7+ Best Cities Close To Amsterdam 2026 (From A Local)

Want to know what other Cities you can visit when you are in Amsterdam?

You have found the right place!

I live in Maastricht and have explored many of the cities around The Netherlands from Amsterdam by train and car.

From weekend breaks to regularly visiting these cities for shopping, concerts and epic places to eat, they are a great way to spend your time outside of Amsterdam.

And honestly, there are so many places you can go, but which cities are the best?

From stunning canals to wonderful windmills, there are so many amazing places to visit easily by train, car and bus. My favourites include Maastricht and Zutphen but there are so many others I love too! 🤩

So let’s jump in and help you explore the best Dutch cities and other European gems near Amsterdam during your next trip!

The Best Cities Near Amsterdam: Quick Guide

If you are in a hurry, these are the best cities you should consider exploring when visiting the Dutch Capital:

📍 Maastricht– It takes just over 2 hours by train or car to reach my home and is unlike other Dutch cities!

📍 The Hague– In 45 minutes you can reach the city that is great for foodies and visiting the beach from Amsterdam.

📍 Utrecht– It’s easiest to take the 1-hour train to get to this city with canalside restaurants and epic shopping.

What are the best cities close to Amsterdam to visit?

Thanks to the fantastic location of the Netherlands’ capital city, you can explore Europe and beyond in next to no time.

There are so many amazing Dutch cities you can easily explore in a day. And there are plenty of cities near Amsterdam by train!

If you are visiting during winter and want a glimpse of snow, these are great options because Amsterdam doesn’t get a lot of snowfall.

To plan the ultimate day trip, here are some of the most beautiful cities near Amsterdam that you should visit:

1. The Hague

The Hague is the perfect day trip from Amsterdam and should be at the top of any traveller’s list.

It is home to a stunning historical centre packed with Dutch traditions, architecture and tourist attractions.

What makes it even better is that it remains much calmer than many other European cities, making it ideal for exploring without feeling overcrowded.

If you’re looking for peaceful canalside strolls, mesmerizing art galleries or breathtaking views, look no further than The Hague – there’s something for everyone!

Plus, it’s incredibly easy to visit from Amsterdam.

With frequent high-speed trains, you can go from one city to the other in just over an hour. It is easily one of the top cities close to Amsterdam by train and public transport!

This is one of the most popular day trips from Amsterdam but if you have time, book a hotel and stay overnight!

🧇 I Highly Recommend Booking This Hague Food Walking Tour!

2. Haarlem

This happens to be one of my favourite cities to visit close to Amsterdam!

Located less than 33 Km northwest of Amsterdam, this vibrant city offers a variety of attractions and activities worth exploring. For a breath of fresh air from Amsterdam, Haarlem might just be the place for you too.

With its charming canals, gorgeous architecture and relaxed atmosphere, this quaint city will provide you with the perfect getaway from urban hustle and bustle.

It’s also filled with fascinating museums, charming coffee shops and easy access to the countryside’s lush parks and canals, you’ll want to make sure your itinerary includes a visit to Haarlem when travelling to Amsterdam.

My favourite place to eat here is The Hive which does amazing honey-based drinks and food 😍

For anyone looking for places near Amsterdam where you can relax but still have plenty to do, add Haarlem to your list.

✅ Book Your Private Haarlem Tour With A Local Guide Here!

3. Zwolle

You probably hear this about most Dutch and European cities, but you really need to add this one to your itinerary!

Zwolle is one of the most remarkable cities not far from Amsterdam and is really easy to get to. The journey takes around an hour by train and it is one of the most scenic ones in The Netherlands.

It is one of the places near Amsterdam I would tell everyone to visit ASAP because it is so fantastic (I nearly moved here!)

Visitors can rent a boat around the beautiful canals for just 20 euros and enjoy incredible views overlooking centuries-old city walls.

There is also a boat on the water where you can get snacks, drinks and even a bottle of wine to take around with you without leaving your boat!

You don’t see this much in any of the other cities across the Netherlands and this is one of the reasons many Dutchies love Zwolle.

Zwolle’s weekend market is not to be missed if you want to try some traditional Dutch delicacies.

Here you will find things like smoked sausages and traditional Dutch cookies or the best freshly baked bread from local bakers. You will also find plenty of food stalls where you can buy freshly made stroopwafels and kibbeling.

The locals around the city are so welcoming, so try to practice some Dutch phrases before you arrive, it will go a long way!

And if you visit in the summer they create a really awesome beach area where you can get drinks and food.

4. Utrecht

If you’re looking for an amazing vacation spot but don’t want to travel too far away from Amsterdam, then Utrecht is the perfect place for you!

I love Utrecht and is one of my favourite day trips from Amsterdam 😍

No matter where you get a train from in the Netherlands, you will be able to find a train to Utrecht as it is known as the meeting point for the Netherlands. So if you want a quick day trip from Amsterdam or you want to explore more of the Netherlands, Utrecht is a fantastic city!

From paddleboarding down the canals or taking a romantic boat trip around the city, you will not run out of places with incredible sites either.

With its charming architecture and flourishing canals, you will be blown away by how beautiful Utrecht is. And the best thing is that there is so much to do here!

And if you are like me and love eating in unique places, climb down the canal steps to find many amazing bars and restaurants.

For the ultimate tour of Utrecht, I cannot recommend this 5-star rated walking tour enough 😍

This tour guide is just the best and helps you learn about the city and the best things to do if you only have a few hours to explore!

✅ Check Out The Reviews & Availability For The Utrecht Walking Tour Here!

5. Zutphen

I have only just recently visited Zutphen and I am so mad at myself for not doing it sooner!

Located along the Ijssel River in Gelderland province, Zutphen is one of the best cities to visit from Amsterdam for a chilled-out atmosphere and historic sites.

This stunning beauty is a medieval town located just over an hour away, making it an easily accessible escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

From strolling along its cobblestone streets and taking picturesque snapshots to immerse yourself in its rich history and culture, a day trip from Amsterdam to Zutphen will have you spoilt for choice!

6. Maastricht

Now we can’t talk about the best cities to visit in the Netherlands without talking about my home city, Maastricht!

It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach here by car or train from Amsterdam.

Coming from the UK, it took me a while to get my head around the road system and I like avoiding traffic so tend to opt for the train.

Most Dutch cities have the same esthetic and kinda look the same but the most southern city in the whole of the country is different.

With its Roman Bridge, ancient city walls and long history, this is the place where many Dutch people take weekend breaks.

It’s also a magical place to visit in Winter to make sure you pack your warm clothes!

There are a few things you need to do here to have the ultimate Maastricht experience. This includes trying local Rijstevlaai – Dutch Rice Pie (for the best one, visit Peter Lemmens)

You should also hire bikes from the train station, follow the cycle path for 20 minutes and cross the border to Belgium.

The route is fairly flat and you pass stunning vineyards and Chateau Neercanne which stores its wines in Maastricht’s underground cave system!

7. Eindhoven

If you are planning on visiting Maastricht from Amsterdam, you are most likely going to have to change trains in Eindhoven. However, I do recommend visiting this city for even a few hours as it has some great places to shop!

To get from Amsterdam to Eindhoven it takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes whether you drive or get the train. However, I have always found the train a lot faster.

In this area of the country, you will find a lot of breweries and distilleries which always offer amazing tours. I have been on a few now and I always really enjoy them. If you only have time to do one, visit the Bottle Distillery.

What major cities are nearby Amsterdam?

Thanks to the fantastic transport system surrounding Amsterdam, there are plenty of great places to visit around it.

If you are looking to do a day trip from Amsterdam, here are a few of the major cities nearby that you should consider visiting:

➡️ 35 km to Utrecht

➡️ 158 Km to Antwerp, Belgium

➡️ 72.5 Km to Gouda

➡️ 52 km to The Hague

➡️ 202 Km to Essen, Germany

➡️ 57 km to Rotterdam

➡️ 38 Km to Zandvoort

FAQS about cities close to Amsterdam

I’m sure you have a few more questions about which cities you should visit from Amsterdam. To help you plan your next city break, here are the most frequently asked questions rounded up for you:

What countries are close to Amsterdam by train?

Amsterdam is well-connected to Europe by train, making it a great destination for easy day trips! In just over 2 hours from Amsterdam Central Station, you can reach Belgium and Germany.

There are also plenty of other places to visit from Amsterdam by train. In just over 4 hours you can also reach France and the UK which is great for a weekend break.

Exploring Europe from Amsterdam is a great option for all with affordable fares and frequent schedules throughout the week. It also makes seeing more than one destination on your journey a lot easier.

Which European city is closest to Amsterdam?

Amsterdam is very central to many European cities in the Netherlands and beyond. Only 57 Km away is the vibrant Dutch city of Rotterdam. The next closest European city to Amsterdam that is not in the Netherlands is Antwerp in Belgium (158 Km).

These destinations are really easy to reach by train from Amsterdam and a great way to see other European cities whilst staying in Amsterdam.

How close are Amsterdam and Germany?

Well, this does depend on which part of Germany you want to reach, the distance from Amsterdam to the German border is roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes. But this will change based on multiple things like where in Germany you are going and how you are getting there.

One of the closest major cities in Germany to Amsterdam is Essen which takes 2 hours to reach.

Is Amsterdam close to Budapest?

Budapest is roughly 1145 km from Amsterdam so is not very close. There are no direct trains to each city either so the most popular way to travel between them is to fly.

Is Amsterdam close to Barcelona?

If you want to take the train to Barcelona from Amsterdam you are looking at a 12-hour journey as the cities are not very close to each other.

The distance from Amsterdam to Barcelona is approximately 1238 km so many people prefer to visit for a long weekend. The drive time is also pretty long so if you want to get between the two cities quickly, your best option is to fly.

Is Amsterdam close to Paris?

Paris isn’t one of the closest cities to Amsterdam (510 km away)but thanks to the train services, you can get there pretty easily. With multiple trains a day running from Holland to France, you can make it from Amsterdam to Paris in just four hours.

And if you want to explore Europe at your own pace, you can drive to France and Paris pretty easily.

Just make sure you have a French driving kit before setting off!

Cities close to Amsterdam final thoughts

If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the city, Amsterdam has many different surrounding areas that are perfect for day trips.

This guide provides you with an overview of the best cities to visit near Amsterdam, Netherlands. From Utrecht to The Hague, there’s plenty to see and do just outside of the city limits.

No matter which cities you decide to visit, you are guaranteed to most amazing time. But if you want an experience like no other, stop by my home city of Maastricht!

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