Best Day Trips from Amsterdam: Beaches, Windmills and Historic Towns

Last updated: 24 September 2026

Amsterdam is amazing, but it is also busy, expensive and, on a summer Saturday, completely packed. The good news is that the Netherlands is small and the trains are frequent, so within an hour you can be on a beach, in a medieval town, among windmills or in the dunes. Whether you live here or you are visiting, these are the best day trips from Amsterdam, including a few local favourites from our own corner of the country, Haarlem and Zandvoort.

Short answer: The best easy day trips from Amsterdam are Haarlem (15 minutes by train), the beach at Zandvoort (about 30 minutes), the windmills of Zaanse Schans (under 30 minutes), Utrecht (about 25 minutes), and Leiden, Delft, The Hague and Rotterdam (under an hour). In spring, the Keukenhof flower gardens are the classic trip, and for nature, head to the dunes of the Kennemerland national park.

Jump to: At a glance | Beach and dunes | Historic towns | Windmills and villages | Cities | Seasonal trips | Tips | FAQ

Day trips from Amsterdam at a glance

Beach and dunes

Zandvoort

Zandvoort is the closest beach to Amsterdam and the one most locals head to on a hot day. Walk straight from the station onto a wide sandy beach lined with beach clubs, many of them open all year. In winter it is wonderful for a windy walk followed by hot chocolate with a sea view. Read our guides to Zandvoort beach clubs, coffee in Zandvoort and the best burger in Zandvoort.

From Amsterdam: About 30 minutes by train
Best for: Beach days, beach clubs, sunsets and walks

Kennemerland National Park

Right behind Zandvoort and Bloemendaal lie the dunes of the Zuid-Kennemerland national park, with forests, lakes and sand dunes. It is home to a herd of European bison in the Kraansvlak area, plus Highland cattle and Konik horses. Rent a bike at Haarlem or Zandvoort station and ride through the dunes. For more nature ideas, see our nature escapes near Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam: About 30 to 45 minutes by train and bike
Best for: Hiking, cycling and wildlife

Scheveningen

The beach of The Hague has a pier, a long boulevard, beach clubs, surf schools and plenty of restaurants. Easy to combine with a museum in The Hague.

From Amsterdam: About 50 minutes by train to The Hague, then tram
Best for: A big beach with a pier and a busy boulevard

Historic towns

Haarlem

Haarlem feels like a smaller, calmer Amsterdam, with beautiful old streets, hidden courtyards (hofjes), great independent shops and one of the best Saturday markets in the region on the Grote Markt. Visit the Frans Hals Museum, the Teylers Museum or the Jopenkerk brewery in a church. Our guide to rainy day things to do in Haarlem and Zandvoort has more ideas, and our list of the best markets in the Netherlands includes Haarlem too.

From Amsterdam: About 15 minutes by train
Best for: Old town, shopping, markets, coffee, museums

Utrecht

Utrecht’s canals are special because they have two levels, with old wharf cellars at water level that are now cafés and restaurants. Climb the Dom tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, for a view over the city.

From Amsterdam: About 25 minutes by train
Best for: Canals, cafés and the Dom tower

Leiden

Leiden is the oldest university city in the Netherlands, with lovely canals, windmills and great museums like Naturalis and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. The city is compact and easy to explore on foot.

From Amsterdam: About 35 minutes by train
Best for: Museums and canals

Delft

Delft is famous for Delft blue pottery and as the home of the painter Vermeer. Its market square between the old town hall and the Nieuwe Kerk is one of the prettiest in the country.

From Amsterdam: About 1 hour by train
Best for: Delft blue pottery and a picture perfect old town

Windmills and villages

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is an open air collection of historic windmills, green wooden houses and workshops just north of Amsterdam. Walking around the area is free, and you pay to go inside some of the windmills and museums. It gets very busy with tour groups, so go early in the morning.

From Amsterdam: Under 30 minutes by train to Zaandijk Zaanse Schans, or by bus
Best for: Windmills, wooden houses and Dutch crafts

Volendam, Marken and Edam

These old villages along the former Zuiderzee are a classic combination. Volendam is lively and touristy, Marken is quiet with traditional wooden houses, and Edam is a beautiful little cheese town. You can travel between Volendam and Marken by boat.

From Amsterdam: About 30 to 45 minutes by bus
Best for: Fishing villages and cheese

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk has 19 historic windmills along the canals and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is further than the other trips, so combine it with Rotterdam.

From Amsterdam: About 1.5 hours by train and bus or waterbus via Rotterdam
Best for: The most famous windmill view in the Netherlands

Big city trips

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is completely different from Amsterdam, with skyscrapers, the Cube Houses, the Markthal food hall and a harbour tour through Europe’s biggest port. It is a great trip if you think all Dutch cities look the same.

From Amsterdam: About 40 minutes by Intercity Direct
Best for: Architecture, food and the port

The Hague

The seat of the Dutch government is home to the Mauritshuis museum with Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, plus the Binnenhof and a beach at Scheveningen.

From Amsterdam: About 50 minutes by train
Best for: Museums, politics and the beach

Seasonal day trips

• Keukenhof (spring): the world famous flower gardens in Lisse are only open for a few weeks in spring, usually from mid March to mid May. Book tickets in advance and go on a weekday if you can.
• Alkmaar cheese market (spring and summer): on Friday mornings in the season, cheese carriers in traditional outfits trade wheels of cheese on the Waagplein.
• Christmas markets (winter): see our guide to the best Christmas markets in the Netherlands.
• Summer festivals: check our events calendar for markets, festivals and runs across the country.

Tips for day trips from Amsterdam

• Pay with your bank card. You can check in and out on trains and buses with a contactless card or phone. Our guide to public transport in the Netherlands explains how.
• Go off-peak. Trains are cheaper with a discount subscription and much quieter outside rush hour.
• Rent a bike. OV-fiets bikes are available at most stations and are perfect for exploring towns and dunes.
• Watch the weather. Beach trips are best on warm days, but always bring a jacket.
• Avoid the crowds. Popular spots like Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Keukenhof are busiest late morning and at weekends.

Frequently asked questions

What is the closest beach to Amsterdam?

Zandvoort is the closest beach to Amsterdam, about 30 minutes by train. Bloemendaal aan Zee, IJmuiden and Wijk aan Zee are also nearby.

What is the best day trip from Amsterdam?

It depends on what you like. Haarlem is the easiest and most charming city trip, Zandvoort is best for the beach, Zaanse Schans for windmills, and Keukenhof in spring for tulips.

Can I see windmills near Amsterdam?

Yes. Zaanse Schans is under 30 minutes from Amsterdam and has a collection of historic windmills. Kinderdijk has the most famous windmill view, but it is further away.

Is Haarlem worth a visit?

Yes. Haarlem is only 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train, with a beautiful old centre, great shops and markets, and far fewer crowds.

Travel times are approximate and depend on connections. Check the NS app or 9292 before you go.