1 week in the Netherlands
A week long adventure in the Low Lands
1 week in the Netherlands is the right amount of time to cover this little country's highlights! Arm yourself with an Interrail Pass to find canals and world-famous art in Amsterdam, picturesque windmills in Zaanse Schans, castles in Utrecht, and authentic Dutch gezelligheid in Maastricht!
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Cities visited in this trip:
Day 1 // Amsterdam
Day 3 // Zaanse Schans
Day 4 // Groningen
Day 5 // Utrecht
Day 6 // Rotterdam
Day 7 // Maastricht
For this itinerary, we recommend:
- Interrail Pass: Benelux Pass
- Travel days: 5 days within 1 month
Day 1 // Amsterdam
From Amsterdam Central Station, walk straight ahead to Dam Square and the Royal Palace. Circle round to find yourself on Amsterdam's 400-year-old Canal Ring. It'll be hard not to fall in love with the crooked buildings.
Visit the Anne Frank House on the Prinsengracht, and hop on a canal cruise to explore the city from a different view. At night, have a bite to eat on the lively Zeedijk Street and venture out into Amsterdam's Red Light District.
Flying into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport? Central Station is less than 20 minutes away by train.
Day 2 // Amsterdam
Start your day at the Rijksmuseum, and let its beautiful collection guide you through Dutch history. Next door is the Van Gogh Museum, housing the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world.
Nearby you'll find the trendy De Pijp neighbourhood. Wind up your day in the buzzing cafés and restaurants, and take a walk through the Albert Cuyp Market. If you like your beers, check out the Heineken Experience!
Amsterdam is easily explored by foot or by tram. If you want to blend in with the Dutchies, rent a bicycle!
Tip: King's Day
This is the Netherlands' national day when the whole country takes a holiday to celebrate the king's birthday.
One of the things to do on King's Day is to spot the king and queen in one of the cities of the Netherlands. Each year the royal family visits a different region, where they talk to locals, play silly Dutch games and tour around specific places of importance.
If that's not your cup of tea, go shopping at one of the many flea markets or visit a music festival - make sure to dress in orange!
Dates to remember
King's Day: 27 April
Day 3 // Zaanse Schans
You can't get more Dutch than the Zaanse Schans! With beautiful old windmills from the 18th and 19th century, as well as picture-perfect wooden houses, it makes for a fantastic day trip from Amsterdam.
You can sample local cheese and chocolate and see how clogs are made in various shops and museums. Treat yourself to a plate of traditional Dutch pancakes or the sweet bread known as Duivekater.
From Amsterdam Central, take a train to station Koog-Zaandijk. It's only a 16-minute journey!
Day 4 // Groningen
Located in the far north of the Netherlands, Groningen is an old trade city with a large student population. Climb the Martini Tower for the best views, and have a drink or two at the Grote Markt below.
Spend your afternoon at the dynamic Wadden Sea, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can walk the mud flats (wadden) during low tide and take a boat to the Frisian Islands to spot seals and a wide variety of birds.
The train will take you from Amsterdam to Groningen in only 2 hours. You'll have to switch trains in Almere.
Day 5 // Utrecht
Utrecht is a lively student town, with at its center the majestic Dom Tower. Climb to the top for a spectacular view of the Old Canal, lined with bars and restaurants right at water level. Go to Tivoli for a fun night out!
The area around Utrecht is perfect for cycling. You'll find the recreational lakes Loosdrechtse Plassen to the north and the woods of the Utrecht Hill Ridge to the east. Don't forget to check out the magnificent De Haar Castle!
Take a direct train from Groningen to Utrecht. The journey will take you less than 2 hours.
Tip: Liberation Day
Liberation Day, or 'Bevrijdingsdag', is the day the Dutch celebrate freedom after being liberated from the Nazis on 5 May 1945. They celebrate each year by having music festivals all over the country, with performances by Dutch and international artists. The best of all: you can enter these festivals for free!
Dates to remember
Liberation Day: 5 May
Day 6 // Rotterdam
Skyscrapers welcome you as you arrive at Rotterdam's brand-new station, giving the city a modern and 'un-Dutch' appearance. The Market Hall and the Cube Houses are some examples of the city's remarkable architecture.
Rotterdam is hip and happening these days, with many cool bars and music venues. Walk through Delfshaven to see what the city used to look like - it's one of the few areas that survived the bombings of World War II.
The train will get you from Utrecht to Rotterdam in only 38 minutes. Stop halfway in Gouda for some cheese!
Day 7 // Maastricht
The city of Maastricht dates back to Roman times and offers history around every corner. Check out the country's oldest church, Saint Servatius, and the so-called Hell's Gate (Helpoort) in the medieval city walls.
Charming Maastricht is a great place for shopping, eating and drinking. Grab a bite on the Vrijthof Square, stroll along the Meuse River, and visit bookstore Dominicanen, located beautifully in a 700-year-old church.
Travel by train to Maastricht in 2 hours and 16 minutes. You'll have to switch trains in Eindhoven.
Tip: Carnaval
The end of February shows an interesting division between the northern and southern provinces. While it's just business as usual in the north, there's an all-out street party happening in the south that lasts for 3 days.
Colourful Maastricht is one of the best places to join in the festivities, but you can have a wonderful time in any place 'below the rivers.'
Which Pass should I get?
The ideal rail pass for this trip is the Interrail Benelux Pass. With this Interrail Pass, you can travel in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
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