Historic ports Dordrecht Damiatebrug Wolwevershaven Kuipershaven warehouse

Why the Netherlands

From the UK, the Netherlands can be reached by train, ferry or plane. Once there, it has an efficient train network and an excellent road infrastructure, making it easy to visit multiple cities and attractions in one trip.

Each city has its own character and appeal; from the charming canals of Utrecht, to the royal city by the sea, The Hague, to the stunning skyline of Rotterdam, with its combination of modern and traditional Netherlands, and Maastricht, Andre Rieu’s stunning home city. Other highlights include the region of North Brabant, home to the creative city of Eindhoven where Van Gogh spent many hours, and the Efteling Theme Park Resort with its thrilling rides!

Fact sheets: Inspiration and insider tips for the Netherlands

The Dutch Masters, from Vermeer to Rembrandt to Van Gogh, and their works are renowned and appreciated all over the world. However, their road to glory was not always an easy one and many of the painters we admire today, did not receive global recognition until after their death.

In the 17th century, the Dutch Masters began to evolve in the art world, producing popular realistic portraits of people, still life’s and landscapes amongst other paintings. Find out where you can see these masterpieces on show in the Netherlands.

Download the Dutch Masters factsheet

Visitors view painting De Nachtwacht by Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn

Lady in picking garden with her own picked tulips in bucket at pick-your-own garden Bakkum

It is said that the first tulips to flower in the Netherlands did so in the city of Leiden (near to The Hague) in 1594. As the 17th century progressed, the popularity of these vibrant, goblet-shaped flowers grew and they became the highlight of many still life paintings. The Netherlands is still renowned for its tulips, often being affectionately called the "flower shop of the world." The tulip season runs from mid-March to mid-May, bringing fields of spectacular colours across the country. Find out where you can see the tulips in bloom every year.

Download tulip itinerary 4 hours

Download tulip itinerary 8 hours

Windmills in the Netherlands: a unique cultural asset

The Netherland's famous windmills were once the backbone of Dutch industry and were used to mill, saw, pump and press.

Over 1200 windmills can be found in the Netherlands today and some can be visited by the public. The 19 windmills at Kinderdijk, near to Rotterdam, were built around 1740 and are recognised as a UNESCO site. Also very close to Rotterdam are the largest windmills in the world, in the city of Schiedam. To visit the windmills at Zaanse Schans, you need to buy a ticket. Find out more about the Netherland’s windmills here.

Download the windmills factsheet

Slow Travel - experience the Dutch cities at a slower pace

The more consciously we travel, the more rewarding our experiences can be. So, when visitors come to the Netherlands, we encourage them to slow down, to take a deeper look at the cities and their surroundings and to pause, take a breath and really enjoy what the Netherlands has to offer. From waterside dining in the city of Utrecht and exploring the royal city by the sea, The Hague, to a fusion of both modern and traditional living in Rotterdam; Dutch cities are diverse and a stone’s throw away from each other. This opens up a wealth of opportunities for tour operators, wholesalers and travel agents when planning trips to the Netherlands.

See more Slow Travel

Developments in the Netherlands’ product offered by UK tour operators and wholesalers

When UK visitors come to the Netherlands, most want to see the big cities in combination with the classic icons: works by Van Gogh, Vermeer and Rembrandt, the tulips, canals and the windmills. Tour operators and wholesalers are continuing to grow their product offering and are finding new ways to meet UK consumers’ expectations.

Operators selling Amsterdam are including the Greater Amsterdam Area and neighbourhoods outside of Amsterdam city centre in their product offering, giving consumers more choice.
Kinderdijk (close to Rotterdam) and the city of Schiedam are becoming must-see places for windmills.
Flevoland’s tulip route, just 1 hour from Amsterdam, is a great place to see huge tulip fields in full bloom (mid-March to mid-May).
The city of Rotterdam has the best of both worlds – a spectacular modern city centre, combined with the traditional canal-side area of Delfshaven.