Amazing Holland is highly recommended for any type of trip: for couples and families, young and old, individuals, and large groups alike – because in this country, there's an abundance of things that anyone can find interest in and enjoy. One of the most beautiful and picturesque regions in Holland, which definitely justifies a trip focused solely on it, is the province of North Holland – the sixth largest in the country, the second in terms of population, and the place where you will find its most famous city, Amsterdam. To help you discover this wonderful area, we have prepared a 7-day itinerary in North Holland that can be an unforgettable experience for you and your family!
We will start our first day in Holland in a place that is the first stop for any trip in this wonderful country and one of the most vibrant and famous cities in Europe: Amsterdam. This amazing city has an incredible and almost endless array of international-level attractions where you could easily spend more than a day, but of course, it’s up to you and the time you have available.
Whether you decide to spend just one day in Amsterdam or dedicate a little more time to it, the famous attraction you should not miss is, of course, the city’s canal cruise, which will take you through its picturesque waterways past some of its most beautiful and selected sites. The cruise comes with recorded explanations that you can listen to on special devices distributed to passengers – there is even an option for Hebrew narration in certain places, so be sure to ask for it before boarding. Besides the cruise, of course, Amsterdam's museums, such as the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum, are attractions not to be missed.
On the second day of our trip, we won't leave Amsterdam completely, but we will go on a day trip to Zaanse Schans, an amazing open-air museum village located no more than a half-hour drive from the capital, and it brings traditional Holland to life before your eyes. Walking through the paths of this preserved village, you will discover small workshops producing Dutch cheeses, chocolates, pastries, and even wooden clogs, along with plenty of windmills, so synonymous with Holland, that you can enter and understand how they work. The visit to Zaanse Schans is recommended for the whole family, and in addition to the beautiful Dutch heritage, you will also enjoy the natural beauty and peaceful surroundings of the area.
After your tour of Zaanse Schans, you can return to Amsterdam and enjoy a night out at Leidse Square, one of Amsterdam's main squares, where the city’s nightlife is concentrated – with plenty of restaurants, pubs, cafes (and the famous coffee shops), and clubs.
On the third day of our trip, we will leave Amsterdam and continue to our next destination, the city of Haarlem, located about 30 kilometers away. This is a special gem for art and architecture lovers among you, as in the Dutch Golden Age, between the 16th and 17th centuries, Haarlem was considered the most important center for painters and artists in Holland, with famous artists such as Frans Hals and Jacob van Ruisdael working here and leaving their mark. Institutions such as the Frans Hals Museum, dedicated to the renowned painter, and the Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in Europe, decorate the city and attract every art lover who considers themselves such.
Besides that, you can also enjoy impressive and classic architectural marvels in Haarlem – such as the St. Bavo Cathedral, which has stood proudly here since 1906, as well as the city's old town hall, with its unique tower that has become one of the city's symbols. To fully enjoy all this beauty, it is recommended to simply wander through the picturesque streets of Haarlem’s old city and enjoy all the wonderful things it has to offer.
On the fourth day of our journey, we will experience rural and traditional Holland at its best, in three classic and picturesque Dutch towns on the shores of Lake Markermeer, which are part of the "Waterland" region – an area of Holland known for its calm and water-rich landscape. It is recommended to start the day in Edam, the town after which one of the most beloved and popular cheese varieties in the world is named. If you arrive here on Wednesdays in the summer months between July and August, you can witness the famous cheese market that takes place here in the morning and afternoon, where a wide variety of cheeses from all over Holland are sold. Even if you come outside the market months – no worries, Edam is still a small, peaceful, and tranquil town worth a pleasant stroll.
From Edam, you can move on to Volendam , another picturesque gem in "Waterland" and one of the most popular attractions in Holland – and when you visit, you'll understand why. The sights you will encounter in the charming, canal-filled alleyways include wooden houses, little bridges, cafes, and traditional Dutch food stalls, all of which draw many visitors here. If you visit in spring or summer (March-October), at Volendam's port, you can take a ferry to the fishing village of Marken – a small and charming point, formerly an island in the lake, which has managed to preserve its authentic and traditional lifestyle for over a century. After a leisurely stroll through its streets and soaking in its relaxed atmosphere, you can return by ferry to Volendam and spend the night in the area or return to nearby Haarlem or Amsterdam.
On the fifth day of our North Holland tour, we will continue from Volendam to Alkmaar – one of the oldest cities in the area. On the way to Alkmaar, you are invited to take a short stop in Hoorn, where in its ancient center, you will see well-preserved houses from the 16th and 17th centuries. If you have the time and are in the mood for some scenic views, you can take a 70-minute ride on a restored steam train from Hoorn to the town of Medemblik and back, enjoying the view of small, picturesque villages along the way.
From Hoorn, continue to Alkmaar – the city whose name means "by the sea," and indeed, it sits near the sea, which gave it this name. Here, you can enjoy a wealth of attractions, primarily the traditional Dutch cheese, which is well represented at the city's traditional cheese market, held here in the central Waagplein square since 1662 on summer Fridays, from April to September. If you haven’t had enough of cheese after the market, you can visit the city's cheese museum, where you can see exhibitions dedicated to this round, yellow Dutch symbol. If you're more into music than cheese, you'll be glad to visit the Beatles Museum, located in the city and dedicated to the famous four from Liverpool, with collections and exhibits of rare items related to the band's history.
If 24 hours in Alkmaar are enough for you, on the sixth day of the trip, you can head towards the island of Texel – likely the northernmost point you will reach during your visit to North Holland. To visit this beautiful island, located in the Wadden Sea and considered the largest of the Frisian Islands chain, you will need to reach the charming town of Den Helder, from where daily ferries depart for Texel. If you have some spare time, you can explore Den Helder and enjoy the sea views and greenery of this town, which is also home to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
On Texel itself, the main attraction is the wonderful nature that can be discovered in the island’s nature reserves, which you can explore by bike or by leisurely walking through the trails. For example, you can visit Texel's national dune park, located on the island's western coastline, where you can spot many bird species nesting in the area. Additionally, Texel is home to the island's old lighthouse, built in 1864, standing 35 meters tall – if you manage to climb its 153 steps, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the island and the surrounding sea. If you have more time, you can stay on Texel for more than one day to enjoy all the island's attractions – which in the warmer summer months also include beach activities, diving, and snorkeling.
The seventh day marks the end of our journey through beautiful North Holland. From Texel, we will slowly return to the grand city of Amsterdam, where our trip began. If you're still hungry for more of the beautiful and authentic North Holland, stop for a short visit in Enkhuizen, a small, colorful, and pleasant port town – similar to what you’ve already seen and experienced in abundance during your wonderful trip to this region.
Here our journey through North Holland comes to an end. This list is far from covering all that Holland has to offer, even its north. But for a 7 day trip, this would be a perfect vacation.
Image Sources: Jorge Franganillo, Ben Bender, Wegdekstreepje
