Rikjsmuseum in Amsterdam is the biggest museum of the Netherlands, and is home to many paintings of all the greatest Dutch painters, among them the painters of the golden age. The museum opened in 1885, and exposes such diverse artwork as paintings, ceramics, and tiles dating as far back as the 15th century.
Most people have either read or heard about Anne Frank's tragic destiny during World War II. The house where she lived with her family is a very popular destination.
While it might be an exaggeration to call it the Venice of Northern Europe, the channels nevertheless create a special and charming atmosphere in Amsterdam. The channels can be experienced in many ways, from a cup of coffee by the shore, to a sail on the water-bikes.
The red light district is called Walleties in Dutch, and is all over the world seen as the symbol of the liberal attitude of the Dutch. 5000 prostitutes work in the area, which at the same time is one of Amsterdam's oldest neighborhoods.
Rembrandt's home in Amsterdam through almost 20 years has been turned into a museum housing an important collection of his paintings. At least 250 of his paintings may be admired in the three-storey house of the 17th century. Rembrandts work is further supplemented by paintings of his students, also exhibited in the museum.
The old Hanseatic town of Zwolle is the most exciting city in the Overrijsel region. The city was founded in the 9th century, and in the 1400s the city was an important trading center for products such as corn and fish from the North Sea.
In the Golden Ages, Middelburg was the most important center of commerce after Amsterdam. The beautiful houses in the old part of the city and the impressive cathedral are some of the relics from this time. The city hall of Middelburg is also worth a visit as it is considered as one of the finest non-religious gothic buildings in Europe. The city can be admired by foot or by the seaside from tourist boats.
Maastricht lies in the south western corner of the country, near the German and Belgian borders. The history of Maastricht dates back more than 2000 years, as the city was founded by the Romans on the shores of the Maas river. One of the important sights is the Church of St. Servatius, which is the oldest in Holland. Another important sight in Maastricht is the Bonnefante Museum, which has an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures, some of which date back to before the 17th century.
Madurodam in De Haag is a fantastic miniture city, which shows a great deal of the country in miniture format. So if you don't have time to visit all of Holland: visit Madurodam!
This museum has taken its name from the renowned Dutch painter and houses one of the biggest collections of his work. The museum is divided into five sections, each accounting for a period in the life and work of Van Gogh. It lies in Amsterdam, not far from the other museums. Besides Van Gogh, it includes paintings by Toulouse-Lautrec and Gauguin.
The most interesting characteristic of Groningen is the old houses from the 14th century. Unfortunately, many of the houses had to be reconstructed after the immense destructions of World War II, although this does not prevent you from admiring the beautiful buildings.
Drenthe is primarily an agricultural region, although it also has some intersting historical legacies, mostly around the towns of Havelte and Saxon. The main city of the region, Assen, does not have much to show.
The main city in Friesland is Leeuwarden which is rich in history, although the region is primarily known for its beautiful nature, attracting both migratory birds and tourists. This is especially the case with the islands in the Frieser Lake. The renown Mata Hari grew up in Leeuwarden.
Most of the old city of Rotterdam was destroyed during World War II. Therefore, the city is dominated by modern steel and glass buildings. If you nevertheless take a walk along the water, you can get a beautiful view of the city, particularly at sunset.
The Boymans van Beuningen museum houses an interesting art collection of paintings and sculptures from the 14th century to today. The museum is placed in Museumpark 18.
The biggest harbour in Europe is definitely worth a visit! With its gigantic cranes and enormous ships from all over the world, it is a fascinating sight to any visitor. If a walk along the quay is not enough, you can also take a boat and enjoy the harbour form the seaside. Ask around for prices, as they vary greatly.
This region did not appear on the maps until the 1950s, when the whole area was drained for sea-water. Even today, there are many ongoing draining projects. Hence, Flevoland is a living exhibiton of humankind's battle against nature.
Arnhem is the main city of the Gelderland region. Much of it was destroyed during World War II, but has now been reconstructed. The most interesting sight is its open air museum, which displays old farms, windmills and workshops. Arnhem is also a fine starting point for outings on bike, as it is close to Hoge Veluwe National Park. This park is a popular destination, particularly because of its museum, which has a fine collection of Van Goghs.
The Mauritshuis museum was drawn and built by the renown architects Jacob Van Campen and Pieter Post in 1640. It houses an important collection of many of the greatest Dutch painters, such as Rembrandt, Reubens and Vermeer.
In this impressive cinema you can lean back in comfortable seats in front of an 840 square meter screen, with perfect surround sound.
The Dutch parliament has had its seat in Binnenhof since the 1200s. In a tour of the building you can visit the Hall of Knights and the 1st and 2nd chambers of the parliament.