The Netherlands is a country with many activities, some basic and some more unique. Here are my recommendations for some less basic places to see in the Netherlands.
Game hall
Also known as the arcade hall. These are in several cities in the Netherlands. My personal favorite is in Breda. You can find a lot of games, shooting games, old video games, vending machines and more. It’s nice not only for kids but also for adults. Most of the time you get a card and you put money on it at the cashier. With that card you can play any game you like. Playing the game gives you tickets, with those you can choose your reward.
Tip: Game halls are open till night. You can meet a lot of people there, go there with a group of friends or for a date.
Pool cafes
Or billiards. These cafes full of billiard tables are really fun. There’s a bar where you can get a drink or a snack. You also pay there for a game. It’s paid for an hour and the prices are around 15-20€. In some cafes you also have some other games like darts or board games. The vibe is really good there and it’s a perfect place for a fun night with friends.
Beach trip
The Netherlands has a few beautiful beaches. The most famous is Scheveningen beach in Den Haag. This beach is gorgeous. There are a lot of restaurants, bars and souvenir shops but also a lot of attractions. There is a pier with a ferris wheel, bungee jumping and more. Of course there are also other nice beaches with great views.
Tips: There are great bars and restaurants on the coast. Find what you like and enjoy good food and drinks. Also don’t forget some warmer clothes, it’s windy on the beach.
Museums
There are a lot of interesting museums in the Netherlands. They have museums of cheese, rubber ducks or sex but also historical or art museums. Famous is the Anne Frank museum where you have to order tickets in advance. There are a lot of art museums. I visited the Van Gogh and MOCO museum and I loved them. You just have to know what you are interested in and enjoy your afternoon.
Tip: If you are planning a visit, check on the internet if you need to buy tickets in advance. We wanted to visit the Anne Frank museum but it was sold out for a few months.
Markthall
The Markthall in Rotterdam is a great food experience. Not only it has interesting and beautiful architecture but also a lot of tasty food. There are a lot of restaurants, cafes and snack bars in one building. You can find what you prefer and enjoy your food.
Cube houses
Staying in Rotterdam, not far from the Markthall is a very interesting attraction. With the architecture, the yellow colour is unmissable. It’s a great photo spot.
Tip: You can also find interesting architecture in Zaandam with magical buildings.
Tony’s chocolonely
Tony’s is a famous chocolate bar in the Netherlands. It’s a very good chocolate with a lot of meaning behind the process of making it. In Amsterdam you can visit a Tony’s store where you can also custom make your own chocolate bar, the taste and the packaging. It costs only a few euros and it’s an amazing experience.
Themed cafes
There are so many themed cafes in the Netherlands. You can find many cool places. Animal cafes, country themed cafes, cute and aesthetic cafes and the list could go forever. On my list is definitely an Alpaca farm cafe and Pink Beach cafe.
Party on the King’s day
King’s day is a national holiday and a huge celebration in the Netherlands. It happens every April and in every city. On King’s day everyone wears orange, as that’s the national colour of the Netherlands. In the morning you find people on the street selling stuff they don’t want anymore, it’s like a second hand market. In the afternoon and especially evening there are parties or festivals happening, depending which city you visit. Throw something orange on yourself and enjoy Dutch food, drinks and parties.
Visit a fun fair
There are fairs happening in majority of Dutch cities. There are many carousels, games and vending machines. You can also enjoy some snacks and drinks and win many prizes. To know when is the fair in your city, look for fun fairs on Google. It’s a great place to meet with friends or go on a date.
Eat at retro McDonald’s
If you are a fast food lover or you just enjoy some junk food sometimes I recommend you to visit the retro McDonald’s. It’s located in Best and it’s a really cool place to visit and have a snack.
There’s so many more places to see. One can never have enough time in the Netherlands. If you want a trip full of fun activities, the Netherlands is the place to go.