The Netherlands in 5 Days: 3 Recommended 5-day Itineraries to Netherlands

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Recommended 5-day itineraries to the Netherlands
Ready to travel across the Netherlands for 5 days? Go through our three handpicked 5-day Netherlands itinerary ideas for inspiration.
Itinerary #1: Cruising the Highlights of the Netherlands


Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
Day 1 | Join a cruise in Amsterdam and enjoy a day of sightseeing | Cruise | Amsterdam |
Day 2 | Take a bike tour of the capital city, then cruise from the Dam to Gouda | Bicycling | On cruise |
Day 3 | Explore Keukenhof Gardens/or Den Hague (season dependent), visit Goudse Waag for cheese tastings | City sightseeing | On cruise |
Day 4 | Leave Gouda and sail to Rotterdam to experience the city then veer directions toward Amsterdam | City sightseeing | On cruise |
Day 5 | Wake up in the capital city and disembark the ship |
From the canals of Amsterdam to the cheese markets in Gouda to Rotterdam’s striking skyline, set sail from the capital city, covering iconic cities via the country’s famous waterways. This cruise tour of the Netherlands starts and ends in Amsterdam. In four nights and five days, you will get to admire the world-famous artworks like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in the Dam’s Museumplein area, eat your way through the Cheese and Craft Museum in Gouda, and explore the creative buildings in Rotterdam like Kijk-Kubus, the Erasmus Bridge and De Markthal. See more 5-day trips in the Netherlands.
Itinerary #2: From Bruges to Amsterdam


Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
Day 1 | Arrive in Bruges, Belgium, and explore the city on foot or take a canal cruise | City sightseeing | Bruges |
Day 2 | Cross countries from Bruges to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, via coach and embark on a classic canal cruise | Road trip | Amsterdam |
Day 3 | Enjoy a walking tour around the capital and train ride to Zaanse Schans Windmill Village; overnight in Amsterdam | Exploration | Amsterdam |
Day 4 | Hit up the famous Heineken Experience tour or opt for a full-day Keukenhof Park Tulip Gardens tour (season dependent) | Sightseeing | Amsterdam |
Day 5 | Say tot ziens to the Netherlands’ capital city |
From Belgian waffles to classic Dutch frites, get a feel and taste of both Belgium and the Netherlands in five captivating days. Become acquainted with Belgian culture, food and traditions in Bruges, exploring its historic center, UNESCO-recognized sites and medieval landmarks. Travel from one country to the next, entering Amsterdam, where worlds of museums, galleries, canals, and countryside-scapes await. Tick off plenty of must-do tourist attractions in the Dutch capital, like a Heineken Brewery Experience tour, visits to a windmill village and tulip gardens, and classic boat rides through its canal network. See more combined tours of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Itinerary #3: From the Canals to Windmills

Overview | Activity | Overnight | |
Day 1 | Get started in the capital city with an Amsterdam canal cruise | Canal cruise | Amsterdam |
Day 2 | Sightsee Amsterdam’s landmarks during a walking tour and day trip to the Zaanse Schans Windmill Village and Zaandijk town | Exploration | Amsterdam |
Day 3 | Enjoy the famous Heineken Experience tour | City sightseeing | Amsterdam |
Day 4 | Head off on a day-long tour of Keukenhof Park | Sightseeing | Amsterdam |
Day 5 | Conclude the last day with more sightseeing |
One of the reasons the masses flock to Amsterdam is because there’s so many culturally rich, unusual and exciting things to do around the capital. This 5-day Amsterdam tour combines quintessential activities, attractions and day trips, starting with a picturesque canal cruise. Enjoy guided walks through the Dam’s famous cobbled alleys, museum district and bridges. Go beer tasting at the Heineken Brewery and sample classic Dutch foods, like pickled herring and bitterballen (a deep-fried snack). Photograph the quaint Windmill Village (with cute handicraft shops) and the colorful wooden houses on the water in Zaandijk.
Planning 5-day Netherlands itinerary?
So there you have it. A 5-day Netherlands itinerary plan can include the tours of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Gouda and even Bruges, Belgium. With its extensive canal networks and well-developed overland transportation system, including one of the world’s best cycling routes, you can pretty much cover the top destinations of the Netherlands in five days. Join one of our pre-packaged 5-day trips to the Netherlands, or connect with our local travel experts to plan a customized trip.
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