Netherlands Itinerary for Indians
Planning to visit the Netherlands? With so much to see and do, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Amsterdam's romantic canals, the colourful tulip fields and iconic museums like the Anne Frank House - you wish to see it all. The secret to not missing out on anything worth seeing is having a detailed itinerary. You must create and submit one along with your Schengen visa application. Refer to this guide to build a perfect Netherlands itinerary.

Essential Information for Planning Your Itinerary
The Netherlands is a small country well-connected by a train network. Travelling by train allows you to cover more places in a few days. Here's additional information to help you plan an efficient Netherlands travel itinerary.
| Category | Information |
| Visa Requirement for Indians | Yes |
| Travel Insurance for the Netherlands | Mandatory |
| Flight Duration from India | 9 to 12 Hours |
| International Airports | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Eindhoven Airport (EIN) |
| Best Time to Visit | June to August |
Places and Experiences You Must Include in the Netherlands Itinerary
No matter how short your visit is, you must include the best attractions in your Netherlands trip itinerary.
- KeukenhofThis is where you can witness endless rows of colourful tulips and other flowers. However, you must visit in the spring to see this sight.
- Anne Frank HouseEnter the secret annexe where Anne Frank (Jewish victim of the Holocaust) lived during World War II and wrote her famous diary.
- Van Gogh MuseumAt this legendary museum, you can learn about the life of iconic painter Vincent Van Gogh and see some of his best artwork in person.
- Kinderdijk WindmillsView 19 historic windmills, which are beautiful to look at and showcase the Netherlands’ history.
How Many Days Do You Need in the Netherlands?
Your Netherlands tour itinerary can be short (less than a week) or span a few weeks, depending on how much you want to explore.
| Days | Cities to Visit in the Netherlands |
| Day 1-2 | Amsterdam, Dordrecht |
| Day 3-4 | Haarlem, Hague |
| Day 5-6 | Gouda, Rotterdam |
| Day 7-10 | Leiden, Delft, Groningen |
Netherlands Travel Itinerary for A Short Visit (5 Days)
Can't spare more than a few days to explore this charming country? Here is a compact 5-day itinerary for the Netherlands that will take you to major cities and popular tourist spots.
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Day 1: A Day in Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam. Visit the city's best museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. If you have time, stroll through Vondelpark or the Royal Palace. -
Day 2: A Chance to See the Kinderdijk Windmills
Travel to Dordrecht by train. Take a tour of Dordrecht's picturesque canals. Later, you can visit Kindedjik to see the historic windmills. Step inside the windmills, see a 'floating exhibition', and take a boat tour to see the windmills from a different perspective. -
Day 3: Step into the Biesbosch National Park
Visit the stunning Biesbosch National Park. You can enjoy hiking, bird-watching, swimming or horse-riding here. You can also explore the park by renting an e-bike. -
Day 4: A Day Spent In Rotterdam
Catch a train to Rotterdam in the morning. Admire the beautiful architecture and visit Museumpark. Explore other popular sites like the Market Hall, the Cube Houses, the Euromast Tower and the Erasmus Bridge. Spend time at Linjbaan shopping street or see the city's old harbour. -
Day 5: Back to Amsterdam
Head back to Amsterdam. It is time to fly back to India.
In-depth Netherlands Itinerary (9 Days)
Planning an extended holiday? In 9 to 10 days, you can see the most famous sites in the country and cover some hidden delights as well. Here's a well-rounded Netherlands family trip itinerary of 9 days.
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Day 1: Start Your Journey With the City of Canals
Land in Amsterdam and check into your hotel. Discover the city's best museums, like the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank House, the Moco Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum. If you have time, you can also tour the city's canals or explore on a rented bike. -
Day 2: Amsterdam Awaits
Start exploring Amsterdam with a stroll around Vondelpark. Later, visit Stedelijk Museum, the Royal Palace, Oude Kerk, and Beguinage Chapel. -
Day 3: A Journey to Haarlem
Spend your day in the medieval city of Haarlem. Check out its historical attractions like its city centre, the Apollo Theatre, the Marcus Gravy Park, and the Frans Hals Museum. If time permits, visit Lisse to see its beautiful bulb gardens. -
Day 4: Experience The Hague
Travel to the Hague, a lovely city by the sea. Visit its top attractions, such as Binnenhof, the Mauritshuis, and Malieveld Park. -
Day 5: Explore Gouda and Delft
Visit Gouda, most widely known for Gouda cheese. Visit the city hall and the market square and tour its pretty canals. Travel to Delft to witness how the famous Delft Blue Ceramics are made. -
Day 6: Magical Rotterdam
Take a train from Gouda to Rotterdam. Visit famous museums and art galleries like the Boijmans van Beuningen and the Kunsthal. Spend time in the Museumpark. You can explore the old harbour area or see Theater Square, the Timmerhuis, and the Markthal. -
Day 7: Exploring the University Town of Leiden
Visit Leiden, a university town. Plan to explore the historic centre of Leiden and visit iconic museums like the Lakenhal Museum, the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre, and the Museum of Ethnology. -
Day 8: Cycling Across the Zuid-Kennemerduinen
On this day, you can visit the Zuid-Kennemerduinen National Park to see its impressive dunes and fallow deer. -
Day 9: Back to Amsterdam
Come back to Amsterdam and get ready for your flight to India.
International travel insurance is required for getting a Schengen visa. It is also helpful for dealing with unexpected expenses, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.
Tips for Planning Your Netherlands Itinerary
- Getting aroundWith a Holland travel ticket, you can travel by train, bus, metro, and tram as much as you want for just EUR 70 a day. A Holland travel ticket off-peak at just EUR 48 is helpful if you travel between Monday and Friday.
- Travel InsuranceA Schengen visa requires overseas travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. It should cover hospitalisation, emergency medical treatment, and repatriation (including in case of death).
- Cash DeclarationIf you enter or leave the European Union with cash worth more than EUR 10,000, you must declare it to Douane (Dutch customs).
Netherlands Itinerary: FAQs
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Q1. How many days is enough for the Netherlands?
Ans: You can cover the most famous places in the Netherlands in 5 to 6 days. For a more immersive experience, you can take a trip of 10 to 15 days. -
Q2. How to apply for a Netherlands visa from India?
Ans: You can apply for a Netherlands visa by filling out an application form and submitting it to the embassy with the required documents. The application process is completed through VFS Global. -
Q3. When to see tulips in the Netherlands?
Ans: You can see the tulips in the Netherlands in the spring season, from March to May. -
Q4. What is the peak tourist season in the Netherlands?
Ans: The peak tourist season in the Netherlands is summer, which is from June to August. -
Q5. What is the Netherlands famous for?
Ans: The Netherlands is famous for the tulip fields in Keukenhof, the historic windmills, and the Anne Frank House museum.
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