Amsterdam Nearby Cities
When visiting Amsterdam you can easily reach other major cities of interest within an hour.
Amsterdam nearby cities offer the opportunity to see more of the Netherlands whilst basing yourself in the Capital. Amsterdam has excellent transport links so you can easily get to nearby cities from Amsterdam by train, bus or car.
You can also go further afield into Holland by train very easily, but for this article we have focussed on the places of interest within an hour from Amsterdam.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to companies and services we trust. If you purchase something after clicking any link, then we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (policy page).
What are Amsterdam’s nearby cities
- Haarlem – Just 20 minutes west of Amsterdam by train, Haarlem is a picturesque Dutch city known for its beautiful architecture, museums, and lively shopping district.
- Utrecht – 30 minutes southeast of Amsterdam by train, Utrecht is a charming university city with a historic city centre, canals, and a variety of cultural attractions.
- Rotterdam – Located around 45 minutes by train southwest of Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a bustling port city with modern architecture, cultural attractions and a lively nightlife scene.
- The Hague – About an hour southwest of Amsterdam by train, The Hague is a beautiful city with a historic centre, major museums and International institutions such as the International Court of Justice.
- Leiden – 40 minutes south of Amsterdam by train, Leiden is a lovely Dutch city with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a variety of cultural attractions.
- Delft – Home of Delft Blue earthenware and Johannes Vermeer. Delft is a very pretty city with markets, museums and canals. You can reach Delft by train in 50 minutes from Amsterdam.
- Texel – Not a city as such but an island off the coast of the Netherlands, about an hour away by car or 1h-20m by train from Amsterdam, and a real hidden-gem escape worth exploring.
Haarlem
As the crow flies Haarlem is the closest city to Amsterdam which makes it perfect for a day trip out of the city.
Haarlem offers medieval history, cobblestoned streets, art museums and on its outskirts lie the famous tulip fields. If you are visiting between March and May then you have another fabulous reason to visit Haarlem.
Discover more about Haarlem.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is around 45 minutes by train from Amsterdam and 90 minutes by car or coach. This makes this large bustling city one of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam.
Rotterdam is a modern city, it was rebuilt after the war so you’ll find some interesting modern architecture as you walk round including the famous cube houses.
You’ll find a bustling city with the major port on its outskirts meaning you can take harbour tours, visit the zoo and visit windmills at nearby Kinderdijk.
Explore Rotterdam.
The Hague
Home to the Dutch Royal Family and the national government, this is a beautiful city that offers something for everyone.
The Hague has history, royalty, the ocean, museums and ancient forests. You can visit nearby Madurodam, a miniature park that shows the Netherlands all in one place. The Peace Palace is here where you can see the eternal flame, Mauritshuis Museum holds The Girl with the Pearl Earring amongst other art treasures and there are even two beaches, Sceveningen and Kijkduin which are lovely wide sandy beaches with dunes.
You can be in The Hague within an hour from Amsterdam by train.
Discover The Hague.
Utrecht
Utrecht is one of the closest Amsterdam nearby cities being only 25 minutes away by train.
It is a historic city with religious significance and its most iconic feature is the Dom Tower (Domtoren) which you can see rising above the city from virtually anywhere.
The city also has a canal ring like Amsterdam albeit a smaller one but it is equally beautiful and offers up lovely walks and cruises amongst the shopping, markets and cafes.
St Martins Cathedral is also in Utrecht, this is one most important churches in the Netherlands. You can also venture out of the city and find fairytale castles, what more could you ask for?
Explore Utrecht.
Delft
Delft is 50 minutes from Amsterdam by train and is a very popular day trip. It is close to The Hague, so is often included as part of the combination day trip tours from Amsterdam.
In Delft you’ll find the home of Johannes Vermeer, a university, the very famous Royal House and Delft Blue earthenware. There are also a new and old church, canals, markets, pubs, shops and museums.
Delft is an extremely pretty city with lots to see and do for any visitor.
Learn more about Delft.
Texel
Texel is a wonderful island off the coast of the Netherland in the Wadden Sea. It takes 1hr 20m on the train to visit from Amsterdam, though there is a ferry ride from the mainland to Texel which will add around 25-minutes.
Once on the island of Texel you can explore to your hearts content, there are miles of sandy beaches, beautiful nature reserves and lovely villages. You can visit the lighthouse and iconic church and have a real break from the city hustle and bustle.
A day trip is easily possible, but you may find you want to stay a night or two as its such a relaxing place.
Learn more about Texel.
