If you’re heading to Amsterdam and only planning to stay in the city… I’m gonna stop you right there.
Because some of the best experiences in the Netherlands are just a short day trip away - and they feel like completely different countries.
We’re talking:
- Venice vibes (but quieter and cuter)
- Ultra-modern architecture
- Windmills, cheese, and storybook towns
Here are 3 insanely good day trips from Amsterdam that are actually worth your limited PTO 👇
Day Trip 1: Giethoorn - The Dutch “Venice”
If there’s one place that feels like it shouldn’t be real - it’s Giethoorn.
No roads. No cars. And NO bikes. Just canals, boats, thatched-roof cottages, and tiny wooden bridges everywhere.
🚤 The Move: Rent a “whisper boat”
This is non-negotiable. These small electric boats are quiet (hence “whisper”) and let you explore the canals at your own pace.
You’ll drift past:
- Flower-covered houses
- Locals sipping wine on their docks
- Ducks that absolutely do not care about you
👉 Pro tip: Go early or later in the day - midday gets crowded and slightly chaotic (yes, canal traffic jams are a thing).
⏱️ Getting There:
- ~1.5 hours from Amsterdam by car
- Day trips available from Get Your Guide
🚗 Exactly What We Did (aka steal our itinerary so you don’t waste time figuring it out)
🅿️ Where to Park
- We parked at Giethoorn Parking Center (easy, close, and well-signposted)
- Paid parking, but worth it for convenience (€4 per car per day)
- Short walk straight into the village and super close to a boat rental
- We arrived around noon on a Monday in early April and surprisingly it wasn't too busy; however, a few hours later, it was packed.
🚤 Where We Rented a Whisper Boat
- We rented from Giethoorn Boat Rental (approximately a 2 minute walk from the parking)
- No boating license needed
- They give you a quick tutorial (it’s very beginner-friendly)
- We rented a 2 person boat for the 1 hour loop for €40 (which ended up being perfect for us)
- I (Meg) was even able to drive this boat (it took a few minutes but eventually I got the hang of it. Moral of the story - if I can drive this boat, you can too!)
🗺️ Our Route (What We Actually Did)
- We chose Sailing Route #1 which takes between 1 hour to 1.5 hours to complete, depending on how busy it is
- Started in the main canals (yes, a little busy - but iconic and so beautiful)
- Then veered off into the larger lake for more open views and less congestion
- Ended by looping back to the main canals and ended where we started
- Follow the sign posts so you don't lose your way
🍽️ Where We Ate Lunch
- Ristorante Fratelli (6 minute walk from the boat rental and right on the water)
- Casual, easy, and there perfect place to watch the boats go by
- The food wasn't anything to write home about but the view and vibe was spectacular
💡 Alternative vibe: Grab snacks + drinks and do a DIY boat picnic
⏱️ Timing Breakdown
- Arrived: ~ 12:00 PM
- Boat rental: ~12:30 PM
- Finished boating: ~1:30 PM
- Lunch: ~2:00 PM
- Walk around the village ~3:00-4:00 PM
- It started getting super busy around 2:00 PM
Reality of what it looked like at 2:00 PM in the canals:
💡 CW Tip: It’s touristy - but for a reason. Still one of the most unique places we’ve been that felt like a real life Disney village.
🌷 Make It a Full Day Trip (Add-On Ideas)
If you’re driving to Giethoorn (like we did) don’t just go there and back - this is your chance to turn it into a full experience.
Here are two ways we’d level this day up 👇
🌷 Option 1: Tulip Fields (Seasonal but ELITE)
If you’re visiting in spring (roughly late March–early May), this is a non-negotiable add-on.
We stopped at tulip fields on the way back and it instantly turned the day into one of our favorites.
But here’s the key thing 👇
👉 You can’t just walk into most tulip fields (they’re private and protected)
🌷 Where You Can Walk Through the Fields
If you want that “walking through endless rows of tulips” moment, go to The Tulip Barn.
- Designed specifically for visitors
- Paths built through the fields (no guessing, no trespassing)
- Tons of photo spots (swings, props, viewpoints)
- Way more interactive than just roadside stops
- €10 per person (we booked online ahead of time but people were able to walk up and buy tickets when we were there so that may be an option).
💡 CW tip: This is one of the best places for photos without worrying you’re damaging the flowers
📍 Best Area for Tulips
You’ll find the most iconic fields near:
- Lisse
- Around Keukenhof Gardens
⏱️ When to Go
- Late March → Early May (peak bloom usually mid-April)
- Sunset = best lighting + fewer crowds
💡 CW Take
Do both if you can:
- Stop at roadside fields for the “wow” views
- Then go to The Tulip Barn to actually walk through them
👉 That combo = elite content + best experience
🏰 Option 2: Castle de Haar (Next Time for Us 😭)
We didn’t have time for Castle de Haar on our trip - but it’s high on our list for next time.
And honestly? It would pair perfectly with Giethoorn.
- Largest castle in the Netherlands
- Straight-up fairytale vibes
- Stunning gardens + interiors
👉 Located near Utrecht, making it an easy detour depending on your route
💡 What we’d do next time: Giethoorn in the morning → Castle de Haar in the afternoon
Day Trip 2: Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague - 3 Cities, 1 Perfect Day
This is the “we want a little bit of everything” day. Three completely different vibes - all within 30 minutes of each other.
🌊 Stop 1: The Hague - The Underrated One
Most people skip it. Big mistake.
- Home to the Dutch government
- Gorgeous historic buildings like the Binnenhof
- And yes… a legit beach nearby at Scheveningen
You can go from parliament buildings to ocean views in minutes.
🏙️ Stop 2: Rotterdam - The Cool One
Amsterdam’s edgy younger sibling.
Think:
- Cube Houses
- Markthal (food heaven)
- Sleek, modern architecture
It’s bold, different, and honestly feels nothing like the rest of the Netherlands.
🏰 Stop 3: Delft - The Fairytale
Then you roll into Delft and it’s like…
“Wait, THIS is the Netherlands I pictured.”
- Quiet canals
- Historic squares
- Blue-and-white pottery (Delftware)
It’s smaller, slower, and ridiculously charming.
⏱️ Getting there:
- ~1 hour from Amsterdam by car or train
- Super easy by train (honestly better than driving here)
- Day trip available from Get Your Guide (this is the one we did and highly recommend)
🚌 What We Actually Did (aka the easiest way to see all 3 without losing your mind)
Craig flew in a day earlier than me (perks of having more PTO 😅) and was debating tackling this entire route solo using public transportation. Instead…he found a guided day tour on GetYourGuide - and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip.
🚌 Why We’d Actually Recommend the Guided Tour
- Hit all three cities in one day without planning logistics
- No figuring out train schedules, transfers, or timing
- Comfortable transport between stops
- Built-in structure but still enough time to explore
👉 Basically: all the benefits of DIY travel without the stress
💡 CW Take
Craig said he would 100% do this tour again. And coming from someone who:
- Loves figuring things out independently
- Was fully ready to do this solo via trains
…that says a lot.
Not every day trip needs to be a DIY adventure. Sometimes the best move is:
👉 Let someone else handle the logistics
👉 Sit back
👉 And just enjoy the experience
🤔 Should You DIY or Book a Tour?
- Love planning + want flexibility? → DIY via train
- Want easy, efficient, zero-stress? → Do the tour
👉 If you’re short on time, the tour is honestly a no-brainer
Day Trip 3: Zaanse Schans, Edam & Marken - Peak Dutch Vibes
This is the day where you fully lean into the Netherlands aesthetic.
Windmills? Check.
Cheese? Obviously.
Storybook villages? Everywhere.
🛖 Stop 1: Zaanse Schans
This is what you came for.
- Working windmills
- Wooden houses
- Clogs, cheese, and all the clichés (in the best way)
Yes, it’s touristy - but it’s also iconic. Take all the fun touristy photos with the clogs and windmills (go up inside a windmill if you have time), eat some cheese, and just enjoy strolling the grounds.
🧀 Stop 2: Edam
Small, charming, and way less crowded than you’d expect for a place that literally gave us Edam cheese.
Walk the canals, grab a snack, and enjoy the slower pace.
⚓ Stop 3: Volendam
And now… energy shift.
Volendam is where things pick up:
- Bustling harbor
- Seafood stands everywhere
- Cute waterfront restaurants and shops
This is where you:
👉 Grab fresh fish (or something fried and questionable - we don’t judge)
👉 Walk the boardwalk
👉 People-watch like it’s your job
It’s a little touristy - but in a fun, “this is a vibe” kind of way.
🚤 Stop 4: Marken
This one feels like a hidden gem and is our favorite of the 3 villages (Edam, Volendam, Marken)
- Colorful wooden homes
- Peaceful harbor views
- Way fewer crowds than Zaanse Schans
It’s quiet, scenic, and perfect to end the day.
⏱️ Getting there:
- ~30 minutes to 1 hour from Amsterdam by car or train/bus
- Best done by car for flexibility
- Day trips available from Get Your Guide
🏨 Bonus Stop: The Famous Stacked Houses Hotel
On your way to or from Zaanse Schans, make a quick stop in Zaandam - trust us, it’s worth it.
Right in the center of town, you’ll find the wildly unique Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam…
…and it literally looks like someone stacked a bunch of traditional Dutch houses on top of each other 😅
📸 Why It’s Worth the Stop
- One of the most photographed buildings in the Netherlands
- Bright green + blue facades (very on-brand for the region)
- Takes 10–15 minutes max to see
👉 It’s one of those places that feels fake in the best way
🅿️ Parking
- Easy parking garages nearby in the Zaandam city center
- Super quick in-and-out stop
- We parked here
⏱️ How to Add It In
- Before Zaanse Schans: quick photo stop to start the day
- After Zaanse Schans: perfect little detour before heading to Edam
- Or stay the night - like we did! It’s surprisingly affordable and only about 20 minutes from Amsterdam Central, making it a super easy (and way more unique) alternative to staying in the city.
👉 Adds barely any time, but elevates the whole day
🚗 Exactly What We Did (aka how to hit all 4 spots in one smooth, non-chaotic day)
⏱️ Our Exact Timeline
🛖 8:30 AM – Zaanse Schans
Time spent: ~1.5–2 hours
- Walked through windmills + bridges
- Peeked into shops (cheese + clogs, obviously)
- Took photos before it got slammed with tour buses
🅿️ Parking:
- Used the main lot at Zaanse Schans (easy + well marked)
- Paid parking, but super convenient (€15 per car per day)
👉 CW tip: This is the busiest stop - do it first or regret it later
🧀 11:30 AM – Edam
Time spent: ~1 hour
- Quick walk through canals
- Cheese tasting at Henri Willig Kaas B.V.
- Grabbed a snack + just wandered
🅿️ Parking:
- Parked near the town center (free small lots + street parking available)
- Way easier + calmer than Zaanse Schans
👉 This is more of a slow down and breathe stop
⚓ 1:00 PM – Volendam
Time spent: ~1-1.5 hours
- Walked the harbor
- Grabbed lunch (seafood + fried everything energy)
- Did some casual shopping + people watching
🅿️ Parking:
- We parked at the first lot we saw which was about a 5 minute walk outside of the main town area (free + easy)
👉 This is your food + energy reset stop
🚤 3:00 PM – Marken
Time spent: ~1–1.5 hours
- Walked through the village
- Took photos of colorful houses + waterfront
- Way quieter - perfect end to the day
🅿️ Parking:
- Central parking lot near the entrance to the village (easy walk to the village; €3 per hour or €12 per day)
👉 Feels like a hidden gem after the busier stops
🚗 4:30–5:00 PM – Head Back to Amsterdam
- Easy drive back
- We drove to the AMS airport to drop the car off and take the train to Brussels.
💡 CW Take
This day looks like a lot on paper - but it actually flows really well.
It’s basically:
👉 Iconic → Chill → Lively → Peaceful
And somehow it just…works.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Pick?
If you’re short on time:
- Only 1 day? → Rotterdam + Delft + The Hague
- Want something unique? → Giethoorn
- Want classic Dutch vibes? → Zaanse Schans + Edam + Volendam + Marken
✈️ The Reality
Amsterdam is incredible - but these day trips? They’re what make your trip feel different.
They’re the moments people ask you about later. And they’re 100% worth using one of your precious vacation days.
🔗 Read Next
🇳🇱 48 Hours in Amsterdam: The Ultimate Foodie + Culture Itinerary (Walkable & Packed)
🇳🇱 The Ultimate Dutch Food Guide: What We Ate in 48 Hours in Amsterdam
🇱🇺 24 Hours in Luxembourg: A Fairytale Castle + Europe’s Most Underrated Capital
If you got this far, thanks for reading and remember to STAY CLASSLESS 😉
