South Holland

South Holland

South Holland is home to The Hague, the political heart of the Netherlands, where royal palaces stand near the beaches and peaceful parks. Rotterdam adds a completely different energy with bold architecture, a major international harbor and a skyline that feels more global than Dutch. Drive a little outside the cities and you’ll find classic Dutch scenery. Windmills turn above green fields in Kinderdijk, water canals trace towns like Delft and Leiden. Spring transforms the region into a sea of color with vast flower fields, while the North Sea coast offers long beaches, seaside boulevards and dunes perfect for walking or cycling. South Holland is also a place of famous painters, innovative design and diverse cuisine. From seafood in Scheveningen to Indonesian dishes influenced by colonial history. Every town has its own rhythm, from the student buzz of Leiden to the calm village streets around Gouda, where its famous cheese making remains a proud tradition.

South Holland highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive

The local Four

Rotterdam Rotterdam The Hague The Hague Leiden Leiden Delft Delft
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History of South Holland

The story begins in the early Middle Ages, when settlements grew on patches of higher ground surrounded by rivers and wetlands. Farmers, fishermen and merchants built dikes to protect their land, setting the foundations of a region that would become one of Europe’s most important hubs. By the 13th century cities like Leiden, Delft and The Hague were rising in influence. The Hague developed into the political heart of the Netherlands when the Counts of Holland established their residence there. The Binnenhof still reflects those medieval origins and remains the center of Dutch government. During the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, South Holland flourished. Leiden became a leading center of science and education with the founding of Leiden University in 1575. Delft produced artists like Johannes Vermeer and became famous for its blue pottery, which was exported across Europe. Rotterdam rebuilt itself after the devastating 1940 bombardment and developed into the largest port in Europe, shaping international trade and maritime innovation. South Holland is a mix of historic cities, modern skylines, coastal landscapes and centuries of engineering.
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