The wide open spaces and atmospheric countryside are reason enough to visit North Holland, but there are things to do beyond admiring the big skies and waterfowl bobbing on man-made lakes. Here are some of the prettiest and historic cities in the Netherlands, as well as great dams and reservoirs. The cities, meanwhile, rotate between historic and contemporary architecture, and you'll find museums on Dutch history, art, and culture in Amsterdam—plus the canals. Walk or cycle through national parks, visit windmills, and enjoy the laid-back way of life.
The cities of Haarlem and Amsterdam are visited by tourists year-round, but if you want to see them at their best, spring and summer are the sunniest with plenty of blooming natural beauty. In winter, Christmas celebrations and festive markets take over the high streets, and in colder months you might catch skaters on the canals.
Public transport is excellent in North Holland. You can get a train from town to town, buses are frequent, and the trams in the city centers are reliable and good value. Hire a bicycle and make use of the many convenient cycle paths for a closer look at the world beyond the town borders. North Holland is very flat, so cycling is very doable.
For a look at North Holland’s rich artistic heritage, visit the Van Gogh Museum, Frans Hals Museum, and, if you have time, the Rijksmuseum. You'll learn about how the area's unique history created an ideal space for art to flourish. Then take in some of North Holland’s countryside—including the tulip fields. Visit this region’s picturesque windmills and fishing villages midweek, to avoid the majority of the crowds.
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The Elfstedentocht, or Eleven Cities Tour, is an iconic ice-skating race that happens in Friesland, not North Holland, whenever the canals are frozen solid. However, Friesland is easy to get to from North Holland—just hop on a train or drive over the Afsluitdijk road over the top of a dam.
...MoreYes—technically. In very cold winters, it’s possible to skate on the canals in Amsterdam. Locals race from neighborhood to neighborhood, and skating the canals has been a tradition for hundreds of years. However, not every winter is cold enough to allow this special sight to happen.
...MoreIn Dutch, North Holland is called Noord-Holland. It borders Utrecht and South Holland and has a North Sea coast all the way along its western edge. Amsterdam is its most famous city, making it the most-visited part of Holland. To the north, it becomes Friesland, part of northernmost Holland.
...MoreThere are plenty of beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands, and many of them happen to be in North Holland. From the picturesque streets, bridges, and canals of Amsterdam, to the historic fishing villages and countryside dotted with windmills and waterways, there are many scenic places to visit.
...MoreThe main cities in North Holland are Amsterdam and Haarlem. The cities of Zaandam, Hoofddorp, and Alkmaar are also situated in this province. These are lesser known by tourists and well worth a trip—Zaandam for its colorful buildings, Hoofddorp for its lakes and parks, and Alkmaar for its cheese market.
...MoreVisit North Holland and you’ll be treated to the country’s best snacks, especially if you visit a brown cafe or bar. Bitterballen, deep-fried savory bites that are much like croquettes, are served almost everywhere. Local cheese is a source of pride, and poffertjes are puffy pancakes served with powdered sugar.
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