Where to Go Near Amsterdam -- Ideas, Day Trips, Itinerary
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Groot Waterland: Marken, Ransdorp, Durgerdam, Uitdam, Broek in Waterland, Monnickedam, Volendam, Edam -- This tour keeps you within 30 km of Amsterdam while taking you through fine examples of Holland's marine and cheese tradition. Tour Great Waterland, the area just northeast of Amsterdam featuring Marken, a traditional island town where some of the older residents still wear traditional costumes. While mostly overlooked by tourists, this area can be seen by tour bus out of Amsterdam.
Haarlem -- Zandvoort -- Haarlem is a must see for the Amsterdam visitor! Just a short train trip from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam is quiet smallish Haarlem, political seat of the Noord-Holland province. Featuring quaint streets, St. Bavo's cathedral, and the important Frans Hals museum. Continuing on the train from Haarlem takes you through the dunes and forest into Zandvoort an Zee, a small beach town.
Hillegom -- Lisse -- Keukenhof -- Langevelderslag -- Noordwijkerhout -- Noordwijk -- About 30 km southwest of Amsterdam past Schipol airport is the premier growing region for Dutch tulips, crocus, narcissus and hyacinth. This area features the Keukenhof, Holland's most impressive flower show (limited times). Past the flowers through the forest (hout) and dunes are quiet beach areas and the more developed beach town of Noordwijk.
Egmond an Zee, Castricum, Bergen an Zee, Alkmaar -- Alkmaar, roughly 35 km northwest of Amsterdam, is home to a traditional cheese market where workers wear the centuries old costume styles. Cheese is auctioned and sold; when a deal is struck, the workers carry cheese to the scales on gondolas. West and south of Alkmaar as you approach the North Sea you will find the quiet small towns of Bergen an Zee, Egmond an Zee, and Castricum a short way inland..
Texel Island -- Texel is one of the Frisian Islands between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea.. Accessible by ferry from Den Helder (45 km north of Amsterdam), Texel offers a tranquil view of where the Dutch go on vacation. The west side of Texel facing the North Sea is the most interesting, with tall sand dunes blocking the fierce winds. Texel offers opportunities for bicycling, hiking, nature and bird watching and beachgoing. With only a few small towns (and no coffeeshops, thankfully) Texel is unknown to most Amsterdam visitors and offers you a respite from the enjoyable yet wearing buzz of Amsterdam. Take the train to Den Helder, then bus to the ferry. You can also drive onto the ferry and take your car. There are a few small towns with accomodations and restaurants -- as with the rest of Holland you can reserve ahead through the VVV tourist information offices.