The wide open spaces and atmospheric countryside are reason enough to visit North Holland, but there are things to do beyond admiring the big skies and waterfowl bobbing on man-made lakes. Here are some of the prettiest and historic cities in the Netherlands, as well as great dams and reservoirs. The cities, meanwhile, rotate between historic and contemporary architecture, and you'll find museums on Dutch history, art, and culture in Amsterdam—plus the canals. Walk or cycle through national parks, visit windmills, and enjoy the laid-back way of life.
The cities of Haarlem and Amsterdam are visited by tourists year-round, but if you want to see them at their best, spring and summer are the sunniest with plenty of blooming natural beauty. In winter, Christmas celebrations and festive markets take over the high streets, and in colder months you might catch skaters on the canals.
Public transport is excellent in North Holland. You can get a train from town to town, buses are frequent, and the trams in the city centers are reliable and good value. Hire a bicycle and make use of the many convenient cycle paths for a closer look at the world beyond the town borders. North Holland is very flat, so cycling is very doable.
For a look at North Holland’s rich artistic heritage, visit the Van Gogh Museum, Frans Hals Museum, and, if you have time, the Rijksmuseum. You'll learn about how the area's unique history created an ideal space for art to flourish. Then take in some of North Holland’s countryside—including the tulip fields. Visit this region’s picturesque windmills and fishing villages midweek, to avoid the majority of the crowds.
