The Netherlands is a small country located just west of Germany in Europe. While this beautiful country is best known for the city of Amsterdam, there are plenty of great things to do throughout the Netherlands. Whether you want to wonder through nature, learn more about the culture or visit a world-class museum, you can do it all in this wonderful little country. These are the four things everyone should do when they visit the Netherlands.
Keukenhof Park
Keukenhof is a stunning 79-acre park located in the city of Lisse. The must-see attraction is the garden that houses more than seven million tulips. These flowers are laid out in intricate designs to create one of the most stunning gardens in the world. In addition to the beautiful flowers, Keukenhof also features a castle and petting zoo. Since tulips are only in bloom for a short period of time, Keukenhof is only open for eight weeks starting in mid-March.
Drunen National Park
If you find yourself in the southern portion of the Netherlands, then you absolutely must check out Drunen National Park. This unique area features a 30-kilometer desert of dunes and shifting sand. These dunes have been around for more than 10,000 years, and they can be explored on foot or horseback. The Netherlands is known for its lush greenery, so seeing a small desert is truly mesmorizing.
Zaanse Schans
The Netherlands is perhaps best known for the hundreds of old windmills scattered throughout the country. You can get up close to a large collection of these iconic landmarks by visiting the Zaanse Schans neighborhood of Zaandam. The oldest windmill in the town dates back to 1574. Zannse Schans also features a total of seven museums dedicated to various aspects of the area’s history.
Beekse Bergen Safari Park
The Netherlands is not known for its diverse animal population, but you can still get up close with some of the most exotic animals in the world by visiting the Beekse Bergen Safari Park. This large wildlife zoo in the city of Hilvarenbeek features approximate 1,500 animals from 170 different species. It is not uncommon for zebras, giraffes and antelope to come right up to the car during a safari. Boat safaris are also available to see the aquatic animals.
