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

Country side of the Netherlands featuring a traditional windmill
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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

Bridges over canals in Gouda city of the Netherlands
Gouda, the quaint city in the south of the Netherlands, is known for its namesake cheese, Gouda that is still traded in its cheese markets.
Delfshaven in Rotterdam at Twilight in the Netherlands in September.
Rotterdam features Amsterdam's picturesque canals as well as the country's most modern skyline.
  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

Canals in Bruges, Belgium flows between old houses and buildings
A canal tour in Bruges takes you through the city's medieval past and its rich history.
Visiting the tulip garden is one undeniable thing to do in Netherlands
Keukenhof Flower Park in Lisse is the world's largest tulip garden, featuring over seven million bulbs.
  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

Tulip Windmills against a blue sky in the Netherlands in April.
Zaanse Schans, near Amsterdam in Zaandam, features historic windmills and green wooden houses, recreating the charm of an 18th-19th-century village.
  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.

More information:
4 days in the Netherlands
How long to travel in the Netherlands
One week in the Netherlands
When to visit the Netherlands
Ten days in the Netherlands

Plan a trip to HollandWe offer different tour types. You can also chat with a local travel specialist if you want a customized tour to Holland.
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