11 days in The Netherlands Itinerary

Created using Inspirock The Netherlands planner

Make it your trip

Start: London

Fly

Rotterdam

— 2 nights

Train

Leiden

— 2 nights

Train

Haarlem

— 2 nights

Drive

Edam

— 2 nights

Drive

Amsterdam

— 2 nights

Fly

End: London

Wed, Oct 5 - Sat, Oct 15 Edit

S	M	T	W	T	F	S

2	3	4	5	6	7	8
9	10	11	12	13	14	15

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Rotterdam — 2 nights

Manhattan on the Maas

Located in the South Holland province, Rotterdam is one of the Netherlands' most lively cities, as well as one of the largest trading ports in the world.

On the 5th (Wed), make a trip to City Hall, then don't miss a visit to Beestenmarkt, then appreciate the history behind Oostpoort, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Japanese Garden. On your second day here, indulge in some culinary diversions at a local gastronomic tour, see the interesting displays at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, and then take a leisurely stroll along Old Harbour.

To find traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Rotterdam trip planner.

London, UK to Rotterdam is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also take a train; or do a combination of car and train. Traveling from London to Rotterdam, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. In October in Rotterdam, expect temperatures between 18°C during the day and 9°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can go by car to Leiden.

Things to do in Rotterdam

Tours · Parks · Museums

Side Trips

Delft, Japanese Garden

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See The Netherlands Travel Guide

Leiden — 2 nights

Museum City

Located in the flower-growing district, Leiden has been called the most beautiful city in the Netherlands.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Fri): walk around Westerpark, then admire the masterpieces at Katwijks Museum, then stroll through Strand van Katwijk aan Zee, and finally admire the natural beauty at Hortus botanicus Leiden. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to Los Canales de Leiden, examine the collection at Atlantikwall Museum, contemplate the long history of Molen de Put, then take an in-depth tour of Leiden American Pilgrim Museum, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Koornbrug Leiden uit 1642-1825.

For maps, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, you can read our Leiden trip itinerary maker website.

Getting from Rotterdam to Leiden by car takes about an hour. Other options: take a train; or take a bus. October in Leiden sees daily highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to drive to Haarlem.

Things to do in Leiden

Parks · Museums · Beaches · Outdoors

Side Trips

Katwijk, Atlantikwall Museum, Westerpark, Los Canales de Leiden

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Beach

Strand van Katwijk aan Zee

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Haarlem — 2 nights

Flower City

Often referred to as "Mini Amsterdam," Haarlem provides all the classical charm of Amsterdam, but on a smaller scale.

On the 9th (Sun), examine the collection at Teylers Museum, then admire the masterpieces at Frans Hals Museum, then step into the grandiose world of Ruins of Castle Brederode, and finally stroll around Haarlemmerhout. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: enjoy the sand and surf at Zandvoort aan Zee, then make a trip to Sint-Bavokerk (Church of St. Bavo), then appreciate the extensive heritage of Grote Markt, and finally admire the landmark architecture of Haarlem Railway Station.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, go to the Haarlem trip itinerary builder.

You can drive from Leiden to Haarlem in an hour. Other options are to take a train; or take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Haarlem can reach 17°C, while at night they dip to 9°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Edam.

Things to do in Haarlem

Parks · Historic Sites · Museums · Beaches

Side Trips

Zandvoort aan Zee, Ruins of Castle Brederode

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Ruins of Castle Brederode

4.4

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Edam — 2 nights

Edam is a city in the northwest Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. On the 11th (Tue), snap pictures at Kwakelbrug, pause for some photo ops at Tourist information Center Monnickendam, then stroll through Flood Walk 1916, and finally pause for some photo ops at Koemarkt Purmerend uit 1645. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 12th (Wed): explore the historical opulence of Hoofdtoren Hoorn uit 1532-1534, admire the landmark architecture of Het Damplein, get engrossed in the history at Edams Museum, then savor the flavors at Wijn & Kaas speciaalzaak, then pause for some serene contemplation at Grote Kerk, and finally don't miss a visit to Speeltoren.

To see traveler tips, where to stay, maps, and more tourist information, use the Edam road trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Haarlem to Edam takes an hour. Expect a daytime high around 17°C in October, and nighttime lows around 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Thu) so you can drive to Amsterdam.

Things to do in Edam

Historic Sites · Museums · Trails · Parks

Side Trips

Monnickendam, Hoofdtoren Hoorn uit 1532-1534, Alida Hoeve Cheese Farm & Wooden shoe factory, Flood Walk 1916, Koemarkt Purmerend uit 1645

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Tourist information Center Monnickendam

4.8

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Amsterdam — 2 nights

Venice of the North

Known as one of the greatest small cities in the world, Amsterdam charms visitors with its cool and cozy atmosphere.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Room Escape Games and The Jordaan. And it doesn't end there: let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour, stroll around Vondelpark, see the interesting displays at Micropia, and admire the masterpieces at Van Gogh Museum.

For more things to do, ratings, photos, and tourist information, use the Amsterdam online route planner.

Amsterdam is just a short distance from Edam. In October, plan for daily highs up to 17°C, and evening lows to 9°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Sat) so you can fly back home.

Things to do in Amsterdam

Museums · Tours · Neighborhoods · Fun & Games

Side Trip

Zaanse Schans

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The Netherlands travel guide

4.3

Art Museums · Specialty Museums · Nightlife

Low Country

The Netherlands literally means "Low Country", inspired by the country's low and flat geography, where only about 50 percent of the land exceeds one meter (three feet) above sea level. Since the late 16th century, large, flat land areas called "polders" have been reclaimed from the sea and lakes and protected by dikes, amounting to nearly 17 percent of the country's current land mass. The Netherlands is. This is small, densely populated country lies mainly in Western Europe but also includes three islands in the Caribbean; it's the main constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The European part of the Netherlands borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the northwest, sharing maritime borders with Belgium, the United Kingdom and Germany. Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam serve as the three largest and most important cities in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is the country's capital, while The Hague holds the Dutch seat of government. The port of Rotterdam claims the title as the largest port in Europe, in fact, it's as large as the next three ports combined.