Our collection of gorgeous little towns and villages that we visited together with my husband in the Netherlands. The Netherlands beyond Amsterdam is so beautiful. Enjoy!
All pictures are made by us.
Spakenburg
Feel like a tourist in a forest of boat masts in the cute village of Spakenburg.
Thorn
This village is full of feminist history and all houses are colored white. Find why!
Elburg
This Hanseatic town is a great place for water sports and cycling lovers.
Nieuwendam
Being adjacent to Amsterdam, this village is perfect for spring and summer walks.
Veere
In romantic Veere, discover its roots with Scotland, and try its market stroopwafels.
Hindeloopen
A unique town with a maze of streets, canals, wooden bridges, and local culture.
Ootmarsum
Get lost in Ootmarsum’s charming streets with art galleries and picturesque houses.
Zierikzee
Once it was a fishermen’s settlement; now it feels like it is an open-air museum.
Hoorn
It was one of the most important Dutch East Indian Company trade centers.
Tholen
During a weekend in Zeeland, visit this special place with beautiful houses, squares, and streets full of flowers.
Woerden
A historic Dutch city with Roman roots with a market where we bought the most delicious plums ever.
Retranchement
Cycle through the tiniest settlement in the province of Zeeland and admire its 200-years-old beautiful windmill.
Urk
On Sundays, everything is closed, but you admire a beautiful lighthouse and boats.
Sloten
The smallest of Friesland’s 11 cities and one of the smallest cities in the world as it has only 2 main streets.
Bronkhorst
The houses in Bronkhorst are so nicely decorated that it feels like walking in a museum gallery.
Franeker
Visit Franeker to admire Eise Eisinga Planetarium – a very old planetarium on the ceiling inside a house.
Aardenburg
Unknown to tourists but a very authentic and blooming town of Aardenburg – a true gem in the Zeeland province.
IJlst
Only in IJlst, you will find charming gardens right alongside the main canal. Lovely view and so unique.
Vianen
A historic fortified town with a nice picturesque city center with an ancient entrance gate, and a beautiful city hall
Bergen
In any season, you can always have a nice stake here on the way to the beach.
Loenen aan de Vecht
It was one of our stops along the river Vecht in the direction of the Zuylen Castle. Admire boats while eating ice cream.
Geertruidenberg
Find peace, rest, and relaxation here. Plenty of things to see around because it’s located nearby Biesbosch National Park.
Groede
The most charming village center with the biggest ice cream in Zeeland is Groede. Do pass by in the evening.
Heusden
A little town around an old water castle in Northwest Europe is one of the first Dutch cities surrounded by a wall.
Buren
A beautiful off-the-beaten-track place. Buren is an ‘Oranjestad’ because of its connection with the Dutch Royal Family.
Vreeland
Escape Amsterdam for an evening walk with ice cream in this cute tiny village in the Utrecht region.
Leerdam
Passionate about glass and how it’s made:
visit Leerdam’s glass-blowing factory.
Mechelen
Hiking in Limburg? Don’t forget to pass by Mechelen for a cup of coffee. The landscape around here is breathtaking.
Mheer
Mheer – a tiny village along the Mergelland route in Limburg. It is very small, but it has its own castle.
Abcoude
Just 15 min from Amsterdam. Enjoy a walk in the fresh air with the gentle sun on your face in spring evenings here.
Hattem
Find a connection between Anton Pieck – a famous Dutch cartoonist and a Fairy Tale Forest in the Efteling Theme Park.
Monnickendam
A gorgeous historic town set around a beautiful harbor – perfect for a photo shoot among traditional Dutch houses.
Kolhorn
You have not heard of Kolhorn because it is a small place with traditional houses in the province of North Holland
Doesburg
Spend a charming evening in Doesburg at Christmas time and eat ollibollen on its main square.
Hasselt
It’s a mini version of Amsterdam with an identical canal belt of Heerengracht, Prinsengracht, and Brouwersgracht.
Giethoorn
A car-free village known for its boat-filled waterways, footpaths, bicycle trails, and centuries-old thatched roofs.
Broek-in-Waterland
Known as the richest village of Holland, once, it was visited by Emperor Napoleon in 1811.
Workum
Friesland is a unique part of the Netherlands, and Workum is one of its gems.
Durgerdam
Durgerdam with its colorful buildings was an important harbor on the Zuiderzee. Well-known captains came from here.
Breukelen
Brooklyn in New York was named after this village – best known for its natural areas, large mansions, and castle.
Zaltbommel
Very cozy village with a super high church and its own mini castle! You really have to stand next to it to realize how high it is.
Oisterwijk
In 2020, it was crowned as one of the most beautiful villages. Discover its connection with a famous patisserie Bij Robèrt.
Asperen
It’s an upcoming tourist destination with beautiful streets and a fort to visit.
Sneek
One of the charming little cities in Friesland with a famous fountain & gates.
Bourtange
With 400 inhabitants now, it was a fortress during the 80 Years’ War against Spain.
Get inspired by other destination ideas for your trips in the Netherlands.
Discover our recommendations of beautiful castles, cities, museums, interesting activities, events, attractions, dazzling nature, zoos, the Dutch coast, but also spas, shopping, and hotels.
And keep an eye on our BLOG 🙂
Discover the Netherlands by theme
On the photo – the village of Urk
Discover True Netherlands | Travel with a Local Couple! 