Fancy a vacation in North Holland? Two or three years ago, we took a road trip through the Netherlands and visited North Holland, among other places. We were deeply impressed by the charming towns and villages, the cozy atmosphere, the diverse nature, and the open and friendly people. Today, Janna (born and raised in North Holland) takes us through this region in the Netherlands and shares her top highlights and day trips. She also has a few great food tips for our sweet tooths at the end. Have fun browsing!
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- These reports might also interest you:
- Exploring North Holland
- Getting to North Holland
- 5 Insider Tips for North Holland
- 1. Marken: Traditional fishing village in the Markermeer
- 2. North Holland – Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
- 3. Waterland: Very close to Amsterdam, but in the middle of nature
- 4. The beach at IJmuiden
- 5. Haarlem: City of Hofjes
- Fish, Bread, and Beer: What You Must Try
- Packing List for North Holland
Exploring North Holland
With many kilometers of coastline, beautiful historic sites, colorful flower fields, and an endless number of cycling paths, North Holland is a beautiful destination for an active holiday in the Netherlands. As much as I enjoy traveling, I also love returning home to my hometown in North Holland. I’ve hiked many kilometers here, cycled to the farthest corners of the province, and still discover something new every time. For anyone who enjoys being outdoors and being active, I highly recommend a visit to North Holland – whether just for a weekend or longer!
Getting to North Holland
You can easily get from Germany to Amsterdam by bus or train, where you can start your vacation in the Netherlands. The IC Berlin – Amsterdam runs 7 times a day, and there is also an ICE connection between Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Various regional trains run from Amsterdam to the smaller towns in North Holland. Amsterdam is therefore an ideal starting point for excursions to smaller towns and into the countryside. Flixbus* also travels to various cities in the Netherlands.
The smaller town of Haarlem, also the provincial capital, would also be a suitable starting point, as it is well connected and close to the coast and the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. Within North Holland, you can reach many places by regional train or bus. However, if you want more flexibility and also enjoy being out in nature, you may prefer to rent a car or bicycle. At some train stations, you can rent an “OV-fiets” and explore the area.
5 Insider Tips for North Holland
You probably already know that a visit to Amsterdam is worthwhile. Perhaps you even know Haarlem or Alkmaar. But the province of North Holland has many more beautiful spots to offer. I’d like to tell you about some off-the-beaten-track spots that you should definitely include on your next vacation to Holland.
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1. Marken: Traditional Fishing Village in the Markermeer
Walking through Marken, you get the feeling that time has stood still. In the 13th century, Marken was separated from the mainland during a storm. For the inhabitants, who lived from fishing, a period of centuries of isolation followed. And it wasn’t until the dike was built in 1957 that the island was reconnected to the mainland. The inhabitants of Marken are keen to hold on to their traditions, and the village itself looks like a step back in time.
You can reach the village either by car or bike over the dike, or by ferry from Volendam. Stroll past the authentic wooden houses on stilts and the lighthouse ‘Het Paard van Marken’, check out the photogenic harbor, and enjoy the special atmosphere on this peninsula.
2. North Holland – Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
Wide dune landscapes, light pine forests, a few small lakes, and a variety of special animals: Can you imagine it? This is exactly what the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park looks like. The national park is located on the coast of North Holland, between the towns of Zandvoort in the south and IJmuiden in the north. The national park is also not far from cities like Haarlem and Amsterdam.
The park is a very popular destination for (city) dwellers who enjoy spending time outdoors on weekends. Fortunately, the park, with an area of approximately 3,800 hectares, offers plenty of peace and space for cyclists, horseback riders, and hikers. My personal favorite route leads from the ‘Duin & Kruidberg’ entrance in Santpoort to the beach, with a short detour to the ‘Vogelmeer’ (Vogel Sea). If you catch a quiet moment, you can encounter foxes, Scottish Highland cattle, and Konik horses in the park.
3. Waterland: Very close to Amsterdam, but in the middle of nature
Waterland is the area directly north of Amsterdam. Almost half of the total area here is water. Nowhere else will you find as many canals, lakes, rivers, and ditches as here. So you can imagine that this area is perfect for exploring by canoe. Wide meadows, small bushes, hundreds of birds: On a canoe tour in Waterland, you’ll forget that you’re only a fifteen-minute drive from Amsterdam. Prefer to travel by bike? That’s also a great option here. Then a visit to the picturesque towns of Broek in Waterland and Monnickendam is definitely worthwhile.
4. IJmuiden Beach
Many people like to go to Zandvoort and Scheveningen for a beach holiday in the Netherlands. A little further north lies IJmuiden, a rugged harbor town with a beautiful, wide beach. The waves are great for windsurfing or kitesurfing, and when the wind is right, dozens of blokarts race across the golden sand. The atmosphere is relaxed in the beach bars, where you can grab a bite to eat or unwind with a drink until after sunset.
5. Haarlem: City of the Hofjes
Haarlem is sometimes called Amsterdam’s little sister. The similarities—plenty of water, historic buildings, great cafés, and unique boutiques—are striking, and many tourists now appreciate Haarlem as well. Is there anything else to discover in Haarlem? Absolutely! In the bustling city center, you’ll find something special: Hofjes. From the busy street, you step through an inconspicuous gate into a green oasis of peace. In these courtyards in Haarlem’s city center, the world seems to stand still for a moment.
The historic Hofjes in Haarlem were built from the 13th to the 19th century for the city’s needy residents. Each courtyard in Haarlem looks different and tells a different story. You can explore the Hofjes on your own with a map or with a city guide. Be careful: The Hofjes are still inhabited and are not museums. Therefore, most can only be visited during the day on weekdays.
Fish, Bread, and Beer: What You Must Try
If you’ve ever been to the Netherlands, you’ve probably tried the Stroopwafel, two thin waffles with syrup between them. But there’s more! Duivekater is an oblong sweet bread baked with milk, butter, and lemon peel. The bread has been eaten on holidays since the 19th century, especially in the Amsterdam region, but good bakeries sell it year-round. North Holland is located on the coast, so you can eat wonderful fish here. Preferably fresh!
Visit, for example, the fish shop on the Viskade in IJmuiden. And if you visit Haarlem, be sure to stop by the Jopenkerk. Haarlem used to be a real beer-brewing town. Initially, water from the Spaarne River was used, followed by water from the dune area, and the beer was sold throughout the Netherlands. During the 17th century, brewing gradually declined in importance. Since 1990, Haarlem has been brewing again, in a former church in the city center.
Packing list for North Holland
Pack your backpack or suitcase and off you go to North Holland! But what should you definitely pack?
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In North Holland, water is never far away. Whether you’re strolling on the beach, taking a stand-up paddleboard tour on the canals of Haarlem or Amsterdam, or canoeing through the polders—your things need to stay dry. That’s why it’s practical to bring a dry pack or waterproof bag for your valuables.
Picturesque villages, sunsets on the beach, impressive Scottish Highland cattle in the dunes, the first herring you’ve ever eaten: you’ll certainly want to capture some memories. So be sure to bring your camera on your trip to North Holland.
Just don’t forget your swimsuit! For a spontaneous dip in the sea or if you want to try kitesurfing or windsurfing on the coast.
