What Is The Netherlands Famous For?
Wondering why everybody speaks about the Netherlands and what the Netherlands is famous for?
As an ex-pat myself, I wandered the same thing before moving to the Netherlands, so in this article, we’ll explore 20 things that the Netherlands is famous for and why they are worth experiencing firsthand.
Over the years, the country has become famous for several things from its tulip fields and windmills to its cheese, art, and DJs.
The Netherlands has earned a reputation as a charming and forward-thinking destination, attracting millions of visitors every year.
Let’s explore more!
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The Netherlands is still known as Holland
First of all, we need to address the fact that the Netherlands and Holland are not the same thing.
While people often use Holland interchangeably with The Netherlands, it is technically accurate to say that Holland refers to two provinces within the country: North Holland and South Holland.
These two provinces are located in the western part of the Netherlands and are home to major cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague.
Historically, Holland was the most powerful and influential province in the Netherlands, and its name became the name of the country as a whole.
Today, many people continue to refer to the Netherlands as “Holland”.
While people do interchangeably use the names Holland and The Netherlands, it is crucial to note that there are 10 other provinces in the country beyond North and South Holland, as visible in the photo above.
Tulips
In the springtime, vast fields of coloured tulips bring the Dutch countryside to life, creating a spectacle for the eyes.
It is no surprise that The Netherlands is renowned for tulips.
The cultivation of tulips in the Netherlands dates back to the 16th century and the country has since become the world’s leading producer and exporter of tulip bulbs.
Nowadays, the Keukenhof Gardens is one of the largest flower gardens in the world and is the most famous place to see tulips in The Netherlands.
Experience Keukenhof with a tulip farm tour and cruise and learn more about these beautiful flowers.
Windmills
The Dutch have been using windmills for centuries as they were essential to the country’s agricultural and industrial development.
They built the first windmills in the 13th century, and people used them for various purposes, such as pumping water out of low-lying areas, producing oil, grinding grain into flour, and sawing wood.
As time passed, windmills advanced and served for drainage, land reclamation, and industrial production.
Today, although modern technology has replaced many of the traditional uses for windmills, they are still a symbol of the Dutch culture and heritage.
You can find windmills throughout the countryside, particularly in the Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Zaanse Schans, a picturesque village where windmills are still working.
Interested in the windmill village? Check out my article about one day in Zaanse Schans!
Cheese
The Netherlands is world-famous for its cheeses as it has a long tradition of producing a wide variety of cheeses.
One of the most famous Dutch cheeses is Gouda, made from cow’s milk. Gouda cheese has a mild flavour and a smooth, creamy texture.
People often use it in sandwiches, salads, and other dishes.
Additionally, popular Dutch cheeses include Edam, renowned for its distinctive red wax coating, and Maasdam, a semi-hard cheese distinguished by its large holes.
In The Netherlands is common to explore cheese markets and farms to learn about the production of Dutch cheeses.
The town of Alkmaar hosts one of the most famous cheese markets in the country, where people have been trading cheese since the 14th century.
Cheese tasting is a popular activity in the cities and many cheese shops offer guided tastings to try different varieties and learn about the flavours and characteristics of each cheese.
Bicycles
The Dutch are avid cyclists and there are more bicycles than people in the country!
The bike is the main transportation in Holland used for everything.
The cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands is well-developed and there are dedicated bike lanes that make it safe and very easy to get around.
You can get almost everywhere in the country just by bike.
Renting a bike to explore the city is one of the most pretty and local options.
Lastly, if you feel unsure about biking alone, there are plenty of bike tours you can choose from.
Canals
The Netherlands is famous for its canals, which have been an important part of the country’s infrastructure and culture for centuries.
Dutchies have been building canals since medieval times originally for transportation, commerce, and defence.
Over time, Dutch people integrated canals into their daily lives, using them for fishing, recreation, and tourism.
Today, the Netherlands has over 6,000 kilometres of canals, including the famous Amsterdam Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 17th century.
Taking a stroll on the canals during the day or night and a canal cruise is mandatory if you visit the Netherlands!
Amsterdam
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, with a little over one million inhabitants, was founded in 1.275.
Although the government resides in The Hague, tourists, students, and ex-pats flock to Amsterdam as the most popular destination.
The city’s historic architecture, culture, canals, and liberal attitudes towards drugs contribute to its reputation.
You can easily spend one week in Amsterdam to discover all that the city has to offer!
Planning a trip to the Netherlands
Art
The Netherlands has produced many famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh (known for The Sunflowers), Rembrandt (The Night Watch), and Johannes Vermeer (The Milkmaid).
Amsterdam and The Netherlands have many museums where you can delight yourself in diverse kinds of art.
If you are into art, I highly recommend you get the Iamsterdam Card! The card will allow you to explore more than 70 museums, including public transport, a canal cruise and bicycle rent!
Wooden shoes
The Dutch have a tradition of wearing wooden shoes, known as clogs or “klompen“.
Farmers, fishermen, and other workers who required sturdy and practical shoes were the first to wear clogs.
They made them out of wood because it is a durable material.
Nowadays, many people still wear clogs, either as a part of traditional costumes or as protective footwear.
Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is a museum dedicated to preserving the life and legacy of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl who documented her experiences in a diary during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.
The museum occupies the building where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis for two years before their discovery and subsequent deportation to concentration camps.
Every year the museum receives over a million visitors and it has become one of the most visited museums in Amsterdam.
The Anne Frank House is a tribute to one of the most tragic and important events in history. It serves as a reminder of the need to stand up against hatred, prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.
Miffy
Dutch author and illustrator Dick Bruna created the character in 1955.
Miffy, a small white rabbit, is characterized by her black X-shaped mouth and button-like eyes.
The Miffy books and merchandise are famous for their simple, colourful illustrations and educational stories, designed for young children.
Miffy has become a cultural icon in the Netherlands but has also become famous around the world.
They translated the character into more than 50 languages and various books, TV shows, and other forms of media have featured the character.
Flat land
The Netherlands is famous for its flat landscape.
People have reclaimed large areas of land from the sea over the centuries through a process known as poldering. This process involves land reclamation to create new land from swaps and lakes.
They have built the infrastructure of The Netherlands in a way that prevents flooding and ensures controlled water levels.
Coffee Shops
In Amsterdam, establishments known as coffee shops legally sell and allow the consumption of cannabis products, subject to certain restrictions.
If you only want a cup of coffee, you must visit a café instead.
The government regulates coffee shops and enforces rules such as not selling alcohol or hard drugs.
Beer
Beer is one of the most popular beverages in The Netherlands.
Pilsner, a light and refreshing beer brewed using pale malts and often possessing a slightly bitter taste, stands as one of the most popular types of Dutch beer.
Some of the most well-known Dutch pilsner brands include Heineken, Grolsch and Amstel.
In addition to pilsner, there are many other types of beer that are popular in the Netherlands, including wheat beer, sour beer and Belgian-style beers.
Craft breweries have also become increasingly popular in the Netherlands in recent years, with many small breweries producing unique and innovative beers.
Expat City
The Netherlands is often considered a popular destination for expatriates (expats) due to its strong economy, English proficiency, quality of life, well-connected location and multiculturalism.
There are of course pros and cons of living in Amsterdam, but from my personal experience, there are more pros than cons.
Liberalism
The Netherlands has progressive policies on same-sex marriage, drug decriminalization and euthanasia.
The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001 and is a leader in promoting LGBT rights and equality.
The country is tolerant towards drug use, with the sale of small amounts of cannabis being decriminalized since the 1970s. This helped reduce drug-related crime and improve public health outcomes.
Lastly, The Netherlands was one of the first countries in the world to legalize euthanasia, allowing terminally ill patients to end their lives with medical assistance under certain conditions. This policy has been controversial, but it reflects the country’s commitment to individual autonomy and personal choice.
Red Light District
The Red Light District is a well-known neighbourhood in Amsterdam that is famous for its legalized prostitution.
The area is located in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic city centre and is a major tourist attraction.
The Netherlands legalizes prostitution but subjects it to heavy regulations to safeguard the safety and well-being of sex workers.
For instance, authorities mandate that prostitutes in the Red Light District meet certain criteria, such as being at least 21 years old, possessing a valid work permit, and undergoing regular health check-ups.
A very important thing is that it is forbidden to take photos of prostitutes.
Dutch DJs
The Netherlands is famous for its many world-renowned DJs who have made an impact on the electronic dance music (EDM) scene.
Some of the most famous Dutch DJs are Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix and Afrojack who you can see in a wax figure at Amsterdam’s Madame Tussauds.
The Netherlands is a hub of creativity and innovation when it comes to electronic dance music and the country continues to produce new DJs.
The colour orange
The colour orange is associated with The Netherlands and there are several reasons why orange is famous in Holland.
The House of Orange is the royal family of the Netherlands. The family played a significant role in Dutch history and helped lead the country to independence from Spain in the 16th century.
The Dutch national football team, also known as the Oranje, wears orange jerseys during their matches.
King’s Day is a national holiday in the Netherlands that celebrates the birthday of King Willem Alexander. Nationals celebrate the special day on April 27th by wearing orange clothing and accessories to demonstrate their support for the royal family.
Delft Blue
Delft Blue, also known as Delftware or Delft pottery, is a type of earthenware that is famous in Holland.
The city of Delft originated in the 17th century, and Delft Blue pottery is characterized by its blue and white designs.
Collectors around the world highly value Delft Blue pottery, considering it a quintessential Dutch product often used as a decorative item in homes.
You can find Delft Blue pottery for sale in many places, including souvenir shops and speciality stores.
World’s first stock exchange
Last but not least, The Netherlands is famous for the first stock exchange.
The Dutch East India Company established the world’s first stock exchange, known as the Amsterdam Stock Exchange (now Euronext Amsterdam), in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 1602.
Its purpose was to facilitate the trading of the company’s stocks and bonds.
The Dutch East India Company was a powerful trading company that controlled most of the trade between Europe and Asia.
Amsterdam Stock Exchange allowed investors to buy and sell shares in companies, providing a new level of liquidity and flexibility that was not possible before.
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Travel Inspiration for Amsterdam and Beyond
What to See & Do:
35 Best Things To Do At Night In Amsterdam
Best Places In The Dutch Countryside
Weekend Trips From Amsterdam In The Netherlands
Best Instagram Spots in Amsterdam
The Best Places For Walking In The Netherlands
Itineraries:
Amsterdam in One Day Ultimate Guide: 1 Day Itinerary + Map
Amsterdam For A Week: One Week in Amsterdam Itinerary
Seasonal Guide:
Amsterdam In Autumn: The Ultimate Guide
The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Amsterdam Tulips’ And Keukenhof Gardens
More of the Netherlands:
What You Need To Know For Your First Time In Amsterdam
Is Haarlem Worth Visiting? Reasons And Things To Do
