The 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Netherlands 2023

Natural and cultural diversity abound in the Netherlands, a country distinguished by its lush countryside, rugged coastline, medieval towns, and contemporary cities. Here, we explore the most beautiful Dutch towns that showcase the country’s charm and splendor.

Table of Contents

Amsterdam

Architectural Landmark

The 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Netherlands 2023 — © Sean Pavone / Alamy

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and the country’s most popular tourist destination, is a city of contrasts: modern, laid-back, and filled with historical and unique sites. The famous canals of the 17th century that run through the heart of the city are flanked by tall, narrow, and charming houses. Other architectural landmarks, such as the gothic-inspired Rijksmuseum or the city’s numerous impressive medieval churches, contribute to the beauty of Amsterdam’s cityscape and establish it as one of the nation’s most remarkable cities.

Broek in Waterland

Historical Landmark

Broek in Waterland is in the municipality of Waterland, which is on the western side of the Markermeer in the Netherlands. The area is made up of flat grass plains that are cut up by rivers, canals, and dikes. The town is a beautiful, quiet village that is perfect for people who want to enjoy nature. The streets are lined with typical Dutch houses that are painted in cute pastel colors. In the middle of the village is a charming church that was built in the 17th century. A big lake in the town is a great place to have a picnic in the summer and go ice skating in the winter.

Delft

Architectural Landmark

Delft is a town in the Netherlands that is famous for its ties to the great Dutch painter Vermeer. It is a beautiful town that lives up to its artistic history. There are a number of impressive buildings in the city center, like the Renaissance-style town hall and the Oude Kerk, a medieval church with a 75-meter (246-foot) church tower that leans just a little bit. Delft also has a lot of beautiful canals that cross each other. One of the most famous is the Vrouwjuttenland, which dates back to 1432 and is known for its cute houses, cafés, and floating water lilies.

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Giethoorn

Historical Landmark

Giethoorn is a small village in the Netherlands that is often called the “Venice of the Netherlands” because of its many canals and small bridges. In the old part of the village, there are no roads, so all travel and transportation happen on the water. Giethoorn is more peaceful than Venice, though. There are cute cottages with thatched roofs, small well-kept gardens, and lots of greenery around every corner. Visitors can take a boat out on the canals and look around this unique village, or they can walk along the footpaths and bridges and stop at one of the many cozy cafes.

The Hague

Historical Landmark

The Hague is the political, administrative, and legal capital of the Netherlands. It is a beautiful city whose streets and buildings show its long and important history. The city center is a strange mix of medieval and modern architecture, and the beautiful Binnenhof, where the Dutch government is based, is right in the middle of it all. The Noordeinde Palace is close by. It is one of the main homes of the Dutch royal family and gets a lot of visitors with cameras. Scheveningen is a wealthy beach resort area to the north of the city. It has a pier, a lighthouse, and miles of sandy beaches.

Harlingen

Historical Landmark

Harlingen, a small town in the northern Netherlands known for its fishing industry, is now a well-liked tourist destination. It is situated on the shores of the Wadden Sea. Visitors can stroll through the charming cobblestone streets, gaze at the boats sailing from town to sea, and appreciate the stunning architecture. The town has several historic canal lines with attractive warehouses from the 17th century and traditional houses, as well as a charming port full of boats and ships. The 1920s-era old lighthouse in Harlingen is still standing and has emerged as the region’s most recognizable structure.

Leiden

Historical Landmark

Leiden is one of the most important places for history and culture in the Netherlands. It is home to Leiden University, which is the oldest university in the country. This is the city where Rembrandt was born. It is a nice place to visit, with traditional brick buildings and impressive university buildings all around the old town. Leiden is on the water, like many other Dutch cities. Two branches of the Old Rhine flow into the city and meet in the middle. Dozens of small canals branch off and wind through the city. Leiden also has a lot of beautiful green spaces, like the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, and the Leidse Hout, a small deer park on the edge of the city.

Naarden

Architectural Landmark

Naarden is known as one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Europe. It has a beautiful star fort that is a great example of the type. Over the course of the 15th century, star forts became more and more popular as a way to defend against attacks. They are also very interesting to look at. The town of Naarden is shaped like a typical six-pointed star, and it has a moat and green fields all around it. The town looks just as nice from a distance as it does up close. At the center of the town is St. Vitus Church, a basilica from the 14th century. The old town hall is a great example of a traditional Dutch building, with intricate brickwork, cute green shutters, and a peaked roof.

Thorn

Historical Landmark

Thorn, which is also called The White Village of Thorn, is a unique town with a unique past. The town began as a small settlement that grew up around an abbey. In the 12th century, it became its own principality and was known as the smallest independent state in the Holy Roman Empire. Thorn is still very special, and it has become a charming Dutch village with cobblestone streets, small courtyards, and a beautiful Gothic church. The town is known for its whitewashed brick houses, which are different from the dark bricks used in most Dutch buildings and give the town a fresh, unique feel.

Valkenburg

Historical Landmark

Visiting Valkenburg is like taking a step back in time. The city center is full of beautiful old buildings, like the remains of the city walls and gates and the Gothic Saint Nicholas and Saint Barbara Church, which has beautiful wood carvings from the late Middle Ages. The 14th-century ruins of Valkenburg Castle are on a hill above the town. They are the highest castle ruins in the Netherlands. Valkenburg is also known for what’s under the ground: a network of tunnels and caves, some of which were made by people and used as mines, and some of which were made by nature. In the winter, they hold a magical Christmas market underground.

Topic: The 10 Most Beautiful Towns in Netherlands 2023

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By: Travel Pixy

Comments 2

Kaye Sena says:

2 months ago

Hi Celina, thank you for your article on the 10 Most Beautiful Towns in The Netherlands”. May I respectfully mention that the article doesn’t have the correct text for the town of Harlingen? Instead, Harlingen text is identical to that for Leiden. I would be interested to read the text for Harlingen that you no doubt intended. 🙂

- Slattery Sarah says:
  
  2 months ago
  
  Thank you so much! I have edited.