7 Curiously Unique Experiences You Can Only Find in The Netherlands
Whilst finding awesome things to do in the Netherlands is never difficult, thanks to hundreds of attractions inside the country, some experiences are slightly more extraordinary than others and completely unique to the Dutch homeland. To prepare eager travelers for their next trip to the Netherlands, Wanderlust Mama & Co. has rounded up the most exciting, peculiar, and fascinating activities on offer inside Dutch borders.
Ride a Bike Through the Rijksmuseum
When it comes to cycling, Amsterdam runs circles around most cities and has one of the largest urban cycle networks in the world. This impressive system of tracks actually runs through the Rijksmuseum, allowing cyclists to ride inside one of the most important cultural landmarks in the Netherlands.
Eat Fresh Stroopwafels
Although commonly associated with Belgium, waffles are ubiquitous in the Netherlands and most Dutch supermarkets have whole aisles dedicated to these delicious, sugary treats. For true Dutch delicacies, though, travelers should sample stroopwafels, rather than their thicker, Belgian counterparts. These chewy, syrup-filled cookies are readily available throughout the Netherlands and most markets have at least one stroopwafel stall.
Celebrate King’s Day
On the 27th of April, the Netherlands goes totally nuts during a nationwide holiday called King’s Day (Koningsdag). Although the holiday was originally devised to honor the Dutch royal family, it eventually grew into a massive carnival-style party, complete with parades, concerts, and a seemingly endless view of orange.
Buy a Kroket or Frikandel From a Vending Machine
A few decades ago, Dutch fast-food chain FEBO developed an ingenious way to speed up service and began selling their snack food via large, glass cabinets that resemble vending machines. By inserting change, customers are able to quickly and efficiently access the fried delights held within, such as meat-filled krokets or tasty, frikandel sausages.
See 400-Year-Old Windmills
The Dutch have a long history with windmills and have employed these iconic machines to convert swamps into habitable or farmable land since the Middle Ages. There are still over 1000 windmills in the Netherlands, many of which date back to the height of milling technology in the 16th to 17th century.
Take a Bike Tour Through Tulip Fields
Due to the Dutch floricultural industry’s overwhelming success, tulip fields are never far away in the Netherlands. These beautiful farmlands usually divide their tulip fields according to color, creating a mesmerizing sea of flowers. During springtime, it is possible to visit many of these farms or simply look up their location and set off on a cross-country bike tour around their borders.
Visit Islands That Are No Longer Islands
As around one-third of the Netherlands is built upon artificial land (much of which was reclaimed from the sea) many former islands are now part of the Dutch mainland. The rustic fishing village of Urk, for example, was once completely surrounded by the Zuiderzee but is now enclosed within Flevoland province, whereas Marken, in Noord-Holland, existed as an island for centuries, until a large causeway turned it into a peninsula.