South Holland
Why go?
South Holland is a province that has something new to offer to visitors every day, from strolling through iconic historic cities like Delft and Leiden to being part of vibrant life in cities like Rotterdam and The Hague. Or how about cycling through the flower bulb fields, or kite surfing off one of the many beaches? Whatever your holiday plans may be, these popular cities are a great starting point for your exploration of South Holland:
See & do
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Find out why the Kinderdijk windmills are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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From historic telescopes to cultural artefacts, step into the Dutch Golden Age at Hofwijk.
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A tree-lined avenue leads you to the stately Duivenvoorde Castle, where you can take a stroll in the surrounding park or visit the art collection.
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Category: ReadNoordeinde Palace
The working palace of the King Willem-Alexander.
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See the Scheveningen beaches in 1880 at Museum Panorama Mesdag.
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Eating & drinking
Here, there are several sea ports and a long coastline along the North Sea. Fish dishes are served everywhere. Do you see a fish stall? Try some kibbeling (deep fried fish) or Hollandse Nieuwe herring. Big cities like Rotterdam and The Hague have it all, so you can choose your favorite cuisine from around the world. There are also countless restaurants and cafés in Leiden, many with pleasant terraces!
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You can eat Hollandse Nieuwe herring on the Dutch coast in June!
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Discover the greatest restaurants in the lovely city of The Hague.
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Take your pick from our list of top restaurants and have a lovely lunch or dinner in Leiden.
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Taste the best North Sea fish, from the sea direct to your plate, caught by Dutch fishing fleets.
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Where to stay
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Category: Read5x unique accommodations in Gouda and the surrounding area
In a water tower, tiny house or boutique hotel: these are the best places to stay in Gouda and the surrounding area.
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Head to historic Dordrecht and stay in a former water tower, a 17th-century home or cardboard cabin.
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Category: Read5 unique accommodations in Leiden
Wellness hotel, country estate, private apartment and two more special locations: discover them here!
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Category: Read6 unique places to stay in The Hague
Enjoy an unforgettable stay in The Hague’s unique accommodation.
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Make your Rotterdam visit more memorable by staying in these unique and unusual accommodation options.
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From the birthplace of Vermeer to rustic cabins, find an unforgettable stay in and around Delft.
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With kids
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Enjoy a fun-filled family day out at LEGOLAND Scheveningen
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Space Expo: an educational look at the world of space exploration.
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Category: ReadLouwman Museum
The Louwman Museum features one of the most impressive private car collections in the world.
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Dinos, the ice age, life on earth: learn all about biodiversity and nature at Naturalis in Leiden.
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Dive into the maritime history of Holland.
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Cheese Valley: Gouda and beyond
Ripen your knowledge of Dutch food by enjoying a slice of Cheese Valley’s history and attractions.
Read moreCoastal towns in South Holland
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Scheveningen holiday - most popular seaside location with perfect beaches for sun lovers, sport lovers and families - located next to the Hague.
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Museums in South Holland
Check out the best museums in South Holland and buy your tickets online now. Are you going to visit the Vermeer Centre, Beelden aan Zee, or Naturalis? Discover the countless other museums too.
Architecture in South Holland
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A bright red bridge that spans the Meuse.
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An entirely new district that includes the fully renovated Cruise Terminal.
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The architecture of The Hague is characterized by stately mansions, city parks, picturesque squares and palaces. Another great reason to visit The Hague.
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Delft boasts a special architectural landscape. The age-old historical city centre stands in dramatic contrast to the modern environment at Delft University of Technology.
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The world’s most beautiful street once was found in Leiden. Look at an overview of special architecture in Leiden here.
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Rotterdam is the architecture capital of Holland. The city boasts daring structures and has a skyline, which earned it the title ‘Manhattan on the Meuse’.
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Category: ReadSonneveld huis
Ultramodern Dutch Functionalist architecture and design
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Category: ReadRotterdam Central Library
A library behind a glass waterfall
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In summer, the Zijlpoort is an excellent place to have a cocktail and enjoy the view of the boats sailing by.
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Visit the oldest church in Leiden and admire its beautiful interior.
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Find a table on a terrace on the western edge of the city right next to the centuries-old city gate.
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The Hooglandse Kerk was never completed and yet it is a beautiful monumental church in Leiden.
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Countless idyllic inner courts and gardens lie hidden from sight behind high walls and closed gates.
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Climb the thousand year old citadel in the centre of Leiden.
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Category: ReadThe Leiden bridges
The Visbrug and Koornbrug are the two most beautiful bridges in Leiden.
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Delft City Hall is one of the city’s landmarks.
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The New Church in The Hague is part of the Culture at Spuiplein programme.
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© 365 Focus Photography via ShutterstockCategory: ReadWhy the Van Nelle factory is quintessentially Dutch
Visit the Van Nelle factory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and icon of Dutch modernism.
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A complete overview of Dutch architecture.
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Information about South Holland
South Holland offers pretty much everything that makes the Netherlands so famous. Historic cities like Delft and Leiden, tulips in the flower-bulb fields and Keukenhof, and windmills on Kinderdijk. Don’t forget to enjoy the coast, since South Holland has many lovely coastal towns like Scheveningen and Noordwijk.
Picturesque cities
Many famous painters were inspired by the beauty of South Holland. The Hague, for instance, boasts the well-known Panorama Mesdag. Vermeer created a number of paintings depicting street life in Delft and Leiden is also known for a famous painter, to wit Rembrandt van Rijn. Rotterdam is a more modern city and offers beautiful contemporary architecture.
Coastal towns in South Holland
If you want to get away from the bustle of the Randstad, you should visit one of the province’s lovely coastal towns. Scheveningen offers many beach pavilions, the beautiful Pier, and the luxury Kurhaus hotel. The Noordwijk beach includes a beautiful dune landscape that is perfect for hiking and cycling. Kijkduin and Katwijk are two other coastal towns worth a visit and many beach clubs are open all year. Enjoy the beaches and nature on the island Voorne-Putten in the province of South Holland; Visit the historic fortified town of Brielle and fine seaside resorts such as Rockanje and Oostvoorne.
Accessibility of South Holland
Public transport services will easily take you to most cities and towns in this province. Trains depart from Amsterdam to most big cities several times per hour. The train service between the cities is excellent as well, with most routes taking less than 30 minutes. If you want to visit one of the coastal towns or Keukenhof, you can travel by one of the great bus lines.
