Exploring the Netherlands
Exploring cities in the Netherlands
Are you planning to spend some time in the Netherlands around our wedding? We collected some ideas for nice places, cities, museums and cafes and restaurants to visit. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Have fun!
Discover Woerden
Woerden is a historic Dutch town located in the heart of the Green Heart (Groene Hart) region, known for its cheese-making tradition, medieval heritage, and charming town center. Originally a Roman fortress, it has grown into a lively yet relaxed town with a rich cultural history. The town features highlights such as the 15th-century Kasteel Woerden, a traditional cheese market, and a picturesque canal network. Its central location makes it easily accessible from Utrecht, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, while the surrounding countryside offers excellent cycling routes through meadows, farms, and small villages.
Regional market
Every Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00, Woerden’s Kerkplein hosts the Streekmarkt, a vibrant farmers’ market where local producers offer fresh, regional products—ranging from cheeses and fruits to baked goods and flowers—creating a lively atmosphere for shopping and enjoying the town’s community spirit.
Biking or hiking around Woerden
Woerden is an ideal base for bike trips or hiking into the surrounding rural polder landscape — scenic, flat, and full of windmills and farms. We recommend renting a bike here, which is 10 min walk from the station. Or if you prefer to rent an e-bike, the VVV tourism office rents these (to book via this page, but more expensive).
Cafés and restaurants
One of our favorite cafes is Parkcafé Bredius; there’s a children’s farm with small animals right next to it. Another nice place with children that we haven’t been to yet ourselves is de Kade. We like to go to Van Rossum in the city centre for a drink, or their neighbours, Cafe de Pompier. For lunch, we can recommend Broodje Midas or Bij Petrus. For dinner, we recommend ’t Zusje Woerden for a tapas-like dinner, or restaurant Roma if you prefer pizza. Among the more pricier places, there is Viviamo for pasta lovers, de Woerdenaar for French kitchen and Sapori Sardi for the best Sardinian food.
Kasteel de haar
Kasteel de Haar, located near Utrecht in the village of Haarzuilens (also worth a visit!), is the largest and most luxurious castle in the Netherlands. Originally dating back to the 13th century, it was rebuilt between 1892 and 1912 by architect Pierre Cuypers, commissioned by Baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt and his wife, Baroness Hélène de Rothschild. The reconstruction transformed the ruins into a lavish neo-Gothic residence, featuring 200 rooms and 30 bathrooms, equipped with modern amenities of the time, such as electricity and central heating. Surrounding the castle is a vast park designed in the style of French formal gardens, complete with waterworks and a variety of themed gardens.
Explore Utrecht
Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, known for its medieval city center, vibrant cultural scene, and iconic canals with wharf cellars turned into cafés. Climb the Dom Tower for panoramic views, visit the Centraal Museum or the Rietveld Schröder House (UNESCO), or simply wander through the old streets lined with boutiques, bookstores, and hidden courtyards.
Markets
On Saturdays, head to the Vredenburg market for fresh produce, cheeses, flowers, and street food. For more artisanal goods and local products, check out the Lapjesmarkt (textiles) on Breedstraat or the flower market at Janskerkhof on Saturdays.
The Dom Tower
The 112-meter Dom Tower is Utrecht’s most iconic landmark and the tallest church tower in NL. You can climb it with a guided tour, including in English, for panoramic views over the city. Tickets and time slots can be booked here.
Biking or hiking
Utrecht is well-connected by bike paths. Cycle out to Amelisweerd, a forested estate with walking trails and a pancake house, or explore the nearby castles at Oud-Zuilen or De Haar. Renting a bike is easy at the station (OV fiets) or via Black bikes.
Cafés, restaurants, cinema
Ideas: LE:EN, Broei, Vegitalian, De Ontdekking (coffee/lunch), The Village (coffee). If you feel like going to the cinema, we really like the Louis Hartlooper Complex, the Springhaver or Slachtstraat filmtheaters. They all have a cafe attached to the cinema where you can get a nice dinner or drink.
With kids
The Nijntje Museum (Miffy) is a hit with toddlers, and the nearby Griftpark has a large playground and petting zoo. A water bike tour is also fun (with older kids). And we recommend the Train Museum.
And of course: Amsterdam
Amsterdam offers a unique mix of Golden Age architecture, world-class museums, and vibrant street life. Beyond the canals and bikes, there’s always something to discover—from quiet courtyards to buzzing food markets.
Museums and highlights
Visit the Rijksmuseum for Dutch masters, the Van Gogh Museum, or the Anne Frank House (book tickets well in advance). For something different, try the Tropenmuseum or Micropia (microbial life). The ARTIS zoo and botanical garden are also great for a slower pace.
Markets
Stroll through the Albert Cuypmarkt (daily, except Sunday) for snacks and souvenirs, or the Noordermarkt on Saturdays for organic produce and antiques. On Sundays, the IJ-Hallen hosts one of Europe’s largest flea markets (in Amsterdam-Noord).
Biking and green spaces
Explore the city by bike or ferry across the IJ to quieter spots like NDSM or the rural area of Amsterdam Noord. For greenery, head to Vondelpark, Westerpark of the Amsterdamse Bos.
Breweries
Brouwerij ’t IJ (a windmill brewery), De Prael, or Brouwerij Troost.
Cafés and restaurants
Try Le French Cafe, Dignita Hoftuin, De Wasserette, Pllek for brunch. Grab a drink at De Ysbreeker, Café Hesp, De Doelen, Bar Botanique, or at Hannekes Boom by the water. For dinner, check out de Wilde Zwijnen, Mitts or Loulou Pizzabar, The Foodhallen has a range of street food. Canvas (7th floor of the Volkshotel) has a nice view over the city.
With kids
NEMO Science Museum is interactive and fun for all ages. The Amsterdamse Bos has a goat farm, canoe rentals, and plenty of space to run around.
Other cities
There’s many other cities in the Netherlands that are worth visiting. Most of these cities can be found at less than an hour travelling from Woerden by train.
Leiden (30 min from Woerden by train): Leiden is a picturesque city known for its canals, museums, and the oldest university in the Netherlands. It has a compact, walkable center with hidden courtyards, historic almshouses, and lively terraces. Our favorite museum in the Netherlands can be found here: Naturalis (natural history museum). Other sights include the Boerhaave museum and the Hortus Botanicus.
Rotterdam (35 min from Woerden by train): Rotterdam stands out with its bold architecture, creative energy, and bustling port—the largest in Europe. Highlights include the Markthal, Cube Houses, Erasmus Bridge, and the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. The city also offers excellent food scenes, from rooftop bars to diverse street food at Fenix Food Factory.
The Hague (40 min from Woerden by train): Den Haag (The Hague) is the seat of the Dutch government and home to the royal family, international courts, and embassies. Visit the Mauritshuis for Vermeer and Rembrandt, the Binnenhof political complex, or Panorama Mesdag for a 19th-century coastal view. The city has a stately feel, with wide boulevards and museums, but also easy access to the beach at Scheveningen.
Arnhem (50 min from Woerden by train): Arnhem, on the edge of the Veluwe, blends nature, WWII history, and a laid-back urban feel. The Nederlands Openluchtmuseum (open-air museum) is a must—an engaging mix of historic buildings, crafts, and old Dutch trams. For shopping and cafés, skip the main street and explore the Modekwartier or the Spijkerkwartier—full of small boutiques, design studios, and local spots.
Delft (60 min from Woerden by train): Delft is a charming city known for its blue-and-white ceramics, ties to painter Vermeer, and well-preserved canal-lined streets. Visit the Royal Delft factory, the Vermeer Centrum, or climb the Nieuwe Kerk for views over the city. The compact center is ideal for wandering, with cozy cafés and local shops. Delft has a more laid-back feel than nearby cities, perfect for a day trip.