Welcome in Holland

Your essential guide to traveling in The Netherlands

Welcome in The Netherlands, the country below sea level

HotspotHolland is a Dutch website about exciting and unexpected spots in The Netherlands. Come and get amazed by the low countries! For your convenience we have made a selection of the finest places to pay a visit to.

The Wester church, next to the Anne Frank House

Canalboats in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

In the grachtengordel, the canal ring area, in the city centre of Amsterdam you find beautiful canals and authentic 17th and 18th century architecture. It's a great area to explore by foot or by (doing it the Dutch way) renting a bike. In the area you find lots of nice shops, bars and restaurants.

Districts in Amsterdam

Just outside the city centre you'll find lovely districts such as the Jordaan (where you can find e.g. the famous Anne Frank house), Oud-Zuid (South), the posh neighbourhood of Amsterdam and the popular Vondel Park. The lively district De Pijp is often referred to as the Latin Quater of Amsterdam.

The Oudegracht canal in Utrecht

Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the major cities in The Netherlands and has a beatiful city centre. The canals have been dropped and along the canals you'll find many restaurants and terraces.

Thanks to its central location and the large trainstation you have easy access to all major cities (some even 24/7 train connections) and train connections to the major cities in Germany.

Rietveld - dutch design

The Centraal Museum in Utrecht has the largest Rietveld collection in the World. Also in Utrecht you can visit the famous Rietveld Schröder house which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Het Binnenhof: The seat of the government in The Hague

The Hague

Den Haag (The Hague) is the actual seat of the government in The Netherlands and is the third-largest city in the country. There are a lot of places to go and things to do. Museums, excellent shopping, bars, restaurants and nightlife. Just outside the city, near 'Scheveningen, you can find lovely beaches and beachclubs near the sea.

Wind mills in Kinderdijk, near Rotterdam

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is famous for its harbor, one of the biggest in the world. It is not often the first choice of tourists but there is a lot to see and to do. Rotterdam offers famous architecture, good museums and a great nightlive.

The lowest point in the Netherlands

Walking below sealevel!

Yes, that's what Holland is about. You can visit The lowest point in the Netherlands (minus 6.74 meters NAP) in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, a small village in the Rotterdam region. The lowest point in the Netherlands »

Where to stay?

Hotels in The Netherlands

Check availability and make online reservations for hotels accross Holland and the rest of Europe

Dutch for Starters

Some essential words and phrases that guides you through the Netherlands:

Phrase I: Mag ik een wolkje melk in de koffie? means May I have a little cloud of milk in my coffee please? Phrase II: A small beer in the pub is called a fluitje and a regular beer is called a vaasje. Phrase III: Ik spreek geen Engels means I don't speak English.
Hello - Hallo Good morning - Goedemorgen Good afternoon - Goedemiddag Good evening - Goedenavond Goodbye - Tot ziens	Yes - Ja No - Nee Thank you - Bedankt Excuse me Pardon That's good - Dat is goed I don't understand it - Ik begrijp het niet Where is... waar is
0 nul 1 een 2 twee 3 drie 4 vier 5 vijf 6 zes 7 zeven 8 acht 9 negen 10 tien 100 honderd 1000 duizend	Entrance - Ingang Exit - Uitgang Ticket sales - Kaartverkoop Sold out - Uitverkocht No smoking - Niet roken VAT - BTW Reserved - Gereserveerd Breakfast - Ontbijt Beverages - Dranken left links right rechts up omhoog down omlaag

Dutch books in English

The Netherlands
Neal Bedford

Amsterdam
DK Publishing

Amsterdam
Lonely Planet Publications

Welcome to the Netherlands
Simon Reynolds & Roseline Ngcheong-Lum

The biggest ice-skate event in the world

11-city marathon

Friesland, a beautiful province in the northern part of The Netherlands, is famous for the 200 kilometer 11-city marathon.
read more

Getting there and around

Airport Schiphol

Schiphol is the major airport in Holland and is located near Amsterdam. Waiting for your flight on the airport? Visit the Rijksmuseum on location on the airport which has exhibitions of the famous masters from the Dutch Golden Age.