There’s a lot more to the Netherlands than the big cities. Here’s a recap of this year’s Dutch destinations – our recommendations for a short break, including what to do and where to stay.

A weekend in Edam, Monnickendam and Marken
The pretty villages of Edam, Monnickendam and Marken are well worth a visit at any time of year. A weekend in this part of Noord-Holland will give you a whole lot of history, picture-perfect vistas, and interesting little shops and museums to poke around in whatever the season.

Take in the allure of Apeldoorn
For many travellers, Apeldoorn serves as a gateway to the Veluwe area of wild heathland. Have a stopover here while on your way to the wilderness and visit its modern art museum, cafes, and of course, a royal palace.

Zip over to Zwolle for a longer stay
The often overlooked capital of Overijssel has a colourful history and it is well worth a day trip or a longer stay. You can easily pass a few hours or longer in the Museum de Fundatie before checking out what else the city has to offer in its historic centre, which is surrounded on all sides by a ring of canals.

Warmond, the hidden gem
The Netherlands is full of charming villages that rarely make it into travel guides, places that remain quiet treasures known only to the locals and few other lucky ones. Situated on the banks of the Kagerplassen lake system, Warmond is surrounded by water, greenery, colourful flowers in spring and it features a beautiful country estate that reminds of times gone by.

Venture back into the Veluwe
Wilderness is a rarity in the Netherlands. This rambling stretch of heathland and forests in Gelderland is about as close as it gets to wide open spaces in this corner of the world. Explore the Veluwe’s trails or visit one the many quaint towns along its edges.

Uitwaaien on the Wadden island of Vlieland
Looking for a quick getaway and to take in some sea air without a long journey or too many other people with the same idea? The Wadden Sea island of Vlieland is the perfect place to escape from it all for a few days.

Go medieval in the city of towers
Zutphen, a town in the province of Gelderland and perched along the shores of the IJssel River, is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and one of the best preserved medieval gems in northwestern Europe.

Check out dozens of other ideas in our website travel section