The Amsterdam Countryside: 7 Dutch Towns To Visit
While I love Amsterdam’s canals, cafés, and museums, some of my favorite memories of the Netherlands actually come from leaving it behind for a day.
The Dutch countryside has this easygoing charm that’s hard to resist. It’s all about tiny villages with cobblestone streets, quiet canals where ducks drift by, and wide green fields dotted with windmills.
Whenever I visit, I always make time for a countryside escape…simply because the cities can be so loud and fast. By day 3, I find myself just wanting to slow down. Sometimes it’s a picnic in a little fishing village, other times it’s a bike ride along the water.
What makes these trips so special to me is that they give me a taste of everyday Dutch life, away from the crowds. The countryside is stunning, and these times often become the highlight of my whole trip.
If you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam, trust me—you’ll want to save a day or two for exploring beyond the city.
In this guide, I’ll share my favorite spots in the Amsterdam Countryside, along with how to get there and a few tips to make the most of each place.
Map of Amsterdam Countryside
Best Amsterdam Countryside Stops
1. Edam: Cheese, Canals, and Postcard-Perfect Streets
🚲 Distance from Amsterdam
About 22 km (14 miles). It takes around 25 minutes by car or 30–40 minutes by bus.
✅ How to Get to Edam
- By bus: From Amsterdam Centraal, hop on bus 314 or 316 and you’ll be in Edam in about half an hour.
- By car: A quick drive via the A10 and N247. Parking is simple near the town center.
- By bike: Feeling adventurous? The ride takes just under 2 hours and brings you through some of the prettiest countryside north of Amsterdam.
⭐What to Do in Edam
Edam is famous worldwide for its red-wax cheese, but the town itself is SO underrated. The town is filled with old, cobbled streets, peaceful canals, and charming 17th-century houses.
In the summer months (July and August), the traditional cheese market comes alive, with cheese wheels being weighed and traded in the town square. Even outside of market days, you can visit the Edam Museum in one of the oldest brick homes in town to learn about local history.
🕰️ When to Go
Edam is lovely year-round, but summer is the liveliest time to visit thanks to the cheese markets. Spring and autumn are quieter and perfect for strolling along the canals, while winter gives you a more peaceful, almost secret-village experience.
🔥 Hot Tip: If you want that picture-perfect Dutch village feeling without the heavy crowds, Edam is a great choice. My favorite thing to do is bring some cheese and bread from a local shop and enjoy a picnic by the water.
2. Zaanse Schans: Classic Windmills and Dutch Heritage
🚲Distance from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans
About 20 km (12 miles). It’s around 25 minutes by car or 15–20 minutes by train, followed by a short walk.
✅How to Get to Zaanse Schans
- By train: From Amsterdam Centraal, take the train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans station (about 18 minutes), and then it’s a 10-minute walk to the windmills.
- By bus: Bus 391 runs direct from Amsterdam Centraal and drops you at the entrance of Zaanse Schans in about 40 minutes.
- By car: A quick drive via the A10 and A8, with parking right by the site.
⭐ What to Do
Zaanse Schans is the cutest open-air museum filled with Dutch history. You’ll find historic wooden houses, traditional workshops, and some of the famoous Dutch windmills.
You can watch clog-making, peek inside a cheese farm (and sample some, of course!), or climb up a windmill to see the machinery in action.
If I’m being honest, it can feel a little touristy, but it’s also one of the best places to get that classic Dutch countryside experience in a short trip. I personally enjoy it.
🕰️When to Go
Spring and summer are the most popular times. Autumn is quieter but still beautiful, while winter brings fewer visitors—just be prepared for chilly walks along the river.
🔥 Hot Tip: Zaanse Schans gets busy, especially in the late morning when the tour buses arrive (seriously, it’s brutal). Try to go early in the day for a calmer experience, or later in the afternoon once the crowds thin out. Renting a bike here is also a fun way to explore beyond the main cluster of windmills and see more of the surrounding countryside.
3. Volendam: A Colorful Fishing Village with Traditional Vibes
🚲 Distance from Amsterdam to Volendam
Around 20 km (12 miles). About 25 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bus.
✅How to Get There
- By bus: From Amsterdam Centraal, take bus 316 directly to Volendam in about half an hour.
- By car: An easy drive via the A10 and N247, with plenty of parking near the harbor.
- By bike: A scenic 90-minute ride through the Waterland countryside, often paired with a stop in Edam or Marken.
⭐ What to Do in Volendam
Volendam is one of the most famous fishing villages in the Netherlands, and I personally love it. It is so relaxing and charming. The harbor is lined with colorful wooden houses, seafood stalls, and cafés serving up the freshest herring and fish and chips.
You can stroll along the dike, pop into small museums like the Volendams Museum or Cheese Factory, or even dress up in traditional Dutch costumes for a fun photo.
Volendam is also a great place to catch the ferry to Marken for a two-in-one countryside trip.
🕰️When to Go
Volendam is lively all year, but it is particularly awesome during spring and summer when the harbor terraces are buzzing. Weekends tend to be busier, so if you prefer a quieter stroll, aim for a weekday visit.
🔥 Hot Tip: Volendam can get crowded, especially around the harbor, but don’t stop there—wander a few streets back to find a more authentic side of the village.
Also, if you like seafood, try the herring “Volendam-style”, raw with onions and pickles. It’s a local favorite and surprisingly delicious!
4. Marken: Wooden Houses and a Ferry Ride
🚲 Distance from Amsterdam
About 25 km (15 miles), so roughly 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes if you’re taking the bus and ferry.
✅How to Get to Marken
- By bus: From Amsterdam Centraal, bus 315 takes you straight to Marken in about 45 minutes.
- By ferry: The most fun way to get there is on the Volendam–Marken Express ferry. It only takes about half an hour and gives you gorgeous views across the IJsselmeer.
- By car: You can also drive over the causeway that connects Marken to the mainland. There’s parking at the edge of the village, and from there you walk right in.
⭐ What to Do
Marken feels like a little time capsule. Once it was an island, and even now it has a world-apart vibe with its green wooden houses, narrow lanes, and quiet harbor.
Stroll through the village, stop by the small Marker Museum, or walk out toward the lighthouse at the tip of the island. If you’re pairing it with Volendam, the ferry ride makes for such a nice way to link the two.
🕰️When to Go
Spring and summer are, of course, popular times to visit, with flowers blooming and the harbor being particularly busy. Autumn and winter give Marken a magical, almost forgotten feel—though some places do close up for the season.
🔥 Hot Tip: If you’d like to visit both Marken and Volendam, try starting your day in Marken. It’s calmer in the morning, and by the time you ferry over to Volendam, the big crowds will have thinned out a bit.
This is one of the best carless day trips from Amsterdam that I’ve done. I took the 315 bus from Amsterdam Centraal to Volendam, visited the village, took the ferry across to Marken, and then returned to Amsterdam on the 316 bus.
5. Broek in Waterland: Peaceful Canals Just Outside the City
🚲 Distance from Amsterdam
Only about 11 km (7 miles) north of the city. It’s less than 20 minutes by car or around 15–20 minutes by bus.
✅How to Get to Broek in Waterland
- By bus: From Amsterdam Centraal, take bus 312, 314, or 316. They run often and get you there in under 20 minutes.
- By car: A quick drive via the A10 and N247. There’s parking at the edge of the village since cars aren’t really welcome inside.
- By bike: This is a classic countryside ride! About 45 minutes through meadows, dikes, and tiny lanes that feel worlds away from the city.
⭐ What to Do
Broek in Waterland is all about slowing down. It’s a tiny village filled with 17th- and 18th-century wooden houses painted in soft pastels, tucked along narrow canals. A walk through the village feels more like a storybook stroll than sightseeing.
Stop by the old church with its hand-painted ceiling, or just wander and enjoy the quiet beauty. Many people bring a picnic to enjoy by the water or rent a canoe to paddle through the surrounding nature.
🕰️When to Go
Spring and summer are wonderful here, with green fields and flowers all around. Autumn is cozy and colorful, while winter has its own quiet charm.
🔥 Hot Tip: Broek in Waterland is one of the easiest countryside trips from Amsterdam and way less busy than places like Volendam. So, if you’re looking for a less touristy place, this might be the choice for you.
This is also a great option if you want a quick taste of Dutch village life without spending too much time on transport. Pair it with a stop in Edam or Marken if you’ve got a full day to explore.
6. Weesp: Windmills and a Charming Old Town
🚲Distance from Amsterdam to Weesp
About 16 km (10 miles) southeast of the city. Just 20 minutes by train or around 25 minutes if you’re driving.
✅How to Get There
- By train: From Amsterdam Centraal, hop on a train to Weesp—it’s a quick 20-minute ride and drops you right by the old town.
- By car: A simple drive via the A1 with easy parking near the center.
- By bike: If you’re up for it, the ride takes about an hour and follows the River Vecht, which is one of the prettiest cycling routes near Amsterdam.
⭐ What to Do in Weesp
Weesp is the kind of place that surprises you. It’s small and quiet (and relatively unknown), but full of charm with its canals, gabled houses, and three traditional windmills standing watch over the town.
The streets are perfect for a lazy wander, and you’ll find cozy cafés along the water for a coffee or slice of cake.
If you’re into local flavors, Weesp is known for both its chocolate and jenever (Dutch gin)—so definitely treat yourself while you’re there.
🕰️When to Go
Weesp feels lovely in every season. In spring and summer, it’s great for cycling or sitting by the river. Autumn is beautiful with golden leaves lining the canals, and winter has that calm, cozy vibe that makes ducking into a café even better.
🔥 Hot Tip: Weesp doesn’t get the same attention as other countryside spots, which makes it feel extra special. It’s a perfect escape if you want to avoid crowds and see everyday Dutch life at a slower pace. Pack some snacks, sit by the river, and just enjoy the view.
7. Giethoorn: Fairytale Canals, the “Dutch Venice”
🚲Distance from Amsterdam to Giethoorn
About 120 km (75 miles) northeast of the city. It’s about 90 minutes by car or around 2 hours by train and bus.
✅How to Get There
- By car: The easiest way—about 1.5 hours from Amsterdam, with parking available on the edge of the village.
- By train and bus: Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk (around 90 minutes), then hop on bus 70 for 15 minutes into Giethoorn.
- By tour: Many organized tours include transport and a canal ride, which makes it stress-free if you’re short on time.
⭐ What to Do
Giethoorn feels like stepping into a legitimate fairytale. Instead of streets, the village is filled with canals and little wooden bridges connecting thatched-roof cottages.
The best way to explore is by water. You can rent a small “whisper boat” (so easy to drive), join a canal cruise, or even paddle a canoe if you want to take it slow.
On land, you can stroll the narrow lanes, sip coffee at a café by the water, or check out the Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus to learn about village life in centuries past.
🕰️When to Go
Spring and summer are the busiest. You’ll find the flowers blooming and canals full of boats. Autumn is quieter but colorful, and in winter, Giethoorn is incredible. If you’re lucky, the canals freeze and locals skate right through the village.
🔥 Hot Tip: Because Giethoorn is farther from Amsterdam, the best way to really enjoy it is to rent a car and make it an overnight trip.
Stop at another countryside spot on the way (Haarlem for its historic charm, or Muiden to see the princess castle), spend the afternoon in Giethoorn, and stay overnight in a cozy canal-side B&B or houseboat. The next morning, you’ll have the canals almost to yourself before the day-trippers arrive.
On your drive back, you can add another stop or two—like the flower town of Aalsmeer or the historic city of Utrecht—for a fuller taste of the Dutch countryside.
I did this on one of my trips to Amsterdam and absolutely loved it. It’s hands-down one of the best ways to see more of the Netherlands without the stress of rushing everything into one day.
Getting Around the Dutch Countryside
One of the best things about the Amsterdam Countryside is how easy it is to reach. Most of the villages are less than an hour away, and you’ve got plenty of options for getting there depending on your style of travel.
Driving
Renting a car gives you the most freedom, especially if you want to string together a few villages in one day or plan an overnight trip to places like Giethoorn.
Parking is usually simple in small towns, though you’ll often leave your car at the edge of the village and walk in. Just keep in mind that Dutch roads are narrow, and cyclists always have the right of way—so stay alert!
By Train
Trains in the Netherlands are fast, clean, and reliable. Many countryside towns like Weesp are just 20 minutes away by train, which makes it a super easy option if you don’t want to drive. Pairing a train with a short bus ride is also common for spots a little further out.
Riding a Bike
Cycling through the Dutch countryside is just amazing. The bike paths are well-marked and mostly flat, so it’s a relaxing ride past fields, canals, and windmills.
Villages like Broek in Waterland, Marken, and Edam are perfect for a cycling trip from Amsterdam. Just be sure to check the weather before you set off—wind and rain definitely make it less fun.
By Bus
Buses run often between Amsterdam and many of the nearby villages, like Edam, Volendam, and Broek in Waterland. It’s one of the cheapest ways to get around, and since the distances are short, you won’t spend long on the road.
Organized Tours of the Countryside
If you’d rather not drive, organized tours are a great way to see a lot of the Dutch countryside without worrying about transport or schedules.
You can cover multiple highlights in one day, and having a guide really makes the difference—they’ll share stories, history, and little details you’d probably miss on your own.
Here are a few of the best options to look at:
Giethoorn Guided Day Trip with Boat Ride (approx. 7–8 hours)
This is a relaxed full-day trip that takes you straight to Giethoorn, where you’ll enjoy a guided canal cruise and then free time to wander. It’s a stress-free way to see the village if you don’t want to figure out the train-and-bus route.
Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken Tour (around 6.5 hours)
This tour is one I’ve taken myself quite a few times. It’s a classic countryside circuit.
You’ll see working windmills at Zaanse Schans, try cheese in Edam, stroll the colorful harbor of Volendam, and take the ferry over to Marken. It’s one of the best ways to tick off several iconic villages in one go.
Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans Day Tour with Boat Cruise (approx. 9–10 hours)
This trip is perfect if you want a mix of fairy-tale canals and traditional windmills.
If hits both the more touristy Zaanse Schans but ends with a relaxing time in Giethoorn. Plus, you get to explore the countryside with time on the water as well as exploring on foot.
Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans & Afsluitdijk Day Trip (around 9 hours)
This tour adds something a little different: a scenic drive along the Afsluitdijk, a 32-km dam that shows off Dutch engineering.
Along the way, you still get the charm of Giethoorn and Zaanse Schans, so it’s a nice balance of nature and history.
Keukenhof & Zaanse Schans Windmills Day Trip (around 9 hours; seasonal)
This day trip is only available in spring, but it’s unforgettable if you’re visiting during tulip season (a MUST in my book!).
The day combines the incredible flower fields and gardens of Keukenhof with the windmills of Zaanse Schans.
The Amsterdam Countryside FAQ
Is the Amsterdam Countryside Worth a Day Trip?
Absolutely. The villages around Amsterdam are some of the most charming parts of the Netherlands. In less than an hour, you can swap city buzz for windmills, canals, and cheese markets. It’s a totally different side of Dutch life.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Amsterdam Countryside?
Spring and summer are the most popular time to visit since the flowers are in bloom. Plus, the markets are buzzing and you get long, sunny days. Autumn is quieter but still beautiful with colorful trees, while winter is peaceful and cozy—perfect if you don’t mind the chill.
What is the Prettiest Place in the Netherlands?
That depends on what you’re after. Giethoorn is like a fairytale with its canals and cottages, while Edam and Broek in Waterland are perfect for a quiet, classic village feel. Zaanse Schans, with its windmills, is one of the most photographed spots in the country.
Conclusion: Visiting the Amsterdam Countryside
Spending time in the countryside of Amsterdam is one of those travel experiences that just stays with you. The pace slows down, the scenery feels like a painting, and it gives you a taste of the Netherlands beyond the city, which not many people actually get.
If you’ve got a day—or even better, a night to spare—it’s well worth your time. So pack some cheese, hop on a bus, and head out. You’ll thank yourself later.
