Skip Amsterdam! These 5 Alternative Dutch Cities Have Prettier Canals & Less Crowds

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Picturesque canals working alongside slender, muted-toned buildings, winding bike lanes, and stroopwafels straight from the market: for the informal traveler, that is Amsterdam summarized, however what if I advised you an identical factor applies to (just about) each different Dutch metropolis?

In contrast to international locations corresponding to France, Italy or Spain, the place you get extra variation, distinction, and architectural range from area to area, the Netherlands are fairly… monocultural.

That is to not say there are minor regional varieties hither and thither, however general, the working theme is low-rise buildings organized evenly alongside navigable waterways. Add to that the odd picturesque mill, and the occasional, cannabis-infested no-go zone, and also you get your common Dutch hub.

The factor is, folks maintain going to Amsterdam for that quintessential Dutch expertise once they can get it for less expensive, and fairly actually anyplace else. Additionally, let’s be actual for a sec: as a lot as I really like the Netherlands, are you able to even inform these cities aside with out checking the signposts?

Listed here are 5 Amsterdam look-alikes with smaller crowds, and if I could add, arguably-prettier canals:

Ameesfort

A small metropolis that feels remarkably actual nonetheless, not overrun with vacationers, Ameesfort packs well-preserved medieval monuments, charming coffeeshops, and neglected museums in a walkable, canal-traversed medieval heart.

It is also the house of what is maybe the Netherland’s coolest metropolis gate, the Koppelport, which served each for land and water protection, and as you stroll alongside the Muurhuizen, a cobbled road working parallel to the previous partitions, it is virtually such as you’ve traveled again in time to the Center Ages.

Do not miss out on Our Woman’s Tower, within the coronary heart of the Outdated City, is without doubt one of the tallest medieval church buildings within the nation, and when you love artwork, the Mondriaan Home is each the birthplace of, and a museum devoted to Piet Mondriaan, a key determine within the De Stijl motion.

You recognize, the summary colourful blocks damaged up by vertical and horizontal traces. You’ve got in all probability seen a couple of replicas hanging in your psychologist’s low-light workplace.

🚄 Amsterdam → Amersfoort: 35m

🚄 The Hague → Amersfoort: 55m

🚄 Rotterdam → Amersfoort: 50m

Groningen

Center finger as much as Amsterdam, Groningen’s the correct thrilling scholar metropolis, with a robust sense of northerly independence, a surprisingly nice nightlife for its dimension, and a inventive vibe that’s really exhausting to beat.

That is nonetheless the overly-liberal Netherlands, so rein within the expectations, however in a means, it is a bit just like the ‘dam earlier than it began catering to individuals who assume consuming matcha and caring for each international trigger however their very own nationwide affairs is a character.

You may nonetheless get down and soiled at a riotous, bar-packed Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat, the centre of motion, and whereas Simplon, OOST, and Paradigm are the massive names round, The Finish Karaoke is the place the actual unfiltered enjoyable’s at.

Down a couple of pints of Grolsch, what I prefer to name liquid braveness, seize the mic, and cry your coronary heart out.

Oh, in fact, perhaps you are right here for the sightseeing. What if I advised you Oosterhaven (the primary canal lined with Dutch townhouses) is simply Insta-perfect at golden hour, or that you could marvel at Martinitoren, a hanging fifteenth century church tower, from just about any level alongside the waterfront?

🚄 Amsterdam → Amersfoort: 2h05m

🚄 The Hague → Amersfoort: 2h45m (1 switch in Utrecht)

🚄 Rotterdam → Amersfoort: 2h40m (1 switch in Utrecht)

Kampen

A correct hidden gem on the banks of the scenic IJssel River, Kampen is laid-back, sliced with canals, and dotted with these unmistakably Dutch warehouses and stepped gables, besides right here, you received’t be elbowing your well beyond hoards of Chinese language vacationers.

Its medieval heart is storybook materials, with the same old cobble-paved streets, timber-framed homes, and monumental metropolis gates, and most factors of curiosity are inside a brief 5–⁠10 minute stroll from one another. No must lease a motorbike and dodge trams like loopy.

Proper on the riverbank, Koornmarktspoort is an enormous metropolis gate, and your ‘I have been to Kampen’ selfie spot. Not removed from there, likelihood is you will discover the hovering Bovenkerk, a Gothic church housing a powerful show of stained glass.

In case you’re asking me, nonetheless, there’s nowhere higher to absorb Kampen’s relaxed ambiance than people-watching at De Stadsherberg Kampen‘s canalside terrace as you savor your tomato soup, perhaps adopted by some slibtong (a fried skinny fish), and downing an entire jug of beer whilst you’re at it.

Peak Dutch habits.

🚄 Amsterdam → Kampen: 1h15m (1 switch in Zwolle)

🚄 The Hague → Kampen: 2h30m (1 switch, both in Utrecht or Zwolle)

🚄 Rotterdam → Kampen: 2h20m (1 switch, both in Utrecht or Zwolle)

Volendam

Proper, I in all probability wasn’t fully honest on the Netherlands earlier by stating each Dutch metropolis is successfully the identical. Whereas there may be some fact to that, so far as city-building goes, there’s the odd few exception that stands out. A type of is Volendam:

The quintessential fishing village frozen in time, it merely oozes Dutch character, and I am not even speaking in regards to the picket docks, waterfront cafés with views onto canals, and the everyday Northern Mannerist homes.

Do not be stunned when you discover locals nonetheless sporting their signature ‘Volendam hats’ on pageant days—like King’s Day—or if the 70-year previous oma behind the bakery counter would not communicate excellent English like your common Dutch individual.

Volendam is the Netherlands earlier than the worldwide crowds turned up. It’s nonetheless touristy, certain, however guests are primarily fellow Dutch, and the small-village really feel retains issues chill and cosy. And no matter you do, don’t overlook to strive the smoked eel from one of many many fish stalls across the harbor!

🚌 Amsterdam → Volendam: 35m (Bus 316 to Volendam)

🚄+🚌 The Hague → Volendam: 2h15m (prepare to Amsterdam, then Bus 316 to Volendam)

🚄+🚌 Rotterdam → Volendam: 1h50m (prepare to Amsterdam, then Bus 316 to Volendam)

Leiden

A mini Amsterdam of types, Leiden has the canals, picturesque bridges, and skinny waterside houses, however not one of the capital’s vacationer hordes and hectic vibe. In brief, it’s the place I’m going after I need an AMS-like ambiance, minus the added chaos.

It is dwelling to the oldest college in the entire Netherlands: Leiden College was based as early as 1575, and equally to Oxford in England, or Coimbra in Portugal, the historic Rapenburg district has that student-town vitality, on prime of centuries of a scholarly aura.

Burcht van leiden is Leiden’s spectacular medieval fortress, constructed even earlier within the Eleventh-century, and what’s particular about it’s the truth that it’s one in every of a handful of castles within the Netherlands to truly sit on a hilltop.

That is nonetheless the Netherlands, thoughts you, so it is extra like a mound, however the metropolis views atop the fortress, with the winding canals and Pieterskerk, the Gothic church tower that dominates the skyline, remains to be downright attractive.

On the finish of the day, the greatest option to discover Leiden is just by wandering! That is how you discover the hidden courtyards and cobbled alleys, and the backstreets off the primary path filled with medieval appeal.

🚄 Amsterdam → Leiden: 35m

🚄 The Hague → Leiden: 15min

🚄 Rotterdam → Leiden: 25m

This Is The Best Approach To Discover The Netherlands This Spring

In case you plan on touring across the Netherlands and utilizing public transport, take into account getting a Holland Travel Ticket for a day or two.

It lets you journey everywhere in the national territory from solely €54 | $64 off-peak for the day. With a Holland Journey Ticket, you’ll be able to board a vast variety of trains, buses, ferries, and even trams, metros, and different municipal traces throughout the Netherlands throughout its validity.

Exceptions do apply, however these largely concern high-speed worldwide traces, just like the Eurostar from Amsterdam to Brussels (Belgium), or Amsterdam to Cologne (Germany), so be sure to verify the protection of your ticket earlier than boarding the subsequent prepare out.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead author at Journey Off Path, has over 60+ international locations below his belt (and at the moment weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative tales that can have you ever packing your baggage.