The best thing about Amsterdam? How quickly you can slip into a totally different world, all in under an hour.
Amsterdam is one of the best European cities for day trips thanks to its compact size and excellent transport links. Trains run like clockwork, bike paths stretch for miles and buses connect you to places you’d never reach on foot. Most journeys take around 20 to 60 minutes, so you can easily fit in a full day out without rushing.
To help you plan your perfect day out, we’ve grouped our favourite trips by train, bike and bus. Whether you’re after canal-side cafés, windmill-dotted landscapes, seaside scenery or a taste of local Dutch culture, there’s a day trip to match your style.
Keep reading for our pick of the best day trips from Amsterdam.
Best day trips from Amsterdam by train
Utrecht – 20 minutes from Amsterdam
Best for: History, canals and cafés
Travel time: 20 minutes by train
Recommended stay: Full day
Don’t miss: Dom Tower, Oudegracht and Museum Speelklok
Utrecht feels familiar the moment you arrive, with its canals, bikes and cobbled streets, but the atmosphere is more local and laidback. You can wander along the Oudegracht, where old wharf cellars now house cafés and tiny boutiques, climb the Dom Tower for views across the city, or dip into Museum Speelklok to hear quirky musical clocks and self-playing instruments.
Best time to visit Utrecht
Spring and early autumn are ideal. The terraces along the canals fill up, and the city feels lively without being crowded.
Our recommended experiences in Utrecht:
Leiden – 35 minutes from Amsterdam
Best for: Canals, museums and Dutch history
Travel time: 35 minutes by train
Recommended stay: Full day
Don’t miss: Hortus Botanicus, Leiden Castle and the city’s canals
Leiden packs plenty of character into its compact centre. You can cross picturesque canals lined with historic buildings, check out one of Europe’s oldest botanical gardens and wander through streets steeped in history. As the birthplace of Rembrandt and home to the country’s oldest university, the city has a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for a day away from Amsterdam.
Best time to visit Leiden
Spring and early summer are particularly beautiful, when flowers are blooming across the city and canal-side terraces come to life.
Our recommended experiences in Leiden:
Alkmaar – 40 minutes from Amsterdam
Best for: History, local markets and canal walks
Travel time: 40 minutes by train
Recommended stay: Full day
Don’t miss: Alkmaar Cheese Market, Waagplein and the old town
Often overshadowed by nearby Amsterdam, Alkmaar rewards visitors with a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of Dutch character. Its historic centre is criss-crossed by canals and lined with gabled houses, while the famous cheese market offers a glimpse into local traditions. You can spend your day wandering the cobbled streets, poking around independent shops and popping into waterside cafés away from the big-city crowds.
Best time to visit Alkmaar
Spring and summer are ideal, especially if you want to catch the traditional Friday cheese market.
Best day trips from Amsterdam by bike
Zaanse Schans – 45 minutes by bike
Best for: Windmills, traditional crafts and countryside views
Travel time: 45 minutes by bike
Recommended stay: Half day
Don’t miss: Historic windmills, clog workshops, cheese tasting
Zaanse Schans is one of the most iconic places to visit near Amsterdam, and cycling there makes the experience even better. Follow peaceful bike paths through the Dutch countryside until the famous windmills come into view. Once you arrive, you can wander between traditional workshops, see local crafts being made and take in the village’s beautiful scenery.
Best time to visit Zaanse Schans
Late spring and early summer, when the fields are green and the weather is perfect for cycling.
Haarlem – 60 minutes by bike
Best for: Boutique shopping, culture and historic architecture
Travel time: 60 minutes by bike
Recommended stay: Full day
Don’t miss: Grote Markt, St Bavo Church and Teylers Museum
The journey to Haarlem is part of the adventure, taking you through green countryside and quiet suburbs before arriving in one of the Netherlands’ most charming cities. Once there, you can wander around the lively Grote Markt, browse independent boutiques tucked away on cobbled streets and relax in one of the many cosy cafés. With its relaxed atmosphere and rich history, Haarlem makes an easy-going day trip that feels a world away from Amsterdam.
Best time to visit Haarlem
Late spring to early autumn is ideal, when the weather is perfect for cycling and the city’s café terraces are buzzing.
Broek in Waterland – 35 minutes by bike
Best for: Countryside scenery, traditional villages and slow travel
Travel time: 35 minutes by bike
Recommended stay: Half day
Don’t miss: Wooden houses, canals and village greens
Just north of Amsterdam, Broek in Waterland feels like stepping into a postcard. The cycle route takes you through peaceful meadows and waterways before arriving in a village filled with colourful wooden houses and quiet streets. It’s an easy ride that showcases a more tranquil side of the Netherlands and makes a refreshing break from the city’s bustle.
Best time to visit Broek in Waterland
Late spring and summer, when the countryside is at its greenest.
Best day trips from Amsterdam by bus
Keukenhof Gardens – 45 minutes by bus
Best for: Flowers, photography and spring colours
Travel time: 45 minutes by bus
Recommended stay: Half day
Don’t miss: Tulip fields, themed gardens, flower shows
Keukenhof is one of the most famous day tours from Amsterdam, and for good reason. Every spring, millions of tulips bloom in every colour imaginable. You can wander through themed gardens, take photos among the fields and enjoy one of the Netherlands’ most iconic seasonal sights. Here are some tips for when you visit.
Best time to visit Keukenhof
Mid‑April is peak bloom, but the season runs from late March to mid‑May.
Volendam – 35 minutes by bus
Best for: Harbour views, Dutch traditions and seafood
Travel time: 35 minutes by bus
Recommended stay: Half day
Don’t miss: Volendam Harbour, traditional costumes and local seafood
Volendam is a fishing village that offers a glimpse into traditional Dutch life. Stroll along the bustling harbour lined with fishing boats, browse local shops selling regional treats and souvenirs and tuck into freshly caught seafood with views across the IJsselmeer. Its charming waterfront makes it one of the most popular escapes from Amsterdam.
Best time to visit Volendam
From late spring to early autumn, when cafés spill onto the waterfront and the village is at its most vibrant.
Our recommended experiences in Volendam:
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Marken – 45 minutes by bus
Best for: Coastal views, local heritage and village charm
Travel time: 45 minutes by bus
Recommended stay: Half day
Don’t miss: Wooden cottages, Marken Lighthouse and the harbour
Connected to the mainland by a causeway, Marken is one of the Netherlands’ most distinctive villages. Traditional, green-painted wooden houses line the quiet streets, while the harbour offers beautiful views across the Markermeer. Smaller and less visited than nearby Volendam, it’s perfect if you’re looking for a slower-paced day trip with plenty of local character.
Best time to visit Marken
Late spring to early autumn brings the best weather for strolling around the waterfront.
Planning your Amsterdam stay? Pair a day trip with our 2-day Amsterdam itinerary to make the most of your time in the city.
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