Top Amsterdam Day Trips

Many interesting Amsterdam day trips are available. Consider these highly-ranked experiences that past customers have enjoyed:

• Day Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam
• Zaanse Schans Windmills, Clogs and Dutch Cheese Small-Group Tour From Amsterdam
• Giethoorn, Afsluitdijk, Zaanse Schans Day Tour Incl Hotel Pick Up
• Amsterdam: Keukenhof Entry & Shuttle Bus With Flexible Return
• Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague Small-Group Tour From Amsterdam

Yes, day trips from Amsterdam are worth it. The Netherlands is a small country with excellent transportation, and day trips let you discover scenic Dutch villages such as Zaanse Schans and Edam or historic cities such as Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hague. You can even go further afield, to Brussels or Bruges in Belgium. Most day trips include transportation, letting you see more of the country without the hassle of renting a car.

Yes, a day trip from Amsterdam to Brussels is worth it. You can sample Belgian delicacies such as fries, waffles, and chocolate and check out Brussels’ impressive city center and the ornate buildings on Grand-Place. Guided tours mean you can leave the driving to someone else and enjoy insider insights too.

With windmills, craftspeople, and canals, Zaanse Schans is one of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam. Trains run from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans station, a 15-minute walk away—or catch the 800 bus that brings you right into the center. You can also book a guided tour that covers multiple scenic sights, such as the Day Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken From Amsterdam.

The Keukenhof Gardens are only open when the tulips are in bloom, generally between mid-March and early May—and, yes, it’s well worth booking in advance, particularly if you’re visiting over the weekend. Tickets go on sale from mid-October, but you can book tour packages even earlier than that and have your guide look after tickets once bookings open.

You need around three days to see most of Amsterdam’s key sights, such as the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum. You’ll also have time for a cruise on the city’s scenic canals and a day trip from Amsterdam, such as a countryside tour of its windmills or sightseeing in Rotterdam.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Amsterdam aside from day trips and excursions. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Canal Cruises
• Walking Tours
• Bike Rentals
• Dinner Cruises
• Night Cruises

Amsterdam day trip and excursion prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Absolutely Amsterdam—The Essential Introductory Walking Tour
• Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise Unlimited Drinks & Bites Option
• From Amsterdam: Keukenhof Gardens Ticket and Transfer
• Guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam’s Highlights and Hidden Gems
• Anne Frank Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter

There are plenty of Amsterdam day trips and excursions, so research your options to find the right one for you. The city center is compact and best explored on a walking or guided bike tour, while canal cruises offer an immersive way to see the sights and depart from various points across the city. Venturing beyond Amsterdam is worthwhile—Keukenhof Gardens and Zaanse Schans are both within an hour’s drive, and most day trips include transport.

Check the weather forecast before the day of your trip: Comfortable footwear and a waterproof layer can make the difference between an enjoyable day out and a dampened experience. Research transportation options to and from your trip departure points and leave yourself enough time to get there without rushing. If you book a guided tour, take advantage of your guide’s local knowledge and ask plenty of questions.

Amsterdam has plenty to offer year-round, so the best time to book depends on what kind of trip you want. If you’re keen to get out and see the Keukenhof Gardens in all their bloom and splendor, book from mid-March to May. Spring’s mild temperatures and fewer crowds make it a great time to explore the rest of Amsterdam, too. If it’s long summer days you’re after, book your trip between June and August, but be prepared for the peak crowds. Book midweek and avoid school breaks to experience the Netherlands’ top attractions with fewer visitors.

It depends. Although it does have one windmill—and plenty of canals—Haarlem is a city, with classical history, culture, museums, galleries, food, and beer. Zaanse Schans is more of a village, with 12 windmills plus workshops making traditional products from clogs to cheese. Zaanse Schans is more popular, and Haarlem is less crowded, but both are easy to reach from Amsterdam.

Yes, you can visit Delft and The Hague from Amsterdam in one day: The two cities are just 6 miles (10 kilometers) apart, and The Hague is only an hour’s drive from Amsterdam. Some popular day trips even throw in Rotterdam, including the Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague Small-Group Tour From Amsterdam.

Amsterdam has a great rail network, and all Dutch cities are easy to reach from Amsterdam, including The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. But you can also go further afield. Brussels is about a 2-hour trip, while you can reach Bruges in less than three hours—or even Cologne in Germany.