Country's codes
International phone code for Netherlands: +31
3 letters: NLD
2 letters (internet domain): .NL
Digital country code 528
Standard EAN-13 (country barcode): 870-879
Olympic country code: NED
The Netherlands Travel Guide
Travelers love the Netherlands for its scenic canals, bike-friendly cities, world-famous art museums, and picturesque countryside landscapes filled with windmills and tulip farms.
Top Attractions in the Netherlands
Amsterdam Canals
The UNESCO-listed canal belt of Amsterdam is the heart of the city. A boat cruise through these historic waterways is one of the best ways to see the Dutch capital’s architecture and atmosphere.
Keukenhof Gardens
Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is one of the world’s largest flower gardens. Millions of tulips bloom here every spring, creating stunning landscapes of color.
Kinderdijk Windmills
This UNESCO World Heritage site showcases the Netherlands’ iconic windmills. Located near Rotterdam, it demonstrates how the Dutch have managed water and reclaimed land for centuries.
Anne Frank House
Located in Amsterdam, this historic museum preserves the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during World War II.
Best Cities to Visit
- Amsterdam – Famous for canals, museums, and vibrant nightlife.
- Rotterdam – Modern architecture and Europe’s largest port.
- The Hague – Home of the Dutch government and international courts.
- Utrecht – Charming medieval streets and unique canal wharves.
- Delft – Historic town known for blue Delft pottery.
Things to Do in the Netherlands
- Take a canal cruise in Amsterdam.
- Cycle through tulip fields during spring.
- Visit world-famous museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.
- Explore traditional villages like Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn.
- Enjoy Dutch cheese markets in towns such as Alkmaar.
Travel Tips for Visitors
- Public transport is efficient and easy to use across the country.
- English is widely spoken, making travel convenient for international visitors.
- Spring (April–May) is the best time to see tulips in bloom.
- Book popular museums and attractions in advance to avoid long queues.
Useful Country Information
Total area: 16,033 sq mi (41,526 sq km)
Population (2022 est.): 17.53 million
Capital and largest city (2022 est.): Amsterdam (official), 1.156 million; The Hague (administrative capital), 550,000
Amsterdam: Capital City Profile
Other large cities: Rotterdam, 1.014 million
Monetary unit: Euro (formerly guilder)
National name: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
Languages: Dutch (official) note: Frisian, Low Saxon, and Limburgish are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Ethnicity/race: Dutch 80.7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2.4%, Turkish 2.2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Caribbean 0.8%, other 4.8%
Religions: Roman Catholic 28%, Protestant 19% (includes Dutch Reformed 9%, Protestant Church of the Netherlands 7%, Calvinist 3%), other 11% (including about 5% Muslim and smaller communities of Hindu, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witness, and Orthodox), none 42%
National Holiday: King’s Day (formerly Queen's Day), April 27
Background:
The Netherlands, on the coast of the North Sea, is part of the great plain of north and west Europe.
After centuries of foreign rules by the Romans, Franks, Burgunds, Habsburgs, and Spaniards in 1648 the Dutch Republic became a free and sovereign state. During the 17th century, also called the 'Golden Age', the Republic became increasingly prosperous and a major colonial power, thanks largely to the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
In 1815, the northern and southern Netherlands – today's Netherlands and Belgium – were combined to form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but was invaded in World War II by Germany in May 1940 and occupied for five years.
Today the Netherlands is a modern, industrialized nation and the third largest exporter of food. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EU, and participated in the introduction of the Euro in 1999.
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