Top Netherlands Art & Culture in 2026

While many of Amsterdam’s attractions are world-famous, the charming village of Giethoorn, known for its canals, is lesser-known—and therefore benefits from far fewer crowds. Soak up its fairytale charm on a day trip from Amsterdam that includes hassle-free, round-trip transport. This two-in-one tour features both a guided canal-boat tour as well as a self-led walking tour with a provided audio guide.

Experience the best of typical Dutch culture on a half-day tour to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam. Observe traditional cheese-making and taste some real Dutch cheese; marvel at the exterior of a working windmill; try on some authentic wooden clogs for size; and admire the quaint and colorful architecture of Zaanse Schans village before returning to Amsterdam by comfortable coach. If option selected, the tour includes an Amsterdam canal cruise ticket to use at your leisure within a few days of the tour.

Get acquainted with the artistic masterworks inside Amsterdam's iconic Rijksmuseum on this small-group or private guided tour. Delve into the history of Holland’s artistic heritage with your expert guide and see collections by world-famous painters like Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Rembrandt during your enriching tour.

Immerse in the world of Jewish Amsterdam during World War II on this small-group walking tour with a local guide. Exploring in a group no larger than 15, see sights from a still-operational synagogue to the Auschwitz Monument to the spots where Jewish people were sent to their fate—and learn about Anne Frank's story, her family, and how her diary became one of the bestselling books of all time.

Explore the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam with a small-group tour. Meet your guide at a departure point and climb aboard a minivan for a full-day tour to Rotterdam, Delft, and the Hague. Skip the hassle of rental cars or public transportation and admire views during the drive. See the experimental architecture of Rotterdam, check out important government buildings in the Hague, and discover the old town of Delft, home to blue-and-white Delft pottery.

Absorb the canal-front sights of Amsterdam on a leisurely sightseeing cruise. Take a seat in a comfortable glass-topped boat and enjoy the views as you glide along the city’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed canals and listen to the audio commentary. Kids’ tickets come with a goodie bag and a special audio commentary designed to keep them entertained.

Discover Vincent Van Gogh's life and work with a guided tour of the museum dedicated to him. Enjoy entry and engage with guides trained in art history and culture as you see iconic masterpieces up close and hear the stories behind them. Gain real insight into Van Gogh in just a few short hours, with options for private tours to suit your group.

Reaching North Holland's cultural highlights by public transport means juggling timetables and connections. Leave the logistics to someone else on a day trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans and Volendam. See working windmills at an open-air museum, watch cheese being made, and step inside a clog factory for a closer look at Dutch traditions.

Visit three of the Netherlands’ most interesting cities in one day on this small-group tour from Amsterdam. Led by a local expert, this full-day tour of The Hague, Delft, and Rotterdam offers travelers a fascinating overview of each city and select attractions. Highlights include Binnenhof & Ridderzaal—a 13th-century Gothic castle still used as a parliament building—Delft Markt, and the 14th-century Old Harbour in Rotterdam. Hotel pickup is included.

Take advantage of the close proximity of European countries on a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam. Ideal for travelers who want to see more of Europe in less time, this tour saves you the hassle of planning by taking care of transport. A guided walking tour of Bruges' UNESCO-listed Old Town will give you a good overview so you can later explore the city independently at your own pace.

Experience two quintessentially Dutch attractions on this fun combo tour. Start with a scenic cruise along the Warmond canal ways, passing by traditional wooden windmills as you listen to live guide commentary that adds context to what you see. Next, visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens to admire millions of colorful tulips. Unlike guided tours of Keukenhof Gardens, this self-guided visit lets you benefit from round-trip transport from Amsterdam and prebooked tickets while exploring the gardens at your own pace.

If there's one must-do activity for first-time visitors to Amsterdam, it's a scenic sightseeing cruise along the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed canal ways. Unlike the popular party boats, this cruise prioritizes a quieter and more comfortable experience. Settle into the cushioned seats, tuck into some traditional Dutch snacks, or purchase a drink from the onboard bar as you glide past Amsterdam's waterfront landmarks.

Explore Zaanse Schans and the Dutch countryside this tour from Amsterdam. With an informative guide, admire the lush, canal-crossed Dutch landscape. Take a tour of pretty Zaanse Schans, famous for its wooden windmills and green-painted houses, and visit a cheese farm and clog-making workshop to learn about these traditional crafts. Lastly, visit a working windmill to learn about the role of windmills in the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age.

Explore Amsterdam like a local by pedaling through its streets on a bike tour of the city. Cover far more ground than you could by walking while your guide shares local insights, practical tips, and stories. Choose the route that suits you best and check off multiple sights along the way.

Spend less time wandering and more time admiring the masterpieces of the Rijksmuseum on a small-group guided tour. Designed with time-pressed travelers in mind, this tour takes you straight to the highlights to admire paintings by European masters such as Rembrandt and Hals, and offers insight into European art history that you’re unlikely to find in the guidebooks. Plus, a small group means that you have plenty of opportunities to ask your guide questions.

Amsterdam's vibrant culinary scene can be overwhelming to navigate on your own. Let a guide lead you on a small-group food and walking tour to relish the bites and cultural highlights of Amsterdam’s sophisticated Jordaan district. Visit local foodie hotspots to sample Dutch delicacies, including Gouda cheese, traditional Dutch apple pie, and herring.

The Van Gogh Museum often sells out, so you can easily miss it without planning ahead. A prebooked time slot secures your visit to see works such as “Sunflowers” and the artist’s self-portraits. Pair it with a canal cruise past 17th-century architecture, bridges, and churches along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed canals, away from the crowds on land.

Discover the story of the Red Light District, Amsterdam’s most famous neighborhood, on this walking tour around the district's periphery. A guide shows you around this fascinating area of Amsterdam, takes you to places most tourists don’t get to see, and reveals the history of sex work in Amsterdam and its lasting influence on the city. Note that Amsterdam limits Red Light District tours to its periphery.

See the best of Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ dynamic second city, on this private 2-hour walking tour. With your own personal guide, you’ll get a glimpse into the city’s past, present and future as you explore top sights and architectural highlights such as the Old Harbor, the cutting-edge Rotterdam Market Hall (Markthal) and Rotterdam Central Station. In addition to the services of a private guide, this tour includes admission to the city’s iconic cube houses.

Get the best views of Amsterdam’s Light Festival while floating along the canals on this award-winning group cruise. Grab your friends and board a traditional canal boat to marvel at the glowing artwork, projections, and installations lighting up the canal belt. As you cruise, hear about the city’s history from your guide and keep warm with hot drinks (extra expense).

You’ve seen the canals—now it’s time to get on the water. During this 1-hour cruise, you pass all of the Dutch capital's waterfront highlights. As you listen to stories from your guide or an audio guide, you float past islands, beautiful bridges, Centraal Station, historic warehouses, churches, and more, leaving with a deeper appreciation of this historic city than you'd get if you tried sightseeing alone.

Fans of the Heineken® brand won’t want to miss the Heineken Experience, housed in the company's original brewery located in central Amsterdam. During this guided tour, learn about the company’s history and its brewing process, plus visit the tasting room for a taste of the iconic beer or a soft drink. For added fun, upgrade to include rooftop access to explore the future of brewing and enjoy another drink with views of Amsterdam. Or, opt for a rooftop-only experience with two included drinks.

Learn more about one of the darkest chapters of Amsterdam’s history than you would without a guide's help with this Jewish Quarter walking tour. Combining visits to some of Amsterdam’s most important memorials with an in-depth history lesson about Nazi occupation, WWII, Anne Frank, and the Holocaust, this small-group tour offers unique insight into the resilience of Amsterdam’s Jewish community.

Get your bearings and discover Amsterdam through the eyes of a local on this comprehensive walking tour of the city. Join a guide and a small group of fellow travelers as you explore historic streets and pass by the city's network of canals. As you walk, hear anecdotes and tales you won't find in a guidebook—covering Amsterdam's origin as a village to life during Nazi occupation, right through to present day. It's the perfect introduction for first time travelers.