The Allure of the Netherlands and Belgium

Dec 09, 2023 By Sean William

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The Netherlands and Belgium, countries located in the center of Europe, offer its visitors a plethora of exciting experiences.

Travelers throughout Europe and the rest of the world get drawn towards these two fascinating low countries because of their incredibly charming cities, small towns, and the immense collection of history, lively culture, picturesque scenery, and delicious cuisines they have to offer to its visitors.

Each of these destinations promises a fantastic trip and is a joy to visit. All you need for your trip to these stunning European countries that appeal to all types of travelers—the history buff, the photographer, the hopeless romantic, and the nature lover—is this list of the top tourist attractions in the Netherlands!

Today, we have outlined the must-see places of the low countries for our readers, along with the best experiences that will make your Netherlands and Belgium itinerary into a unique and memorable trip.

So let’s dive in and read our article on Places To Visit In the Netherlands and Belgium to make the best travel plans.

Places To Visit In Netherlands

The Netherlands is a stunning, historic, and dynamic country. Some of the main factors that draw visitors to this location are its beauty, exceptional museums, art galleries, and inviting rich culture that is well-known across Europe.

The Netherlands was formerly known as Holland, but this name was abandoned On January 1, 2020, and it is now only called the Netherlands. People of this country speak both Dutch and English, but Dutch is its official language. Some of the places to visit in the Netherlands are briefed for you in this article below.

Amsterdam

The capital city of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is one the most beautiful cities that you should undoubtedly add to your itinerary. Like something from a fairy tale, man-made canals are surrounded by narrow, old brick houses. Anne Frank Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Van Gogh Museum are some of the most famous museums in the city, making it a cultural destination to visit.

Keukenhof

Undoubtedly, a trip to the Netherlands’s Keukenhof Tulip and Flower Gardens is another enchanted experience you should include in your itinerary, as nothing can fully express the enchanted feeling that comes from witnessing millions of vibrant daffodils, tulips, and crocuses in one location. Keukenhof is easily accessible from Amsterdam by bus or, as we would suggest, with a guide-driver. If you also feel that you must complete this experience, make sure to schedule your trip to this floral paradise in spring. The only time the tulip fields are open is from mid-March to mid-May, when the flowers are in bloom.

Giethoorn

The most exquisite and fairytale village in the Netherlands’ Overijssel province is the Giethoorn. This Dutch village, where the only modes of transportation available to the residents are sailing, walking, and cycling, is also known as the “Village with no roads.” It is among the Netherlands’ greatest hidden treasures, which is surrounded by pure natural tranquility. It is a picturesque Dutch village surrounded by lakes, forests, and reed beds and is home to numerous farms with wooden bridges and thatched roofs. Giethoorn offers everything from magnificent promenades by the sea to opulent architecture. Take in a tranquil day as you float along charming canals surrounded by cottages with thatch roofs.

Places To Visit In Belgium

Belgium, a small and young country in Western Europe, which was separated from the Netherlands in 1830, has a wealth of historical sites, including museums, castles, and palaces. Soft waffles, cherry beer, the Manneken Pis fountain, Tintin comic books, and René Magritte’s surrealist painting “Green Apple Face” are among the things that make Belgium famous and an ideal place for a family vacation. With no official language, the people of the country speak Dutch, French, German, and English. There are many charming towns in Belgium with walking areas and breathtakingly beautiful cathedrals.

Brussels

Your vacation in Europe would be incomplete if you did not visit Brussels, which is the largest and the most popular city in Belgium. It is the administrative center of the European Union. The secretariat of the Benelux countries, the NATO office, and the European Union headquarters are all located in this city. In addition to hundreds of bars, restaurants, and fashion stores, you can visit the museum of the surrealist artist René Magritte. We would recommend our readers to visit the Grand Place, which is the central square of the city, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Palais Royal, and the Atomium, and enjoy the well-known and delicious Belgian chocolates, waffles and fries when visiting Brussels.

Bruges

Bruges is one of the most popular travel destinations that is also sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North” because of its remarkable architecture, cobblestone streets, and ancient houses lining the network of interconnecting canals. The stunning Minnewater, also known as the “lake of love,” which is the old port of medieval Bruges, gives you the best romantic experience.

Ghent

Even though most tourists swarm to Brussels or Bruges, Ghent is a charming port city in Belgium that should be added to your tour plan. Numerous festivals, including food, culture, and music festivals, are held in Ghent. The “Gentse Feesten” is a light festival which draws thousands of tourists to the city. Some other highlights of the city include the Graslei waterfront, the Belfry, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, Saint Nicholas’ Church, and Gravensteen Castle.

Conclusion

Together, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg are called Benelux countries. From the famous tulip gardens of Keukenhof to the medieval charm of Bruges, the Netherlands and Belgium offer a diverse range of experiences to its visitors. Whatever your interest—be it history, art, or just indulging in delicious chocolates and waffles—these Low Countries have something to offer everyone.

In this article, we shared all the famous places to visit in the Netherlands and Belgium with you. So we would suggest you pack your travel bags and plan a trip of at least 2 weeks in Netherlands and Belgium to experience the captivating scenery and abundant cultural legacy of these countries.

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