Small but mighty: The 10 most beautiful small towns in the Netherlands

Water canals instead of concrete, boats instead of cars, windmills instead of big city hustle and bustle – the small towns of the Netherlands exude their very own charm and invite you to get to know the country away from Amsterdam , Rotterdam and the like.

Whether for a day or a whole weekend, the Dutch small towns will let you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life for the duration of your stay. Read about the most beautiful small towns in the country here.

Dordrecht is often called the "Dutch Venice ." Like its famous big sister, this historic town in the province of South Holland is characterized by canals, bridges, boats, and winding alleys. Dordrecht's location is also unique: The city, with a population of around 122,000, is located on an island, the Eiland van Dordrecht. Ferries, known as water buses, take you to the island from Rotterdam in about an hour.

As one of the oldest cities in Holland, Dordrecht boasts a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. Popular sightseeing stops include the Groothoofdspoort, a historic city gate, the "Great Church" on the canal, and "De Houten Hoofd," a historic swing bridge from the 19th century.

The old town of Dordrecht including the canal.

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Giethoorn is also called the " Venice of the Netherlands" or the "Venice of the North" by some. Rightly so, as the picturesque village is crisscrossed by an eight-kilometer-long canal, crossed by a total of 180 small bridges. Historic, thatched farmhouses line the waterways. A sight straight out of a fairytale.

Just an hour and a half from Amsterdam, Giethoorn is perfect for a day trip. It's considerably quieter than the capital: only about 2,800 people live there, and the center of Giethoorn is car-free. A must-do activity on a trip to Giethoorn is a boat trip on the canal. From the water, the beautiful houses can be admired especially well.

The thatched farmhouses are the trademark of Giethoorn.

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Just 30 kilometers from the city of Groningen lies Appingedam, a charming little town. Its historic center is lined with centuries-old buildings, including the Nicolaikerk, the old courthouse, and the town hall.

The Damsterdiep canal runs through the entire city and gives it its special charm. While strolling along the water, you'll certainly notice that some houses have an extension that juts out over the canal. These are the so-called "hanging kitchens" of Appingedam. Due to a lack of space in their narrow houses, residents simply built their kitchens in the open space above the Damsterdiep. Today, they are the unofficial symbol of the city.

The “hanging kitchens” in Appingedam provide more space in the houses.

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Naarden is one of the best-preserved fortified towns in all of Europe . To this day, it fascinates visitors with its unusual city plan: the entire complex is laid out in a star shape, with ramparts, bastions, and moats, once considered a revolutionary defense system.

On a guided tour along the fortress walls, you'll learn fascinating details about the town's military past and strategic importance. Those who want to delve even deeper into Naarden's history can visit the Dutch Fortress Museum.

The small town of Naarden impresses with its star-shaped architecture.

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Zwolle, the capital of the province of Overijssel, combines canals, history, and enjoyment. Remains of the 14th-century city wall still bear witness to its turbulent past. Of the original 23 defensive towers along the city wall, three remain. The Sassenpoort, Zwolle's former city gate, is also impressive.

Equally characteristic of the cityscape is the Peperbus. The approximately 75-meter-high tower is part of the Basilica of Our Lady. In 1815, a fire destroyed its spire, which was then replaced with a copper cap in 1828.

Despite its many historic buildings, Zwolle is anything but dusty. The approximately 19,000 students create a lively atmosphere and fill the small town's pubs and clubs in the evenings.

The Peperbus, the famous tower of Zwolle.

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Delft is characterized by water, as can be deduced from its name: "Delft" comes from the Dutch verb delften, which translates as "to dig." The city was founded on a canal, or moat.

Art lovers will especially enjoy Delft: Firstly, the small town is the birthplace of Delft pottery, a traditional, mostly blue and white painted earthenware. The typical blue and white pattern even adorns street signs and entire house facades.

Secondly, the painter Johannes Vermeer was born in Delft. At the Vermeer Center, you can learn all about the life and works of the world-famous artist, including a collection of life-size reproductions of all of Vermeer's known works.

When strolling through the city, a stop at the market square, with its magnificent Renaissance town hall and many other historic buildings, is a must. Right at the heart of Vermeer's work stands the De Roos windmill . It dates back to 1679 and is still fully functional today.

The beautiful town hall in the small Dutch town of Delft.

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Mighty church and defense towers dominate Zutphen's skyline, along with numerous smaller turrets – it's not for nothing that Zutphen is also called the "Tower City." Together with the historic gabled houses, churches, courtyards, and squares, this creates the medieval atmosphere that makes Zutphen so special.

Among the sights worth seeing is the medieval St. Walburgis Church. Its mighty tower houses one of Europe's last remaining Celtic libraries. Around 750 centuries-old books can be admired here.

Another highlight is the Berkel Ruins, the remains of the former city gate. The ruins are open to the public every last Sunday of the month and offer insights into the former city fortifications. The small viewing platform also offers beautiful views of the Berkel, one of the two rivers that flows through Zutphen.

The former city gate is one of Zutphen's most important sights.

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With its stately homes and historic warehouses, the harbor, and the canals, Hoorn's cityscape is one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands . Particularly impressive is the Hoofdtoren, the former city tower dating from 1532. It once served as a defense for the city; today it houses a restaurant.

Several historic buildings are clustered around the main square, Roode Steen, including "De Waag"—a building where cheese and other goods were once weighed. Those interested in learning more about the town and its history should visit the Westfries Museum.

Finally, on the artificially created island of Oostereiland in the city's harbor, history and modernity collide. Formerly a poorhouse and prison, the island now houses the Museum of the 20th Century, a cinema, and shops and boutiques, among other things.

The cityscape of Hoorn is one of the most beautiful in the Netherlands.

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With only about 160 inhabitants, Bronkhorst can call itself one of the smallest towns in the Netherlands . In the 15th century, what is now part of the municipality of Bronckhorst was granted city rights – this official title remains to this day.

With its cobblestone streets, historic farmhouses, and wrought-iron street signs, Bronkhorst feels like a large open-air museum. Far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you can stroll through the streets and immerse yourself in a bygone era.

A particularly pleasant option is to take the ferry from the municipality of Brummen. This ferry operates seven days a week, and you can even take your bike on board. Surrounded by meadows, tree-lined avenues, and the IJssel River, a visit to Bronkhorst can be perfectly combined with a bike ride through nature.

Historic houses and waterways are characteristic of Bronkhorst.

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Noordwijk is located directly on the North Sea coast —perfect for those who want to combine a seaside holiday with history and culture. Several clubs and pavilions are spread along the beach, and in the historic Noordwijk-Binnen district, you'll find small boutiques, cafés, galleries, and traditional houses that still characterize the old village center.

After a stroll through the city, the wide sandy beach invites you to take long walks between the dunes and the sea. Noordwijk is also located in the heart of the Netherlands' tulip region. In spring, when the flowers bloom, the landscape transforms into a colorful sea of blossoms.

Noordwijk combines culture with beach holidays.

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