Attractions in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country, but the number of attractions on its territory is breathtaking. However, the country itself is also quite unusual. Climate of the Netherlands is very special and different from the European. Dutch summer is very cool, with weather that in other countries is more typical for September. Winter in the Netherlands, on the other hand, is generally warmer than the European winter. The country is also unusual in that half of its territory is below sea level, therefore for many centuries the country has been well protected against flooding.

The small country is packed with so many natural, historical and cultural attractions that a holiday will hardly be enough to see them all. Here are just some of them.

Amsterdam’s canals

On the territory of the capital of the state there are 165 canals with more than 1,500 foot and road bridges. This is a highly complex transport and irrigation system that creates 4 semicircles that encircle the city and are nested inside each other.

Nemo Museum

The Science Museum is housed in a huge ship in the middle of Amsterdam, and is unlike anything else in the world. In this museum, you can gain interesting insights into fields such as science, technology, information technology, medicine and bioengineering. The museum also has a café, gift shop and an entertainment centre for children.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

Located in Gelderland, this national park is both a natural monument and a historical attraction. There are horse riding and cycling trails through the national park. There are also three unique museums to visit, including the world’s only museum of underground life. The park itself is a unique ecosystem, combining different types of natural systems from desert to flood meadows.

De Haar Castle

This castle dates back to the 12th century. During this time, it has been destroyed several times and rebuilt from the ruins. The last major reconstruction took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During the reconstruction the building was equipped with all the amenities of that time: electricity, heating and water supply. But it was done so thoughtfully and skillfully, that the modern communications have not spoilt the look of the building and have not deprived it of medieval flavor at all.

Rijksmuseum

For the Netherlands, this Amsterdam-based museum is like the Louvre for France. The Rijksmuseum houses Rembrandt’s famous ‘Night Watch’. The museum is also famous for housing an extensive collection of the greatest masters of the Dutch Golden Age of painting.