South Holland, where city, beach and bulb fields meet

South Holland, the most densely populated province of the Netherlands, combines world cities, countless sights and a long North Sea coastline within easy reach of each other.

World cities: modern Rotterdam, government city The Hague and the historic cities of Leiden, Delft and Gouda.
Coast and beach: dozens of kilometres of North Sea beach, from bustling Scheveningen to peaceful Rockanje.
Nature and flowers: dunes, polders, the windmills of Kinderdijk and in spring the colourful bulb fields.
Short distances: thanks to the dense network of trains, trams and buses in the Randstad, you can easily combine city, beach and nature in a single day.

Rotterdam, modern architecture and port city

Rotterdam is renowned for its modern architecture and Europe's largest port, and feels different from any other Dutch city.

Iconic architecture: visit the Erasmus Bridge, the Cube Houses and the Markthal, a covered market with an impressive artwork on its ceiling; the Markthal is free to enter and ideal for lunch among 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 the old city that survived the bombing of the Second World War, with canal houses, a windmill and cosy terraces.
Practical tip: Rotterdam Centraal station is on the direct line from The Hague, Leiden and Amsterdam. From the station you can easily explore the compact city centre on foot or by metro, which is quick and easy to use.

The Hague, political capital of the Netherlands

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and the royal family, with a rich history, world-famous museums and the coast just around the corner.

The Binnenhof: admire the Binnenhof with the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) and the Torentje from across the Hofvijver. The complex is being renovated over the coming years, so the inner court is only partly accessible, but it remains a magnificent sight from outside.
The Mauritshuis: visit the Mauritshuis, with masterpieces by Vermeer (the Girl with a Pearl Earring), Rembrandt and Frans Hals. Buy your ticket online in advance with a time slot, as it is often sold out on the day.
Palaces and peace: stroll past Paleis Noordeinde, the King's working palace, and the Peace Palace, where the visitor centre tells the story of international law.
Madurodam: experience the whole of the Netherlands in miniature at Madurodam, a playful and educational miniature city that is a great day out, especially with children. Book online for discounts and shorter queues.
Scheveningen Pier: on the seafront promenade, right in front of the historic Kurhaus, stands the Scheveningen Pier with its Ferris wheel and zipline. Combine a morning at the museums with an afternoon on the beach, they are only fifteen minutes apart by tram.

Leiden, city of discoveries

Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, is known for its rich history, the oldest university in the Netherlands and beautiful canals.

The Hortus Botanicus: visit the Hortus Botanicus, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world and a peaceful escape in the middle of the city.
Canals and almshouses: walk along Leiden's canals with their characteristic hofjes (almshouse courtyards), or hire a boat and see the city from the water. Most hofjes are freely accessible during the day, provided you respect the peace and quiet.
Museums for every taste: alongside the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden and Museum Boerhaave you will find the natural history museum Naturalis, where nature really comes to life, and in nearby Oegstgeest the journey through the human body at CORPUS.
Practical tip: Leiden Centraal station lies halfway between Amsterdam and The Hague and makes an ideal base. From here, buses run directly to the coast at Katwijk and Noordwijk, and in spring to the Keukenhof.

item Delft, Historie, Grachten en Delfts Blauw

Delft, historic city full of charm

Delft is a charming city with a rich history and the cradle of the world-famous blue earthenware.

The Prinsenhof: visit the Prinsenhof, where William of Orange lived and was assassinated in 1584; the bullet holes can still be seen.
View from the tower: climb the tower of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) for a magnificent view over the city; bear in mind that it is a steep, narrow climb.
Delft Blue: visit one of the workshops, such as Royal Delft, to see how this pottery is painted by hand.
Practical tip: Delft lies between The Hague and Rotterdam and is fifteen minutes by train from both cities. The picturesque Markt with the town hall and the Nieuwe Kerk is the best starting point for a walk.

Gouda, city of cheese and stroopwafels

Gouda is a historic city famous for its cheese, stroopwafels and candles.

The cheese market: visit the Gouda cheese market, held every Thursday morning from 10.00 to 12.30 from April to August on the historic market square. Come early to get a spot at the front.
Sint-Janskerk: in the longest church in the Netherlands, admire the world-famous Goudse Glazen, 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 treats: taste a fresh stroopwafel straight from the griddle and, of course, young or matured Gouda cheese in one of the many shops around the market square.

Fortified town of Brielle, a historic gem

Brielle, also known as Den Briel, is a charming fortified town on the island of Voorne-Putten with a rich history.

Along the ramparts: walk along the well-preserved, star-shaped ramparts that still completely surround the town, one of the best-preserved fortifications in the Netherlands.
Where freedom began: Brielle is known as the first town captured from the Spanish by the Sea Beggars in 1572, a turning point in the Eighty Years' War that is still celebrated every 1 April.
Historic monuments: highlights include the Sint-Catharijnekerk, the Historisch Museum Den Briel and the beautifully restored seventeenth-century Asylum for Old and Infirm Seamen.
Practical tip: Brielle has no railway station, so come by car or take the bus from Spijkenisse metro station. You can combine your visit with a beach day in nearby Rockanje.

Coast and beach

South Holland has dozens 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 places to eat and drink, 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 the sandbanks, ideal for families with young children.
Active by the sea: almost every resort has surf schools, beach pavilions and supervised zones with lifeguards in the high season. Always watch out for currents outside these zones.
Practical tip: on sunny summer days, traffic to the coast gets congested and car parks fill up quickly. Come early, or take the train to The Hague or Leiden and change to a tram or bus that takes you close to the beach.

Nature and the Bulb Region

Between the cities and the coast lies a surprising amount of green, from dune landscapes to the world-famous bulb fields.

Hollandse Duinen National Park: this extensive dune area along the coast, including Hollands Duin, is criss-crossed by walking and cycling routes, with visitor centres and cafés along the way.
The Keukenhof: the Keukenhof in Lisse is open from late March to mid-May and shows millions of flower bulbs, flower shows and the largest sculpture garden in the Netherlands. Buy tickets online in advance and come early or late in the day to avoid the crowds.
Along the bulb fields: cycle or walk along the fields around Lisse and Noordwijkerhout in spring. Do not pick the flowers and stay on the paths, as the fields belong to the growers.
Kinderdijk: at Kinderdijk stand nineteen windmills dating from around 1740, together a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the area on foot, by bike or by boat, and visit the visitor centres for the full story.

Out and about with children

South Holland is a rewarding province for a family day out, 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 bring nature and the human body to life in surprising ways.
Space travel: in Noordwijk, Space Expo takes you into space, with real rockets and satellites.
Always the beach: on a fine 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 just as rewarding to discover at the table.

Fish from the coast: in the seaside resorts you can eat fresh North Sea fish, with a herring or a portion of kibbeling as a true Dutch classic.
Sweet specialities: fresh stroopwafels from Gouda and Haagse Hopjes from The Hague are popular local treats to take home.
Cheese from the countryside: Gouda cheese is best bought directly from a cheese farm in the Groene Hart (Green Heart), where you can often taste before you buy.
World cuisine in the city: thanks to their international character, Rotterdam and The Hague offer a hugely varied choice, from Indonesian rice table to Surinamese and Turkish cuisine.

The seasons in South Holland

Each season shows a different side of the province, so plan your visit around what you want to experience.

Spring: the season of the bulb fields and the Keukenhof, with an explosion of colour in the Bulb Region from late March to mid-May.
Summer: the time for beaches, promenades and terraces, with the most events and the longest days, but also the biggest crowds on the coast.
Autumn: quieter, with beautiful colours in the dunes and woods and ideal conditions for long walks and city breaks.
Winter: quiet and atmospheric, with bracing walks on an empty beach, warm museums and cosy city centres around the holidays.

Practical information: getting around the Randstad

Together with North Holland and Utrecht, South Holland forms the Randstad, the densely built-up heart of the Netherlands where you can easily get around without a car.

By train: intercity trains connect Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague and Leiden several times an hour, with journey times of fifteen to thirty minutes between the major cities.
Tram and bus: tram line 1 links Scheveningen via the centre of The Hague with Delft, and from Leiden Centraal buses run to the seaside resorts of Katwijk and Noordwijk.
Checking in: on trains, trams, buses and the metro you simply check in and out with your contactless bank card, credit card or phone.
By bike: a dense network of cycle routes and junction points links the cities with the dunes and the coast; you can hire a bike at most major stations.
By car: parking in the city centres is expensive, so park cheaply at a P+R on the edge of town and continue by public transport. You will find more tips under parking.