Looking for romantic places in the Netherlands to visit with your other half? Good plan. Love deserves celebrating, and where better than somewhere properly romantic? To save you the searching, we’ve gathered the most romantic places in the Netherlands in one list: charming cities and villages, special spots in nature and romantic days out. Pick one and let the romance take care of itself.
Romantic places in nature in the Netherlands
#1 The Frisian Lakes
The Frisian Lakes are easily one of the most romantic corners of Dutch nature. Is the sun out? Then rent a little boat together and explore the lakes of Friesland. Glide past wide open landscapes, moor up in picturesque villages and just enjoy doing nothing on the water. To complete the trip, book a holiday home right on the water. You’ll wake up to a view every morning, and you can tie up your (rental) boat at your own front door. Pretty much perfect for a romantic break.
#2 Hoge Veluwe National Park
Cycling through Hoge Veluwe National Park, you won’t know where to look first. Vast sandy plains alternate with dense forest and glowing heathland, and it’s a joy to ride around together and stop for the views. With a bit of luck you’ll spot foxes and red deer too, which is always a thrill in the wild. Want to make your Veluwe trip extra romantic? Book a cabin with its own sauna and hot tub, bring a good bottle of champagne, and your evening is sorted.
#3 Schiermonnikoog
Are you a real nature lover and want to surprise your partner with a romantic weekend away? Then Schiermonnikoog is one of your best options. As soon as you board the ferry together in Lauwersoog, the holiday feeling kicks in. The whole island is a national park, and more than 300 different bird species are spotted here every year, so it’s paradise if you love nature. Schiermonnikoog also has some of the widest sandy beaches in Europe, and if you’re lucky you might even spot seals. No wonder it earns its place among the most romantic places in the Netherlands.
#4 Biesbosch National Park
Another beautiful nature area is Biesbosch National Park, the largest freshwater tidal area in Europe. That means a maze of creeks, wild greenery and a huge variety of plants. So why is it on a romantic list? Because of where you can sleep. In the national park you can rent a cabin boat, sail it across the water and moor up for the night in the most unusual spots. Wake up to birdsong, go beaver spotting together and enjoy a romantic weekend in the middle of nature.
Tip: is the cabin boat fully booked? Don’t worry, there are plenty more romantic cabins in the Biesbosch.
#5 The Mergelland Route in South Limburg
Want beautiful scenery without having to be very active? Then the Mergelland Route in South Limburg is a great choice. Hop in the car together for one of the most beautiful road trips in the Netherlands. You drive through rolling hills with sweeping views over the Limburg countryside, and with a little imagination it feels more like Tuscany than Holland. Our tip: stop in a few of the villages along the way and try the local treats.
Romantic cities in the Netherlands
#6 Utrecht
Utrecht is a lovely city for a romantic city break. There are lots of fun shops, and the canals add an extra dose of romance, so renting a little boat to cruise them is a great idea. Prefer to walk? Then stroll along the Oudegracht, the city’s main canal, past plenty of nice spots and canal-side terraces to stop for a drink. Also worth it: a visit to Castle de Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands, just outside the city.
#7 Maastricht
Down in South Limburg lies charming Maastricht, a wonderful city for a romantic weekend away. Not only because of its famous Limburg warmth, but also thanks to its great choice of shops, hotels and restaurants. There’s plenty to see, too: the Vrijthof square, the underground caves and several museums. Seen enough? Treat yourselves to a good breakfast, then head to a terrace for a Burgundian beer or a slice of Limburg vlaai (fruit tart). It’s no surprise Maastricht belongs on this list.
#8 Amsterdam
Of course Amsterdam can’t be missing from a list of romantic places in the Netherlands. A day in the capital is an experience in itself, and sometimes it barely feels like you’re in the Netherlands at all. Get lost together in the little shopping streets, enjoy a fancy dinner and end the day with a view from a rooftop bar. Other romantic ideas: a canal cruise, a chocolate workshop or a comedy show together.
Tip: spend the night in one of the iconic bridge keeper’s houses on the canals to make your romantic trip complete.
#9 Rotterdam
Another great place for a romantic weekend away is Rotterdam. Not just for its lively centre, but also for the many romantic things to do. How about the Euromast, or an evening at the Foodhallen, where you can taste dishes from all over the world? On a tight budget? Keep it simple with a picnic in one of the city’s parks: fill a cool box and let the sun do the rest. Rotterdam also has a beautiful old cinema where you can catch a romantic film together. A bit cliché? Sure, but who cares.
Tip: read more about the most special places to stay in Rotterdam, from a sustainable floating home to a historic boutique hotel.
Romantic villages in the Netherlands
#10 Giethoorn
Cities not really your thing, but love a picturesque village? Then Giethoorn is one of the most romantic places in the Netherlands. You explore it by boat, gliding along narrow waterways past thatched farmhouses and lush gardens. On a sunny day it’s simply gorgeous, which is why it’s nicknamed the Venice of the North. Our tip: avoid the biggest crowds by visiting outside the Dutch school holidays. Spring and autumn are when Giethoorn is at its best.
#11 Naarden
Near the Gooi area in North Holland lies the fortified town of Naarden. We’ve put it under villages on purpose, because it feels much more like a small, charming village than a town. Stroll through the old centre together, discover its past at the Dutch Fortress Museum or take a romantic boat trip along the fortress moat. Naarden is also a great place for a day of shopping. Prefer nature? The Naardermeer nature reserve nearby has lovely walks.
#12 Elburg
Another pretty fortified town is Elburg. This small town sits on the edge of the Veluwe and makes an ideal base for exploring the countryside around it. Rent bikes for a romantic ride across the Veluwe, or hire a boat and look for the nicest spots on the Veluwemeer lake together. Elburg itself has plenty to see too, with good shopping and several historic monuments, and you’ll find some cosy restaurants for a romantic bite to eat.
#13 Zaandijk
Have you heard of Zaandijk? This romantic village in North Holland has a pleasant centre full of distinctive wooden houses, and right next to it is one of the most famous sights in the Netherlands: the Zaanse Schans. Along the river Zaan stands a row of historic windmills, some of which still work. Our tip: visit the Zaanse Schans at sunset, order a drink and book a night at the quirky Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Zaandam, built to look like a stack of traditional Zaan houses. Romance guaranteed.
#14 Marken and Volendam
Another tip for one of the most romantic places in the Netherlands is the historic village of Marken. It’s a former island in the Markermeer, connected to the mainland since the 1950s. Some residents still wear traditional dress, which is lovely to see. Marken has a small, cosy harbour too, perfect for sitting on a terrace in good weather. Finished your drink? Then take the boat across to Volendam together. Have a photo taken in traditional costume, taste the local Edam cheese and enjoy one of the best-loved spots in the country.
Romantic days out in the Netherlands
#15 Efteling
Don’t need a whole weekend away, just a romantic day out? Then a visit to the Efteling is a great idea. Take a romantic walk through the Fairytale Forest, try the thrill rides and soak up the special atmosphere of this beautiful theme park, the Netherlands’ biggest. Winter is a lovely time to go, too: as soon as it gets dark, thousands of lights and campfires make the park look its very best.
#16 Scheveningen
A bit cliché perhaps, but the boulevard of Scheveningen is still one of the most romantic places in the Netherlands. Take a spin on the Ferris wheel, eat a stroopwafel on the pier or look for shells on the beach together. Then flop down on the terrace of one of the beach bars and enjoy a romantic dinner as the sun sets over the North Sea. Not a bad way to spend a day, is it?
#17 Safari Park Beekse Bergen
Another fun idea for a romantic day out is a visit to the zoo. Not a standard visit, though, but a proper safari. At Safari Park Beekse Bergen you can drive through the park in your own car. Adventurous and romantic at the same time! Don’t be surprised if a giraffe or a lion suddenly wanders past your car. How cool is that?
#18 Seal spotting in Zeeland
Not a fan of zoos, but still keen to see special animals? Then head to Zeeland, to the Westerschelde estuary to be precise. A large population of seals lives here, and you can watch them from a boat in their natural habitat. Rederij de Festijn in Breskens runs boat trips here and tells you all about the life of the seals. A lovely, slightly different romantic day out in the Netherlands.
