Top Netherlands Outdoor Activities

The sand drifts, forests, and grassy plains of the De Hoge Veluwe National Park lie just an hour from Amsterdam. On this tour, escape the city and get back to nature as you take in the park’s natural landscapes. Visit several viewpoints, have chance to hike or bike along the park’s trails, and look out for wildlife such as deer, wild boar, and mouflon. An optional drop-off at the Kröller-Müller Museum or Jachthuis Sint Hubertus Museum is also possible.

Immerse yourself in the countryside of the Netherlands and enjoy a quintessentially Dutch experience on the back of a bike on this guided tour from Amsterdam. Escape the bustling city crowds with the help of a local guide to lead you along at a gentle pace. See picturesque villages and windmills, with plenty of time to stop for photos, and take a break at a farm to try freshly-made cheeses.

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.

Tulip fields are synonymous with the Netherlands, but knowing where to go and how to view them can be tricky without local knowledge. On this self-drive tour from Amsterdam, hop abord a open-air, two-seater Renault Twizy, and drive along a fixed, GPS-guided route through flower fields and a flower bulb nursery. Along the way, listen to handy and insightful audio commentary, and stop whenever you want to snap photos.

Escape the bustle of central Amsterdam and enjoy a canal cruise with the option to add on one drink or an unlimited drinks package. Relax aboard a comfortable boat as you glide past notable landmarks in the late afternoon and evening, including the Canal Belt, Skinny Bridge, Dancing Houses, and more. With various departure times available, select a tour that best suits your schedule. Along the way, your English-speaking skipper will provide insightful commentary on the area’s rich history and culture.

As the sun goes down over Amsterdam, take in its illuminated waterfront and history on an atmospheric canal cruise. Savor a 4-course gourmet dinner with wine, beer, soft drinks as you drift past historical attractions including the Anne Frank House and the Bloemenmarkt, while listening to informative commentary. Please note only available Wed -Sat

Float along central Amsterdam’s picturesque, UNESCO-listed canals—and glimpse some of the city’s top attractions—on this immersive boat tour. Choose from a convenient range of start times, meet your vessel in the city center, and grab your audio guide. As you sail through the city (spotting highlights like the Anne Frank House, Houseboat Museum, and more) learn the stories behind the sights.

See Haarlem from a whole new vantage point on this group canal tour through the city. Learn all about Haarlem’s storied past from your captain as you coast along the narrow waterways. Sit back, relax, and buy a refreshing cold drink and snacks to enjoy from the comfort of your pillowed seat.

Want to see the sights of Amsterdam from a boat, yet avoid the tourist crowds? Step aboard an electric sloop with a small group and enjoy unobstructed views of the city's landmarks. Enjoy Dutch snacks like bitterballen, stroopwafels, and local cheese as well as drinks from the open bar—including beer, wine, mulled wine, hot chocolate, and Dutch jenever—while your captain shares stories about the secrets of the city.

Make traveling beyond Amsterdam city limits simple—and explore like a local—on this small-group tour by electric bike. After meeting your guide and grabbing your gear, hop on a ferry and then cycle into the scenic Dutch countryside. Your destination is Zaanse Schans, known for its historic windmills, and the village of Zaandam, where traditional wooden houses provide the backdrop. Ample time is provided for sightseeing and shopping for souvenirs.

This award-winning Amsterdam canal cruise departs in the early morning, before the city comes alive. Marvel at the clear, mirrored reflections of canal homes on the water while you float past landmarks and your Amsterdam-raised captains narrate. You'll cruise on a historic, electric boat from 1928 that's hosted royals and has an open-air sundeck. Coffee, tea, and snacks are provided along with a cozy atmosphere on this small-group tour.

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.

See a side of the Netherlands that many visitors miss on an e-bike tour that promises an authentic Dutch experience. Swap the busy streets of Amsterdam for open fields, canals, windmills, and picture-perfect medieval villages as you follow a comfortable 25-mile (40-kilometer) route that's made easier with an electric bike. Upgrade to visit a family-run cheese and clog farm and see locals making Gouda cheese and wooden clogs by hand.

Amsterdam by night is magical, with the street lights and gables reflected in the dark waters of the canal. Feel the romance on this classic canal cruise, in an open boat with a quiet (and sustainable) electric engine, plus an onboard bar. You’ll see sights from Rijksmuseum to Nemo Science Museum, the Skinny Bridge, and the iconic canals., and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Some of the best views of Amsterdam are from the water, so hop aboard and see the city as you glide along the scenic canal ways and under the historic bridges. This cruise pairs sightseeing with food tasting for a fun and interactive experience. While on board, tuck into delicious Dutch cheese and sip unlimited local wines as you cruise past the Anne Frank House, 9 Little Streets, Amsterdam Flower Market, and the Houseboat Museum.

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.

Cycle through the countryside without worrying about being left behind with this small-group bike tour from Amsterdam. Follow a guide at a leisurely pace for 18 miles (30 kilometers), and see farms, fishing villages, and many cows. Halfway through the tour, stop in Holysloot for an optional slice of apple pie to refuel for the rest of your journey.

Enjoy an alternative sightseeing experience of Amsterdam on a bike tour that lets you explore the Dutch capital like a local. Don't worry about navigating as you follow a guide through winding cobbled streets to discover an eclectic selection of sights off the conventional tourist trail. Choose from two routes: one covers Amsterdam icons, including Skinny Bridge and Jordaan, or upgrade to a longer adventure that includes a street food safari, magnet fishing, and a graffiti session.

Experience a canal cruise and the treasures of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum in one day with this money-saving, combination ticket. Couple your cruise with skip-the-line access to the spectacular Rijksmuseum, a showcase of Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to the present. Breeze past the main entrance lines and explore the collections as you wish, seeing masterpieces such as Rembrandt’s "Night Watch."

Cruising the canals of Amsterdam is a must for first-time visitors to the city. This family-friendly boat trip sees you getting to know your fellow cruisers as you sip drinks and sample snacks. Soak up unparalleled city views from the open boat in summer and a heated, closed boat from October to March as you cruise around the UNESCO-listed canal ring, spotting landmarks including the Rijksmuseum and the Skinny Bridge.

There are few European gardens as beautiful as Keukenhof Gardens, which bursts into bloom during the spring months of March, April, and May. This private tour from Amsterdam saves you the hassle of navigating an unfamiliar public transport system and promises the undivided attention of your guide as you explore the parkland.

See a different side to Amsterdam with this guided tour around the edges of the Red Light District. Learn about the history of sex work, Dutch tolerance policies, and the neighborhood’s unique culture—gaining insight most travelers miss out on. As of 2020, tours inside the district are no longer permitted, so this experience takes you along the perimeter and provides a handy map to help you explore the area independently—and respectfully—once the guided walk ends.

Cruise through Amsterdam's charming canals the modern way, aboard an intimate electric boat with a bar on an evening tour. A fun alternative to standing in a crowded bar, the cruise offers a sociable way to see Amsterdam's landmarks as day turns to night. Illuminated bridges and attractions like the Anne Frank House and Western Church are among the bucket-list-level sights seen.