Destination

Netherlands Travel Guide

A wonderland full of museums, quirky hotels, a buzzing food scene, photogenic spots at every corner, hipster coffee shops, and historical sites, the Netherlands is a country full of gems of all kinds. While its most well-known city is Amsterdam, there are plenty of other beautiful cities that should be explored.

Take a boat down Amsterdam’s canals, witness the largest flower parade in the world in Zundert, surf at Scheveningen Beach in Den Haag, or snack on cheese at an authentic cheese market in Woerden. No matter where you choose to go, there are endless experiences for you to enjoy.

Best Time To Visit

Peak season in the Netherlands is from April to August and mid-December to early January. In the spring, tulips are blooming everywhere, and summer brings a booming outdoor cafe scene.

Popular attractions like the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum have lines wrapped around, with no end in sight, and hotels are harder to find. The Christmas season brings markets, ice skating, and parades.

January to March and September to end of November can be cold and gray with a lot of rain showers. But this means lighter crowds and cheaper rates. This is one of the best times to visit the Anne Frank House and other popular tourist sites.

What To Expect

Language: The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch.

Currency: The currency of the Netherlands is the Euro (EUR). 1 USD is equivalent to 0.88 EUR.

Credit Cards & ATMs: Major credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted in the Netherlands, though some small shops may charge a fee of 2-6% if used. Many Dutch supermarkets also do not accept them so having cash on hand is very wise. ATMs are prevalent in the country and locals use them frequently. Ideally, you’ll want to use an ATM owned by a Dutch bank since they don’t charge a fee to use. The downside is that they won’t tell you the exchange rate so you won’t find out until after the transaction is complete.

Plugs: In the Netherlands, the power plugs are type C and F, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and using a converter for hair dryers and hot tools.

Safety: The Netherlands is a very safe country and crime rates are very low compared to other parts of Europe. In fact, it’s ranked as the 16th safest country in the world. Your overall risk, for even the smallest stuff like pickpocketing, is low!