While its sleepy, canal towns are loved by tourists, much of the action in the Netherlands is concentrated in its 10 most populous cities. From the metropolises of Randstad (an arc of densely populated cities in the west of the Netherlands) to the industrial cities of the south, as well as the outliers of the north and east, find out what the country’s top 10 cities have to offer. .
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Amsterdam
Not surprising here: Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is the most populous city in the country, with more than three-quarters of a million inhabitants. Located in the province of North Holland, it shares the province with other major cities such as Haarlem and Zaanstad (better known as the city of Zaanse Schans). All of these are situated in the heart of Randstad, a conurbation in the west of the Netherlands with a population of 7.1 million, almost half of the country’s 16.6 million inhabitants.
02
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Rotterdam
This port city on the banks of the Nieuwe Maas River is the country’s number two metropolis, at least in terms of population; Yet for its many fans, Rotterdam rivals the most popular city of Amsterdam for its history, culture, industry, and of course football. Don’t miss its opulent modern architecture, a spectacular counterpoint to the capital’s traditional canal houses.
03
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Hague
The Hague not only bears the traces of its 900 years of history, but it is also a city where history is still made thanks to its status as the center of Dutch politics and international law. With some of the best attractions and most diverse restaurants in the country, The Hague is just a quick sprint from Amsterdam. Don’t miss the Mauritshuis and the Gemeentemuseum, two of the best museums in the country, for Dutch masters and 20th century art, respectively.
04
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Utrecht
Utrecht feels like a small university town, but in reality, this city of 328,000 is the fourth most populous in the country. Located in the eastern part of Randstad, the city of Utrecht is the capital of the province of Utrecht, which also contains the charming medieval city of Amersfoort. The city itself is a favorite with visitors, who enjoy the unique piers of its picturesque canals, not to mention the monuments from the Gothic Dom Church to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rietveld-Schröder House, a gem. of 20th century architecture. Kids love that it is home to Miffy (Dutch: Nijntje), the world famous cartoon rabbit who is the star of his own series of children’s books.
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Eindhoven
Eindhoven still has an undeserved reputation as an industrial city filled with bland modern architecture, or worse, just a stop for low-cost travelers on the way to Amsterdam. In reality, the city is full of creativity and innovation at a pace that most other Dutch cities cannot touch. A good example is the former Philips business park, Strijp S, which is now a cultural complex to compete with the NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam.
06
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Tilburg
Tilburg, like Eindhoven, is another city in the southern province of North Brabant, and like Eindhoven, it is a brave city full of creativity and innovation, from local businesses to street art. Its historic district, De Heuvel (The Hill), is perfect for a sunny day; As a former center of the textile industry, it boasts the only dedicated textile museum in the country. Just outside the city is the only Trappist brewery in the Netherlands, Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven, where visitors can relax with a beer and beer-themed snacks in the quiet Berkel-Enschot countryside.
07
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Groningen
If any Dutch city has it all, it is the city of Groningen. This ancient Hanseatic city has fantastic architecture from the medieval Aa-Kerk to its acclaimed city museum, a lively cultural scene, great food and restaurants, even its own university and airport (Groningen Airport Eelde). Outside the city, in the eponymous province of Groningen, the idyllic farm-filled countryside stretches north to the Wadden Sea, where visitors will find the Wadden Islands, accessible by ferry from the mainland. .
08
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Almere
Almere is not considered a tourist destination so much as a suburb of Amsterdam, a comfortable city where residents raise children and commute to their jobs in Amsterdam. Its history begins only recently, as its entire province, Flevoland, was only recovered from the IJsselmeer (Lake IJssel) in the middle of the 20th century. However, there are points of interest in the city, the best of which are oriented towards the modernity of the city; Architecture buffs should make sure not to miss cASLa, a center for contemporary architecture in Almere.
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Breda
Breda, the third city in the province of North Brabant to appear on this list, is the capital of the province and has a more conservative character than the other major cities in its province. Breda, a charming city to explore on a sunny day, is full of classical architecture and even has a rare béguinage , a kind of secular convent, most common in Flanders, whose architecture dates back to the 16th century.
10
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Named
Nijmegen is a contender (with Maastricht) for the oldest city in the country, and its 2,000-year history stretches from Roman antiquity beyond its role in WWII to the vibrant university city of the present. Another of my personal favorite cities, it has a distinctive local character and is conveniently close to the major cities in western Germany; Weeze, home to Düsseldorf-Weeze Airport, is located across the border.
