Day trips from Amsterdam – 10 of the BEST

Amsterdam is a wonderful city for family travels, it’s as family friendly as they get. However there are also some wonderful things to do a short drive from Amsterdam too and getting out of the city gives a whole new perspective on the whole country.

So if you’ve explored the best of The Netherlands capital with a Travel guide to Amsterdam, we have rounded up the best day trips from Amsterdam, Netherlands which all the family will love.

Read more: Our ultimate guide to the Netherlands with kids

1. Witches Weigh House, Oudewater

One of our favourite places in the Netherlands is the Witches Weigh House. Just outside of Utrecht in the sleepy little town of Oudewater.

When the witch mania spread through Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries witch weigh houses sprung up. They allowed women to be weighed to determine if they were light enough to fly a broom and thus a witch.

One of the last surviving witch weigh house is in Oudewater. It’s a fascinating trip out.

You can stand on the creaky old scales and look around the museum which is full of artifacts. Oudewater itself is lovely for a wander.

Find out more with our feature all about a trip to the witches weigh house in Oudewater here or at their website here.

Drive time: under 1 hour

2. Kinderdijk

Forget the more touristy windmills of Zaanse Schans, Kinderdijk is a completely different way to experience windmills in the Netherlands.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is just outside of Rotterdam and is breathtaking with 19 historic 16th century mills swaying in the breeze. It’s such an atmospheric spot and is another of our favourite places in the Netherlands.

Find out more with our feature all about a trip to Kinderdijk windmills here or at their website here.

Drive time: 1 hour

3. Efteling – one of the best day trips from Amsterdam

Efteling is the quirkiest theme park you’ll come across and as it’s been going for over 60 years you can be sure it knows what it’s doing.

The park has various worlds, all with the theme of fairytale or folklore. With its own Laaf Land full of Laaf People it is perfect for kids and grown ups too.

You can stay in one of the parks themed bedrooms or easily visit on a day trip from Amsterdam.

Find out more with at their website here.

Drive time: over 1 hour

4. Gevangenis museum – The National Prison Museum

Visiting a prison doesn’t necessarily feel like the most family friendly thing to do but The National Prison Museum, Gevangenisemuseum is a fascinating trip out and one that children will love.

There’s a museum to learn about prisons and punishment in the Netherlands through history, a bus tour of the town and the surviving prisons and even a chance to have a tour around a recently closed prison.

There are cafes and a fab prison-themed playground for the kids. We all really enjoyed our trip here.

Find out more at their website here.

Drive time: Around 2 hours one way

5. The beaches of Scheveningen (the best day trips from Amsterdam)

Just outside of Scheveningen are some beautiful sandy stretches of beaches. With plenty going on for all ages.

There are some fantastic restaurants all looking out to sea with big cushions to sit out on and relax. There are lots of traditional seaside activities too from hot doughnuts to fairground rides.

It’s a beautiful part of the Netherlands and an easy day trip from Amsterdam.

Drive time: under 1 hour one way

6. Corrie ten Boom house, Haarlem

While the history of Anne Frank is well-known throughout the world that of Corrie ten Boom is less known. And also an important part to remember.

Corrie rescued numerous Jews from her family’s small watch shop which is still standing in Haarlem, less than half an hour from Amsterdam.

Today you can visit the house and see the hole in a wardrobe that those she was hiding would climb through. It’s chilling and fascinating and important not to forget.

Haarlem itself is also a beautiful place to visit, the town square is gorgeous.

Find out more with our review of Corrie ten Boom’s house here or at their website here.

Drive time: under 30 minutes one way

7. The art of the Hague

If you’re not already cultured out by all the fabulous art work in Amsterdam a trip to The Hague is most recommended.

The Mauritshuis is a wonderful place to visit, particularly to see The Girl with the Pearl Earring amongst many others.

There is also The Escher Museum which is a great place to spend ages seeing art in a whole new way.

The Hague is also just a lovely city to walk around, it is so beautiful so definitely recommended.

Drive time: under 1 hour one way

8. Wander the canals of Utrecht

If you love the pretty canalside walks of Amsterdam you will adore Utrecht.

With a historic centre which is almost completely car free it is made for wandering (or cycling).

You can walk by the canals and stroll through the old town with its little shops and picturesque streets. It is probably my favourite Dutch town and well worth a trip out from Amsterdam to soak up the atmosphere.

Read our review of a weekend in Utrecht here.

Drive time: under 1 hour one way

9. New design in Rotterdam

Rotterdam feels quite different to a lot of the traditional picturesque Dutch towns as so much of it was bombed in the Second World War.

As a result the city has reinvented it and there is some amazing new architecture through the city which is great to see.

There are some fun things to do in the city too from pancake boats through the canals to great little parks.

Rotterdam is very different to other cities in the country so it’s well worth a trip out to see it.

Read our ten things to do in Rotterdam here.

Drive time: around 1 hour one way

10.  Keukenhof, Lisse – day trips from Amsterdam

The Keukenhof is a wonderful place to visit in spring time when the tulips are blooming. Unfortunately it’s only open between March and May.

There’s a windmill in the grounds and lots of fun playgrounds that kids and grown ups will all love (like climbing over a wooden frame with a canal underneath).

If you’re visiting Amsterdam during these months then definitely add the Keukenhof to your list of must visit.

Find out more with our review of a trip to the Keukenhof here.

Drive time: under 1 hour one way

Check out our Netherlands and Holland Kids Bumper Guide for more on what you can do in this beautiful country.

Do you have any favourite day trips from Amsterdam? Let us know in the comments below.