Castles & Country Houses
Unravel the history of Holland by exploring its beautiful castles and country houses. There are some 700 examples spread throughout the Netherlands, reflecting both historic fortresses and plush manor houses. Some are steeped in royal history, where you can trace the roots of the Dutch Royal Family and its ties with other Royal Houses. Many more, however, were owned by the nobility. During the Dutch Golden Age, particularly around the coastal provinces, it was typically wealthy merchants who built hundreds of luxurious houses and elaborate gardens as their countryside retreat. These estates have demonstrated a wide variety of trends in architecture and landscaping across the centuries. The best part: today, many of Holland’s castles and country houses are open to all, be it as museums, family-friendly attractions, hotels, hostels and even award-winning restaurant.
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Step into a world of opulence and uncover a wealth of history and art in the castles of Holland.
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Visit the beautifully-designed gardens that surround Holland’s historic castles and country houses.
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Famous castle residents and guests
Get to know the famous inhabitants who’ve contributed to the compelling history of Dutch castles.
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Wine, dine or sleep in a castle
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Dine like royalty at a castle or estate. See the best places for an elegant meal in regal settings.
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14 stunning Dutch castle hotels
Wake up in a fairy tale with an overnight stay at a castle or country house hotel in Holland.
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Get out and explore Dutch castles
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![Ammersoyen Castle]( "Ammersoyen Castle")
Bring the middle ages back to life at Ammersoyen Castle and explore its historic interior.
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![Loevestein Castle]( "Loevestein Castle")
A medieval castle with a rich history and a museum of over 6,000 historical and archeological objects.
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![Huygens’ Hofwijck]( "Huygens’ Hofwijck")
From historic telescopes to cultural artefacts, step into the Dutch Golden Age at Hofwijk.
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![Museum Voorlinden]( "Museum Voorlinden")
Experience art, nature and architecture at this country estate and art museum near The Hague.
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![Duivenvoorde Castle]( "Duivenvoorde Castle")
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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![Keukenhof Castle]( "Keukenhof Castle")
Get a taste for life as it was in the Dutch Golden Age at Keukenhof Castle and its gardens.
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![Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot]( "Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot")
Travel back in the medieval times and explore the intriguing rooms and historical treasures of Muiderslot castle
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![Sypesteyn Castle]( "Sypesteyn Castle")
Located in the Vecht region, Sypesteyn Castle is a beautiful castle with a splendid art collection and gorgeous gardens.
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![Groeneveld Castle]( "Groeneveld Castle")
Groeneveld Castle has truly breathtaking gardens. You can also explore the scenery around Groeneveld with a forest ranger from the Dutch Forest Service.
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![Soestdijk Palace]( "Soestdijk Palace")
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![Zuylen Castle]( "Zuylen Castle")
Zuylen Castle is one of the treasures of the Vecht region, and a place that has remained unchanged since 1752. Visit Zuylen Castle and feel like you’ve taken a trip back in time to the 18th century.
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![De Haar Castle]( "De Haar Castle")
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![Museum Huis Doorn]( "Museum Huis Doorn")
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![Amerongen Castle]( "Amerongen Castle")
Discover Amerongen Castle, the most beautiful Dutch Huys from the Golden Age.
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![Hernen Castle]( "Hernen Castle")
Go back in time with the ‘talking lamp’ and walk along the covered wall, unique in the Netherlands.
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![Wijchen Castle]( "Wijchen Castle")
Soak up centuries of history and stories from the region in this imposing museum castle.
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![Doorwerth Castle]( "Doorwerth Castle")
Bike or take a hike through the natural areas surrounding Castle Doorwerth, and try to wrap your arms around the 7-meter (almost 23 ft.!) circumference of the oldest tree in Holland.
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![Rosendael Castle]( "Rosendael Castle")
Explore the historic castle and park, admiring vibrant collections and the eye-catching fountains.
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![Middachten Estate]( "Middachten Estate")
Explore this palace and its lovely gardens, offering a lesson in centuries of landscaping history.
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![Jachthuis Sint-Hubertus]( "Jachthuis Sint-Hubertus")
Explore the iconic hunting lodge designed by Berlage, situated in the Hoge Veluwe National Park.
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![Het Loo Palace]( "Het Loo Palace")
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![Cannenburch Castle]( "Cannenburch Castle")
Visit the museum and park of this imposing Dutch castle, dating from the 16th century.
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![Castle Het Nijenhuis]( "Castle Het Nijenhuis")
Art is the theme at the Castle Het Nijenhuis. You can visit the castle’s international art collection and sculpture garden all year round.
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![Bergh Castle]( "Bergh Castle")
Castle Bergh has an amazing art collection, and offers visitors the possibility of spending the night in a castle.
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![Castle Verwolde]( "Castle Verwolde")
Castle Verwolde in Laren is a paradise for anyone who loves nature and culture. Combine an intriguing tour through the house and the gardens with a high-tea in the tearoom.
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![Ruurlo Castle]( "Ruurlo Castle")
From Golden Age history to modern art, Ruurlo Castle in Gelderland is a memorable daytrip.
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![Warmelo Castle]( "Warmelo Castle")
Travel through time by way of gardening styles in the beautiful grounds of Warmelo Castle.
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![Twickel Castle]( "Twickel Castle")
Trace the history of landscaping back to the Renaissance in Twickel’s luxurious parks and gardens.
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![Singraven Estate]( "Singraven Estate")
Enjoy riverside nature, a landscaped park and an art and antiques collection at this country estate.
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Cycling Routes around Castles
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![Cycle Tour Castle Duivenvoorde]( "Cycle Tour Castle Duivenvoorde")
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![Circular cycle route Keukenhof Castle and Lisser Art Museum]( "Circular cycle route Keukenhof Castle and Lisser Art Museum")
Circular cycle route Keukenhof Castle and Lisser Art Museum
length 35 km, Province South Holland
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![Imperial route Amerongen Castle and Huis Doorn]( "Imperial route Amerongen Castle and Huis Doorn")
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![Cycle Route Cannenburch Castle-Het Loo Palace]( "Cycle Route Cannenburch Castle-Het Loo Palace")
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![Cycle route de Haar Castle-Zuilen Palace]( "Cycle route de Haar Castle-Zuilen Palace")
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![Cycle route Loevestein Palace-Ammersoyen Castle]( "Cycle route Loevestein Palace-Ammersoyen Castle")
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![Cycle Route ‘s-Gravelandse Estates – Sypesteyn Castle]( "Cycle Route ‘s-Gravelandse Estates – Sypesteyn Castle")
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![Cycle Route Warmelo Castle]( "Cycle Route Warmelo Castle")
Take a look at the castles
Discover centuries of opulence and stories through Holland’s castles and estates
Get a real taste for Dutch history by exploring the hundreds of castles and country houses found throughout Holland. While some Dutch castles started out as grand fortifications, many more were built during and soon after the Dutch Golden Age. In those days, it became the norm for successful merchants and politicians to own an estate in the countryside as the perfect summertime retreat. They favored picturesque, water-rich spots that were easily accessible from the major cities. Today, many of these iconic estates can still be visited along the winding River Vecht near Utrecht, beside the dunes of Kennemerland, and close to The Hague. In the east of Holland, the impact of nobility proved to be much more dominant throughout this era. For many of the vast green estates in the province of Gelderland, impressive lease incomes were generated in exchange for hunting rights.
No matter their location, each of Holland’s castles and country houses have countless stories to tell. Discover the famous owners and guests who’ve graced these spots, from royals and well-to-do families to scientists and Hollywood A-listers. Get to grips with the trends that shaped the interiors and collections of these illustrious buildings through the centuries. And take a stroll through some of Holland’s grandest and most fanciful castle gardens.
Explore popular Dutch attractions
Whether you’re getting around by public transport, by bicycle or on foot, don’t skip some of the most famous castle attractions, which undoubtedly help to tell the story of Holland: Palace Het Loo by Apeldoorn, an opulent royal estate converted into a magnificent museum; the medieval Muiderslot, a restored castle near Amsterdam where young ones can experience life as knights and maidens; while De Haar Castle, just outside Utrecht, is Holland’s largest castle and seems to be lifted direct from a fairy tale thanks to its turrets, towers, moats and luxurious grounds. Many more castles and expansive country estates are open to the public as museums, showcasing Golden Age art and objects to rival the Dutch treasures found in the Rijksmuseum or Mauritshuis.
Make yourself at home
Today, many of Holland’s most spectacular castles and country houses are open to the public – not only to tour groups or as museums, but as hotels and renowned restaurants. Sleep like a royal at one of Holland’s castle hotels, where historic interiors are paired with 21st-century luxury. Even budget travelers can get in on the experience thanks to modern hostels in stunning locations. And if you’re only passing through, stop off for a culinary feast at lunch or for dinner in one of Holland’s top castle restaurants.
Watch this video: Castles & Country Houses
