15 Cities Near Amsterdam: The Best Dutch Cities to Visit
After visiting Amsterdam several times, I realized that the train transportation makes it so easy to visit other cities in the Netherlands. We’re talking like- some cities I’ve visited are within a 15-minute train ride from Centraal Station!
Plus, while traveling through the Netherlands, I have found the locals to be so friendly and welcoming. And the Dutch speak English so well, making it so incredibly easy to visit cities nearby Amsterdam.
Sometimes, you just need to get outside the city of Amsterdam and visit a few locations that are less popular!
Based on my time traveling in the Netherlands, I’ve put together this list of the cities close to Amsterdam that are worth visiting, from charming small towns like Volendam to larger cities like Rotterdam. I’ve also included how to get there and the best things to do in each area.
Cities Close to Amsterdam
The following are the best cities near Amsterdam to visit. These are all reachable with a direct train from Amsterdam and take less than a 1.5-hour journey. Perfect for a weekend getaway!
1. Haarlem
Haarlem is the closest city to Amsterdam, and it is only a 20-minute train ride to get there. The city of Haarlem has a rich history and was once an important port city along the North Sea.
Today, the city has a village-like feel to it and still has much of its medieval architecture including cobblestone streets and gabled houses. I honestly love just walking around Haarlem- it feels like a tiny Amsterdam.
It is also famous for being a central point of the tulip bulb growing trade, and for the many tulip fields that surround the city. It is also well-known for being the location of the “Hiding Place” where Corrie Ten Boom and her family hid during the Holocaust.
Some of the best things to do when visiting Haarlem include taking a canal boat ride, wandering through the Grote Market Square, and visiting the historic Windmill De Adriaan.
2. Utrecht
Utrecht is the 4th largest city in the Netherlands. It is located south of Amsterdam, and it takes around 30 minutes to get there by train.
Historically, Utrecht was once the most important city in the Netherlands- until it was surpassed by Amsterdam in the Dutch Golden Age. Now, it is known for being a university town and is home to Utrecht University.
Similar to Amsterdam, Utrecht has a series of canals that run through the city. It also has a historic city center that features one of the most famous landmarks in the Netherlands: the well-preserved Dom Tower, a 14th-century bell tower.
In addition to exploring Utrecht’s historic center, another popular place to visit is Castle De Haar which is the largest castle in the Netherlands.
3. The Hague
The Hague is the capital of the province of South Holland and is the official seat of the government of the Netherlands- even though it isn’t the official capital of the Netherlands. The Hague is easy to reach by train from Amsterdam, and the journey takes 45 minutes.
The Hague has gained the nickname of “City of International Peace and Justice” because it is also where the United Nations International Court of Justice is located.
Some of the best things to do in The Hague include visiting one of the many museums, such as the Mauritshuis or the Escher in Het Paleis.
As The Hague is located on the North Sea, there is also an 11km sandy beach that is perfect for visiting in the summer months.
4. Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the 2nd largest city in the Netherlands and is an important port city. Rotterdam is close to Amsterdam, about a 40-minute train ride away.
Unlike some of the other cities in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is much more modern. This is because the city was basically flattened during WWII and has been completely rebuilt.
Rotterdam is definitely a popular Dutch city, and it is famous for its innovative modern architecture like the Erasmusbrug bridge.
Some of the best things to do include taking a boat tour around the famous harbor, visiting the Maritime Museum Rotterdam, or going up the Euromast observation tower for panoramic views.
5. Arnhem (Feels like a smaller, adorable city near Amsterdam)
Arnhem is a smaller city, located on the eastern side of the Netherlands near the German border. It takes around 1 hour to get there from Amsterdam by train, but it is such a worthwhile trip!
Arnhem became famous during WWII as the site of the 1944 Battle of Arnhem, which was one of the largest airborne operations in history.
One of the best things to do here is visit the Arnhem War Museum or the Airbornemuseum, which both focus on WWII and the Battle of Arnhem. These museums are extremely unique, and one even has an immersive experience in the basement; I enjoyed them a lot!
There’s also plenty to do in Arnhem as far as walking around and exploring the city goes. We had a lovely little visit here a few years back, and I would absolutely go again.
⭐ If you’re a history buff, I 10/10 recommend this private WWII walking Tour in Arnhem!
6. Eindhoven
Eindhoven is a city in the southern part of the Netherlands, about a 1 hour and 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam.
The city is a modern technology and design hub and is where Phillips Electronics originated.
Don’t leave Eindhoven without catching a game at the Phillips Stadium, or walking around the Strijp-S neighborhood which has transformed old Philips factories into trendy bars, restaurants, and shops.
7. Delft
Delft is a city in the South Holland province and is around a 1-hour train ride from Amsterdam.
Delft is famous for its ceramic Delft Blue pottery which dates back to the 16th century. Today, Delft Blue pottery is a popular souvenir and one of the things the Netherlands is known for.
The city of Delft is surrounded by canals, medieval architecture, and historic monuments. Some of the best things to do include visiting Market Square, Old Church, New Church, and the City Hall. Another must-do is to visit the Royal Delft Museum and Factory.
Cities Further From Amsterdam, the Netherlands
These cities are a bit further away, but still close enough to travel to from Amsterdam in less than 2.5 hours.
8. Groningen
Groningen is such an adorable city near Amsterdam. It is the largest city in the northern part of the Netherlands and is around a 2-hour train ride from Amsterdam.
The city has a great cultural scene with several museums worth visiting such as the Groninger Museum and Northern Maritime Museum. Another must-see location is the Martinitoren, which is the tallest church steeple in the country.
Throughout the year, there are many events and festivals held in the city, at places like the MartiniPlaza arena.
9. Maastricht
Maastricht is a city near Amsterdam that is located in the southeastern region of the country, just on the border of Belgium. It takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes to reach by train from Amsterdam.
Maastricht is mostly a university city, so there is plenty to do. In addition to its nightlife scene, it has medieval architecture and cobblestone streets that are in line with the old Dutch character.
Things to do here include visiting the 18th-century Sint Pieter Fort, walking through the Maastricht Underground Caves (so cool!), or, my personal favorite, tasting some Dutch beer at Bosch Brewery.
Smaller Cities or Towns Near Amsterdam Worth Visiting
The places below are smaller towns near Amsterdam (technically not cities) that have a lot of Dutch charm and are worth visiting.
10. Volendam
Ugh- I just love Volendam. Volendam is a small town located on Markermeer Lake. It is about a 45-minute journey by bus from Amsterdam, which makes it a great day trip.
A trip to Volendam is often tacked on to guided tours of Zaanse Schans or Marken because it is nearby. But it is so different than the other places in the Netherlands you might have experienced.
The town is known for its colorful houses and harbor filled with old fishing boats. Some must-do activities when visiting include taking a walk around the harbor, trying some fresh seafood (it’s everywhere!), and visiting the Volendam Museum.
⭐ This tour is my personal favorite (have done it more than once!) and visits Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Edam, and Marken in just a half day!
11. Gouda
Gouda is a town famous for its delicious Gouda Cheese, which is sold around the world. Located south of Amsterdam, Gouda is easy to reach by train in about 1 hour.
Do I even need to say that when visiting Gouda, trying the Gouda cheese is an absolute must-do? Obviously.
One of the best places to do this is at the Gouda Cheese Experience, which is a tour that will take you through the history and process of cheese making, as well as a cheese tasting.
Gouda also has the world-famous Gouda Cheese Market (just what you wanted- more cheese!). It is such a unique experience to walk through this Dutch market– highly recommend!
12. Leiden
Leiden is a university town, which is home to the oldest university in the Netherlands. It is an easy day trip from Amsterdam and takes only 35 minutes by train.
Leiden is a great option for getting away from some of the hustle and bustle in Amsterdam, but still seeing a town that has so much of the old canal feeling that Amsterdam has.
Leiden was the birthplace of Rembrandt, a famous Dutch Golden Age painter. For those interested in art history, you can even visit the Young Rembrandt Studio Museum.
Other things to do include exploring the canals on a boat ride, visiting the Museum de Lakenhal, or checking out the Hortus Botanicus Leiden, which is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands.
Cities Near Amsterdam: Countries Other Than the Netherlands
Amsterdam is also located relatively close to other countries such as Belgium. Below, you will find 3 Belgian cities that can be visited as a day trip from Amsterdam.
13. Antwerp
Antwerp is a city in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is located around 1 hour and 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam, making it an easy day trip option.
The city is known for its Diamond District, which houses thousands of diamond traders and has been around for centuries. For those interested in diamonds checking out the DIVA Diamond Museum is a must-do.
Other things to do in Antwerp include seeing the Flemish-style architecture at the Grote Market and visiting the famous Ruben House to check out the Flemish artwork.
14. Brussels
Spoiler Alert: I don’t love Brussels (eek- I said it!) But, nonetheless, Brussels is the capital city of Belgium, so many people want to visit it. There is a direct train to Brussels from Amsterdam, which takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes.
A must-do when visiting Brussels is to visit some of the famous landmarks like the Grand Place, which is the central square. It is surrounded by 17th-century guild houses and the City Hall, and it really is just a magnificent place to take in. It feels epic to stand there.
Other things to do include visiting the Royal Palace of Brussels or the Parc du Cinquantenaire, and tasting some delicious Belgian food such as Belgium Waffles or Frites. Seriously- eat all of the Belgian waffles you can- ha!
But whatever you do, don’t leave Brussels without popping into one of the many chocolatiers around the Grand Place. Chocolate is truly like an art form here, and, look…I’m not even a “chocolate” person…and it was still delicious.
15. Ghent
Ghent is one of the cities I most under-estimated in Europe. It is only 2.5 hours by train from Amsterdam, and it is so incredible.
During medieval times, Ghent was an important city-state and today is a university town that has a well-preserved historic center. It was the perfect day trip for me, and we walked around the old streets, visiting random stores and restaurants all day long.
A few of the best things to do are visit the 12th-century Gravensteen Castle (so amazing! There’s tons to see), take a canal tour, or try some of the famous Belgian beers. I also definitely recommend you enter St. Bavos Cathedral and try the Virtual Reality (VR) tour in the basement- it was so informative and a really unique experience that we will remember forever!
FAQ: Cities Near Amsterdam
What cities is Amsterdam close to?
Amsterdam is in the western part of the Netherlands, in the Randstad region. Several other cities in this region are near Amsterdam, including Utrecht, The Hague, Haarlem, Leiden, Delft, and Rotterdam.
What countries are close to Amsterdam by train?
Amsterdam is close to several other countries, and it is easy to reach these places by train. The Netherlands borders Belgium and Germany, but France and Luxembourg are also close to Amsterdam by train. From Amsterdam, it takes about 2 hours by train to reach Brussels, hours to reach Cologne, and 3.5 hours to reach Paris.
What town is 20 minutes from Amsterdam?
Haarlem is located only 20 minutes from Amsterdam by train. Haarlem was once a major North Sea trading port, and today it retains its historic, village-like atmosphere. It is also known for its flower-bulb-growing district and for the tulip fields that surround the town.
Wrapping Up: Best Cities Near Amsterdam to Visit
There are so many great cities near Amsterdam that are worth visiting, whether you are looking to experience a modern Dutch city or a quaint historic town.
Since there are so many cities close to Amsterdam, you can easily base yourself there and take day trips or spend a few nights in one of these other Dutch cities. In fact, I totally recommend you do this to make the most out of your Amsterdam itinerary!
Either way, it is a great idea to head outside of Amsterdam to explore one of these other places to get a better feel for Dutch culture.
