The itinerary for 4 days in Netherlands by car (excluding Amsterdam)

In this article, I will share our itinerary for 4 days in the Netherlands by car, visiting a lot of exciting places all around the country but skipping Amsterdam (it’s better not to visit Amsterdam by car, and it definitely deserves 3 days alone). I will focus on the best and most beautiful places to visit in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam, from Giethoorn to Delft! 

On day one, we visited Breda, Heusden, and S-Hertogenbosch, three charming places that boast a rich cultural heritage. Day two was all about exploring the famous Dutch countryside – Giethoorn, Edam, Hoorn and the famous Keukenhof flower garden near Lisse. Keukenhof and the flower fields can only be visited from March to May, so if you’re planning to visit the Netherlands outside this timeframe, I recommend skipping it and visiting Haarlem instead. On day three, we explored Leiden, De Haar Castle and Utrecht.

Finally, on day four, we visited Gouda, Delft, and The Hague and experienced some of the country’s most iconic landmarks.

Here’s a short overview of the itinerary for Netherlands by car in 4 days:

Day 0: driving to the Netherlands in the evening, staying at Novotel Breda

Day 1: Breda, Heusden, S-Hertogenbosch, driving to Giethoorn, staying at Hotel de Pergola Giethoorn

Day 2: Giethoorn, Edam, Hoorn, Zaanse Schans, Haarlem & Leiden, staying at Fields 1216

Day 3: Keukenhof, Lisse, De Haar Castle, staying at Van Der Valk Vianen Utrecht

Day 4: Utrecht, Gouda, Delft, The Hague and driving back 

Useful links for this itinerary:

If you don’t have your own car, I recommend hiring one on Rentalcars.com

You can also visit most of these places without a car, however, you might need to trim this itinerary down and visit fewer places.

Tickets for Keukenhof – book here

Tickets for De Haar Castle – book here

Without further ado, let’s get started with the detailed itinerary for 4 days in the Netherlands by car (skipping Amsterdam)!

The itinerary for 4-days in the Netherlands by car: Utrecht, Delft, Giethoorn and more

Day 0:

I don’t count the day of getting to the Netherlands as a separate day of this trip. In our case, we left work a bit earlier and drove to the Eurotunnel terminal for the 18:45 crossing. We had a quick dinner in Dunkirk in France and then drove all the way to Breda in one go (it took around 1 hour 45 minutes). By midnight, we were already in Novotel Breda, where we stayed for the night! 

Day 1: Breda, Heusden, S-Hertogenbosch, driving to Dwingeloo

Breda

We started our day by exploring the charming city of Breda. I must admit that I had never heard of Breda before planning the trip, but it didn’t disappoint. Breda is a very small city; it’s only the 4th biggest city in its province, North Brabant, and its population is less than 200,000 people. 

I recommend spending a couple of hours in Breda, exploring the Old Town filled with historic buildings, picturesque squares, and great cafes and restaurants. You can wander through the streets, visit the Grote Kerk (Great Church), and check out the castle as well. 

We had breakfast in Breda in a place called Sip First. It was lovely, and the coffee was great. 

Heusden

Our next destination, Heusden, was just a short drive away from Breda. Heusden is a small fortified town surrounded by ancient walls and dotted with windmills and small canals. Again, Heusden is a very short stop, especially if you’re visiting on a cold day. However, the centre of the town looks charming and very picturesque. The two windmills of Heusden are the most picturesque spot in the city. In total, we spent about an hour in Heusden and left for s-Hertogenbosch, which was less than 30 minutes away.

S-Hertogenbosch (or simply den Bosch)

The next destination of this Netherlands road trip, S-Hertogenbosch or how it’s often referred to – den Bosch, is the capital of the North Brabant region of the Netherlands. In spite of being the capital, it’s hardly larger than Breda. Nonetheless, in my opinion, there were more things to do in s-Hertogenbosch than in Breda. It’s also a very quirky city – and we absolutely loved it for that! 

Why quirky? Well, den Bosch is the hometown of one of the Netherlands’ most famous painters, Jheronimus Bosch. There is a lot of art all around the city dedicated to Jheronimus Bosch – you can find street art in small alleyways or statues in the park – searching for them all around Den Bosch was like a quest! 

Besides looking for art dedicated to Jheronimus Bosch and just walking around the city and enjoying the Old Town, here are some other things you can do in Den Bosch:

Things to do in Den Bosch:

– Visit the stunning St. John’s Cathedral (free). It is one of the country’s most impressive churches, with stunning stained-glass windows, intricate carvings, and a breathtaking interior.

– Visit the Noordbrabants Museum to learn more about the history of the province of North Brabant. It houses a fascinating collection of paintings, sculptures, and artefacts, including works by famous Dutch painters such as Van Gogh, Jan Sluijters, and Piet Mondrian. You can pre-book tickets in advance here.

– Finally, visit the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center. The museum houses a collection of reproductions of his paintings and also offers an immersive multimedia experience that brings Bosch’s surreal and fantastical world to life. 

Dwingeloo

We left den Bosch around 6 pm and started driving towards Dwingeloo, where we booked a hotel to stay overnight, Fletcher Landhotel de Borken. Dwingeloo is located in the North of the country, pretty far away from Brabant. We drove for around 2 hours to get there.

The reason we picked Dwingeloo was because it was the closest place to Giethoorn that was still available. We were booking at the last minute, just a few days in advance; hence, a lot of places were already fully booked. If you’re booking in advance, it’s easier to stay closer to Giethoorn in places like Hotel de Pergola or Hotel Giethoorn.

Dwingeloo is actually a lovely place. It’s a small village located in the heart of the Dwingelderveld National Park. If you have time or arrive early enough, you can go for a walk in the National Park; it’s very beautiful. 

Day 2: Giethoorn, Edam, Hoorn, Haarlem, Leiden

Since we were staying in Dwingeloo, we had to drive to Giethoorn. We reached it in 30 minutes and arrived there by 10:15 am. However, if you’re staying in Giethoorn or in a closer village, you will be able to avoid extra driving in the morning!

Exploring Giethoorn

Giethoorn is one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful villages and one of the most popular tourist locations. Most people come there on a day trip from Amsterdam – it’s less than 1.5 hours away!

However, on the weekends or during the high season, Giethoorn gets incredibly busy – it’s possible that you won’t find a parking spot if you arrive after 11 am. Also, the queue for the boat trip gets incredibly long! When we arrived, there was no queue, but when we were leaving, there were already more than 50 people in the queue! 

Why is Giethoorn so popular?

Well, Giethoorn is a charming village with almost no roads! In the heart of the village, there are only canals and wooden bridges. Locals, who live there, have to leave their car at a parking lot and then change to either a bike or walk all the way until they reach their home!

One of the best ways to explore Giethoorn is by taking a boat ride! You can see the best views from the water and admire the thatched-roof houses and tranquil waterways.

You can either arrive there and queue to book a private boat or pre-book space in a large boat in advance here.

Hoorn

After visiting Giethoorn, we drove for about 1.5 hours to arrive at the town called Hoorn. Hoorn is a historic town located not too far away from Amsterdam. Lots of people live in Hoorn and commute to Amsterdam for work. Hoorn used to be a very important and famous port, and it was also the place of residence of the Dutch East India Company. The signature building in Hoorn is Hoofdtoren – you can see it in all the photos of the city. Hoofdtoren is a fortified half-tower that used to protect the city, but now there is a lovely restaurant located in the tower.

Hoorn has plenty of buildings built in the 16th and 17th centuries, and most of them are concentrated in the city centre area. There are also plenty of lovely coffee shops, cafes and restaurants.

Explore Edam

The next stop was Edam – one of the famous cheese towns. It took us around 25 minutes to get there from Hoorn! Edam is a tiny town – its population is less than 10,000 people, and you can explore the town centre in less than an hour. Edam is also home to one of the most famous Cheese markets in the Netherlands. It takes place on Wednesday morning every week in July and August. However, that might change in the future, so it’s best to confirm the opening times before your trip! 

You can, however, visit Edam on any day of the week – you can still buy cheese in one of its two cheese shops! Edam is also very pretty – it’s one of the prettiest little towns in the Netherlands.

Zaanse Schans

From Edam, it took us less than 20 minutes to reach our next destination, Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is a fake 18th-century village with beautiful windmills, fairytale houses and lovely cafes. Zaanse Schans is absolutely free to visit. However, it’s pretty hard to find parking on a busy day. The parking area is relatively small and gets full super fast. We were lucky to find on-street parking 400 metres away. However, it might be the case that you need to park even further (that’s a downside of visiting Zaanse Schans by car). 

Overall, it’s a lovely area to walk around, take some photos and learn more about life in Dutch villages in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are also nice cafes and shops, where you can buy some food and souvenirs and a few small museums as well. 

Haarlem

We decided to visit Haarlem as it was on the way to our final destination for the day, Leiden. Haarlem, just like Hoorn, is a commuter town. However, it’s bigger than Hoorn and has more things to do. In terms of architecture, in my opinion, Hoorn is more interesting, but Haarlem is much better for living. The main landmark of Haarlem is the Grote Markt Square.

Haarlem is also home to the Netherlands’ first and oldest museum, Teyler’s Museum. Another museum, Frans Hals Museum, is also worth visiting. Finally, Haarlem was voted the best shopping destination in the Netherlands on multiple occasions. 

End the evening in Leiden

Our final destination for the day was the harming university town with a rich cultural heritage, Leiden. We arrived at Leiden at twilight and went to have dinner in Waag, one of Leiden’s most iconic restaurants (not because of the food, but because of the building where the restaurant is located).

Leiden is home to the oldest University in the Netherlands. It also has some of the most beautiful canals in the country – having visited most of the prettiest cities in the country, I must say that the canals in Leiden were among my absolute favourites!

Overnight, we stayed slightly outside Leiden just because it’s pretty hard and expensive to park in the city. Some great options include B&B Pergamo and Fields 1216.

Day 3: Keukenhof and the flower fields, De Haar Castle, Utrecht

Keukenhof

Since we were in the Netherlands in April, we decided to visit its most famous flower garden, Keukenhof, which is only open for less than 2 months every year! 

Keukenhof is very famous. However, it gets incredibly crowded. It is essential to book tickets in advance; I recommend booking at least 3 days in advance if you want to visit on a weekend (or maybe even earlier than 3 days). You can book the tickets online here.

Keukenhof has stunning displays of tulips, daffodils, and other spring flowers. I wasn’t overly impressed by the exhibit, but maybe because very few flowers were blooming at the beginning of April (especially because this year was a very cold one). Some of my friends who managed to visit Keukenhof at the end of April – the beginning of May, said that it was fantastic, so maybe it’s just our poor luck!

We also had difficulties exiting the parking of Keukenhof – we even had to leave our car and go for a walk as when we initially tried to exit, it took us 30 minutes to move 2 car lengths because of the chaos in the parking lot. When we came back, we exited relatively fast! 

Lisse flower fields

After visiting Keukenhof, we decided to follow the “flower route” and see some of the flower fields in Lisse. Some of the flower fields are right next to Keukenhof, so there is no need to drive a lot. Different flowers bloom at different times – in early April, you can find a lot of daffodils and hyacinths, while tulips you can only find between mid-to-end April and the beginning of May. 

Please keep in mind that all the fields are private, and it’s not allowed to trespass. Some daffodil fields are not fenced, so it’s possible to take a photo in front of the fields, but please be mindful and don’t go deep into the fields as it may damage the flowers.

The easiest way to take photos in the tulip fields is by booking a visit to a private farm. There are a few of them near Lisse and Haarlem! One of the most famous ones is the Tulip Barn.

De Haar Castle 

Our next stop was one of the Netherland’s most iconic castles – De Haar Castle. We drove to the castle from Lisse, and it took us around 45 minutes. There is a large parking in front of the castle. However, it’s paid separately and costs 6 EUR.

De Haar Castle is a stunning medieval castle with beautiful gardens and a rich history. It’s the largest castle in the Netherlands. Originally built in the 14th century, it underwent extensive renovations in the late 19th century under the supervision of renowned architect Pierre Cuypers. The castle showcases a unique blend of medieval architecture and luxurious 19th-century design. The castle has an impressive collection of art, furniture, and historical artefacts, providing insights into the lives of its former inhabitants, the noble Van Zuylen family.

You can pre-book tickets for De Haar Castle online here.

A night outside Utrecht 

De Haar Castle is located just outside Utrecht, so it was natural to visit Utrecht next. That’s where I decided to stay overnight, as well. Again, we stayed just outside the city, as hotels with parking lots inside the city charge from 30 euros to 60 euros per night for parking. We picked Hotel Van Der Valk Vianen Utrecht, which was located less than 15 minutes drive from the city centre of Utrecht. 

Day 4: Utrecht, Gouda, The Hague, Delft and driving back

Utrecht

As our hotel was just outside Utrecht, we decided to visit the city and see it in the daylight. 

Utrecht was founded by the Romans around 47 AD and became an important trading and religious centre. One of its famous landmarks is the Dom Tower, a tall church tower that offers stunning views of the city. Utrecht is often called the “Domstad” because of this tower.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere in Utrecht – it was very laid-back and relaxing. Maybe it’s because Utrecht is also a university town, just like Leiden, and its university is also one of the oldest. Also, in my opinion, Utrecht has some of the most beautiful canals and also lots of streets in the city centre area are equally pretty! 

Some interesting things to do in Utrecht include: 

1. Visit the Dom Tower – The Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, and climbing to the top offers stunning views of the city. 
2. Take a canal cruise and see Utrecht from the water! You can pre-book a boat tour online here.
3. Stroll along the Oudegracht – The Oudegracht is a picturesque canal that runs through the heart of Utrecht. It is lined with charming cafes, restaurants, and shops, and taking a stroll along its banks is a great way to soak up the city’s atmosphere.
4. Explore the Museum Quarter – Utrecht has a rich cultural heritage, and its Museum Quarter is home to several fascinating museums. You can visit the Centraal Museum, which houses a diverse collection of art and artefacts, the Museum Catharijneconvent, which showcases the history of Dutch religious art, or the Railway Museum, which offers a fun and interactive experience for all ages.

Gouda 

We reached Gouda in less than 40 minutes from Utrecht, and it was on the way to our next destination. Even though the weather wasn’t great and it started raining, we decided to go for a short walk in Gouda, and it was worth it. Gouda, just like Edam, is one of the most famous cheese towns. And, just like Edam, it also hosts a cheese market. 

The cheese market in Gouda traditionally takes place from April to August, with specific dates varying each year. It is held on Thursday mornings, typically starting around 10 am and lasting until noon. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check the exact dates and times closer to your visit.

If you aren’t visiting Gouda on a market day, you can still enjoy what the city has to offer – there are plenty of cheese shops where you can try little pieces of cheese, too. Also, Gouda is the place where the famous Dutch waffles – Stroopwafel or Stroopwafel. There is a store, right on the main square, where you can try the original Stroopwafel (disclaimer – they are amazing and you wouldn’t want to eat the supermarket Stroopwafel anymore) and also go on a tour to learn more about the famous Dutch waffles!

The Hague

Our next stop, The Hague, was located just half an hour away from Gouda. The Hague has a fascinating history. It began as a small fishing village in the 13th century and gradually grew in importance. Today, it is known as the political centre of the Netherlands and houses the country’s government and royal family.

The Hague is not a very pretty city like Utrecht or Hoorn, but it’s a very important city for the Netherlands – it is a hub for international conferences and negotiations, attracting diplomats and politicians from around the world. 

In addition to its political significance, The Hague is also known for its cultural offerings. The city is home to numerous art museums, including the famous Mauritshuis, which houses iconic masterpieces like Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” You can pre-book tickets for the Mauritshuis Museum here.

Delft

Our final destination was Delft – another gorgeous city in the Netherlands (the difference with the Hague was striking). Delft is a relatively small city, but nonetheless, it was packed with landmarks! The city is famous for its association with the renowned painter Johannes Vermeer and the iconic blue and white pottery called Delftware. In the 17th century, Delft was a hub for the Dutch East India Company, and the city’s canals, historic buildings, and charming streets reflect its rich heritage.

Delft is particularly famous for its beautiful medieval Old Town, the impressive New Church, and the historic Old Church, where members of the Dutch royal family are buried. If you still have time left, I recommend visiting either the Royal Delft Factory (Delft is famous for its blue and white pottery, and the Royal Delft Factory is the only remaining factory that still produces Delft Blue pottery) or the Vermeer Centre (book online here). Delft was the birthplace of the famous Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, and the Vermeer Centre offers a fascinating insight into his life and work. You can see reproductions of his paintings, learn about his techniques and influences, and gain a deeper understanding of his art.

Summary of 4 days in the Netherlands by car: the optimal itinerary for a long weekend in the Netherlands excluding Amsterdam

To summarise, 4 days in the Netherlands is not too much – you can easily spend 4 days in Amsterdam alone. That is why this itinerary for the Netherlands by car in 4 days only includes the best places to see in The Netherlands besides Amsterdam. This itinerary for a road trip in the Netherlands is pretty exhausting and jam-packed with places, so if you ask me to remove half of the places from this itinerary, that would leave us with the following destinations (which would be my must-visit places in the Netherlands):

• Giethoorn
• Hoorn
• Zaanse Schans
• Delft
• Utrecht
• Edam
• Lisse flower fields
• Leiden
• s-Hertogenbosch

I hope you enjoyed this article and found this itinerary useful!

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