Amsterdam Area

Learn and read more about the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area and all its versatility. In less than 60 minutes from Amsterdam Center, you'll find excellent cultural cities like Haarlem, the majestic windmills at Zaanse Schans, the famous tulip fields in and around the Keukenhof, and historic towns like Edam and Volendam.

Highlights in the Amsterdam Area

Discover the region with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

The Amsterdam Area is easy to explore by public transport, with most destinations being accessible by train or bus (or a combination of the two) - within an hour from Amsterdam. If you're planning to head out into the Amsterdam Area during your trip to Amsterdam, it makes sense to use the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket - a special public transport pass valid on bus, tram, metro and train in Amsterdam and the entire region. The ticket is valid for 1, 2 or 3 days and comes with a useful public transport guide for the Amsterdam Area filled with sightseeing tips.

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Discover the Amsterdam Area

Explore beyond the city borders of Amsterdam and discover shopping spots, incredible restaurants and unmissable experiences in the Amsterdam Area.

Explore the entire Amsterdam Area

Popular destinations

Volendam

For a fantastic trip back into ‘Old Holland’, head for Volendam, a picturesque town on the shores of the IJsselmeer, just 20 km north of Amsterdam.

Amstel River Countryside

Amsterdam has a green oasis right on its doorstep, meaning everyone can easily enjoy the natural diversity of the Amstel River Countryside.

Zaanse Schans

Located just north of Amsterdam, the Zaanse Schans offers a perfectly preserved glimpse into the Netherlands' industrial past with its traditional hou...

Naarden

Naarden is a small town located to the east of Amsterdam, in the Gooi and Vecht region. Famous for its ‘star fort’ grid which resembles a giant snowf...

Zandvoort

With its clean sandy beaches, trendy beach bars and family activities, Zandvoort has become one of the Netherlands’ most popular beach destinati...

Marken

Marken is a former island in the Markermeer. This peninsula remains a popular seaside getaway that’s reachable via a long causeway or a reliable fleet...

Haarlem

A city of remarkable history and culture, Haarlem is home to historical monuments and some of the Netherlands' best museums, art and shopping. Ju...

Breukelen

Breukelen, located north-west of Utrecht, is best known for its nature areas and the large mansions and castle that adorn the banks of the winding Vec...

Edam

Cheese is the first thing that springs to mind when most people think of Edam. This small town, which sits on the bank of the Markermeer, north of Ams...

Muiden

The fortified town of Muiden sits near the IJmeer, just east of Amsterdam. It dates back to the 10th century and is now known for its peaceful streets...

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is a quaint village located south of Amsterdam on the bank of the Ouderkerkerplas lake. The village dates back to the 12th cen...

Leisure Lakes

For a beautiful day beside or on the water, you needn’t simply take to the seaside: head inland and enjoy the many Leisure Lakes near Amsterdam.

Amsterdam Area: Get inspired!

Five fortresses straight out of a fairy tale

Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Amsterdam, you’ll find a land of historical fortresses, chivalric castles and country estates. Take a look...

Off the tourist trail: Alternative ways to enjoy tulips in the Amsterdam Area

If you're visiting Amsterdam in spring or summer, don't miss the opportunity to head out of the city centre and visit its world-famous flower-growing ...

Top 10 things to do in New Land

The name says it all: New Land, located just northeast of Amsterdam city centre, is a Dutch destination that offers new adventures, new sights and end...

Best gardens to visit in the Amsterdam Area

The Amsterdam Area is brimming with historic and modern gardens full of colourful blooms and diverse natural wonders to explore. From extraordinary pl...

Top 10 things to do in the Flower Strip

The Dutch flower region produces a staggering 70% of the world’s commercial flower output, so a trip to this world-famous landscape is well wort...

10 x great day trips from Amsterdam

There’s so much to be discovered when you step out of Amsterdam city centre to explore the wider Amsterdam Area. Here's I amsterdam's guide to ten of ...

Top 10 things to do at Amsterdam Beach

Zandvoort, Bloemendaal, IJmuiden and Wijk are just some of the beaches dotted along Amsterdam's coast. Explore Dutch dunes, try a new sport, walk thro...

Castles & Gardens: 5 unmissable experiences

There is much to see if you take a trip south of the city. Within an hour of Amsterdam’s city centre, you can explore the former country retreat...

Top 10 things to do in Old Holland

Old Holland towns such as Volendam and Zaandam remind of times of more honest crafts, showcasing traditional skills like shipbuilding, fishing and che...

Flowers of Amsterdam itineraries

Spend a day exploring fields brimming with blossoming rainbows of flowers in the Amsterdam Area.

Top 10 family days out in New Land

New Land offers a wealth of architecture and artwork for adults to enjoy. But the polder, which was created in stages starting in the 1950s, is also t...

Top things to do with kids in the Amsterdam Area

If you're looking for something exciting to do with the whole family, then taking the trip out of Amsterdam and into the surrounding region offers up ...

Three days out in the Amsterdam Area

If you've been to Amsterdam before and seen the highlights, or you just have a passion for discovering the unknown, then head out of the city and into...

The most Instagrammable spots in Old Holland

It's not all about the 'gram, of course. But Old Holland's pristine beauty and remarkable history make it the perfect place to discover more about Dut...

10 restaurants worth travelling to from Amsterdam

Whether your taste buds are craving Michelin star sophistication, Dutch seaside dining or a fashionable modern eatery, there are plenty of delicious r...

About Amsterdam Flowers

The Flower Strip is one of the most popular and unique attractions in the Netherlands. Find out how to get there and the best time of year to visit.

Top 10 I amsterdam City Card discounts in the Amsterdam Area

Make the most of your time in Amsterdam and the surrounding area with the I amsterdam City Card. You’ll enjoy free or discounted entry to top mu...

Top 10 luxury destinations in the Amsterdam Area

Although Amsterdam has its fair share of fancy restaurants and hotels, some of the best spots for indulgence and relaxation can be found outside the h...

5 unique places to stay in the Amsterdam Area

Here’s I amsterdam’s selection of superlative lodgings that offer the perfect base for discovering the Amsterdam Area. And when you book d...

Art and culture

With a host of charming venues, cultural attractions and fascinating museums, Haarlem offers an abundance of options for adventurers looking to discov...

10 of the best Amsterdam beach clubs

Enjoy the sun, sand and summer vibes at one of the top beach clubs in the Netherlands.

Top 5 spots for boating around Amsterdam

The Water Rat from Wind in the Willows was perfectly right when he said: ‘There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply m...

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