Amsterdam, the country’s capital, is an essential stop for every tourist in the Netherlands. Excellent museums, the home of Anne Frank, and a network of canals make it a must-see. But Holland and Amsterdam are not the same. Smaller towns in Holland are where you can get a genuine sense of the country as a whole. They have a quaint, old-world appeal thanks to their rich heritage, historic buildings, gorgeous canals, and iconic windmills. Some of the original fortifications of these cities are still standing today. A quiet spring day is perfect for appreciating the blooming daffodils and tulips.
10. Zierikzee
Located on a former island in the province of Zeeland, Zierikzee is an old town with a rich history. Zierikzee is brimming with history, with more than 500 monuments lining the streets. Sint-Lievensmonstertoren, a church built in the 12th century and dedicated to a Scottish martyr, is a popular attraction. Climb to the top of the Dikke Tower, which was spared when the original building caught fire in 1832 and was subsequently dismantled, to take in breathtaking views of the city below. The Maritime Museum and the North and South Port Gates, both built in the Middle Ages, are must-sees in Zierikzee, a coastal fishing city.
9. Doesburg
Historically, Doesburg’s defensive location on the IJssel made it the most significant fortified city in the Netherlands. Take your time exploring the old houses, as many of them have shields built into the walls that reveal information about the former inhabitants. The mustard museum, vinegar factory, herb garden, Lalique glass museum, and De Waag, the town hall that is supposedly the oldest public place in Holland, are all worth a visit. The old, warehouse-like Reformed Church is another must-see landmark.
8. Appingedam
In the past, Appingedam’s proximity to the water made it a prime location for commerce and shipping. Historical sites in this medieval city include the so-called “hanging kitchens,” or small rooms that extend out from buildings and over the Damsterdiep canal. A trip on the city’s ferries on a Saturday afternoon is a relaxing way to spend the day. The city hall, built in 1630, and the even older Nicolai Church can be explored on foot or bicycle in the small city center.
7. Oudewater
If you’re worried about your weight in relation to your height, you can receive a certificate proving that your weight is appropriate at Oudewater. This tradition originated with the European witch trials of the 16th century. Many would go there to have their “not-a-witch” status confirmed. Heksenwaag, often known as witches’ scales, is open for business today, and you can use it too. While it may be home to some witches, Oudewater is really a very picturesque medieval town that was established in 1265.
6. Domburg
Domburg, an ancient village on the North Sea island of Zeeland, has been a popular vacation spot for Dutch and foreign visitors alike since the 17th century, and especially since the 19th. After a terrible storm in 1647, 40 chests with Latin inscriptions and paintings of gods washed ashore on the coast. Artists like Piet Mondrian and James Whistler of the United States lived and worked together in Domburg. Domburg is ideal for tourists in need of a vacation from seeing ancient monuments since it provides a variety of resort-style activities like swimming, bicycling, sports fishing, surfing, and horseback riding.
5. Harlingen
Harlingen, in the province of Friesland, is the northernmost town in the Netherlands and a magnificent ancient harbor town. Beautiful medieval mansions can be found here in abundance. Keep an eye out for gable stones as you wander the streets of the town; they served as landmarks for locating residences before the advent of house numbers. When you look at the gilded angel atop the oldest stone structure in town, you can see that it was originally a Masonic lodge, much like the building itself. There are also several 17th-century warehouses to be found.
4. Naarden
Naarden is unlike any other fortress town. This town was established in the year 1300, and its houses are arranged in a big circular pattern inside a perimeter of massive green “lance” points that extend into a moat. The term “star fortress” is often used to describe this layout. Flying over the layout is a fantastic way to see it. Naarden is well-known for its textile industry and the performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion on Good Friday, in addition to being the site of the Netherlands Fortress Museum.
3. Thorn
Thorn, a small principality in Limburg on the border with Beligum, dates back to the 12th century. Thorn, the Holy Roman Empire’s smallest sovereign state, was governed by an abbess and her council of 20 noble-class nuns. The town’s attention is focused on the magnificent St. Michaelskerk Abbey Church, which dates back to the 10th century. In modern times, Thorn has earned the nickname “while village” because to its cluster of picturesque, whitewashed stone homes in the heart of the town.
2. Volendam
The Zuiderzee was recovered, and Volendam was founded on it in the 14th century, making it a haven for farmers and fishermen. Artistic types like Picasso and Renoir flocked to this picturesque town. Tourists from Amsterdam continue to visit to witness the historic fishing boats, as well as the traditional clothes and pointed roofs of the brown buildings in the area. Such scenes would look great on a postcard!
1. Giethoorn
If you don’t have time to go to Venice, Giethoorn should be your next destination. The calm canals give this city the reputation of being “the Venice of the North.” As a result of the city’s 90 kilometers (55 miles) of canals, some residents can only access their homes by boat. Take a canal boat trip here, or if you’re the independent type, hire a boat and paddle your own way through canal-side cafés and thatched houses, and beneath soaring arches.
