours). It’s a little further than your average Amsterdam day trip, but well worth it!