Exploring Amsterdam is amazing, but stepping outside the city allows you to discover the most authentic side of the Netherlands: fairytale villages, windmills, castles, and postcard-worthy landscapes. In this guide, you’ll find the best day tours from Amsterdam, all departing from the city center and suitable for every type of traveler. I’ll also help you decide how many excursions to take depending on your trip length.
📌 Where do day tours from Amsterdam start?
Most Amsterdam day trips depart from central spots like Amsterdam Central Station or Damrak. In each tour, I’ll mention the exact meeting point so you can plan easily.
✨ Best day tours from Amsterdam (1 day trips)
Here are the most popular and recommended excursions from Amsterdam:
1. 🌷 Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Edam & Marken
One of the most typical and photogenic tours. You’ll see traditional windmills, cheese farms, clog workshops, fishing villages, and wooden houses. A perfect introduction to Dutch rural culture.
👉 Best for: first-time visitors, couples, or families
👉 Departure: Central Station area
👉 Book your Zaanse Schans & Volendam tour here
2. 🏰 Day trip to De Haar Castle
The largest and most elegant castle in the Netherlands, featuring vast gardens, decorated halls, and plenty of history. Although it’s closer to Utrecht, tours depart from Amsterdam and can even be combined with a visit to that city.
👉 Best for: architecture lovers, photographers, history fans
👉 Book De Haar Castle tour from Amsterdam
3. 🚲 Bike tour in the Dutch Countryside
If you prefer something active, join a cycling tour through the Dutch countryside. You’ll pass by farms, canals, and picturesque rural landscapes.
👉 Best for: active travelers, nature, photography
👉 Reserve your countryside bike tour
4. 🚤 Canal cruise in Amsterdam
Even though it’s within the city, a canal cruise is one of the best tours in Amsterdam, offering a unique perspective of the old town. Options include dinner cruises, evening tours, or classic daytime rides.
👉 Best for: all types of travelers
👉 Check canal cruise times and book here
5. 🎨 Utrecht day trip
A lively university city with unique canals, Gothic towers, and a more relaxed vibe than Amsterdam. Great alternative if you want something less touristy.
👉 Best for: travelers seeking something different
👉 Book a private Utrecht tour
6. ⚓ Rotterdam & The Hague tour
A full-day tour that combines two cities: modern Rotterdam with its futuristic architecture, and elegant The Hague, home of the Dutch government and international courts.
👉 Best for: travelers short on time who want to see a lot
👉 Reserve this Rotterdam & The Hague tour here
7. 🚄 Day trip to Giethoorn
A car-free village where everything moves by boat or on foot. Straight out of a fairy tale. It’s a long day trip but absolutely worth it.
👉 Best for: photography, romantic escapes
👉 See Giethoorn day trip from Amsterdam
8. 🧀 Cheese & Windmill route
A quieter alternative where you’ll visit active windmills, local farms, and enjoy Dutch cheese tastings.
👉 Best for: families, cultural travelers
👉 Book cheese & windmill tour
9. 🌷 Keukenhof Tulip tour (Spring only)
If you’re visiting between March and May, this tour is a must to see the tulip fields and the most beautiful flower park in the Netherlands.
👉 Best for: spring trips
👉 Keukenhof day trip from Amsterdam
10. 🌃 Amsterdam Red Light District tour
One of the most controversial yet iconic areas of Amsterdam. This guided tour explains the history of the neighborhood, the reality of sex work and legalization, and how the city is managing change. It also includes part of Chinatown.
👉 Best for: curious travelers, cultural and social history
👉 Book Red Light District tour in English
🗺️ Map of day trips from Amsterdam
Here’s a map with all the excursions marked so you can easily plan your route.
✅ How many day trips to take from Amsterdam?
3-day trip: 1 day tour + explore Amsterdam in depth
4–5 days: 2 tours (one classic, one different)
1 week: 3 or more tours, mixing culture, nature, villages, and unique day trips from Amsterdam
💬 Conclusion: Which day tours from Amsterdam are a must?
If it’s your first time in the Netherlands and you want a complete experience, I recommend:
Zaanse Schans + Volendam + Marken (the classic)
Giethoorn (unique and charming)
De Haar Castle or Utrecht (if you love history)
And if you want something different within the city itself, a canal cruise is always a safe choice. You can also go for a themed tour, focusing on architecture, history, or food for a deeper dive into Amsterdam’s culture.
📊 Transport options for day tours from Amsterdam
| Destination | By Train 🚄 | By Bus 🚌 | By Car 🚗 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaanse Schans | 20 min | 40 min | 25 min |
| Volendam & Marken | – | 30-40 min | 30-35 min |
| Utrecht | 25 min | 50 min | 40 min |
| Rotterdam | 40 min | 1h 10 min | 1h |
| The Hague | 50 min | 1h 15 min | 1h |
| Giethoorn | 1h 30 min | 2h 15 min | 1h 30 min |
| De Haar Castle (Utrecht) | 30 min + bus | 1h 30 min | 45 min |
| Keukenhof (spring only) | 30 min + bus | 40 min | 35 min |
✅ Most tours include transport, but if you travel on your own, trains are usually the fastest option while buses are cheaper.
📝 Related articles
- Things to do in Holland
- 1 day in Amsterdam
- 2 days in Amsterdam
- 3 days in Amsterdam
- 4 days in Amsterdam
- Things to do in Rotterdam
- Rotterdam to Amsterdam
- Things to do in Utrecht
- Utrecht to Amsterdam
- Amsterdam to Keukenhof
- Zaanse Schans Zaandam Netherlands
- Day Tours from Amsterdam
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