Top Unusual Ways to Make Travel in the Netherlands Unforgettable
When it comes to traveling to the Netherlands, most people immediately picture Amsterdam, the famous tulips, windmills and Gouda cheese. Sure, these are classic symbols of the country, but what if you go beyond the standard tourist destinations? The Netherlands hides many unique ways to spend your time, and some of them can make your trip truly memorable.
Just as collectors seek out and collect interesting and unusual coins, such as 2024 American Women Quarters, appreciating their interesting nuances and features, travelers can look for special experiences that set their trip apart from standard excursions. Imagine living on a houseboat, exploring underground labyrinths or participating in a cheese auction instead of a regular hotel. Are you interested? Then let us break down which unusual options for traveling in the Netherlands are worth adding to your itinerary.
5 Ways to See the Netherlands in a New Way
- Living in a Houseboat
The Netherlands is a country of water, and canals are not just part of the landscape but part of everyday life. There are around 2,500 houseboats in Amsterdam alone, and many of them are available for rent. Do not doubt this is a comfortable and completely unusual accommodation option that will make you feel like a real local. By the way, if you’re into the “technical side of things”, Amsterdam has the Houseboat Museum, where you can look inside a historic floating barge and see how life on the water has changed over the last 100 years.
Living on a houseboat means waking up to the sound of splashing water, watching the leisurely city life right from the deck and enjoying the unique atmosphere. Unlike traditional hotels, houseboats offer privacy and close contact with nature even in the heart of the city.
A houseboat can be rented not only in Amsterdam. Leiden, Utrecht and Haarlem also have houseboats, often in quieter and more picturesque locations. And if you want complete silence, you should go to the village of Giethoorn, where you can move only on the canals, because there are no cars here.
Tip: In Amsterdam, you can rent a houseboat through Airbnb or specialized sites such as Houseboat Hotel. And if you’re traveling in winter, check with your hosts to see if the houseboat has heating. Some older barges are not suited for cold weather.
- Exploring Underground Tunnels and Catacombs
Underneath Dutch cities are hidden real labyrinths full of mystery and history. Some of them were used for smuggling, others served as a refuge in times of war, and still others hold mystical legends.
One of the most impressive places are the tunnels of Maastricht. Here there is a branched system of underground passages, the length of which exceeds 200 kilometers. These tunnels were used in Roman times, and during the Second World War they hid about 50,000 people.
Another mysterious place is the catacombs of Haarlem, where, according to legends, secret meetings and even alchemical experiments were held. And if you want to learn more about military history, head to the tunnels of the Water Defense Line forts, where you can see the shelters used during numerous sieges.
Tip: Most of the underground sites can only be visited with a guide, as it’s easy to get lost. It is best to wear comfortable shoes and take warm clothes – the temperature in the tunnels rarely rises above 12°C, even in summer.
- Participating in Traditional Cheese Auctions
Dutch cheese is famous all over the world, but few people know that it is still sold at historic auctions preserved since the 16th century.
Where to visit:
- Alkmaar – a cheese fair with a traditional show
- Gouda – a historical market with tastings and costume shows.
- Edam – the birthplace of the famous, red-crusted cheese.
The most famous cheese trades take place in Alkmaar, where every Thursday from April to September you can see cheese porters in white suits carrying huge heads of cheese while vendors loudly bargain. Gouda and Edam have also preserved similar markets where you can not only see the process, but also taste the products made according to ancient recipes.
Interesting fact: In the olden days, the price of cheese was determined not only by the quality, but also by a “handshake ritual” that was accompanied by loud shouting. Today it is done more for show, but the tradition remains the same. If you want more than just to observe, but also to participate, in Alkmaar sometimes tourists are offered to try themselves as “cheese bearers”. Worth a try!
- Visiting an Authentic Windmill
Windmills are a symbol of the Netherlands, but few people know that you can spend the night in some of them.
In the region of Zaanse Schans there are several mills that have been converted into cozy hotels. Staying overnight in such a place allows you to feel the atmosphere of old Holland and even see how the real mechanisms of the mill work. And in general, there are about 1000 windmills preserved in the Netherlands, many of which are still in use.
Where to find these places:
- Zaanse Schans – here you can rent a mill surrounded by canals and green meadows.
- Kinderdijk – one of the most picturesque complexes with 19 mills.
- Amsterdam region – several mills are available for rent on Booking.
- Traveling Financial Literacy: Old Coins and Modern Technology
Traveling to unusual places in the Netherlands is very exciting and intriguing, but it’s also not without some basic boring rules. What are we talking about? First of all, about the financial issue, as it is very important to understand the local financial peculiarities. Despite the ubiquity of bank cards, it is always better to have a small amount of cash.
Interesting fact: Before the introduction of the euro in 2002, the Netherlands used the guilder (NLG) currency. Old guilders can still be found at flea markets, and some are worth much more than face value. If you happen to find an old Dutch coin, you can easily determine its value with such a tool like the Coin ID Scanner app. Due to it you can quickly analyze images of coins and receive information about their rarity and value.
Where it is more profitable to charge money and exchange currency
| Method | Pros | Cons |
| Banks | Reliable exchange rate, no hidden commissions | Limited opening hours |
| Exchangers | Convenient location, fast exchange | Possible excessive commissions |
| ATMs | Available round the clock | Often there is a commission for withdrawal |
| Hotels and airports | Convenient, no need to look for an exchanger | Not the most favorable rate |
Create Your Own Dutch Stories
Traveling to the Netherlands can be a real adventure if you add unusual experiences to it. Explore, taste, wonder – and your itinerary will become a collection of unforgettable moments!
