Netherlands Activities

Amusement Parks
The Netherlands has 15 amusement parks ranging from Six Flags and Adventure Park to Dolfinarium and the fairytale kingdom of Efteling. Children can discover the wonders of space at the Nordwijk Space Expo, drive old cars at Autotron, or be a pirate at Arsenal. Children are in charge at Land van Ooit (Land of Ever), set in an old country manor where theatres, horses, Land of Giants and much more keep children happy for hours.

Museums
There are numerous museums; many of which are as much fun for children as they are for adults. 

NEMO is a unique, interactive place where all ages can go and discover more about themselves and the world around them. Children can be a scientist or truck driver, build damns, dress up and see themselves on television and much more. It’s a world full of discoveries! (Phone: +31 (0) 205 313 233) 

Be a king or queen for the day and visit a real medieval water castle, complete with a draw bridge at Rijksmuseum Muiderslot. If you’re there during the summer you will be treated to a demonstration by a falconer who will show how falcons were once used for hunting (Phone: +31 (0) 294 256 262). 

The Maritime Museum of Amsterdam has a great collection of restored old ships that can be boarded and explored. They even fire one of the cannons twice a day! (Phone: +31 (0) 205 232 222)

Zoos
The Netherlands has eight fabulous zoos to choose from. 

The Rotterdam Zoo is a special treat for children with their spectacular jungle playground, petting zoo and zoo camp where children can spend the night (safely) among their favourite animals (Phone: +31 (0) 725 812 928). 

Burgers Bush and Safari is a large safari park with animals from the African savannahs, a covered rainforest jungle housing other animals, an aquarium and playground (Phone: +31 (0) 264 424 534). 

Zoo Emmen has all kinds of animals from all around the world – Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe as well as a Butterfly Garden, Children’s Theatre, playground and sleepovers (Phone: +31 (0) 591 850 850). 

The Sea Aquarium Bergen Aan Zee has an extensive collection of marine life from around the world, from the beautiful and rare to large and poisonous (Phone: +31 (0) 725 812 928).

Cycling
The Netherlands is rightly known as ‘the land of bicycles’, as there are an estimated 12 million cycles in use. The country’s geography is ideal for cycling: distances between the cities are short and the scenic countryside is almost totally flat except for a few rolling hills. Not surprisingly, cycling facilities are outstanding and there are approximately 17,000km of special cycling lanes and paths. Detailed cycling maps can be obtained for every province from local tourist information offices. Cycling lanes are easily recognizable by a round blue sign with a white bicycle in the middle. Most itineraries are circular routes, starting and ending at the same place. Landscapes vary from spectacular sand to wilderness and forests. Bicycles can be hired virtually everywhere including train stations. The Netherlands Railways also offer bike-rental vouchers, which can be bought at railway ticket offices. Vouchers can be used at bicycle depots at over 100 train stations throughout the country. Over 300 stations offer the facility to take bicycles onto the train. For more information on bicycle travel, see our Transport section.

Golf
There is a good selection of golf clubs throughout the country. Although it is not a major sport like it is in other European countries, golf in The Netherlands is becoming increasingly popular.

Markets
A visit to one of the famous Dutch flower markets is highly recommended. The best ones are in Amsterdam (where the famous Bloemenmarkt along the Singel canal is a major tourist attraction), Delft and Utrecht. Dutch flower bulbs are available for sale but it is essential to make sure the vendor sells them with an official export certificate. The most popular Dutch flowers are tulips and daffodils. There are also various colourful flower parades (corso), notably the Bollenstreek flower parade which is the country’s biggest. The Floriade, held every 10 years in The Netherlands, is one of the world’s most famous flower exhibitions. Visitors may also visit one of the country’s unique flower auctions, such as the ones in Aalsmeer (easy to reach from Amsterdam) and the ‘Flower Auction Holland’ near The Hague and Rotterdam in the Westland. The country’s traditional cheese market is held in Alkmaar, every Friday from 10:00am, from mid-April to mid-September.

Theatre
The Netherlands has a rich theatrical heritage going back to medieval times. There are many professional theatre companies large and small who are exploring new niches. The language barrier can be an issue at times in Dutch productions, however, in some performances, it’s hardly relevant. English-language companies often visit Amsterdam, especially in the summer. Amsterdam also has several permanent English-language theatre companies such as Boom Chicago for fast-paced comedy (Phone: +31 (0) 334 230 101). Visit www.tin.nl for more information.

Walking
The Netherlands is the perfect country to explore on foot. Literally hundreds of routes have been mapped out to show you the most beautiful spots, historical cities and beautiful nature. In Amsterdam, for example, you can walk in the footsteps of famous painter Rembrandt. In Rotterdam you can admire unique architecture, while a walk through The Hague shows you its royal past. The 300km coastline has numerous scenic walks through sand dunes and nature reserves. At Wadden Sea National Park, there is the opportunity to take part in various types of mud walking trips on the bottom of the Wadden Sea, whose shallows fall dry at low tide. Visitors can obtain maps with walking routes from the Foundation for Long Distance Walks (Phone: +31 (0) 334 653 660).

Water Sports
The Dutch coast on the western shore is well suited and equipped for all types of water sports, including swimming and windsurfing. Sailing is popular on Friesland Lakes, the Ijsselmeer, Loosdrechtse Plassen (south of Amsterdam) and Veerse Meer. Boats can be hired without difficulty in most places. Touring the canals and rivers is popular. Catamaran sailing and parachuting is possible on the islands of Ameland and Texel. Fishing is popular throughout the country, but while no license is needed for sea fishing, inland fishing licenses are required and are available at local post offices.

National specialities are Groentensoep (clear consommé with vegetables, vermicelli and meatballs); Hutspot (potatoes, carrots and onions); Klapstuk (an accompaniment of stewed lean beef); Boerenkool met rookworst (frost-crisped kale and potatoes served with smoked sausage); Erwtensoep (thick pea soup served with smoked sausage, cubes of bacon, pig’s knuckle and brown or white bread); Flensjes or pannekoeken (25 varieties of Dutch pancake) are a favourite Dutch dessert; Wafels met slagroom (waffles with whipped cream); Offertje (small dough balls fried and dusted with sugar) and Spekkoek (alternate layers of heavy buttered sponge and spices from Indonesia), which translated means ‘bacon cake’.

A typical Dutch breakfast usually consists of several varieties of bread, thin slices of Dutch cheese, prepared meats and sausage, butter and jam or honey and often a boiled egg. Typical breakfast beverages are coffee, tea, chocolate milk and fruit juice.

A common lunch is koffietafel, including breads, various cold cuts, cheese and conserves. There will often be a side dish of omelette, cottage pie or salad. Broodjes (sandwiches) are a common daytime snack, served in the ubiquitous sandwich bars known as broodjeswinkels. Lightly salted ‘green’ herring can be bought from street stalls. The Dutch eat them by holding the tail and dropping them into the throat.

Seafood dishes are often excellent, particularly in Amsterdam or Rotterdam, and include gebakken zeetong (fried sole), lekkerbekjes (fried whiting), royal imperial oysters, shrimps, mussels, lobster and eel (smoked, filleted and served on toast or stewed or fried).

The local spirit is jenever (Dutch gin), normally taken straight and chilled as a chaser with a glass of beer, but it is sometimes drunk with cola or vermouth; it comes in many varieties depending on the spices used. Favoured brands are Bols, Bokma, Claeryn and De Kuyper.

Dutch beer is excellent. It is a light, gassy pils type beer, always served chilled, generally in small glasses. The most popular brand in Amsterdam is Amstel. Imported beers are also available, as are many other alcoholic beverages.

Dutch liqueurs are excellent and include Curaçao, Parfait d’Amour, Triple Sec (similar to Cointreau) and Dutch-made versions of crème de menthe, apricot brandy and anisette.

In addition to traditional Dutch cuisine, in almost every large town you will find a wide range of restaurants specializing in international cuisine such as American, Balkan, British, Chinese, Indonesian, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

All hotels and restaurants include 15% service charge and VAT. It is customary to leave small change when paying a bill.

Special purchases include Delft (city located between The Hague and Rotterdam) blue pottery and pottery from Makkum and Workum, costume dolls, silverware from Schoonhoven, glass and crystal from Leerdam and diamonds from Amsterdam.

Amsterdam’s De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) is in the heart of the city's canal district and is one of the most delightful shopping areas. Just two minutes walk from the Royal Palace in the Dam Square these picturesque streets straddle the 17th Century canals from the Singel to the Prinsengracht. Spend a fabulous day wandering from one to the next exploring the designer boutiques, art galleries, jewellers, gift shops, fashion shops, specialist businesses and there are plenty of great bars, cafes and restaurants to refresh you along the way.

In Rotterdam head to the Lijnbaan for car-free shopping in pedestrian-only shopping arcades. A shopping strip called Beurstraverse or Koopgoot as it is known by the locals, runs from Lijnbaan to Hoogstraat and passes under Coolsingle. Niewe Binnenweg is a vivacious mix of stylish restaurants, cosy coffee shops, and old pubs along with stores selling used CDs, vintage clothing, plastic-fluorescent clubbing baubles fit only for the wildest nightspots. There are also hip second-hand clothing shops on the Meent.

Shopping hours are generally Monday 11:00-18:00; Tuesday to Friday 09:00-18:00; Saturday 09:00-17:00. Shopping malls are open on Sunday. In the main city centres, shops are open Sunday 12:00-17:00. Some cities also have late-night shopping on Thursdays or Fridays.

Most goods carry a 19% value added tax (VAT), or BTW as it is called in the Netherlands. The BTW on food products is 6%.