South Holland, where city, beach and bulb fields meet
South Holland, the most densely populated province in the Netherlands, has much more to offer than just the hustle and bustle of cities like The Hague and Rotterdam. This province on the North Sea is rich in history, culture, nature and architecture, with world cities and quiet polders often less than half an hour apart.
Below we'll take you past the most beautiful attractions, with practical tips at each destination to make your visit run smoothly.
Rotterdam, modern architecture and port city
- Iconic architecture: visit the Erasmus Bridge, the cube houses and the Markthal, a covered market with an impressive artwork on the ceiling. The Markthal is freely accessible and ideal for lunch amongst the market stalls.
- Into the harbour: take a harbour tour with Spido from the Erasmus Bridge and see the city from the water. Book online in advance during the high season, as the popular times fill up quickly.
- Old Rotterdam: visit historic Delfshaven, a piece of old city that survived the Second World War bombardments, with canal houses, a mill and cosy terraces.
- Practical tip: Rotterdam Central Station is on the direct line from The Hague, Leiden and Amsterdam. From the station, you can explore the compact city centre perfectly on foot or by metro, which is quick and straightforward.
The Hague, political capital of the Netherlands
- Palaces and peace: stroll past Paleis Noordeinde, the working palace of the King, and the Peace Palace, where the visitor centre takes you through the story of international law.
Leiden, city of discoveries
- The Hortus Botanicus: visit the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and a serene escape in the middle of the city.
- Canals and courtyards: walk along the Leiden canals with their characteristic courtyards, or hire a boat and view the city from the water. Most courtyards are freely accessible during the day, provided you respect the peace.
- Practical tip: Leiden Central Station is halfway between Amsterdam and The Hague and is an ideal base. From here, buses go directly to the coast at Katwijk and Noordwijk, and in spring to the Keukenhof.
Delft, historic city full of charm
Delft is a charming city with a rich history and the birthplace of world-renowned blue earthenware.
- The Prinsenhof: visit the Prinsenhof, where William of Orange lived and was assassinated in 1584; the bullet holes are still visible.
- View from the tower: climb the tower of the New Church for a magnificent view over the city; be aware that it's a steep, narrow climb.
- Delftware: visit one of the studios, such as Royal Delft, to see how this pottery is painted by hand.
- Practical tip: Delft lies between The Hague and Rotterdam and is a quarter hour away by train from both cities. The picturesque Market Square with the town hall and church is the best starting point for a walk.
Gouda, city of cheese and stroopwafels
- The cheese market: visit the Gouda cheese market, which takes place every Thursday morning from 10.00 to 12.30 from April to August on the historic market square. Come early to get a good spot.
- Sint-Janskerk: admire the world-renowned Gouda Stained Glass Windows in the longest church in the Netherlands, stained glass windows from the sixteenth century.
- The town hall: the Gothic town hall in the middle of the market square is one of the oldest in the country and a popular wedding venue.
- Local delicacies: taste the fresh stroopwafel straight from the hot plate and of course the young or matured Gouda cheese in one of the many shops around the market square.
Fortress town Brielle, historic gem
Brielle, also known as Den Briel, is a charming fortress town on the island of Voorne-Putten with a rich history.
- Over the ramparts: walk over the well-preserved, star-shaped ramparts that still completely encircle the town, one of the best-preserved fortifications in the Netherlands.
- Where freedom began: Brielle is known as the first town conquered from the Spanish by the Sea Beggars in 1572, a turning point in the Eighty Years War still celebrated on 1 April.
- Historic monuments: highlights include the Sint-Catharijnekerk, the Historic Museum Den Briel and the beautifully restored Asylum for Old and Infirm Sailors from the seventeenth century.
- Practical tip: Brielle has no train station, so come by car or take the bus from Spijkenisse metro station. Combine your visit with a beach day in nearby Rockanje.
Coast and beach
South Holland has tens of kilometres of North Sea beach, from lively seaside resorts to quiet, wide stretches of sand behind the dunes.
- Lively or quiet: Scheveningen is the bustling resort with pier, promenade and plenty of restaurants, while Katwijk and Noordwijk are more relaxed and offer more space.
- Southern sunshine: the south-facing beach of Rockanje on the island of Voorne has calm water thanks to sandbanks, ideal for families with young children.
- Active at sea: virtually every seaside resort has surf schools, beach pavilions and supervised zones with lifeguards during the high season. Always watch out for currents outside these zones.
- Practical tip: on sunny summer days, traffic to the coast is heavy and parking spots fill up quickly. Arrive early, or take the train to The Hague or Leiden and switch to a tram or bus to the beach itself.
Nature and the Bulb Region
Between the cities and the coast lies surprisingly much greenery, from dune landscapes to the world-famous bulb fields.
- Hollandse Duinen National Park: this extensive dune area along the coast is crossed by walking and cycling routes, with visitor centres and catering along the way.
- Along the bulb fields: cycle or walk in spring through the fields around Lisse and Noordwijkerhout. Don't pick flowers and stay on the paths, the fields are owned by the growers.
Out and about with children
South Holland is a rewarding province for a family outing, with attractions that adults enjoy just as much.
- The Netherlands in miniature: Madurodam in The Hague combines play and learning and is suitable for all ages.
- Nature and science: Naturalis and CORPUS near Leiden make nature and the human body tangible in a surprising way.
- Space travel: in Noordwijk, Space Expo takes you into space, with real rockets and satellites.
- Always the beach: on a nice day, the wide sandy beach is still the biggest and cheapest playground there is.
Food, drink and local products
From fresh sea fish to sweet classics: South Holland is worth discovering at the table as well.
- Fish from the coast: in the seaside resorts you eat fresh North Sea fish, with a herring or a portion of kibbeling as a true Dutch classic.
- Sweet specialities: the fresh stroopwafel from Gouda and the Hague Hopjes from The Hague are beloved local treats to take home.
- Cheese from the land: Gouda cheese is best bought directly from a cheese farm in the Green Heart, where you can usually taste before you buy.
- World cuisine in the city: Rotterdam and The Hague have an enormous varied range due to their international character, from Indian rice table to Surinamese and Turkish cuisine.
The seasons in South Holland
Each season shows a different side of the province, so time your visit to what you want to experience.
- Spring: the season for bulb fields and the Keukenhof, with an explosion of colour in the Bulb Region from late March to mid-May.
- Summer: the time for beach, promenades and terraces, with most events and the longest days, but also the biggest crowds at the coast.
- Autumn: quieter, with beautiful colours in the dunes and forests and ideal conditions for long walks and city trips.
- Winter: quiet and atmospheric, with a blow out on an empty beach, warm museums and cosy city centres around the holidays.
From world ports and world heritage sites to botanical gardens and endless bulb fields: South Holland proves that there is much more to discover between the major cities than you might think at first glance, and thanks to the short distances you can effortlessly combine city, beach and nature in one day.