Looking to venture out to the beautiful Dutch countryside? There are plenty of charming villages in the Netherlands that are quiet, magical, and historical.
Many Dutch villages offer an excellent opportunity to understand the fascinating history and culture of the Netherlands.
These villages boast traditional buildings, cobbled streets, colorful tulip fields, and lively markets; hence, they are an absolute delight to discover.
Add these villages to your Netherlands itinerary or weekend getaway to enjoy some of the prettiest places in the country.
Below is the list of the 21 most beautiful Dutch villages that you HAVE to visit.
21 Beautiful Dutch Villages
Here are our favorite Dutch villages in no particular order. Enjoy!
1. Giethoorn
Giethoorn is amongst the most adorable villages in the Netherlands. Located in the province of Overijssel, this village is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the Netherlands.’
As one of the most beautiful places in the country, Giethoorn is a no-road village, and its center can only be traveled on foot, by bike, or via a boat ride in the canal.
You can stroll and bike around the village using interconnected wooden bridges.
While boating in the canals of Giethoorn, you can stop your boat near any of the canal-front cafes and restaurants for a drink or some Dutch food.
If you have more time in hand, visit the De Weerribben-Wieden National Park, located 3 miles away from the village.
2. Marken
Marken is a picture-perfect village located in the province of North Holland, about 11 miles from Amsterdam.
The village was separated from the mainland in the 13th century by a storm.
However, a dike was built in the 1950s to reconnect Marken with the mainland. The village is known for its characteristic wooden houses built on stilts.
The entire village can be explored on foot or by bike, and the main attractions to stop by are the Paard van Marken Lighthouse and Marken Museum.
Also, do not miss out on watching a live demonstration on how Dutch clogs were made at the old wooden shoe factory.
3. Bourtange
Bourtange is one of the most popular villages in the Netherlands. This star-shaped village was once a fort but is presently an open-air museum accessible to tourists.
It is located near the German border in the east of the province of Groningen.
While walking across the cobbled streets of Bourtange, you will find several pretty houses around its iconic central square.
You can also visit the Bourtange church, the Bourtange windmill, and a former synagogue which is now a museum.
4. Broek in Waterland
Located in the province of North Holland, Broek in Waterland is one of the most visited Dutch villages in the Netherlands. It is also known to be amongst the cleanest villages in Holland.
Broek in Waterland reminds us of Giethoorn in a way, as it is surrounded by countless rivers, creeks, and canals.
So to get a unique point of view from the lovely houses, rent a canoe or a whisper boat and sail the many waterways of this lovely village in Holland.
We guarantee you’ll love the pastel-colored wooden houses.
Still, the best way to get around this Dutch village is on foot. You will find over 80 monuments dating back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries spread throughout its streets.
Also, visit the Sint Nicolaas Church and The Famous House for its 17th-century wall paintings.
5. Spakenburg
Spakenburg is a charming village located south of Ijsselmeer in the Dutch province of Utrecht.
It is one of those villages in the Netherlands famous for women wearing a kraplap, a traditional local garment. However, you’ll most likely only see them wearing that in tourist sites or during local festivals.
Beyond that, you must visit the Grebbelinie That, a pre-defense line of the Dutch water line system built to protect the country from floods and enemies.
Do not miss visiting the Spakenburg Harbour Museum, where you can have a glimpse of Netherland’s oldest shipyard and the world’s biggest fleet of botters – the wooden flat bottomed fishing boat.
6. Schin op Geul
Located 2 miles away from Valkenburg, Schin op Geul is one of the charming Dutch villages set in the province of Limburg.
In the village, you can enjoy walking amidst the rolling hills and forests of South Limburg.
Visit the nearby attractions like the Valkenburg Castle (a beautiful Dutch castle) with its beautiful interiors, secret underground passages at the Velvet Caves, botanical gardens at the Kasteeltuin Oud-Valkenburg, and the modern gallery Kasteel Wijlre.
7. Hollum
Hollum is the largest village on Ameland, one of the Wadden Islands in the Netherlands. The village is located on the westernmost part of this Frisian Island.
In Hollum, you can visit the 12th century Reformed Church and a lighthouse that dates back to 1880.
Other attractions that you must visit are the two museums – Abraham Fock Rescue Museum and Sorgdrager Museum, and 1840 built De Verwachting smock mill, which is still in working condition.
After all the sightseeing, relax at the beaches of Ameland, where you can also kayak or surf.
8. Acquoy
A part of West Betuwe, Acquoy is a village located in the province of Gelderland. The village lies on the banks of the Linge River.
When in Acquoy, you must visit Fort Asperen that dates from the 1800s and formed a part of the defense structure. Several exhibitions are held there today.
Another place in this village that kids might enjoy is the GeoFort, an interactive science center for kids to learn through fun exhibits.
Beyond that, Acquoy is a beautiful place in the Netherlands for anyone looking for both art and history off the beaten track.
9. Hoog Soeren
Located in the province of Gelderland, Hoog Soeren is a Dutch village surrounded by the Veluwe National Park and enclosed by the woods of the Koninklijke Houtvesterij Het Loo nature reserve.
It goes without saying it’s an incredible place for wildlife lovers.
You can spot deer and wild boars in the extensive forest and the moorland.
Also, this is one of the few villages in the Netherlands where you can have such easy access to one of the most significant natural areas in the country.
Further out, you’ll want to visit the springs in the vicinity of Hoog Soeren that were once used to supply the fountain of Paleis Het Loo with water.
10. Linschoten
Linschoten is a picturesque village located in the province of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Just so you can have an idea of its beauty, Linschoten is declared one of the 50 most beautiful villages in the Netherlands by the Royal Dutch Touring Club.
The main attractions in this small village include the 13th-century church named Grote of Sint Janskerk and the Estate Linschoten, the largest estate in the Randstad that houses farms, grasslands, and forests.
Other noteworthy places to see near Linschoten are the Roman Catholic church Sint- Bonaventurakerk and the De Windhond windmill.
11. Gulpen
Gulpen is one of the most-visited villages in the Netherlands among Dutch tourists. Besides, it is a popular summer destination where many events and festivals are organized.
The village derives its name from the River Gulp that runs from the center of the town.
The notable attractions in the village include the St. Petrus Church that dates from 1924, and the Old Church Tower.
Further out, you must also explore the Neuborg Castle, which will give you ample photo opportunities. The village also houses Gulpener Brewery, where beer is produced in an ecologically friendly way.
12. Epen
Set amidst the beautiful landscape of Limburg, Epen is among the best places to visit in the Netherlands for nature lovers.
The village features gorgeous timber-framed houses and some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.
Beyond that, this Dutch village is home to the incredible Sint Paulus Bekering Church, the Epen Molen watermill, and the Volmolen watermill along the River Geul.
Since the Belgian border is within walking distance, you can also go for some lovely cross-border hikes to the Belgian villages.
13. Amerongen
The village of Amerongen is located in the province of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Among the top places to visit in this Dutch village, Amerongen Castle is an incredible sight.
The castle used to be home to the last emperor of Germany but is converted into a museum now. It is known for its unique architecture and the beautiful garden in the front.
Also, make sure to visit the St. Andrew’s Church and the Mill Mallust, the only belt mill in the province of Utrecht.
If you love hiking, climb the well-marked trail to the highest point in Utrecht province – Amerongse Bos.
14. Abcoude
Abcoude is one of those Dutch villages that is hidden under the skyline of Amsterdam.
Located in the province of Utrecht, the village is well known for housing the oldest land fortress of the Defence Line of Amsterdam.
Imponent and very interesting, Abcoude Fort is entirely made of bricks and is an important historical point.
You can also visit the De Dorpskerk church and the Damianus Kerk church located in the heart of the village, and the Gein windmills towards the village’s outskirts.
Don’t forget to check out Piet Mondrian’s artistic displays in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag.
15. Orvelte
If you love visiting museums, Orvelte is one of the best villages to see in the Netherlands for you.
Located in the province of Drenthe, this Dutch village houses several museums like the Open-Air Museum of Orvelte, Jan Kruis Museum, Westerbork Museum, and Museum Brasserie Bier en Boek.
Orvelte is also among the least populated villages in the Netherlands. Hence, it has retained its old-world charm with its thatched houses and old paved streets.
Pieterpad, the most popular long-distance walking route in the Netherlands, and Drenthepad pass through Orvelte.
16. Schokland
Schokland, a former island, is one of the most historically rich Dutch villages located in the province of Flevoland. It is approximately an hours’ drive from the capital city of Amsterdam.
The village is the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country because it symbolizes the heroic, age-old struggle of the people of the Netherlands against the encroachment of the waters.
To learn more about its history, you must visit the Schokland Museum.
Beyond that, this Dutch village houses countless monuments, church ruins, and the remains of a lighthouse.
A visit to Batavialand Museum is also highly recommended. It will enlighten you regarding the nautical history of the Netherlands.
17. Nieuwpoort
Nieuwpoort is amongst the loveliest villages in Holland and one of the oldest in the country, dating back to 1283. It is a fortified village located on the banks of River Lek in the municipality of Molenlanden.
Take a walk around the village and marvel at the numerous canals and fortifications. Visit the Newport Town Hall that houses the Het Stadhuis (a historical museum), declared a protected monument.
You also will find historic buildings, beautiful monuments, and several ramparts with a view over the town and River Lek.
18. Drimmelen
Drimmelen is amongst the smaller Dutch villages with a population of around 550 people. It is located in the province of Noord Brabant in the southern Netherlands.
This beautiful Dutch village is best explored on foot or on a bicycle. And since it’s such a gorgeous village, we’re sure you’ll enjoy a stroll around some of its most beautiful streets: Dorpsstraat, Herengracht, and Weitjes.
Also, you will want to take some time and explore its surroundings. For instance, you can cycle the beautiful path over the Amerdijk from the village of Drimmelen to Lage Zwaluwe.
One of the best things to do in Drimmelen is taking a boat ride through the De Biesbosch National Park, the biggest nature reserve in north-western Europe.
19. Heenvliet
Heenvliet, located in the Dutch province of Zuid Holland, is one of the lesser-known villages in Holland, which is a shame because this Dutch village is truly charming!
Start off by visiting the historic ruins of Ravesteyn Castle and marvel at this Dutch landmark. Then, wander through the center and take in the charming architecture.
Next, venture out into the surrounding villages to check out the Hervormde Church, Brielle Historical Museum, the Bernisse windmill, and the St. Catharijne church.
Kids will definitely enjoy their time in Heenvliet as it has several holiday parks, amongst which Hertenkamp is a park where you can spot deers.
20. Oudeschans
Oudeschans is the smallest fortified Dutch village and is located in the province of Groningen in the north of the country.
Built by Count Willem Lodewijk van Nassau in 1593 during the Eighty Years’ War, the village played an crucial role in the struggle of the Dutch troops against the Spanish power.
So take your time to wander through the streets of this piece of history.
Some of the attractions you’ll find here are the iconic red drawbridge, Garrison Church, Fortress Museum, which depicts the history of the village’s fortification and displays archaeological findings, and many other historic spots.
Beyond that, go for a walk in the marked route over the former defensive walls and get a glimpse of this beautiful historic fortified village and the surrounding farmlands from the so-called “counterscarp”, the second line of defense.
Oudeschans also makes for an excellent base for visiting the nearby villages, including Beerta and Vriescheloo.
21. Groede
Featuring old houses with picturesque facades and streets with artisanal workshops, Groede is amongst the most beautiful Dutch villages.
Located in the Dutch province of Zeeland, this village is a former World War II military site.
To learn more about it, you can visit the Groede Podium, where you will see the military bunkers surrounded by a woodland recreation area.
Beyond that, any trip to Groede would be incomplete without visiting its beautiful beach. After all, the province is a popular summer destination.
Also, Grote Kerk, situated in the village’s central square, is a must-see, and the Slijkstraat Street is a paradise for shopaholics and foodies. Do try out the locally brewed Dutch beer.
Wrapping Up on Dutch Villages
Whether you’re coming to the Netherlands on vacation or you’re a resident traveling the country, make sure to escape the busy Dutch cities and venture out into the countryside.
There are a plethora of mesmerizing Dutch towns and villages spread across the country. You just have to pick one and go!
Anyway, we hope you enjoyed this article. But before you go, let us know in the comments which of these places above is your favorite Dutch village.
Also, if you know any worth-visiting Dutch village that we have missed out on in this list, let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.
Our best travel tips & resources:
Here're our all-time favorite travel tips & resources so that you can save money and plan your travel logistics hassle-free! For more travel resources, check out our travel tips.
- Saving money: Fly on offseason, winter (not Xmas or NYE), Tuesday, or Wednesday! According to experts, these are the cheapest days to fly.
- Travel insurance: Before you leave for your trip, make sure you have a valid travel insurance policy because accidents happen on the road. We have been paying for Safety Wing travel insurance for a little over a year now, and we happily recommend them to our family and friends.
- Accommodation: We usually stay in mid-range comfy hotels or private rooms in hostels. These are the sites we use to book accommodation: Booking.com for hotels (excellent flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld for hostels (low deposit and easy cancellation).
- Tours:We absolutely love booking guided tours with locals to get a history lesson while sight-seeing, especially food tours and walking tours! We book all of our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
- Transportation: We use Google Maps to figure out how to get around a place using public transport. When we book a rental car, we always use Discover Cars to find the best deal.
