Road Trip to The Netherlands: Routes, Tips & Hidden Gems

The Netherlands is a compact and welcoming country in Western Europe, ideal for you to experience the rich Dutch history, culture and scenery at a relaxed pace. Its manageable size makes it easy to explore by car, uncovering buzzing cities to peaceful countryside. The historic heart of the nation beats in its charming old towns. Where canals weave between elegant bridges and gabled houses. In Amsterdam. You can walk past iconic waterways, wander through centuries-old neighborhoods and admire world-class art. Home to masterpieces by Dutch painters such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Vermeer. Beyond the capital lies a diverse urban landscape. Rotterdam impresses with striking modern architecture and a dynamic harbor. The Hague blends royal landmarks with a thriving cultural scene, while Utrecht you can enjoy its medieval center and lively café terraces along the canals. The Dutch countryside invites exploration with its colorful fields, timeless windmills and bursts of color from tulip gardens in spring. Cozy villages dot the landscape, offering snapshots of traditional life and authentic local hospitality.

The Big Four

Bicycle heaven

The Netherlands is home to more bicycles than any other country. The Dutch own a whopping 22.5 million bicycles. Based on their population, there are more bikes than people.

King of Tulips

they’re the world's biggest exporter of tulips. They produce 80% of the world's tulip bulbs and accounting for nearly 90% of global tulip farming. The famous Keukenhof Park is the largest tulip garden in the world with around 800 varieties of tulips.

Pioneers of technology

Dutchmen are responsible for a lot of tech. CD, DVD, Blu-ray, WiFi and programming language Python (powering a lot of the world’s AI) all have their roots in The Netherlands.

Cheese connoisseurs

they eat the most cheese in the world per capita, around 21 kilos per person annually. The country is famous for its Gouda, Edam and Maasdam cheese brands.

Top road trips through The Netherlands

Discover the best driving routes across The Netherlands

The Scenic Route The Heritage Drive The Coastal Highway

Explore the regions

North Holland

Home to iconic Amsterdam with its famous canals, historic fishing villages and wide sandy beaches

South Holland

Historic cities like Rotterdam and The Hague, stunning tulip fields, iconic windmills and beautiful beaches

Overijssel

Enjoy Giethoorn’s waterways, Zwolle’s medieval charm, De Weerribben’s nature reserves and family-friendly parks

Gelderland

Historic cities like Arnhem and Nijmegen, the natural beauty of Hoge Veluwe National Park and enchanting castles rich with history

Drenthe

Explore ancient hunebedden, cycle through Dwingelderveld, visit Orvelte village and exhibits at the Drents Museum

Friesland

Driving through Friesland means Leeuwarden, canals, sailing towns, coastal dikes and a landscape defined by water and freedom

Groningen

Agricultural landscapes, historic villages and unique "wierden" mounds. A region of pioneering energy transition

Flevoland

Experience Flevoland's tulip island, Batavialand, Almere's city life and scenic nature reserves like Oostvaardersplassen

Utrecht (province)

Discover Utrecht’s iconic Dom Tower, scenic city canals and the rolling landscapes of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug

North Brabant

The birthplace of Van Gogh, dynamic cities like Eindhoven and ’s-Hertogenbosch, popular theme parks and rich cultural heritage

Zeeland

Discover the majestic Delta Works, water sports hotspots and picturesque historic towns across its unique islands and peninsulas

Limburg

Limburg’s unique hospitality amongst scenic hills, historic Maastricht, grand castles and unique culture bordering Belgium & Germany

Some Dutch history

Originally inhabited by Germanic tribes, the region became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the Franks established control, integrating the area into the Carolingian Empire by the 9th century. In the 16th century, the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule led to the Eighty Years' War, resulting in the independence of the northern provinces as the Dutch Republic in 1648. This period marked the Dutch Golden Age, characterized by flourishing trade, arts, and sciences, with Amsterdam becoming a major global trade hub. The 18th and 19th centuries saw the decline of Dutch power due to wars and occupation by Napoleon. However, the Kingdom of the Netherlands was established in 1815. The 20th century was marked by neutrality in World War I and occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II, leading to significant hardship and resistance. Post-war reconstruction led to economic growth and the establishment of a welfare state. Today, the Netherlands is known for its liberal social policies, international cooperation and strong economy. Making it a vibrant and welcoming destination.