Published on: 1 June 2026
The Netherlands is one of Europe's most distinctive countries: land reclaimed from below sea level, canals carefully laid out over centuries, and cities where art is woven into everyday life. Amsterdam is the first stop for most travellers, but the country is compact enough to fit comfortably into a short trip. In this guide we've gathered the best ways to enjoy the Netherlands, from canals and museums to tulip season and bike culture.
The canal ring at the heart of Amsterdam (the Grachtengordel) was dug in the 17th century to plan the city's growth, and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the semicircular, nested canals of Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht is the loveliest way to get to know the city. The narrow-fronted, tall historic canal houses are easy to spot by the hooks and pulleys on their gables, once used to hoist up furniture too large for the steep staircases inside.
Canal cruises offer a practical way to see the city from the water. For those who prefer walking, the Jordaan district is ideal, with its quiet side streets, small cafés and independent shops. Looking out over the canals from a bridge in the late-afternoon light is one of Amsterdam's most memorable moments.
Amsterdam is one of Europe's richest stops for art lovers. The Van Gogh Museum holds the world's largest collection of the artist's work, displayed in a broadly chronological order that lets you trace how his style matured. Nearby, the Rijksmuseum houses masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age, with paintings by masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer on display.
The museums surround the Museumplein square in the south of the city, so it is possible to visit several in a single day. Both are extremely popular, so booking tickets online in advance and checking current opening hours on the official websites will significantly reduce your waiting time.
On the bank of the Prinsengracht canal, the Anne Frank House is a museum that preserves the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Second World War. The rooms where Anne wrote her diary and the hidden passage behind the revolving bookcase make for a deeply moving experience. The space is small and in very high demand, so tickets are sold online only and tend to be released ahead of time; if you are planning a visit, we recommend booking as soon as your dates are fixed. Always confirm current ticketing conditions on the museum's official website.
One of the first images that comes to mind when you think of the Netherlands is endless fields of tulips. Located near the town of Lisse, southwest of Amsterdam, Keukenhof is one of the world's largest flower gardens and opens only in spring, for a short season. The period when millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths bloom usually falls around April, but flowering depends on the weather, so it is best to check the exact opening dates and ticket details from official sources.
If you visit the garden, the surrounding bulb fields are also worth seeing; renting a bike for a short ride between the fields is a delightful way to experience the area. For those travelling outside the season, Amsterdam's flower markets offer a small window into Dutch flower culture year-round.
The Netherlands is among the countries where cycling sits at the centre of daily life. Thanks to its flat terrain, vast network of bike paths and bike-first urban planning, many people travel to work, school and the shops on two wheels. For travellers, this is a practical way to explore cities like a local.
Dutch cities are close together and easily connected by rail, which makes day trips very practical. Rotterdam, largely rebuilt after heavy destruction in the Second World War, has bold, modern architecture in contrast to Amsterdam's historic fabric. With its cube houses, striking bridge and vast harbour, it shows the face of contemporary Netherlands.
If you have time, the administrative seat The Hague (Den Haag), Delft with its porcelain tradition, and Utrecht with its famous canals are all reachable by short train rides from Amsterdam. The country's small scale lets you comfortably see more than one city in just a few days.
Summers in the Netherlands are busier and livelier, while spring carries its own appeal thanks to tulip season. The weather can be changeable, so packing a waterproof jacket is wise. Public transport is regular and widespread; for intercity travel, the train is usually the most comfortable option.
As the Netherlands is a Schengen country, Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa for short visits. For detailed information on visa types, required documents and the application process, see our Netherlands visa page, and compare conditions for other countries on the Visa Regime Table.
If you dream of walking along Amsterdam's canals and getting lost among the tulips at Keukenhof, planning your visa process well is the first step toward making it happen. To prepare your application together, feel free to get in touch with us.