6 easy must-do weekend trips from Amsterdam
There’s nowhere quite like Amsterdam. With its network of canals, its charming historic architecture, its stunning museums, and its liberal culture, the capital of the Netherlands attracts millions of tourists every year, and it’s not hard to see why.
Maybe you want to see some of the world’s greatest artworks. In that case, the Rijksmuseum, the van Gogh Museum, and the Rembrandt House provide great reasons to come here. If, on the other hand, you want to spend a relaxing weekend cruising along quaint waterways or riding a bike through the city on one of the world’s most extensive networks of bike lanes, Amsterdam is the perfect place to be. And if you’d rather party the night away in one of Europe’s rowdiest nightlife scenes, Amsterdam has that too.
But even in a city that offers so much, you may feel the urge to get away every now and then. And there are lots of great trips you can take from Amsterdam. After all, the Netherlands is a relatively small country, and it has one of the best public transport networks in all of Europe. Rent a car or hop on a train at Amsterdam Central Station, and in no time at all, you can see other aspects of this fascinating country that you won’t encounter in the capital itself.
All you need to do is drop off your bags at Amsterdam luggage storage with Bounce, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the perfect weekend getaway. And if you're looking for some weekend trip inspiration, check out these destinations that are easily reached from Amsterdam city center for some of the best weekend getaways in the Netherlands.
Utrecht
Distance from Amsterdam
It's just over 50 km or around 30 miles to reach Utrecht from Amsterdam city center. It's around a 40-minute drive without traffic, or you can take a direct train from Amsterdam's central train station and arrive in the heart of Utrecht in less than 30 minutes. This ease of access makes it one of the most popular weekend trips from Amsterdam.
Our activity recommendations
Utrecht is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Some popular things to do in Utrecht include visiting the Dom Tower, which is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, exploring the Rietveld Schröder House, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and strolling along the Oudegracht, which is a picturesque canal lined with shops and restaurants. Additionally, Utrecht is home to several museums, including the Catharijneconvent Museum, which is the national museum for Christian art and culture. There are also several parks and gardens to visit, such as Wilhelminapark and the Botanical Gardens.
In many ways, this wonderful city captures a lot of what makes Amsterdam so special but in a less crowded, more laid-back, and more affordable way. Thanks to the high-speed train, it's an easy weekend trip to take from the capital and one that many locals like to do as well as tourists. It's so easy to reach Utrecht from Amsterdam's city center that it would be a shame not to see the place while visiting Amsterdam.
Best season to visit
Like most destinations in the Netherlands, Utrecht is a year-round destination. Nowhere in the country has extremes of either heat or cold, so you can visit at any time of year. However, if you're in the area in July, try to check out De Parade, the massive traveling theater festival that visits all the major cities in the Netherlands throughout the summer and arrives in Utrecht in July.
The Hague/ Den Haag
Distance from Amsterdam
It's 68 km or 42 miles from Amsterdam city center to the Hague. Expect it to take around 45 minutes to drive without traffic and 15 minutes via direct train from Amsterdam central train station.
Our activity recommendations
The Hague is a city in the Netherlands that is known for its political and legal institutions, as well as its beaches and cultural sites. Some popular things to do in The Hague include visiting the Peace Palace, which is the home of the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the Binnenhof, which is the seat of the Dutch government. You can also head to the Mauritshuis, a museum that houses a collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, including works by Vermeer and Rembrandt. The Hague also has several parks and gardens to explore, such as Westbroekpark and Clingendael park.
The Hague also has a long stretch of beach called Scheveningen beach, where you can enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. You can also walk along the boulevard and enjoy the view of the sea. There are several restaurants, bars, and cafes to choose from. Take a walk on the pier, which is over half a mile long and offers beautiful views of the sea and the coast. Don’t miss the miniature city of Madurodam, where you can see famous Dutch landmarks in miniature form.
Best season to visit
Many of the top attractions that make the Hague one of the best weekend trips from Amsterdam are indoors, so you don't need to worry about the weather when you visit. However, the weather is generally better in the summer, so if you want to enjoy the beach, it's better to take this day trip in the warmer summer months.
Rotterdam
Distance from Amsterdam
This university town lies around 60 km from Amsterdam, and it offers a perfect weekend trip you can take from the city center. Driving to Rotterdam will take around an hour, but the direct train only takes 40 minutes, making this one of the easiest Amsterdam day trips as well as one of the most interesting.
Our activity recommendations
Rotterdam is known for its modern architecture, port, and cultural scene. Some intriguing things to do in Rotterdam include visiting the Markthal, the large indoor market and residential complex with a colorful curved ceiling, or the Erasmus Bridge, with its striking cable-stayed structure that offers great views of the city and the harbor. You can also check out the cube houses, which are a set of unique cube-shaped houses that were designed by architect Piet Blom.
Rotterdam is also home to a number of museums, including the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, which showcases the city's rich maritime history, and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, one of the oldest and most important art museums in the Netherlands. Another popular attraction is the Euromast, which is an observation tower that offers panoramic views of the city and the port.
When you need to get outside, Rotterdam also has several parks and gardens to visit. Try Kralingse Bos and enjoy this large park with a lake. Noorderpark is a peaceful park with a playground and a petting zoo, ideal for families. The city also has a rich nightlife, with lots of bars, clubs, and music venues to choose from.
Best season to visit
If you want to spend a lot of time outdoors, summer is the best time for a weekend trip to Rotterdam. But there's enough going on in this city that you have a great time no matter when you visit.
Zaanse Shans
Distance from Amsterdam
This village is one of the most popular trips from Amsterdam partly because it's so close to the city. Zaanse Shans lies just 18 km (11 miles) north of Amsterdam and can be reached by car in under 20 minutes. Likewise, the train takes only 17 minutes, so this is one of the quickest weekend trips from Amsterdam you can possibly take.
Our activity recommendations
Known for its well-preserved 18th and 19th-century Dutch architecture, windmills, and traditional Dutch crafts, it’s always fun to head to the village of Zaanse Schans. It is a popular tourist destination and offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time and experience traditional Dutch life.
Some popular things to do in Zaanse Schans include visiting the windmills, which are open to the public and offer tours and demonstrations of how they were used to grind spices, paint, and oil. You can also see traditional Dutch houses, a cheese farm, and the clog maker's workshop.
It's also a great place to take a walk and enjoy the picturesque scenery, including the beautiful green fields, charming old houses, and tranquil canals. To keep things a little more active, you can also take a bike tour through the village and the surrounding countryside.
Don’t leave town without sampling traditional Dutch food in the restaurant and purchasing traditional Dutch souvenirs in the gift shops. If you visit in the right season, you can also enjoy the tulip fields that are in bloom around the village.
Best season to visit
Spring is a great time to visit the village to see the flowers in bloom. A beautiful windmill with some tulips blooming in front of it is an iconic Netherlands photo opportunity, and it almost makes the day trip here worth it by itself.
Edam
Distance from Amsterdam
You can reach Edam with a 26-minute drive from Amsterdam, covering 24 km (15 miles). This makes it an easy weekend trip to take if you have access to a car. Unusually for weekend trips from Amsterdam, there is no direct train to Edam, though there is a bus you can take if you don't want to drive.
Our activity recommendations
Edam is a small town in the Netherlands known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, and, of course, its famous Edam cheese. The Edam Cheese Market is a must-see attraction. The market takes place in the summer months, and you can sample and purchase the delicious namesake cheese.
Edam isn’t only about cheese, though. It has a charming town center with narrow streets, canals, and historic buildings that are worth exploring. One of the main attractions is the St. Nicholas Church, which is a beautiful Gothic church with a brick tower. Additionally, Edam is located on the IJsselmeer, a large lake in the Netherlands, and boat tours are available to take you on a tour of the lake and the surrounding area.
Edam may be known for its delicious cheese, but it also has many other traditional Dutch foods to offer. You can try stroopwafels, poffertjes, and local beer while you’re here.
Best season to visit
You can visit Edam at any time of year, although if you want to visit the cheese market, you should aim to take this day trip during the summer months.
Maastricht
Distance from Amsterdam
This is one of the longest trips from Amsterdam you can take without leaving the Netherlands, covering over 200 km or 124 miles. It takes two and a half hours by car and about the same by train to reach the city.
Our Activity recommendations
This celebrated university city is one of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam, thanks to Maastricht's rich history, charming architecture, and abundance of cultural attractions. Some popular things to do in Maastricht include:
Visiting the Vrijthof: The Vrijthof is a large square in the heart of the city and is surrounded by historic buildings and monuments. It’s a popular spot for visitors to relax and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Exploring the historic town center: Maastricht has a charming old town with narrow streets, picturesque squares, and beautiful architecture. You can also see the famous St. Servaas Church and the Basilica of Saint John.
Visiting the Bonnefanten Museum: This museum is one of the most important art museums in the Netherlands and is home to a wide range of artworks from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Taking a tour of the underground: Maastricht is known for its extensive network of underground caves and tunnels, and guided tours are available to take you underground to explore them. You’re sure to get a spooky feeling just being down there!
Best season to visit
There's no bad time for this weekend trip. Maastricht has plenty to offer no matter what time of year you choose to visit.
Conclusion
As you can see from this list, there are tons of great weekend trips from Amsterdam you can take without traveling too far. The best day trips from Amsterdam will show you a whole other side of this small but interesting country. And unless you only have a very short time in Amsterdam - three days in the city, for example - there's really no excuse for not trying out at least one of these weekend getaways and enjoying the best weekend trips from Amsterdam.