Netherlands Travel Guide

Netherlands Travel Guide

I know its not nice to pick favorites, but between the hustle of Amsterdam, and the quiet countryside, the Netherlands is one of my all time favorite destinations.

Keep reading to see why this beautiful country is the perfect destination for year-round travel!

WHERE IS THE NETHERLANDS?

Also known as Holland, the Netherlands is located in Northwestern Europe and shares a border with Germany in the East and Belgium in the South.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Depending on your must dos, there is never really a “bad time” to visit the Netherlands. If you are looking for the least amount of crowds, avoid visiting in July and August as those are the busy summer months.

I recommend visiting between the months of April – October. This is when the weather is the best and the country side is blooming with beautiful flowers!

WEATHER IN THE NETHERLANDS

With mild winters, cool summers, and rainy seasons, the Netherlands is a great place to visit to experience a maritime climate. The average summer temperature is 23 degrees Celsius (73 F) and mean winter temperature is 3 degrees Celsius (37 F).

Winter: November – March

• Average temps of 27°F (3°C)
• Snow, fog, and freezing temps are very common
• Great time to visit with less tourists and crowds

Summer: June – August

• Average temps of 64°F (17°C)
• Best time to visit the canals of Amsterdam and outdoor activities
• Most popular season for tourists

Spring and Fall: March – May / September – October

• Average temps of 59°F (15°C)
• April and May are the best times to visit to see the tulips and daffodils in full bloom
• Great time to visit for the best weather

WHAT TO EXPECT

Language: Dutch is the official spoken language by over 90% of the population in the Netherlands. English however is very common in the Netherlands and is often spoken as a second language so there should be no concern over a language barrier!

Currency: The official currency is the Netherlands is the Euro. As of November 2020, 1 USD is equivalent to .84 Euro.

Credit Cards and ATMs: Major credit and debit cards are accepted in all major areas around the country. In some of the smaller, less populated, areas around the country, you may encounter a small fee between 2-6% if you decide to use a card. ATMs are widely available throughout the country and I highly recommend withdrawing money from Dutch Bank since they do not charge a fee! If you plan on visiting a dutch supermarket, make sure to have cash on hand, you may need it.

Plugs/Outlets: The Netherlands uses plug types C and F. I recommend buying a converter like this to use for your hair products and a adapter like this for everything else.

Safety: The Netherlands is listed as the 16th safest country in the world so that should tell you everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful country! As always, be aware of your surroundings and be smart!

TRANSPORTATION

The best and most efficient way to travel around the Netherlands is by train. The Dutch Railway is of the best in all of Europe and is mostly operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Depending on where you are heading and how fast you want to get there, here are some options that you can pick from when purchasing the train tickets.

High Speed: Intercity Direct and NS Hispeed trains operate between Rotterdam, Amsterdam and other major cities on the continent. Though these tickets are the most expensive, this is the best way to cover the most land in the quickest amount of time. Europe’s high-speed trains vary in speed but may race along as fast as 350 kilometers/hour (220 mph).

Express: Express NS trains cover much of the rest of the Netherlands, crisscrossing regions and joining cities like Amsterdam with Utrecht, the Hague, Delft and Haarlem.

Local: The Netherlands’ local NS trains are its slowest, but if you are looking for the least expensive option, this is going to be the best for you. Although these trains stop at every station along the route, you will have plenty of time to take in the beauty of the country!

More Travel guides HERE!