Our next destination is the Netherlands

Our next destination is the Netherlands. Since we are close to the Dutch border, I had the chance to visit the Netherlands several times. I will share with you the information that has stayed in my mind from these trips. When you think of the Netherlands, the first thing that probably comes to mind is weed and drugs ☺, but the Netherlands is, of course, worth visiting not only for this aspect but also for its historical and cultural aspects. I will briefly introduce the cities and talk about the places worth visiting. Amsterdam is one of the historical cities of the Netherlands. Many places in the city have preserved their historical structures. The city is famous for its canals and appeals to tourists of all kinds. At the same time, it is the most preferred city for nightlife in Europe. You can find everything you are looking for in this city, from culture and art to sports and shopping, from entertainment to romance. Rotterdam, on the other hand, was completely destroyed by the German army after World War II and then rebuilt as a modern city. 60% of the city’s population consists of foreigners. Rotterdam, founded as a fishing city in the 13th century, became one of the major port cities due to its location.

 

Attractions in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Canals

If you visit Amsterdam, make sure to take a 1-2 hour canal tour. You will have the opportunity to see the historical streets and houses of Amsterdam. Especially, you can see the smallest house in Amsterdam squeezed into a few square meters ☺. You can walk around the canals and relieve a lot of stress.

Anne Frank House

The house that became the subject of the most widely read books in the world, “The Diary of Anne Frank“. Anne Frank hid in this house located at Prinsengracht 263 for two years during the German occupation. She recorded the years she spent almost without going outside in dark rooms in her diary, which was later turned into a book. There is generally a ban on taking photos and videos inside the museum. At the end of the museum, there is a cafeteria on the first floor where you can have a coffee and relax while enjoying the canal view.

Fatih Mosque Amsterdam Amsterdam

Formerly a church that was converted into a mosque. The building resembles a huge church from the outside, but the interior is completely arranged as a mosque and is actively open for worship. I recommend you to see it if you visit Amsterdam.

Dam Square

Originally a fish market established in the 17th century, this square is now one of the liveliest places in the city. Especially in the summer months, there are many events and shows here. Also, the fans of visiting football teams gather in this square.

Windmills

Particularly worth seeing is Zaanse Schans. These traditional windmills, built in the 17th century, are still in working condition. Along with the surrounding houses, it has been turned into an open-air museum.

Note: There are also noteworthy places that we couldn’t visit, such as the Van Gogh Museum, Madame Tussauds, and the Red Light District for those interested in nightlife.

Attractions in Rotterdam

Cube Houses

These houses, built in 1978, have a unique architecture rarely found in the world. Nowadays, they are used somewhat like hotels. While we were in Rotterdam, we also stayed in these houses. The houses are built at a 45-degree angle, so you may feel a bit dizzy at first, but you get used to it.

Boat Tour

Definitely take a one-hour boat tour in Rotterdam.

Erasmus Bridge

The bridge that connects the two sides of Rotterdam. It resembles a swan in shape.

White House

The first skyscraper built in Europe. It was constructed in 1990. Right next to it, there is a steep building from which Jackie Chan descended running in one of his movies.

Attractions in Den Haag (Lahey)

We had limited time in Den Haag, so we couldn’t stay for long. We just took a walk along its beautiful and spacious coastline. If you visit during the summer months, be sure to go for a swim as it has a lovely beach.

Conclusion

The Netherlands is a small but worthwhile country to visit. As a tourist, you can find many things you are looking for here. Especially, you can visit famous coffee shops where the consumption of cannabis is legal up to a certain amount, and you can easily find them. There are many foreigners living in the country, with Moroccans standing out in particular. The cities are filled with bicycles, which can be overwhelming for those not accustomed to it in traffic. If you are not used to it, you may have trouble with the abundance of bicycles. We traveled by car, but I generally recommend using public transportation as it allows you to reach your destinations faster. Additionally, finding parking space for a car can be a big challenge and very expensive. If you are staying for 4-5 days, I strongly advise against renting a car as it will only cause inconvenience.