Any tips or suggestions for 4-6 days in the Netherlands.

[p--and--t]

Very early days, but planning a cruise departing Rottadam in late July 2026 and thinking we would have a pre cruise mini break in the Netherlands.

Been there once before a looong time ago but only 36 hours, we were hand held, and mainly in Amsterdam.

Getting there, things to do, getting about, organised tours?, where to stay are all on the explore options list if AFFers have some suggestions they would like to make.

 

[Cruise Luxury]

Very early days, but planning a cruise departing Rottadam in late July 2026 and thinking we would have a pre cruise mini break in the Netherlands.

Been there once before a looong time ago but only 36 hours, we were hand held, and mainly in Amsterdam.

Getting there, things to do, getting about, organised tours?, where to stay are all on the explore options list if AFFers have some suggestions they would like to make.

Would you consider Belgium instead?

Perhaps fly into Brussels, head straight to Bruges, followed by Ghent, then Antwerp, then onto Rotterdam. All doable by train.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Rather than a long reply here, you can check out my notes on Netherlands (and Belgium) in this trip report, starting at post 66.

 

[p--and--t]

Would you consider Belgium instead?

Perhaps fly into Brussels, head straight to Bruges, followed by Ghent, then Antwerp, then onto Rotterdam. All doable by train.

I have an open mind.

Not booked or committed to anything yet. If we take the cruise then that is an anchor of depart Rottadam July 25th.

Spent a full day on organised tour in Bruges before, not been to Antwerp or Ghent.

Only effectively had a day in Amsterdam previously and didn't manage a single museum due to other commitments (& lack of prebooked tickets)

Train or organised tours would be fine /preferred and planning to do that for the whole of our journeys in Switzerland and France this year.

(Renting a car is a two edged sword as generally I want to be relaxing looking around, but a car provides a heap of flexibility.)

 

[Captain Halliday]

Train or organised tours would be fine /preferred and planning to do that for the whole of our journeys in Switzerland and France this year.

Paris and parts of Switzerland Via train also covered in the TR I linked if that of use to you.

 

[p--and--t]

Paris and parts of Switzerland Via train also covered in the TR I linked if that of use to you.

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

The Begijnhof, close to the Amsterdam Museum, a lovely green square lined with quaint houses and several churches going back to the 1600s. A bit hard to find - the square (totally enclosed) is entered by one of two doorways through outside buildings.

Rijksmuseum - obviously. It reopened in 2013 after a 10 year upgrade and restoration job.

 

[SCM]

Delft is right next to Rotterdam, and IMO is one of the most beautiful cities in NL, you should go for a day. The "Delft Blue" originates there, but they have picturesque canals that have algae unlike many other places in NL, it's very beautiful place to chill and eat by the canals.

Leiden is also fairly close and a very beautiful town with great architecture. If you want to stay around Rotterdam, IMO these are the two best daytrip destinations.

If you want to venture out further, the Saturday markets in Haarlem. Otherwise Utrecht is beautiful and less crowded than Amsterdam. I guess you already know that Amsterdam is a destination in of itself.

If you want to go south, Ghent and Bruges are much better destinations than Brussels IMO.


Personally, I don't really like Rotterdam, I think they need to demolish it and start over, but again, that's just my personal opinion though, don't let it stop you from doing sight-seeing there if you wish. But to me, it's the ugliest city I have ever been to, would prefer to spend a day in a random commieblock city Russia.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have an open mind.

Not booked or committed to anything yet. If we take the cruise then that is an anchor of depart Rottadam July 25th.

Spent a full day on organised tour in Bruges before, not been to Antwerp or Ghent.

Only effectively had a day in Amsterdam previously and didn't manage a single museum due to other commitments (& lack of prebooked tickets)

Train or organised tours would be fine /preferred and planning to do that for the whole of our journeys in Switzerland and France this year.

(Renting a car is a two edged sword as generally I want to be relaxing looking around, but a car provides a heap of flexibility.)

There is so much to do in Amsterdam! Several major museums, canal trips, the Anne Frank House, wandering the streets, shopping. Day trips out to windmills and a couple of cheese towns like Gouda and Edam! Not sure if I’d be going on an organised tour, other than something like a canal boat, which is narrated. Day trips easily done by train. Holland is so small you’re just about anywhere in a couple of hours max.

It’s been getting quite hot in summer the last few years. Make sure your hotel has air conditioning!