Best Day Trips From Amsterdam: Weekend Trips From Amsterdam
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Take a trip outside of the city to see more of The Netherlands. All of the listed trips can be done on a fun day trip from Amsterdam or for a more leisurely trip, extend it to a full weekend trip from Amsterdam.
Day Trips From Amsterdam: (Jump To)
There are many great day trips you can take from Amsterdam that will allow you to discover some of the best-kept secrets of the Netherlands. From charming towns and picturesque countryside to historic landmarks and cultural attractions, there's something for everyone just a short train ride away.
Amsterdam Day Trip To Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is one of the easiest day trips from Amsterdam Netherlands, known for its working windmills, cheese tasting, and wooden clog demos. It’s touristy but worth it—especially if you’re short on time and want that postcard view without a long commute.
Just a short train ride away, visitors can explore the picturesque Dutch countryside and marvel at traditional windmills in the village of Zaanse Schans. This is a great place to rent a bicycle and cycle along the beautiful countryside on one of the numerous paved trails.
Amsterdam Day Trip To Alkmaar
Alkmaar is best known for its traditional cheese market and canals, and it's one of the most local-feeling Amsterdam day trips within an hour by train. Go on a Friday morning to see the cheese porters in action and avoid the bigger crowds in nearby towns.
An easy train ride to North Holland will bring you to the small town of Alkmaar. The city is famous for its cheese market, the seasonal market takes place weekly from late spring until early fall. It is one of just four traditional Dutch cheese markets and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
You can easily pair Zaanse Schans and Alkmaar with a full one-day trip from Amsterdam. Read more here.
Amsterdam Day Trip To Rotterdam
Rotterdam is modern, artsy, and totally different from Amsterdam, which makes it one of the best day trips from Amsterdam if you're burned out on canal houses. Highlights include the cube houses, food hall, and Erasmus Bridge—all walkable from the main station.
Rotterdam, just 40 minutes away by train has some of the best modern architecture in Europe. Some of the top marvels are the Central Train Station, Markthal, and the famous Cube Houses.
Check out our day trip guide to Rotterdam here.
See the Famous Dutch Tulip Bloom
Keukenhof is open from March through May and is the main reason people search for spring weekend trips from Amsterdam. If you’re looking for flowers, this is the one to beat—it’s the most curated tulip experience in the country.
A visit to Keukenhof Gardens is the best way to see the famous Dutch Tulips. A springtime visit will allow visitors to see millions of colorful tulips in bloom. The gardens are also home to flower shows, events, and modern art sculptures.
Learn more here.
Amsterdam To Efteling
Efteling is a storybook-style theme park about 90 minutes from Amsterdam and a smart pick if you're traveling with kids or into fantasy rides. Among day train trips from Amsterdam, this one stands out for being full-day and completely different from museums or markets.
Efteling is one of the oldest theme parks in the world. The Fairy Tail Forest, one of the park’s oldest attractions is said to have inspired Walt Disney to create a park of his own. Filled with attractions for all ages from world-class rollercoasters and quaint children’s shows the park is a great way to spend the day.
Read more about our visit to the park here.
Amsterdam Day Trip To Muiderslot Castle
Muiderslot Castle is one of the best-preserved castles in the country and a quick train-and-bus combo from Amsterdam Central. It’s ideal for travelers looking to add some medieval history to their Amsterdam day trips without committing to a long ride.
Dip a toe into some medieval history with a visit to Muiderslot Castle. The striking 14th-century castle is surrounded by a moat and a small yet beautiful garden. You can visit the castle interiors and climb the castle walls while listening to an engaging audio tour that is complementary with a reasonably priced paid admission.
Learn how to make the easy trip to the castle here.
Amsterdam Day Trip To Walibi Holland
If you want big roller coasters, Walibi Holland is the best theme park option near Amsterdam and easy to reach by train and bus. This is one of the only day trips from Amsterdam Netherlands where thrill rides beat out culture and history.
Walibi Holland is a former Six Flags park located about 90 minutes from Amsterdam by public transportation. The park is stacked with rollercoasters and other thrill rides. This is a great day trip for teenagers and theme park enthusiasts.
Read all about our day at Walibi Holland here.
Bruges Day Trip From Amsterdam
The Amsterdam day trip to Bruges is long but doable—about 3 hours each way by train if you start early. The payoff is a walkable old town with canals, beer, and chocolate that feels totally different from anywhere in the Netherlands.
A day trip from Amsterdam to Bruges is a long haul but doable if you start early. The train ride takes about three hours each way, with a transfer in either Antwerp or Brussels.
While it’s not the most efficient day trip, some travelers don’t mind the extra travel time to see one of Belgium’s most iconic cities. If you go, skip the sit-down restaurants and grab quick bites like waffles, frites, or a sandwich from a local deli to save time. You’ll want to spend at least five solid hours in Bruges. For more details and tips, check out my full guide to visiting Bruges in a day.
Day Trips From Amsterdam
Zaanse Schans
Alkmaar
Rotterdam
Keukenhof Gardens
Efteling
Muiderslot Castle
Walibi Holland
Bruges
